Aetherborn

Created by Theomachomai.

Aetherborn are magical constructs created of enchanted metal and stone. The first aetherborn were built in Nexus, where they are called underlings, and they are still used to mine aether for export all over the world. Under Emperor Alorian, Sarpor constructed a number of its own aetherborn designed to aid their conquest of Asshad. Sarporean aetherborn are usually military, but some work as mercenaries or do construction and heavy lifting. They have much less freedom in Nexus, where they are confined to the lowest level of the city and forced to mine the aether that powers them and much of the world’s technology. The oreads consider them to be nonpersons, but some scholars in Xantos and Sarpor argue that their ability to use magic is indicative of sentience.

Basic Information

Anatomy

An individual aetherborn’s physique and capabilities depend on its model and place of origin. Underlings are made small and agile enough to navigate shifting cracks in the earth, whereas aetherborn built in Sarpor are usually bulky and incredibly strong. For some time, thaumechanists at several universities have been attempting to create aetherborn optimized for spellcasting. Unfortunately, such constructs tend to be very fragile and require twice as much aether to run (1 cell/3 days).

Biological Traits

As Constructs, aetherborn have no Constitution score, and for the purpose of DCs are treated as though they have a Constitution score of 10. They cannot heal damage on their own, but may be repaired through the use of the Craft Construct feat or spells such as make whole. They gain bonus hit points based on their size (10 for small constructs and 20 for medium). They do not have to breathe, eat, drink, or sleep, but may do so if they wish (for example, to gain potion effects or regain spells). They do need a fresh cell of aether roughly every six days to keep running, however. An aetherborn which runs out of fuel will shut down and become unresponsive until it is supplied with more.
Immune: mind-affecting effects, any effect that would require a Fortitude save, ability damage/drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, and nonlethal damage.
Low-light vision, darkvision 60.
Models: An individual aetherborn’s physique and capabilities depend on its model and place of origin. Underlings are made small and agile enough to navigate shifting cracks in the earth, whereas aetherborn built in Sarpor are usually bulky and incredibly strong. For some time, thaumechanists at several universities have been attempting to create aetherborn optimized for spellcasting. Unfortunately, such constructs tend to be very fragile and require twice as much aether to run (1 cell/3 days).
Imperial Aetherborn (Sarpor) - +4 Strength, -2 Intelligence, Charisma, and Wisdom; size Medium; speed 20; Gatecrasher (+2 racial bonus on Strength checks to break objects and +2 on combat checks made to Sunder +20 base hit points. Begins play speaking Imperial Common; may choose from Draconic, Atlantean, Aquan, Ignan, and Auran with a high Intelligence score. These aetherborn are generally humanoid, and have simple but attractive aesthetic elements.
Underling (Nexus) - +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, -4 Charisma; size Small; speed 20; detect chaos 1/day; Stonecunning (+2 to perception checks to notice oddities in rock or masonry +10 base hit points. Begins play speaking Terran; may choose from Draconic, Goblin, and Imperial Common with a high Intelligence score. Underlings are humanoid, and while they are strongly built there is not much consideration for aesthetics, as they will likely be crushed and otherwise damaged repeatedly while mining.
Aethermage - +4 Intelligence, -2 Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution; size Tiny; speed 20; Envoy (comprehend languages, detect magic, detect poison, and read magic as 1/day spell-like abilities with an Int score of 11 or higher). Begins play speaking Imperial Common or Draconic depending on location of origin; may choose from any language with a high Intelligence score. These aetherborn are very small and fragile, and may take a variety of forms, from a glowing mechanical spider to a rolling ball or a tiny humanoid. They cannot wear armor or use traditional weapons, although they may be fitted with upgrades that serve a similar purpose.

Genetics and Reproduction

They are thaumechanical constructs.

Growth Rate & Stages

Aetherborn do not grow or physically change unless they are modified.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Aetherborn do not need to eat, drink, sleep, or breathe, but they do require aether power cells (one every six days, or one every three days for aethermages).

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Darkvision 60 feet

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Aetherborn are either named by their creators or allowed to choose their own names. Those that were created through official channels have serial numbers, although these are not used in place of names except in Nexus.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Imperial aetherborn speak Imperial Common by default. Aetherborn created in universities usually speak Imperial Common, Draconic, and sometimes other languages such as the elemental tongues if they have a high Intelligence score. All underlings speak Terran.

Lifespan

Aetherborn do not die naturally, but if their core is destroyed, they cannot be restored.