Flux

> The anger is sort of what keeps me going.
>
> Flux

**Flux** (he/they) is a Bio-Hybrid artificer member of the Aether Bastards. He is played by Ian Headley.

Originally known as Project 376, Flux grew up on a Zalarian research facility called the Rock. After his escape, Flux spent time as a mercenary and engineer for hire prior to being recruited by Dev Selimas. His past crews tended to all die horribly or all turn on one another.

Flux was recruited to the Aether Bastards by the gangster Dev Selimas. He became the crew's engineer, weapons master, and miracle worker after the Aether Bastards elected to remain together after the job. During his adventures with the Aether Bastards, Flux has built a variety of inventions and learned to be a team player.

## **Intro**

"Lover of all things magitech, Flux would rather be in his garage creating new designs than put himself out there and get killed. Organic creatures are unreliable, difficult to talk to, and highly expendable."

"Their background is heavily mysterious. They seem to know a lot about magic, unlike many other people that aren't allowed to have magic, and [he] knows a lot about technology. But he's definitely a weird mutant monstrosity looking thing and nobody knows how he ended up where he did. And that's all you need to know."

## **Description**

### **Appearance**

Flux is a vaguely aquatic humanoid with blue skin and long green hair. He has fins on his face and gills on his neck. He is self-conscious about his gills and tends to keep them covered with a scarf. Flux has red, scar-like marks across his body and a nest of eight purple tentacles that he can use to manipulate objects and stow trinkets in his large coat. Flux's tentacles are regenerative. Flux alternately carries or wears goggles. He describes himself as "only partially organic" and some kind of Zalarian "mutant project." He looks uncomfortable all the time.

### **Personality**

Flux is the brightest mind in the Zalarian Empire but his social skills need work. There is no trouble his mouth gets him into that his mind cannot get him out of. He is prickly and sarcastic, but does care for others in his own way. Flux does his best to prevent harm to innocents and cause harm to Zalarians.

### **Capabilities**

Flux has some innate magical ability and can do some limited spellcasting, depending on components he has available. He carries a variety of mechanical errata, to include bombs of all kinds and small metallic mending drones. He has constructed a magically augmented laser rifle for use in combat.

## **Biography**

### **Before Campaign One**

Originally known as Project 376, Flux grew up on Zalarian research facility 702, also known as the Rock. Flux was chosen for the project for his natural affinity for magic, a rarity in the Empire. After his escape, Flux spent time as a mercenary and engineer for hire prior to being recruited by Dev Selimas. He was wanted by the Zalarian Empire in connection with his escape, with a significant bounty on his head. His past crews tended to all die horribly or all turn on one another.

### **Campaign One**

Flux was recruited to the Aether Bastards by the gangster Dev Selimas. He became the crew's engineer, weapons master, and miracle worker after the Aether Bastards elected to remain together after the job. During his adventures with the Aether Bastards, Flux has built a variety of inventions and learned to be a team player.

## **Inventions**

### **377**

377 was a three foot tall steel defender shaped like a crab. It did not have any functional sentience. Despite this, it became a valuable and beloved part of the Aether Bastards.

### **Laser Repeater Rifle**

Flux constructed a magitech repeater rifle during the first half year aboard Old Bessie. It is the first thing that he created by and for himself. The rifle shot lasers and was powered by a variety of crystals jammed into the side. It mostly worked.

## **Relationships**

### **Magella**

Flux and Magella have a working relationship based on Flux's skill as a freelance engineer.

### **Elmyra Zylven**

Elmyra Zylven, known to Flux as "the Archmage", oversaw the research program raised Flux. Flux has a complicated relationship with the Archmage but his goal remains to kill her.

### **The Aether Bastards**

While it took time for Flux to warm up to the rest of the crew, particularly Heironymous, Flux has come to care deeply for his crew and will put his life on the line to defend them.

### **377**

Flux built 377 to defend himself and his crew. He named the crab-like robot 377 after his own previous designation of 376, Over time, this nonsentient metal construct became a beloved member of the Aether Bastard crew.

### **P.E.A.R.L.**

Flux originally saw P.E.A.R.L as just another piece of expendable tech. However, after continuing to live and work alongside her, Flux became fond of P.E.A.R.L. and considers her a close friend, if not more.

## **Quotations**

* "I mean I'm not exactly subtle about it, but I have some things I can do." - Episode 0: The Team Up

## **Trivia**

* Flux is an avid coffee drinker.
* Flux is pescatarian.
* Flux was nineteen years old at the beginning of the Aether Campaign.

## **External Links**

**Art:**

1. ↑ Episode 1: The Beginning
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Episode 1: The Beginning
3. ↑ Episode 4: Train Heist Part 2