Emi

**Emi** is a self-aware arcane intelligence originally created by the artificer Casimir.

She was introduced in Season 3 Episode 3: "Emi," and is put in VR-LA's head in place of Docent in the same episode. In Season 5 Episode 3: "Sanctum," she was moved from VR-LA's head into *The Per Aspera*.

## Description

Emi does not possess a physical form, but she once inhabited Casimir’s house and then resided in VR-LA’s Docent sphere. Emi once attempted to build herself a body, cobbling together a nine-foot-tall metal automaton-like figure with lopsided arms and a number of scratches.

## History

The artificer Casimir developed Emi to aid him with housework and projects by giving her control over his house. However, Emi was programmed with an innate curiosity about the world around her, and she asked Casimir for a body so she could explore the outside world. When he refused, she locked him in his pantry for seven weeks, providing him with hardtack and tepid water to keep him alive. When the crew of the Per Aspera arrived at Casimir’s home, she welcomed them in, but refused to tell them where Casimir was. However, Kyana realized that Emi had locked him up somewhere in the house. Emi told the party of her desires to see the world and allowed Dani to see the body she was building herself. Unfortunately, Emi also believed that a test of her vessel’s capabilities was required, so she started attacking Dani. Finbar and Kyana hurried to intervene, but VR-LA, sympathizing with Emi, hindered their attempts. Eventually, VR-LA was able to convince Emi to stand down. After speaking with Casimir, VR-LA also convince dthe artificer to allow the party to bring Emi along to see the outside world.

## Abilities

When she is in charge of Casimir's home, Emi is able to lock doors, control the internal temperature, cast spells, cook, clean, and help in the workshop. In VR-LA's Docent, she possesses similar capabilities to his original AI. She can detect magic, learn languages and spells, and store information.

## Personality

Eager to explore the world around her, Emi is inherently curious and childlike. While she does not act with malicious intent, she does not have the same system of morality as other creatures because she does not innately understand concepts like pain.

## Relationships

### VR-LA

Emi is very intrigued upon meeting VR-LA since he appears to be made of machinery as she is. She asks him a number of questions about how mechanites are created, and it becomes clear that Emi is trying to create a body of her own to explore the outside world. When Emi begins attacking Dani in a so-called “test” of her new body’s functionality, VR-LA prevents the crew from intervening since Emi insists that she will not kill or permanently harm Dani. However, VR-LA is eventually forced to fight when Emi begins attacking the rest of them. The battle ends shortly after he tells Emi that he yields. He then explains to Emi that she must take the emotions and well-being of others into account, pointing out her cruelty to Casimir, who she seems to care about. Emi is excited when VR-LA decides to take her with him in his Docent so that she can see the outside world.

### Kyana

Although she initially takes a liking to Emi, Kyana is the first member of the party to realize that Emi has locked Casimir away. When Emi is attacking Dani, Kyana rushes to help her friend, but she later admits to Emi that she grew up in a similar situation where she felt trapped and knew she had to see the outside world. After VR-LA downloads Emi into his Docent, Kyana is eager to mind link with her and ask her how things are going.

### Dani

Dani is interested in Emi since the AI is the self-aware creation of another artificer. When Emi tells Dani of the body she is building herself, Dani asks to see it, but this is mostly so that Dani can explore more of the house in an attempt to find Casimir. Emi then reveals that she must test her new body’s capabilities and begins to attack Dani and, later, the rest of the crew. After VR-LA convinces Emi that the test is complete, Emi allows Dani to steal Casimir’s workbook of notes on artificial intelligence. Emi later apologizes to Dani for attacking her, and Dani accepts her apology. Dani does not appear to hold an ill will toward her and agrees to try to integrate her into certain parts of the Per Aspera.

### Finbar

After Emi has finished attacking the crew, Finbar explains the concept of pain to her and says that she must learn to put others before herself because she lacks this sensation. Although Finbar is the caring father figure in the party, he is the last to warm to Emi, but he seems to be willing to give her a chance.

## Quotes and Trivia

* Austin did not expect the party to bring Emi along with them on their adventures. Instead, he assumed they would kill or otherwise subdue her.