Mecha/Synths (Player Race)

## Basic Introduction

### General Info

At the height of the Soviet Union, the technological arms-race had broken several impossibilities by the late 1970s, and going forward there were several ambitious projects funded. Of these projects, few had nearly the same success, or expensiveness as the USSR’s Artificial Intelligence program. Science fiction had laid groundwork for many concepts thought to be impossible, although technological advancements in mechanical bodysuits, AI, and fusion-technology humbled what was thought to be simply fictional. The Soviet Military, who was exceptionally invested in these projects, especially questioned the extent of these fictional concepts.

By 1978, efforts to create the first artificial ‘being’ were made by students at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. This project: the concept of implanting Artificial Intelligence into a body with motor skills, functions, and the abilities to flexibly move, was a substantial success. When you fast forward to 1981; the first anatomically robotic ‘man’ was presented to the public. If you consider how dangerous this technology could be for the average worker, you could understand the public reaction to these automated men.

Nicknamed “Mecha” by factory workers and laborers in large cities, several designs were created to replace workers in high-risk environments and deadly circumstances. Units were built for construction, police work, and factories, although shortcomings in design, build, and resources deemed them too inefficient. It was an unfortunate failure for civil models, whereas the police units had *some* limited success. The project changed substantially in 1983 when their contracts were essentially seized by the military, and the researchers executed.

By 1984 most of these workers or units were deactivated, save for the artificial consciousnesses of these machines. The Military re-designed and reprogrammed the collected models to serve as squad-support troops or enforcers to fight alongside Soviet troops in Afghanistan. Although the technology was outlawed shortly thereafter, human-like models nicknamed “Synths” were designed domestically for the rich and wealthy. Although the project was considered ‘dead’ to the general public, factories continued to manufacture both domestic and military models en-mass until the war broke out.

Now, even after the world has been denominated and humanity near-destroyed, the sight of mechanical men is a rare, although relatively enlightened experience. Many of these conscious machines can still walk, or drift between cities and settle into quiet lives among skeletal remains.

### Models, Designs & Productions

Among the bombed out and dying buildings of cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg or Smolensk, there are several models that accompany others, or downright attack anyone in sight. All of them, at least those built before the war, follow several design measurements and specifications in accordance with their factory lines. These could be found below.

#### Pre-War Models (Domestic)

**M-04 “Tsukanov” Model -** Named and modeled after Chief Engineer Antony Tsukanov, his Model includes several distinctive specifications regarding build and purpose. It has a humanoid shape, cylindrical skull, and a single blue photoreceptor that acts like an ‘eye’. Their frames were originally painted grey with orange in-lines, although many post-war models rejected the orange in favor of other colors. They were built for construction and factory work. Pre-war models weighed 112kg at a height of 6’1.

**M-14 “Vooruzhennyye” Model -** Almost identical in built aside from antennas built into a trapezoid-like skull, the M-14 models were originally designed to assist police units in apprehending criminals, breaking riots, and diffusing bombs. Unlike their construction counterpart, they’re heavier in material and built to absorb force. Pre-war models weighed 119kg at a height of 6’1.

**M-11 “Nechestnyy” Model -** Designed for domestic servitude at state-owned businesses, the "Nechestnyy" Model M-11 was designed and built to Tsukanov’s specifications, however relied instead on digitigrade toes and curved angles resembling a mammal. It’s unclear as to why this model relied on a redesign of the M-04’s bottom half, although the design was ultimately a failure. Pre-war models weighed 103kg at a height of 6’3.

**M-12 “Pomoshchnik” Model -** Perhaps the last model designed and built by Tsukanov’s team, the Model M-12 followed a similar design to the M-11s lower half, with an updated upper. Built with a visor instead of photoreceptors and a snout-like skull extension, the “Pomoshchnik” Tsukanov was a limited production designed to assist researchers and perform medical duties during surgery. Only 48 were built before the project reached cancellation. Pre-war models weighed 109kg at a height of 6’5.

**S-02 “Eskort” Model -** Built in various custom specifications, the S-02 “Eskort” Models were tailored well for domestic servitude, intimacy, and foreign espionage. Their custom nature allowed for them to be almost indistinguishable aside from several rudimentary features. They were designed after Tsukanov’s execution by Chief Engineer Piper Macaluso and built alongside the M-04/14-7 to spy on Soviet officials. As human-like as Mecha, or in this case “Synths” come; their synthflesh feels genuine and individual, much like a humans would. These made-to-order Synths are only distinguishable by their hollow, empty insides, bioluminescent or glowing eyes, and lack of red blood. The height and weight of these models varied before the war.

#### Pre-War Models (Military)

**M-04/14-7 “Tsukanov” Models -** After various problems in the workplace and public dissident following the implementation of the M-04 in factories and other labor positions, both the Model M-04 and M-14 were removed from domestic service. By order of the People's Commissariat for Labour, mass-recall of these assets were funneled directly towards the Soviet Army, who sought their use on military grounds. Limited success with M-14s saw the chassis redesign for better balance, armor, and aftermarket modifications. Since the redesign saw success passing their testing phase; the military moved to retrofit and repurpose these automations for squad-support infantry roles, making use of the recalled “Tsukanov” Series. Pre-war models weighed 122 - 124kg at a height of 6’1.

## Perks, Bonuses & Systemic Traits

### Race Bonuses

**Heavy-Metal Hero -** Mecha/Synths are immune to poison, toxins, and radiation. Instead of selecting a blood type, all characters of this race use Synthetic Fluid instead. Universal perks marked "Organic" cannot be selected and 3 Race Traits can be selected instead of just 2.

**Binary Language -** Mecha can plug themselves into computers.