Tuscoll

## Tuscoll: The Heartless Empire

Nestled in a remote corner of the world, Tuscoll stands as a chilling monument to unchecked ambition. A nation once flush with the vibrancy of life, its horizon now gleams coldly with the sheen of metal and the muted hum of machinery.

Tuscoll's pursuit of mastery in golemancy started as a noble endeavor. They dreamed of harmonizing the realms of magic and mechanics, creating a fusion that would elevate their society to unprecedented heights. But somewhere along the way, the line between advancement and obsession blurred. The Tuscollians, driven by an insatiable thirst for perfection, embarked on a radical journey of self-transformation.

From the youngest child to the oldest sage, citizens willingly replaced flesh and bone with alloys and gears. Limbs became pistons, skin became armor, and eyes, once windows to the soul, became emotionless sensors. All that remained organic were their hearts, beating steadily within metallic cages, and their brains, overseeing their new mechanical forms.

Initially, the results were astonishing. Tuscoll surged ahead as a powerhouse of magical proficiency. Their mechanized mages could channel energies with unparalleled precision, their soldiers became unstoppable juggernauts, and their society functioned with the clockwork efficiency of a well-oiled machine.

The world watched in mixed awe and horror as Tuscoll, in its relentless pursuit of perfection, lost something irreplaceable. Their unparalleled might in magic was now tempered by their mechanical coldness, and many began to refer to Tuscoll as "The Heartless Empire."

Yet, deep within their steel chests, the organic hearts of Tuscollians still beat. Perhaps, one day, they might remember the warmth of yesteryears and seek to find a balance between their mechanical prowess and the soulful essence they once cherished.

## Background Options

### 1. Steelborn Artificer

*Born during the zenith of Tuscoll's transformation, your body is a marvel of mechanics and magic. You craft and maintain the very mechanisms that Tuscollians prize, ensuring the empire's mechanized dominance.*

* Proficiencies: Arcana, Crafting Bonus, Design Bonus
* Languages: Tuscollian + Common
* Equipment: Artificer's toolkit, a set of fine metal instruments, a small mechanical pet (non-combat), and a pouch containing 200 Aelic.

Feature: Master Crafter - Your intricate knowledge of golemancy allows you to understand, repair, and even enhance mechanical constructs more efficiently than most. You have advantage on Crafting, Design, and Repair rolls.

Unique Spell: Steelbound Resilience - Once per game, you can reinforce your metallic components, granting you -20% resistance to physical damage for a 1d4 turns. This ability uses 7% MP per turn active.

### 2. Heartseeker Scholar

*Deep within, you feel a tug toward the humanity Tuscoll left behind. As a scholar, you study the balance between organic and machine, hoping to restore some semblance of emotion and soul to your people.*

* Proficiencies: Investigation, Medicine
* Languages: Tuscollian, Ancient, Common
* Equipment: A set of scholarly robes, a journal filled with observations, a preserved organic specimen, and a pouch containing 200 Aelic.

Feature: Organic Resonance - Your dedication to understanding the organic grants you insights into healing and caring for the few remaining organic parts of Tuscollian life. You gain advantage on rolls related to farming.

Unique Spell: Heart's Recall - Once per long rest, you can evoke fleeting memories of emotions past, giving you or a target a surge of inspiration. When using this ability, you gain 1d4 Madness.