Ex-Machina

"You don't wanna mess with those things. Way more dangerous than the Prugen. In like, a million more ways." -Matsuri describing the Ex-Machina to Vlad

The Ex-Machina are a race of cybernetic humanoid lifeforms that communicate in clusters, similar to the Vex, Sirens, Prugen, and other machine races. They are especially unique among the machine races due to their ability to convey and express emotion, something most mechanical beings either do not use or only use to communicate. They and the Prugen were once considered one race, but at some point they split and are no longer considered related.

## Appearance

Ex-Machina appear mostly and almost completely human from a distance, but up close they have some notable and more mechanical differences. Most Ex-Machina have a disc on one side of their head, which is used to communicate to members in their respective clusters. They also have glowing blue veins, and certain parts of their body have visible machine parts. Certain types of Machina may have different and various metal structures protruding or attached to them, such as antennas, lights, and other external parts. All Machina possess at least one tail which helps them channel magical energy as fuel, with Prufer units having two. Male Machina are rare, and all Machina possess differing appearances almost varying as much as living beings like humans. Machina aren't usually seen wearing clothing, but can materialize clothing and armor using magic if they wish. Ex-Machina have no "private" areas, and also have wiry hair similar to that of thin but flexible metal.

## Lifespan & Lifestyle

Ex-Machina do not live indefinitely as some machines do. Rather, they operate for a certain period of time before needing to be retrofitted, and eventually, scrapped. The average lifespan of most Machina is about 1500 years, but this can be extended to 7000 if they are well maintained and retrofitted with newer technology. In terms of lifestyle, Ex-Machina tend to live lives of leisure and learning, as their society no longer considers war a priority. Most Ex-Machina in modern times tend to take jobs such as trading, education, and exploring, although they are still very combat-capable. However, recent Prugen invasions have caused a downfall in Ex-Machina lifestyle, and they have been forced to begin becoming combat-oriented once again.

## Nation

The Ex-Machina live in their massive city known as Maschinenstadt, which translates to the "Great Machine." Ex-Machina within the city have styled it to look like a futuristic humanoid city, with resemblance to Tierreich. It is a prosperous nation which allows the likes of almost anyone to enter, except for races that they are enemies with. The nation is also home to their four massive factory plants, with are responsible for the maintenance, retrofitting, and creation of new Machina units.

## Powers and Abilities

The Ex-Machina have a wide range of abilities, mostly ranging around using magic to power their technology. Ex-Machina have about 343,862 weapons in their database which they can connect to and use depending on the level of threat they are dealing with. They are also defensive in nature, being able to replicate attacks made by any other Exceed and utilize such power at full capacity. The Ex-Machina were one of the most difficult opponents to face during the Great Machine War, because of their ability to learn and adapt extremely quickly. No strategy would work on them twice, and new weapons used against them would be added to their own arsenal. They also have extreme physical strength, far surpassing that of most humanoids, even larger ones. Machina can also travel at very high speeds, including half the speed of light if utilizing their own dimensional aura. They can also fly without using magic energy or boosters. Like all machines, they also have an extremely high rate of computation, meaning they can analyze, strategize, and coordinate on a dime. Specialized combat units have power somewhat similar to even Draconians and Fluegels, further showing just how powerful the Ex-Machina can be. Ex-Machina are also capable of rapid healing, but are not capable of regeneration. In the case of lost limbs, they can be reattached during maintenance.

## Capability

Magical Capability- The Ex-Machina are naturally magic proficient especially since they can utilize magical attacks in conjunction with their technological ones. Any magical attack utilized against them can be replicated, further showing the extent of their potential. While initially having little knowledge of magical spells, at least 176,484 of the weapons in their database are magic based.

Technological Capability- The Ex-Machina shine in technology more so than even the Vex. Their ability to replicate any attack is a product of their technology, something only the Catatonics have achieved so far. Because they have completely combined their magical abilities with their technological ones, they have achieved a level of tech rivaled by only a few races, including the Fluegels.

## Trivia

-The Ex-Machina were once a single race with their Prugen counterparts but split after the war. After thousands of years, the Prugen are no longer considered Machina as they have completely evolved and diverted from them. They still maintain most Machina traditions, however.

-The Ex-Machina are led by Schwi, the first unit that enabled their race to feel emotions. Since that point, Ex-Machina went from being mindless machines to becoming similar to other Exceed, which has caused them to abandon their previous warlike tendencies.

-Ex-Machina operate in clusters, with 500 units per cluster. Currently, there are 672 active Machina clusters. The Prime Cluster represents their race and has only 50 members.

-Ex-Machina used to have only 5 main types, but since the war, now have close to a 100 different roles that each play an important part in maintaining Machina society.

-Because all an Ex-Machina's consciousness is stored in the core, if an Ex-Machina is decapitated, they can still be repaired and will be fully functional with a new head.

-Ex-Machina rely on Magic Circuits in Adrioth's magnetic field to operate. If this connection is severed, then Machina will act in a drunken state and if left without power for an extended period of time, enter a shut down period until power can be restored. This also means if there is a surge in magical energy, Ex-Machina will become more powerful than usual.

-Despite being able to upload their consciousness and memories to the cluster, if their core is damaged, then they are considered "dead," and are no longer able to function properly.

-Ex-Machina can activate an attack known as Alles Losen, which combines all 343,862 weapons into a single weapon, virtually turning the Machina unit into a massive mobile fortress. Although the power output of this attack has enough power to hold off against even an Excersian for a limited time, it will almost always resort in the ultimate and inevitable destruction of the Machina unit using it. Therefore, such an attack is utilized only as a last resort.