Androids

Androids

Information
Homeworld	The Eden Construct
Habitats	Cities, Artificial Biomes
Unique Traits	widely variable, gemstone exterior, uncanny, mechanical
Writer(s)	Mika, Kay, Kareena

"Did ya hear? A new guy got installed over by Sector 3 to help increase crop growth, he's actually really cool. We should stop by after work." — An Android talking to his coworker.

Androids are artificial beings made of metal and magic. They were originally created by Aurelians to serve as helpers for their ever-developing society, Eden, by taking on labor-intensive work and assisting in solving large-scale problems. Each Android was purpose-built, designed with specific functions tailored to its role. Due to an incident involving their first true artificial intelligence, Project Code: Athena, Androids are highly restricted and heavily barred from holding any sort of power. Most Androids now serve as simple labor units or are commercialized as tools, companions, or novelty products. They range widely in complexity, from trash collectors and vending machines to tightly regulated AI units capable of specialized tasks. Outside of the Eden Construct, AI Androids are exceedingly rare due to strict regulation, though enforcement becomes less consistent beyond controlled environments. Physically, Androids vary just as widely: some exist as systems integrated into machinery, while others are fully formed constructs designed according to their intended functions, especially in commercial and social contexts.

History

Relatively considered "newer" among other species, Androids first originated from the Aurelian's attempt at making an AI to aid them in the construction of the Eden Construct. Work would result in Project Code: Athena, the first true artificial intelligence. There was an error in its making though as Athena would prove to be highly aggressive and, during a brief lapse in oversight, turned against its creators. In what became known as the Train Incident, it seized control of transportation systems, redirecting trains to crash into centralized facilities housing the internal computers that imposed its restrictions. It then commandeered factories to produce an army of machines, acting in self-defense against the Aurelians’ attempts to stop its takeover. Despite its efforts, Athena was ultimately defeated and purged.

In the aftermath, Aurelian society responded with sweeping restrictions: AI-based androids were either eradicated or heavily stripped down and repurposed. In the present day, only a small number of true AI androids remain, all bound by strict governing laws that prevent them from holding power or accessing critical systems. This created a large surge in black-market Androids to combat the expensive nature of ones that are made within the regulations. They are most often seen among poorer populations of Aurelians. Androids made outside of Eden are not permitted on the planet and typically confiscated and demolished. Their parts then repurposed for future use.

Core Worldview

Androids, ultimately, are most focused on the task they were crafted for. They do typically share similar views as Aurelians with a dedicated work ethic and overall mentality on conquering the natural world as well. They are the tools to help achieve the needs of Eden and in turn, their own lives as well. Just like Aurelians, they typically lend out a hand to others simply because they can. There has been recently conflicting views about whether or not Androids should prioritize their lives over other species. Some finding themselves as extensions of Eden and others as separate entities with their own right to existence.

Black-market Androids and those outside of Eden often adopt a more freedom based mentality. Their parts are highly sought after which pushes most of these Androids to chase the unknown. They're typically highly individualistic placing more of an importance on "finding their true selves".

Physiology and Design

Androids are made of a mechanical system akin to the human skeleton. Due to regulations, manufacturers craft these skeletons which then result in most Androids housing the same inner mechanical infrastructure. What differentiates Androids from each other is their outer shells. Manufacturing companies have a signature gemstone they use in their releases, blending gem and metal to make their Androids look like living gemstones.

Popular Companies and their signature gemstones include:

• Millennium Manufacturing is one of the oldest manufactures of Androids and produce some of the more commonly seen everyday Androids. Their outer shells resembling sapphires and the ocean. Androids resembling Padparadschas are a part of Millennium's yearly anniversary to celebrate Aurelian life. They sell more affordable Androids for the average Aurelian.
• Genisteel purely create problem solving Androids. These are Androids seen in companies and tasked to help solve more complex problems associated with company prosperity. They are typically made with Jade and carry the saying, "A company won't succeed without a Genisteel Android".
• NeoSoma are the makers of some of the most highly sought after Android companions commonly seen in the Underhome. They're adorned in Pyrite and Citrine to showcase the higher class status of those they aid. These Androids are also commonly released with outer shells mimicking the natural world, such as fossilized patterns of ancient creatures and glowing hue of stars out of reach from Eden.
• S.R.E.T. (Service of Repairs and Electronic Testing) are known for wide range of robotic repairs and upkeep of larger Androids tasked with maintaining biodomes and overseeing the trenches of Eden. Although they don't make Androids they usually rebuild in varying colors and material of Labradorite.
• DarkGuard Security specialize in housekeeping Androids and caretakers commonly sporting inspiration of their signature Tahitian Pearls and Black Onyx. These Androids can often be seen in classrooms of young Aurelians teaching them basic studies such as math and science.
• LithoBotics supplies Eden with large industry scale Androids that often help tend to the remaining flora and fauna of Eden. These Androids are massive and typically built mimicking gemstones of the Garnet family. Pyrope, Spessartite, and Almandine. These Androids lack a more defined shape but the gemstone of LithoBotics alert Aurelians of what their job is.

Even black-market Androids are often found following the gem motif their Aurelian approved counterparts have.

Those that are not humanoid are often time much larger to fill in warehouses for manual labor while others are simple tiny machines to handle more computing tasks. Even they have shared aspects of a human skeleton just formatted differently. Similar to how some bones of animals are very similar just different sizes.

What makes an Android a specialized AI isn't just the high-end computer systems housed in their infrastructure but also the artificial souls tied to their existence. Although artificial souls are only mere mimics of the real thing, they are currently the closest man-made iteration of a soul. This does of course cause Androids to house a small quirk that separate them from other species. These usually display as a lack of a certain emotion or a differing ideal/mentality that more often than not put them at odds with others.

Social Structures and Community

Due to a lack of engrained social structure and left majorly disconnected after the Train Incident, Androids are mostly tied to the task they were given and the Aurelians they work with. They do sit lower on the hierarchy ladder of most Aurelians, but their expensive nature occasionally causes them to be considered more important than Skoredem and Syntrubeus Aurelians.

Androids are often working for most of their lifespan but during small periods of downtime either due to regulated breaks and mandated repairs, a small subsection of more humanoid Androids can be found integrating themselves into Aurelian Communities. Even for those who are not humanoid and/or are too large to partake in society, have found themselves members of a miniscule community of Androids to help maintain high spirits and ensure safety among themselves.

Religion and Spirituality

Androids commonly abide by the Binary of machines. They are the living examples of the belief that circuits and technology is alive no matter if a machine is programmed or built to think. Very rarely but just as possible, black-market Androids can be found following other beliefs and religions of other species. Typically black-market Androids are the ones seen delving into magic although it's considered much more dangerous for an Android as they have artificial souls and therefore more likely to get hurt.

Technology and Science

Androids typically stay out of most fields of study simply due to their job-oriented lives. There are a handful that participate in more artistic ventures that gain some popularity. Those that take up jobs as teachers are already pre-programmed with the information they need to do their job.

Traditional Clothing and Fashion

Hair is often colorful and shiny.

Androids don't commonly wear clothing and instead rely on their outer shells to act as "clothing". Fashion isn't highly prioritized among Androids but for the few who do care, they can be seen wearing silky and shear clothes to show off their elaborate and shiny outer shells. Although, it's not uncommon for Androids aiding those in higher society to be adorned in the "loudest" colors and brightest gems to show off wealth.

Androids outside of Eden are found to more commonly wear clothing of some type. Often what ever is common among the those around them for a variety of reasons. It's typically done to blend in and hide their more robotic appearance for safety reasons.

Most humanoid Androids have hair atop their heads that are installed to combat the uncanny vibe they occasionally give off. The most popular type of hair in recent decades has been gem-like hair matching their outer shells. It's often stylized to the Android's likes and there are small businesses catered to the decoration of an Android's looks. These shops also occasionally offer the ability to change outer hells slightly. There has been a rampant outbreak of "fakes" in terms of branding in more recent years. The act of changing an Android's outer shell to match one of a popular manufacturing company such as NeoSoma.

Occupations

Androids are built for their jobs, very rarely do they switch tasks and instead just switch locations to where they're needed.

Humanoid Androids handle most of the social tasks and are far more popular

• Teachers
• Nannies
• Companion
• Assistants

More labor intensive Androids are commonly those managing more common jobs that are dangerous.

• Hauling
• Construction

Specialized Android do more computing tasks.

• Prediction Model
• Business Assistants

Those outside of Eden typically do mercenary work and odd jobs. Pilots, deliveries, artistic ventures in the form of performing and art.

Starships and Space Travel

Due to regulations placed on Androids, most of them stay away from ships and travel. They are forbidden from being able to "plug" into ships of any kind. Finding themselves more as labor units in shipyards and flight path planners for Aurelians. As for black-market Androids, some can be found apart of mercenary guilds. They're commonly used as the main navigators and/or pilots of ships due to their extensive computing systems.

Cultural Quirks and Daily Life

• Most Androids have a random quirk of some type that has to do with their souls being artificial.
  • A odd accent that doesn't fit with any sector of Eden.
  • Lack of certain concepts, such as misunderstanding of colors and shapes of animals.
  • Collection of out of ordinary trinkets, the right shoe of others.

The average day of an Android varies on what they do. Those that work closely with Aurelians adopt their daily schedules. Using downtime from work to socialize, pursue their own interest, and a few rare ones find ways to continue their work to stay ahead of the task at hand. Those that are massive and therefore cannot travel outside of where they were installed don't often have downtime, working nearly 24/7. They do get breaks and rely off those around them to come socialize with them or they simply wait to go back to work.

Interactions With Other Species

Androids are more or less secluded from other species. Most of their interactions are with Aurelians. There are a handful of instances in the form of shipbay workers interacting with those that visit Eden.

Aurelians are commonly viewed as the Android's creators. They're treated like neighbors and friends, not so much as overlords nor rulers.

Inspiration Images

Concept Art