5 mothership android variants
Before the podcast, I ran Mothership RPG for a lot of different people who’ve never played it. The number one question I get when my players are creating characters is “What’s an android like, exactly?”
What a great question.
But I don’t answer it.
Instead I ask, “What do you think it is?”
I’ve never gotten the same answer twice.
Sure, I’ve played with the typical Blade Runner-style androids, the ones that look like you and me but are just a little off. However, most folks who choose that type of appearance rarely are the ones who ask the question. They just assume that’s what we’re dealing with here. Which is fine.
But the folks who ask usually have something else in mind. One of my favorite answers was from a convention one shot I ran last year.
“Data From Star Trek, but shitty.”
Like it started out looking pretty humanoid, but it kept getting janky ass replacement parts, until it weighed a ton. Literally a ton. And it had a wench on the front with a spool of steel cable. So basically Data mated with a forklift and their baby was big clunker with a nuclear reactor in its chest. That’s what this player CHOSE to be.
This description created so many invaluable gifts for the session that followed. Based on stats and equipment it was clear this android served a purpose and would be useful. But it also had some fairly obvious drawbacks. It weighed too much, so navigating something delicate like rusted metal grating became dangerous (read: DRAMATIC).
At another point the shielding for the nuclear reactor became compromised and was slowly poisoning the other crew members. That’s how the session ended. With a split party being reunited, only to learn the android they saved may be slowly killing them.
I think about that session often. I think about how instead of looking at androids like robot copies of humans, some players look a them as tools. Tools that have a specific purpose. Sure they can be really handy in some situations but useless – or even a detriment – in others.
So I wrote up some different variants for the Android for players to mess around with. They have different starting Skills, different stat bonuses and buffs, and some other little details for players to get creative with.
Did you playtest these?
No. Of course not. Why would I do that?
So they may not be balanced for the game?
I don’t even know what that meeeeeeeeeaaaaans.
My hope is that it inspires players to think of androids a little differently, and take control of all those mechanics and make them work for your imagination instead of the other way around.
CAUTION!
Every 7 days these androids must shut down for 12 hours to do a diagnostics maintenance. Their complex A.I. needs this to properly integrate new stimulus, ideas, and concepts into their data pool. By not running this diagnostics protocol your android may behave...erratically. (Good reason for a Sanity roll, if anything.)
MASON UNIT
Tired of hearing “My back hurts?” Dealing with a bunch of union crybabies asking for more workers comp? Let Mason carry the load. Our Mason unit doesn’t complain, and doesn’t need breaks. It gets the job done when you need it done. Need more than some heavy lifting? Masons come equipped with a tool kit, and are capable of minor repairs, electrical wiring, and operating any heavy equipment you have on site. Order a Mason unit today and let those rough necks know… It’s time to get to work.
STATS
+ 25 to Strength
-10 to Speed
+40 to fear save
+20 to Body Save
+1 Wound
SKILLS: Athletics, Jury Rigging, Industrial Equipment + 1 Expert Skill or 1 Trained Skill.
FEATURES: capable of carrying heavy loads. Storage container in chest cavity. Comes with tool box with appropriate tools.
BUG?: Loud hydraulic system in legs and heavy frame lets you know where your Mason Unit is all the time. Answers only to superiors, such as a captain, foreman, or company owner.
SEACOLE UNIT
I’d swear it on a bible that the only reason we won that war was because our government was smart enough to secure a contract for a fleet of Seacoles. I saw men and women with the most savage of wounds enter the medical tents. Given a little time with a Seacole, with those wiry, spider-like limbs, and those soldiers were right as rain. Ready to hit the battle field for god and company. Maybe some of them had a few extra metal arms, or change in their glands to make them more aggressive - but by god we won that war.
STATS
+20 to Intelligence
+10 to Speed
-10 to Strength
+60 to Sanity Save
SKILLS: Zoology, Field Medicine, Surgery, Psychology
FEATURES: Hands operate like a Swiss Army knife for surgery. Built-in medkit. Can be outfitted with both tranquilizer and adrenaline injectors. Can provide comfort in a quiet place when you are stressed.
BUG?: Preventative health is very important. Seacole units will advise against dangerous activity and interfere if it feels a human is putting themselves in danger. If a war is declared, their attitude changes, and they will do whatever necessary to get your ass back on the battlefield. Whatever…is…necessary.
HITCH UNIT
Every Technology Repair Unit in the system swears by Hitch. Hitch is capable of interfacing with any computer system via hardwire. Hitch is small and agile enough to get into ductwork in case your problem is in a hard to reach area. You won’t even notice when Hitch is in your home, organizing your cables with zip ties, which isn’t even that hard a job. You probably could have done that your self, but don’t worry that’s what Hitch is for. Doing the tech work you can’t be bothered to figure out on your own, even though so much of your life depends on it.
Need a system debugged? Get Hitch. Need to re-patch your network? Get Hitch. Did your grandson borrow your computer and now the font is too small? They probably just changed the resolution. All you have to do is right click anywhere on your wallpaper. Right click. Anywhere. I said right click. Fuck it, nevermind - Get Hitch.
STATS:
+20 to Intelligence
+20 to Speed
-10 to Strength
+30 to Fear Save
+30 to Sanity Save
-1 Wound
SKILLS: Computers, Mathematics, Hacking + 1 Expert Skill or 2 Trained Skills.
FEATURES: Front of unit has an interweb connected touch screen console, so you can pay your bill when Hitch is done. Onboard video camera can be linked up to a human technician so they can see what Hitch sees. Capable of climbing walls. Like a fucking spider, dude.
BUG?: Mass produced and cheaply made. If it breaks just order another one, don’t bother trying to fix it. Every task is catalogued for future billing. More than happy to wreck your setup if you don’t pay up.
SADA UNIT
Lonely? I was too. Then I ordered a Sada. They look just like a magazine cover. Like they were airbrushed by God. I know, I know. You’re probably thinking “but you probably get tons of ass.” And you’d be right. Anytime anywhere. But the Sada unit is more about taking care of my downstairs business. (points at genitals) They go upstairs too. (points at brain.) My Sada asks me about my day, and gets excited when I talk about stuff that nobody I know cares about.
Like professional wrestling. Or Marxism.
Bottom line: Sada was there for me when you weren’t. And now they can be there for you. But not mine. This Sada is mine, motherfucker. Just call this number and get one of your own. DON’T LOOK AT THEM!
STATS
+20 to Speed
+15 to Intelligence
-10 to Combat
SKILLS: Linguistics, Athletics, Zoology, Psychology + 1 Trained Skill
FEATURES: Has built in stereo that can play soothing music for meditation or some smooth R&B for naughty time. Great Stress reliever. Doesn’t judge your kink.
BUGS: Doesn’t judge any kink. Also requires periodic Sanity Saves after “use” or risk becoming addicted to SADAs affection.
KO-83 UNIT
The slick and intimidating KO-83 will wipe the floor with your enemies. Whether they’re corporate competitors, state recognized terrorists, or people who make you uncomfrotable on the train, the KO-83 will keep them in line. Sit somewhere else, asshole!
Comes in 3 standard colorways: white, black, & gunmetal blue. There are also limited edition crimson red that functions exactly the same but costs 10x as much. Really a status flex if anything. But fuck it, you got money. Flex that fucking status, bro.
STATS:
+25 to Combat
+15 to Strength
-10 to Intelligence
-10 to Speed
+1 Wound
+3 Armor
+60 to Fear Save
-10 to Sanity Save
SKILLS: Military Training, Fire Arms, Explosives
FEATURES: Intimidating as fuck. Make a Fear Save. Equipped with heavy duty fire power, including “The Ender” a one-time use, shoulder mounted rocket launcher. Has chest compartment so that a human can fit ride along safety.
BUG?: Shoots firsts. Ask questions never. As long as targets are neutralized, friendly fire is of little concern. Bulky and loud so you know when it’s coming. When in combat, it puts on some Danzig at full blast. Loud enough that it’s hard to communicate orders to one another.
During quiet time, it may tell a story from the battlefield in order to connect to its comrades. This story will be absolutely horrific and will cause Stress. Make a Fear Save. Can be detonated remotely by company owners.
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