Xenometric Android
Source Galactic Ancestries pg. 216
Androids don't always look like robotic humans. They can be built to resemble any creature, and many different societies create mechanical helpers in their own image or experiment with completely novel forms.
Androids are constructed creatures who can be crafted to look like just about anything. They don't always resemble humans with circuitry in their skin (though such specimens are the most common type of android encountered in the Pact Worlds). Various peoples on different planets near and far have created androids in their own image. This larger category of androids, artificial beings inhabited by souls, is called “xenometric androids.” These androids tend to have glowing circuitry under their skin, similar to other androids. For example, a xenometric android from Triaxus might have a draconic appearance similar to dragonkin, with wings and a tail, and they might even have abilities such as the dragonkin's partner bond.
If you want to play a synthetic character who has the appearance and abilities of one of the many species in the galaxy, you should play a xenometric android.
If you want to play a synthetic character who has the appearance and abilities of one of the many species in the galaxy, you should play a xenometric android.
You Might…
- Try to hide your synthetic nature and blend in with the species you resemble.
- Take interest in other constructed beings and technological marvels.
- Find yourself traveling with members of species not native to your home.
Others Probably…
- Confuse you for a member of the species you were created by.
- Are fascinated by your design as a technological marvel.
- Make stereotypical judgments based on the species you resemble.
Physical Description
Xenometric androids are biomechanical constructs with glowing circuitry visible and skin seams that otherwise resemble a non-humanoid species. While most other androids are crafted in a diverse variety of human forms, xenometric androids can appear in any other humanoid form as well as that of virtually any non-humanoid species. Xenometric androids can vary from looking like a vague representation of another ancestry to having nearly imperceptible differences from biological creatures of a given ancestry. Similar to other androids, xenometric androids need to eat and sleep, but they neither reproduce nor age and often don't identify as any gender. After a century or so, xenometric androids voluntarily release their bodies to allow new souls to inhabit them.
Different generations of xenometric androids often adjust their appearances to great degrees; for example, they might change the patterns of their glowing circuitry as a form of personal expression.
Different generations of xenometric androids often adjust their appearances to great degrees; for example, they might change the patterns of their glowing circuitry as a form of personal expression.
Society
Xenometric androids often live as part of the local population on their planet of origin, along with the species they were modeled after. They follow similar societal norms and customs. In most cases, they're treated as members of those species with the same rights and responsibilities. Many androids gravitate toward caretaking and service roles, and a few even install special biotech augmentations that allow them to participate in childbearing as a surrogate.
Occasionally, xenometric androids are so seamlessly crafted and well integrated into their communities that they can be raised by a family or institution without realizing their own synthetic nature. This discovery might spark an existential crisis for some or a life-affirming journey of self-exploration for others. Xenometric androids who uncover a devastating secret to their origins often become intergalactic adventurers who travel the stars in search of answers.
When away from their home worlds, xenometric androids tend to congregate within communities of any demographic makeup as often as they gravitate toward android communities. Xenometric androids know prejudice and fear are inefficient as well as unethical world views, and they easily form alliances with anyone who's accepting and respectful of them in turn. Once they form a bond with a community, most xenometric androids will often go to great lengths to act for the betterment of that community, whether that might be through great effort or through great personal sacrifice.
New generations of xenometric android souls will awaken in their new bodies in these communities, treating these places and people as their home rather than the original provenance of their artificially constructed bodies. Though they might adopt another name and become a young soul anew, it isn't uncommon for such a xenometric android to be revered by those who remember the android's past life in that community, as they would a respected elder.
Naming conventions for xenometric androids tend to follow a blend of those associated with the ancestry they resemble with the numeric ordering common to other androids.
Occasionally, xenometric androids are so seamlessly crafted and well integrated into their communities that they can be raised by a family or institution without realizing their own synthetic nature. This discovery might spark an existential crisis for some or a life-affirming journey of self-exploration for others. Xenometric androids who uncover a devastating secret to their origins often become intergalactic adventurers who travel the stars in search of answers.
When away from their home worlds, xenometric androids tend to congregate within communities of any demographic makeup as often as they gravitate toward android communities. Xenometric androids know prejudice and fear are inefficient as well as unethical world views, and they easily form alliances with anyone who's accepting and respectful of them in turn. Once they form a bond with a community, most xenometric androids will often go to great lengths to act for the betterment of that community, whether that might be through great effort or through great personal sacrifice.
New generations of xenometric android souls will awaken in their new bodies in these communities, treating these places and people as their home rather than the original provenance of their artificially constructed bodies. Though they might adopt another name and become a young soul anew, it isn't uncommon for such a xenometric android to be revered by those who remember the android's past life in that community, as they would a respected elder.
Naming conventions for xenometric androids tend to follow a blend of those associated with the ancestry they resemble with the numeric ordering common to other androids.
Beliefs
Like humanoid androids, xenometric androids can choose what they believe in. They might practice philosophy, worship gods, or seek purpose elsewhere.
Some xenometric androids believe they're destined to watch over members of the species they resemble as patient, eternal guardians or record keepers. Guardian xenometric androids tend to be greatly influenced by the ancestry they resemble in terms of their religious beliefs and cultural practices. As long-lived beings who can easily live up to a century before relinquishing their bodies to the next soul that would inhabit them, xenometric androids often outlive strictly biological creatures. When living alongside a community, an android might watch generations of children grow up, have children of their own, and perish in a relentless cycle that leaves them somber and withdrawn.
Xenometric androids who live far away from their original home world or community tend to be atheistic or worship tech gods like Triune and Lambatuin. Souls reborn with an insatiable wanderlust and intellectual curiosity might gravitate toward Eloritu or Weydan, who both attract a great number of xenometric android followers.
Recently a growing population of xenometric androids worship the Newborn, focusing on the eldritch godling's aspects of renewal and birth.
Popular Edicts build community, help those who feel ostracized, learn more of your ancestry
Popular Anathema look down on or bully others, succumb to peer pressure to fit in
Some xenometric androids believe they're destined to watch over members of the species they resemble as patient, eternal guardians or record keepers. Guardian xenometric androids tend to be greatly influenced by the ancestry they resemble in terms of their religious beliefs and cultural practices. As long-lived beings who can easily live up to a century before relinquishing their bodies to the next soul that would inhabit them, xenometric androids often outlive strictly biological creatures. When living alongside a community, an android might watch generations of children grow up, have children of their own, and perish in a relentless cycle that leaves them somber and withdrawn.
Xenometric androids who live far away from their original home world or community tend to be atheistic or worship tech gods like Triune and Lambatuin. Souls reborn with an insatiable wanderlust and intellectual curiosity might gravitate toward Eloritu or Weydan, who both attract a great number of xenometric android followers.
Recently a growing population of xenometric androids worship the Newborn, focusing on the eldritch godling's aspects of renewal and birth.
Popular Edicts build community, help those who feel ostracized, learn more of your ancestry
Popular Anathema look down on or bully others, succumb to peer pressure to fit in
Sample Names
Aerina, Amare-4, Bixby X, Breezaire, Ehu-tu, Keskodai-El, Miiyu-3, Omega, Rare Specimen, Xenoprobe-74
Versatile Heritage
Xenometric Android
Source Galactic Ancestries pg. 217
You're a constructed version of a non-human ancestry. You gain the android trait, in addition to the trait associated with the ancestry you resemble. You gain the constructed ability but not the low-light vision ability of androids. In addition, your size category and reach changes to match the chosen ancestry. You can select from android feats up to 13th level, any of the feats of the ancestry you resemble, or xenometric android feats whenever you gain an ancestry feat. Choose a heritage from your ancestry, but you don't gain its mechanical benefits. The xenometric android heritage shouldn't be taken by a member of a constructed ancestry, such as android, or a human.