Numbered Stars Charting Stars Without Number Custom Armatures This article gives the SM and his players the ability to create their own armatures. I have taken the ship creation rules as a basis for this and tried to keep it as balanced and faithful to the lore as possible. Hopefully, it will give you some ideas and a handy tool to create your own army of killer robots. Hull (Cost _|STR|DEX | CON | Speed | AC | Power| Mass _| Tol. Drone. TL4 | 1000/7 2/7 10 4 3 0 Android, TL4 | $000 12 122 [12 20 9 3 [7 3 Platform, TL4_—| 10000 | 14 i [4 20 2 5 15 5 (https://numstars.files. wordpress.com/2015/05/armature-futtings-table.jpg) An armature is an autonomous unit capable of interacting with its environment. The basic TL4 armature comes equipped with means of locomotion and a set of manipulators, as well as the necessary sensors and speakers to be able to operate within human society. All but the most basic armatures also come equipped with a commlink that allows it to communicate wirelessly not unlike when using a compad. All armatures have integrated power cells that allow the armature to function for 24 hours before needing a recharge. Drones are small and highly specialized armatures that are usually just a piece of self- propelled equipment. They are employed when using human labor is either too expensive, dangerous, or of limited availability. Few Als are willing to slot themselves in an armature this fragile and limited, unless the drones small frame and fast transfer are necessary for the task. It takes roughly 5 minutes to install a matrix core into this armature hull and another 5 minutes for it to gain complete access to its functionality. Androids have a larger frame and are thus more flexible in their fittings. Despite their name, they do not necessarily have a humanoid form and can be anything as long as its size is comparable to that of an average human. This is the most common armature and is can be seenon many worlds. It is harder for the AI to adapt to this kind of armature hull due to its complexity, however. Core transfer takes 10 minutes, by which point the AI gains the ability to move the armature, but it takes another hour for it to get its fittings to function properly. Platforms are the largest armature size before it becomes a vehicle, although some might argue this point, as some hulls of this type can reach the size of a small car. This puts a damper on this armatures ability to operate in tight spaces, however, and so it is seldom seen in everyday human society. They do excel outside of it, and a soldier or an explorer AI would find good use for it. Due to how complicated it is, it takes some time to transfer the core: one hour to secure it inside the armature, and another two until the Al adapts to the complex machinery. Fitting Cost_| Power | Mass | Min Class | TT. [ Function cdvauced seusors | 5002K [0 1 Drone | 4/5 | Additional seusors exceeding human capacity ATcoreslot | 50_| 0 0 Drone | Armature can accept the AT core Ansillary computer core | 100% | Android Increases computational power Anmature dock, drone | S00_| 0 2 Drones can dock with the amature ‘Amature dock, android | 2000 | 0 5 “Androids can dock with the armature Amature teader | 1000 | 1 3 ‘Repairs and restocks an armature Cargo space | _0 | 0 | 1 Adds space for cargo Conezaled compartment | 50" | 0 i ‘Adds a concealed compartment Deflection field | 500" [1 | 12 Improves AC against projectiles SyntbLife structure | s00* | 0 ‘The armature looks like a living being Environmental seals [| 100* [0 Extra protection agaist the environment Extra power supply | 100" | 0. Grav engine | 1k* [14 [4 [Amature g av engine. Adv.|_Sk* | 12 Improved a Soov | 0 | Improved si mp Improves armature STR Iniegrated equipment | Spec_| 0 ‘An item is integrated info the armature Jet thrusters | 300* | 0 Drone Allows jet—propelled flight Microfusion plant | 1000* | 0 Android Ammature does not need recharging No basic propulsion Dione Armature does not have legs Passenger seat. open Android Passenger seat, enclosed Power grid extension ‘Redundant systems ‘Subpar materials Vehicle hardpoint A passenger can ride on the amature ‘A passenger can tide in the armature Add extra power at the ex Improves armature CON Retluces cost at the expense of efficiency Provides oue weapon hardpoiat, 2 oF ASS, t + 4 1 4 i f 4 3 [4 | Double armature operation time 4 5 4 4 3 + 1 4 1 ‘Void thrusters 4_[ Allows fightin microgravity enviroam VOL rotors | 300" | 1# [12 | Drone | 3-_| Allows atmospheric f Wheels | 50" [0 [Drone | 3 | Amature gains wheels Wheels, Adv | 300" [0 | 12 | Android | 3 Armature gas wheels that can Seate stairs 4 Nhulipt requirements by 2 for andotds and 3 for plesforms * Multiply cost by 3 for androids 16 for plerforns Armatures can be fitted with a variety of equipment to suit a particular task. These fittings are usually integrated into the hull, making it impossible to remove without at least a partial disassembly. Although not unheard of, modular structure that allows switching components on the go is exceedingly rare due to the level of necessary extra complexity.All fittings implicitly include the necessary power upgrades and do not affect the armature running time, but can have limited operation time themselves. Fittings can be taken multiple times unless stated otherwise. Advanced sensors: Advanced sensors greatly enhance the armatures ability to perceive its surroundings. These sensors can discern minute details, and see and hear far beyond human capacity, including through materials of its level or below. Advanced sensory equipment give a #2 to perception checks against anything hidden by a measure of the same TL and automatically succeed by anything of lower TL. Al core slot: It is unreasonable to expect that all armatures will be equipped to accept an AI matrix. While it is possible to wire it directly inside the hull, itis a long and arduous process for all parties involved. AI core slot alleviates this problem by providing a specialized interface, halving the time required to transfer the AI to a different armature. Ancillary computer core: The processing power of a standard armature is limited. Still, some situations require more computational power than is available. If that is the case, then installing additional computer cores can help. Fach computer core doubles the computational power of the armature. Armature dock: For those situations when you want to attach a smaller armature to a larger one. Any armature of appropriate size can latch on using a specialized dock. Attached armatures cannot act in any way while docked, but can recharge and restock on materials and ammo, provided these are available. Armature tender: Armature tender is a cheap and mobile alternative to a workshop, albeit somewhat limited in its function, Provided parts are available, an armature tender can repair a damaged armature at a rate of 1 hp per hour. It can also be used to construct new armatures, but the time required is doubled. Multiple tenders can be installed on an armature and work on repairs, but only one can be used to build a new one. Cargo space: Little more than a holding space integrated into the body of the armature. For each unit of cargo space installed the armature can hold 5kg for a drone, 20 kg for an android and 100 kg for a platform. Concealed compartment: A combination of decoy components, scan-spoofers and false facades allow concealing a small compartment within the armature hull. This space is completely impervious to a standard TL4 customs check. A closer inspection by a customs officer can reveal the hidden compartment on a difficulty 12 Wisdom/Perception check, as will a partial disassemly. Can only be installed once. Deflection field: A specialised grav engine that projects a force that pushes any incoming projectiles away from the armature. It is imprecise and weak, but can still save the user a lot of trouble. The armature gets a -2 AC bonus against all projectiles. SynthLife structure: By carefully arranging and disguising the internal structure of the armature, as well as covering it with life-like “filler” material, an armature can become essentially indistinguishable from a living creature. Nothing except TLS sensors or a surgicalexamination can discern the true nature of the armature. Unless the armature is fitted with external integrated equipment, in which case it would take a closer inspection using a difficulty 12 Wisdom/Perception check to locate. Environmental seals: Advanced containment fields and physical materials are used to perfectly seal the internals components of the armature. Nothing save the most corrosive and invasive atmospheres have any chance of affecting the equipment within. The armature can reroll any failed environmental save checks once per hour. Extra power supply: An extra battery for those long trips or exhausting shifts. This component essentially doubles the amount of time the armature can function before recharging Grav engine: A bulky yet indispensable piece of equipment, a grav engine allows the armature to fly above ground at a maximum height of 10 meters and to move around at the speed of 20 meters. This type of engine is quite rapacious when it comes to energy, and can only operate 6 hours on its integrated power cell. Improved agility: Some armatures need to have a faster response time to move out of the way, others need the dexterity to manipulate fine object. Whatever the case, special consideration has been given during its design and construction to increase its agility. For each time it is taken, armatures DEX is increased by one step: 3 to 7, 7 to 12, 12 to 14, 14 to 18. Improved strength: The armature has been built to be stronger than its counterparts, whether to lift cargo or brutalize its foes. For each time it is taken, armatures STR is increased by one step: 3 to 7, 7 to 12, 12 to 14, 14 to 18. Integrated equipment: A piece of equipment, weapon or armor has been integrated into the armature hull. It can be used the same way if it was carried or worn, but does not count towards encumbrance and cannot be taken away without partial disassembly. Its mass cost is equal to the encumbrance value of the item, and it has its own battery that can be recharged or replaced as if it was a normal piece of equipment. Jet thrusters: An archaic and somewhat explosive way to propel a piece of equipment through the air, jet thrusters are nevertheless valued for their speed and versatility. The armature that uses jet thrusters can fly at the speed of 30 meters. The integrated fuel tanks are enough to operate the thrusters for 6 hours and can be refueled with standard ship fuel. Microfusion plant: Armatures that are designed to be away from a power source for long periods are usually equipped with a microfusion plant that allow it to operate almost indefinitely under its own power. This module generates two times the power necessary for armature operation and can be used to recharge other armatures. No basic propulsion: When necessary, the legs of the armature can be removed to free up mass for some other piece of equipment or propulsion method. Passenger seat, open: The frame of the armature has been modified to accommodate a humanoid passenger. Not necessarily comfortable, but functional. The passenger can strap in and remain attached to the armature despite any movement.Passenger seat, enclosed: A more secure alternative than an open seat, this variant provides an airtight cockpit for occupation. The cockpit has air filtration systems and an integrated life support systems that will provide its passengers with breathable air for 24 hours before needing to recharge and restock. Power grid extension: Additional power distribution systems allow trading a point of mass for a point of free power. Redundant systems: A slew of backup and secondary components make sure that the armature stays at its top operational capacity despite any damage. . For each time it is taken, armatures CON is increased by one step: 3 to 7, 7 to 12, 12 to 14, 14 to 18. Subpar materials: The armature is constructed of materials that are poor quality or of lower TL. This halves the cost of the armature hull and allows the armature to be assembled in a fraction of the time using only a postech toolkit, but introduces a number of drawbacks. Its AC gets a +2 penalty, and its STR, DEX and CON values are decreased by one step: 18 to 14, 14 to 12, 12 to 7, 7 to 3. The fitting cost represents the armatures reduced mass and power capacity. Vehicle hardpoint: Rarely used outside combat armatures, this fitting provides a single vehicle hardpoint, allowing installation of vehicle-grade weapons. Any installed weapons still cost their respective free mass and power. Void thrusters: An array of microscale grav plates allow the armature to fly in microgravity or zero-g environments at the speed of 20 meters. VTOL rotors: VTOL rotors allow the armature to fly in an atmospheric environment using a number of rotors attached to its hull. These rotors function as long as the armature has power and can propel it at the speed of 20 meters. Wheels: Wheels are installed on the armature, allowing it to move at double speed on flat surfaces. The advanced variant can scale low obstacles and stairs. A PDF version can be found here: Custom Armatures ). It also includes some sample small- and mid-sized armatures. This is nota final version. It will be updated as I balance and add new stuff. TL5 armature hulls are certainly coming soon, as are a diverse array of additional sample armatures. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The Parament Theme. © Follow Follow “Numbered Stars”Build a website with WordPress.com