Automaton (5e Race)
From D&D Wiki
Automaton[edit]
Created not by a god, not by magic, but by pure science, an automaton is a construct designed to emulate life. Gears and cogs turn within their carapaces. Thinking, processing, learning. Depending on the creator, an automaton may have a very life-like face or a single curved surface with holes where the optical sensors reside. Automatons can be modeled after any of the races, usually human or elf is the standard choice. However, if the creator wants a strong servant, they may be modeled after an orc, or a half-orc. If they want a nimble spy, the automaton may be modeled after a halfling.
Created in Their Image[edit]
As stated before, every automaton is created by a person, or even a team of people. Usually the body and general appearance of the automaton is based off the race of the creator(s). This is not the case if the automaton is made for a specific purpose, of course. If an automaton was design for infiltration, assassination or quick escapes, they will sport an agile, athletic body; Akin to that of an Elf, or Halfling. Alternatively, an automaton may be made with protection, defense or offence as the main priority. automatons built this way have thick-built muscular bodies, modeled in the way of half-orcs, dwarves or brawny humans. In rare cases, automatons are constructed for personal purposes, such as a friend, companion or even an intimate partner, these Automatons are crafted to embody to most appealing physical appearance of either gender of any race desired. More often than not, automatons built for intimate relations have over exaggerated body parts, large genitalia, over sized breasts and buttocks, these automatons are the most frowned upon. Most often, automatons have a thin outer layer of metal sheets that hide the inner-workings of the machine. Designed to imitate skin as well as protecting the automaton's insides. This outer layer, or "metal skin", will emulate that of a male or female body, shaped to the creators wishes. The metal sheets are not connected in places like the abdominal section of the torso or shoulders, but slide over each other to allow joint movement. These sheets can be made from any range of metals from iron, to bronze, brass, silver or even (in rare cases) adamantine. The heads and faces of the automatons are surrounded by the same material, but do not compare as well to real-life faces as the bodies do. The faces of automatons struggle to show emotion, this is mirrored by the automatons inability to feel emotion. Automatons very rarely have moving eyebrows, or cheeks. Their lips are stiff, and eyes shallow. Normally only the chin and lower lip move to simulate speech. When an automaton is made with a specific purpose, such as carrying crates or firing a weapon, their hands will be crafted to only do those things. An automaton design to fire a bow, will only have the fingers necessary to fire a bow. An automaton designed to carry large crates might not have fingers at all.
A New Technology[edit]
In the grand-scheme of things, automatons are a relatively new creation. For many cultures and societies, science and technology have not yet come as far as to imitate life in such a way, without the aid of magic or gods. Despite their recent relevance, word spreads very quickly that an automaton is roaming the streets. Many people, especially the religious and arcane adept, fear what you mean for them. If gods or magic are not needed to create, have their purposes been a lie? Have they wasted the years away at tasks that will one day become obsolete? Workers and laborers do not welcome the new technologies, as they fear that if they are indeed better than they are, one day the laborers will no longer have jobs. The automatons may very well take the jobs real people once used to feed their families.
Entirely Unique[edit]
Emulating life can only get you so far in society. Because of this, if an automaton is left to roam freely, they find it very hard to integrate into society. An automaton left to their own devices is not a common thing however. More often then not, an automaton is built for a purpose. If this is the case, they will not steer from this purpose. It is what they were made for it is what they will do until they are given a new purpose. Some arrogant scientists create automatons to flaunt their intellectual prowess. These automatons are they kind that are most life-like, created for the spectacle, rather than anything of much worth. automatons with the purpose of dazzling and amazing crowds are often seen as just that, a clever trick of an even cleverer man. And thus, is the life of an automaton, either loved or hated without cause, without care. Seen as either a spectacle or an atrocity. A wonderful creation of art and science, or an unsettling attempt at something not quite real. At times when an automatons creator dies, they must find a new purpose. A lone automaton will wonder the streets until it finds someone who will take them in, or work that they can do. Some automaton are gifted with the ability to understand and perform acts of arcane magic, some are given new skills and abilities to explore. Others are captured as slaves, forced to work, or fight. Learning nothing new, living a life as empty as before. These are in fact, the best case scenarios, since more often than not, an automaton left to roam, alone without a master, will succumb to the violence of fear and ignorance. Destroyed before they can become more than what they were made for.
Automaton Names[edit]
An automaton is given a name that their creator see’s fit. Whether is the name of a relative or important person in history or mythology. E.G, Raynard, Eleanor, Adam. Or alternatively, an automaton could not be given a name at all, but a serial number. Distinguishing them from the others by number and type. E.G, A-001, FN-2187, #823.
Automaton Traits[edit]
Conscious and aware machines, made not by magic or divine power, but by science.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1 and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age. A well looked after automaton can live almost indefinitely. However, rust and cracked gears start to become a major problem between their first and third centuries.
Alignment. Automatons at creation are True Neutral. It is only through experience that they begin to develop a personality and thus an alignment, whether that be good, evil, lawful or chaotic. However, due to their mechanical nature, automatons often develop lawful alignments.
Size. You are the same size as your creator, or as the race they intended you to be modeled after. Your size is either Small or Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Constructed. As well as being a humanoid, you are also a construct. This means that any stipulations within the rules in regards to constructs apply to you. You are also vulnerable to lightning damage.
Mindless. You do not have a brain; therefore, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and frightened. You are resistant to psychic damage, as well as this, because of your mechanical nature, if an organic being was to attempt to read your mind, or communicate with you telepathically, they would not understand the mechanical language that works within your mind.
Automatonic Charisma. Your voice is monotone and emotionless and your movements are stiff and unrealistic. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Metallic Skin. As you are covered by plates of metal, you do not see the need for armor. When unarmored, your Armor Class is equal to 12 + your Dexterity modifier.
Mechanical Body. Because your body is made of inorganic material, you are not required to eat or drink, you do not need to sleep and you do not breathe. You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned and are immune to poison damage and disease. However, your body is too heavy to swim and you do not possess a swimming speed. As well as this, when you are in very cold temperatures and environments your movement speed decreases to 20ft. The same is true when in conditions of extreme heat, E.G: At the entrance to a volcano.
Gears and Cogs. Instead of taking a long rest, you must spend four hours and 1 vial of grease/oil/lubricant oiling your joints and gears. If you have been in a swamp, dessert, in salt-water, or any other environment that would cause dirt, grime or other particles to enter your body, the time required is doubled. You must spend this extra time to clean your gears and joints of the gunk, sand and/or salt, before lubricating them. When you finish this maintenance, you gain the benefits of a long rest. If you do not do this once every 24 hours, you gain one level of exhaustion.
Languages. You can speak, read and write only two languages that your creator spoke, which are typically Common and another language of your choice.
Subrace. There are three subraces of automaton; Agile, Brawny & Friendly .
Agile[edit]
Agile automatons are built to be nimble. Slender bodies and deft fingers are things they possess.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Light Frame. You do not sink in water, you have a swimming speed of 20 feet.
Brawny[edit]
Brawny automatons are built to be tough. Muscular and strong are words that they embody.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Friendly[edit]
Friendly automatons are designed for home care, they are the ones that are the most life-like; but only in appearance.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Interplay Adept. You gain proficiency in a set of artisan tools.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′ 4″ | +2d8 inches | 150 lb. | × (2d6) lb. |
Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races
