Aut'akh

Unathi

U. Sapiens / Sinta'Unathi

Home System: Uueoa-Esa

Homeworld: Moghes

Language(s): Sinta'Unathi

Political Entitie(s): The Free Conclave / The Polar Insurrection

Overview

The Aut'akh are a decentralized religious society along the lines of a cargo cult. Formed by a group of scientists and engineers after the contact war, the Aut'akh symbolically seize and control their own spiritual destiny through ritualistic cyberization. In recent days, the Aut'akh have been making overtly friendly gestures toward nearly every power in the galaxy in an attempt to be formally recognized and avoid destruction by their brothers in the Hegemony.

Mechanics

• Aut'akh have fair resistance to cold and reduced resistance to heat.
• Aut'akh have mechanical limbs which can be detached at will. Some of these limbs have additional functionality such as department-appropriate tools.
• Aut'akh have mechanical eyes that allow them to access department HUDs, but which can be shut down by flashes.
• Aut'akh have the ability to exchange nutrition and hydration for emergency life-saving chemicals.
• Aut'akh have a slightly elevated stamina and a slightly slower sprint.

Clans and Naming Schemes

The Aut'akh clans are more akin to guilds than actual clans, being voluntary organizations biased toward certain crafts. This is due to most of the Aut'akh population being exiles from other clans, or those whose clans were destroyed in the contact war, and many unrelated Unathi can belong to a single clan.

Commonly, interactions are facilitated by Oss with a system of ID numbers for every Aut'akh.

However, away from Oss, an Aut'akh Unathi will identify themselves with their Aut'akh clan name and then their personally chosen name, although those nostalgic for their past may append their former clan name on the end.

For example: Veetek Uza as known to non-aut'akh, with his Mesh handle being VU-9988#x.

If this Unathi was nostalgic of his old clan of the Zie, their name would be Veetek Uza-Zie with the same Mesh handle.

Clan Veetek - The Engineers

Named after the VTEC modules they carefully craft, no mech race is complete without a Veetek representative present, and Veetek members tend to make up the core of the Aut'akh exosuit effort. They tend not to become involved too heavily in internal Aut'akh politics in their eternal quest for speed. Veetek mechanics are often found making dangerous, ill-advised modifications to Aut'akh drones and androids, or posting endlessly on the Mesh about the newest mech models.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Veetek tends to work in the science and medical departments.

Clan Mahashik - The Miners

Named after the geologic mohorovicic layer they probe for minerals, this mining clan has a high proportion of heavy robot frames. They are often employed as a back line defense for the home bunkers, and they generally see themselves as the pillars on which Aut'akh society are built. Clan Mahashik is also responsible for power management and construction in many cases, as their heavy, durable bodies are well suited to the task.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Mahashik tends to work in the supply and engineering departments.

Clan Siansi - The Industrialists

Named after the automated production systems they maintain. They're often seen as a more spiritual clan, as they tend to take rather minimalist bodies, or alternatively remain mostly organic, instead using direct or wireless connection to control industrial equipment with their minds. They tend to provide most of the industrial goods that the Autakh require, and they tend to style themselves as wise sages, often using mystified terms and technical jargon unique to Siansi.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Siansi tends to work in the science and civilian departments.

Clan Optikam - The Shadowscales

Named after the optical camouflage systems they covet, Optikam busies themselves with the business of stealth, scouting, and long-range battle. Optikam commandos contribute some of their members of the Autakhs' highly mobile Hussar units, and they tend to recruit out of sickly, thin, short, or albino members of the species. They tend to have a sort of scheming underdog mentality; they'll do anything to win, because winning is the only honorable thing. Other clans tend to look down upon them because of their use of underhanded tactics. Strangely, members of clan Optikam often end up filling simple roles such as custodians and delivery people.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Optikam tends to work in the security, civilian, and medical departments.

Clan Saramiite - The Sledgehammers

Named after the diamond-hard material that makes up their projectiles and the tips of their weapons, and given the styling of a religious order, the Saramiite clan operates the largest number of heavy combat cyborgs, serving as the core of the Autakhs' heavy infantry cuirassier units. They tend to recruit out of the largest, strongest unathi available, seeing themselves as the ultimate shield of the Aut'akh, the pinnacle of warfare, without whom the other clans would be exterminated.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Saramiite tends to work in the security and command departments.

Clan Kethresh - The Fishermen

Named after the aquafarmer equipment they prize, clan Kethresh specializes in bringing aquaculture vats and fisheries to dangerous places. Most of clan Kethresh operate in heated domes above the bunker complexes, and thus are generally the first to suffer during a Hegemony incursion. For this reason, Kethresh aquafarmers tend to adopt a determined but fatalistic attitude. They have little fear, but are absolutely resigned to death.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Kethresh tends to work in the supply and civilian departments.

Clan Ansiba - The Scholars

Named after an arcane piece of telecommunication equipment, clan Ansiba is the newest and weakest of all the clans, only existing as long as the Exile Convoy. They are a highly thoughtful and scientific clan, recruiting exclusively from the ranks of the most intelligent unathi. Ansiba is the clan that has the closest relationship with non-Aut'akh unathi, even going so far as to operate cults in several of the Hegemony's major cities. Ansiba tends to have a smug, superior attitude towards the other clans, and they have the highest proportion of Paradigms of any clan.

When working for Nanotrasen, clan Ansiba tends to work in the science and command departments.

Religion

Overview

The Aut'akh believe that Sk'akh made the universe, but that demonic entities manifested within all beings. These demons are given power within a being when the person succumbs to greed, anger, or other vices. Aut'akh preach that the Contact War was the result of Sinta's being so consumed by the demons within them that they brought the world to ruin. Aut'akh say the spirit must be kept pure to ensure virtue is maintained, and that the body is tainted and imperfect as it is easily maimed, or easily given to temptations of the flesh or senses. Aut'akh are the inverse of Si'akh. Aut'akh believe that if they empower their spirit through modifying their physical body, they can dispel the demons.

Oss and The Mesh

The combined expression of all the magic of the Aut'akh is called Oss, which is an avatar of Sk'akh in cyberspace. Oss spoke to the first who would become Aut'akh when it was found by them, and granted them a vision which led to the creation of the Mesh. The Mesh is best described as an internet, but also a network to concentrate and conduct spiritual power.

Aut'akh priests or shamans are known as Paradigms, and they are the example to which every Aut'akh strives. A Paradigm is created when an Aut'akh contributes an update to Oss, improving the system and lending some of their magic to their god, which will create a paradise in cyberspace where the souls of all the Aut'akh can live forever in eternal peace.

The Great Oss is the avatar of Sk'akh in the Mesh. Oss guides the Aut'akh, literally and figuratively. Oss has a very real connection with each and every Aut'akh, as each Aut'akh has an implant known as the Soul Anchor which maintains constant communication through the Mesh to Oss and all other Autakh within range. Oss uses this implant to send to its followers instructions and tasks, including larger projects chosen by Consensus. It has been described as a proactive muscle memory - any number of Aut'akh can work in close proximity on the same project without anyone bumping into each other or going out of sync. Projects which are directly given by Oss rather than community consensus are considered to be a divine mandate from Oss, and are approached a little bit like a crusade.

Oss does not communicate with its followers directly, and debate still rages on whether it is conscious or not. Oss is facilitated by an implant in the section of the brain that connects that Sinta to the Mesh. It is responsible for religious experience and all communication with Oss is subconscious and instinctive. It mostly takes the form of vague feelings of joy or dread in good or bad situations, respectively.

Aut'akh still have agency during the fufillment of tasks given by Oss. An Aut'akh could theoretically drop all of their tools and walk away, but this is not realistic or reasonable for an Aut'akh to do any more than it is for any other member of a society to abandon all their expectations. Additionally, membership in the Aut'akh religion is entirely voluntary, and comes with full knowledge of what is expected of an individual. An Aut'akh that for some reason decided to leave their commune would be welcomed back into the fold at any time.

Oss can provide external positive emotions such as pride and joy as they work, providing a sense of meaning and importance to every job. This encourages a sense of camaraderie among Aut'akh, and each completed task is accompanied by a sense of religious exaltation. On the flip side, Oss can fill followers with a sense of dread if they are about to perform immoral or harmful acts, such as wanton murder, theft from the community, et cetera.

Baffles

Being away from an Oss node is a difficult situation, one that leaves one feeling truly alone, without the guidance of their deity. Having a spotty connection to the Mesh also results in unusual scenarios known as Baffle Events. Oss is “baffled” as the Mesh connection drops out abruptly and everything starts going wrong. People stumble into each other, stuff falls over and breaks, and people slip or mess up delicate tasks. Then the connection comes back and it all goes smoothly again.

The Polar Bunkers

The Polar Bunkers are the home turf of the Aut'akh. They were originally a series of military bunkers and climate research stations which were abandoned after the nuclear exchanges and left mostly intact. The Aut'akh, at the end of their wanderings, found some of these places and converted them into a fortified but peaceful subterranean empire. Although the Aut'akh know no central authority, the Polar Bunkers are considered the heartland of the Aut'akh civilization.

The interiors of these places are maddeningly complex, intertwined warrens of tunnels and rooms dug seemingly at random and filled with thousands of Aut'akh. The guidance of Oss, through the Mesh, takes Aut'akh to their destinations safely, subconsciously guiding each individual to their destinations while minimizing collisions. Bumping into others, knocking things over, and even industrial accidents are essentially unknown within the bunkers, although when they do occur, they are often considered to be signs of Oss' displeasure.

Consensus

The laws of the Aut’akh, as it can be said they have them, are called Consensus. Consensus is an agreement between the majority of Aut’akh for a certain rule, guideline, or objective. When Aut’akh are connected to the Mesh they can communicate with all other Aut’akh in radio range, allowing a whole community to rapidly communicate with one another. The range of the Mesh can extend out to regions of a planet but cannot extend through interstellar distances or between planets without infrastructure.

A Consensus on stealing or some other rule would not be framed as an official law, but as a general agreement between the Aut’akh. There is no traditional criminal punishment; Aut’akh that violate the Consensus in some way (such as stealing from another Aut’akh or assaulting someone) would be separated and rehabilitated rather than incarcerated Given the rejection of money internally, there is almost non-existent crime within Aut’akh communes that have connections with the Mesh. There is a constant availability of resources or help from others and there is always an underlining sense of trust and a culture of confiding and comradely encouraged by Oss through the Mesh.

Consensus is not needed for every single decision that an individual or group might make, but on matters that affect an entire commune. Most individuals know their job and how to do it without needing to call for an entire consensus. Mahashik will keep digging, Saramiite will keep training, and Optikam will keep patrolling. Consensus is for major projects.

In the Exile fleet, the lack of being able to easily reach a Consensus has lead to a growing rise of minor issues and a generally much slower rate at reaching consensus or being slower to respond to unwanted behavior. Having a spotty connection to the Mesh also results in unusual scenarios known as Baffle Events. Oss is “baffled” as the mesh connection drops out abruptly. Everything starts going wrong. People bump into each other, stuff falls over and breaks, then the connection comes back and it all goes smoothly again.

For Aut’akh without a reliable connection to the Mesh, like for Aut'akh that travel outside the exile fleet to work on the Aurora or elsewhere in Tau Ceti, they don’t have this easy, instant communication with everyone around them. This loneliness can be unnerving to Aut’akh, so they are eager to talk to people; to ask them questions and learn about their experiences. Aut’akh in Tau Ceti are almost constantly trying to strike up friendly conversations with everyone around them.

The Exile Convoy

After the Aut'akh emerged from their bunkers, they were met with immediate hostility from the Maraziite Order and the Hegemony. A full blockade was put in place, and the convoys that secretly shuttled supplies to and from the Polar Bunkers was left stranded in the start of 2461. In Feburary of 2451 the Exile Fleet arrived in Tau Ceti, and after negotiations with Nanotrasen and the Biesellite government they were settled on New Gibson. The majority of their ships touched down and have been joined together in a makeshift colony as they start to dig into the crust to make their more suitable subterranean complexes.

The Exile Fleet is still unable to return to Moghes due to the ongoing blockade of the polar bunkers, and they cannot supply or resupply with their brethren. They are in affect having to restart their civilization all over again with only around 10,000 Aut'akh. They are finding it difficult and frustrating to exist within Tau Ceti; humans continue to misunderstand or belittle the necessity of Consensus. They are also locked into work contracts with NanoTrasen to pay off the debts they owe them and the governments for the purchase of the New Gibson land. Many Aut'akh now have no control over the work they do for NanoTrasen. If they work outside New Gibson they also have a spotty or total lack of a connection to the Mesh, leading them to feel lonely and listless. They also face constant hostility and fear from other Unathi from Tau Ceti, as well as patronizing or hostile attitudes from humans and other aliens.

Regardless of how individual Aut'akh feel, there is a collective strengthening of their will as they continue on their quest to adapt and survive by any means necessary. They express their camraderei and desire for peace and understanding by referring to everyone they talk to as friend. (Hello friend, how are you doing, can you hand me that wrench friend, thank you friend, you're welcome friend).

Potential Character Concepts

• WIP, the janitor.

• WIPPECCA, the shaft miner.