Robot Character Class - adding some flexibility

PC Race – Robots  

Requirements: none   Prime Requisite: CON   Hit Die: 1d8   Maximum Level: 10

Robots are uncommon in the anomalous world, but the ancients made vast numbers of them (“Why do the scientists keep making them?”) and many have been reactivated.  While robots in general vary widely in size and capability, all player character robots are humanoid in shape and size.  Robots are distinguished from computers by having positronic brains, endowing them with a degree of will and flexibility not seen in even the most powerful conventional AI.  

A robot PC is not an especially rugged or dangerous model at first but as it gains levels the robot improves itself with new parts, motors, sensors, and weapons.  These are built from random bits scavenged from other robots, found in storage, or purchased from Scientists.  A robot does not wear conventional armor, doing so interferes with their sensors.  They may wield any weapon or shield as a human does.  All robots start with an unarmed attack that does 1d4 damage.  This can be a pincer, drill, simply a blow from a metal hand, or whatever seems appropriate.

Robots are immune to poison, disease, parasites, and ‘person’ affecting magic.  Their positronic circuitry is sensitive to negative energy, meaning robots can lose levels, and they need oxygen for catalytic reactive purposes—basically the same as people need to breathe.  Robots attacked by rust monsters or similar effects take a 2d8 points of damage from each ‘hit’. 

Lvl. Breath Poison/ Death Petrify/ Paralyze Wand Magic 1-4 14 11 12 14 15 5-7 11 8 9 11 12 8+ 8 5 6 8 9

Robots can self-repair at a rate of 1 hit point per 8 hours.  The raw materials needed to do this are nothing special, either an environment providing miscellaneous techno-junk, or 1 GP of Robot Parts per HP.  Healing spells have no effect on robots, but those with the science skill can jury rig repairs to a robot, each success heals 1 HP per level of the robot.  This can only be done to a robot once per day. 

Level	XP	HD	THAC9	Robo-Points™	AC
1	0	1	10	1	9
2	2500	2	10	2	8
3	5000	3	10	3	7
4	10,000	4	9	3	6
5	25,000	5	9	4	5
6	50,000	6	8	4	4
7	100,000	7	8	5	3
8	200,000	8	8	5	2
9	350,000	9	7	7	1
10	500,000+	10	7	7	0

RoboPoints™ and robot advancement: when a robot gains a level it gains RoboPoints that can be spent on various improvements.  There is some expense, 100 GP of robot parts per RoboPoint spent. The first time an improvement is purchased it costs 1 RoboPoint.  Buying it again costs 3 points, then 5, then 7.  Most improvements are limited to four ‘levels’. 

StatBoost: adds 1d3 to any ability score to a maximum of 18.  Each score is a separate improvement.

MultiSwing: adds one unarmed attack per round.  Every level beyond the first represents an extra arm as well.  No more than three levels can be purchased.  The first level of this improvement costs 3 RoboPoints, then 5, then 7.  No extra attacks are gained with weapons held, only unarmed attacks.

HitBoost: improves the robot’s unarmed attack damage by a die type (d6, d8, d10, then d12).  This can represent buzz saws, retractable spikes or blades, etc. 

HoverJets: Repulsor motors allow the robot to hover, and at higher levels thrusters allow forward movement.  Max height equals 15’ x improvement level.  Speed equals 20 x (improvement level – 1).

Built-in ranged weapon: the weapon must be provided.  It can be a crossbow, gun, or energy weapon.  Ammunition must be provided.  All built in ranged weapons can be fired as a single action.  This improvement can only be purchased three times.

Modularity: doubles the effects of normal repairs (x3, x4, x5 at higher levels).  Each level purchased also allows the robot to be jury-rigged an extra time per day.

SensorBoost: the first level adds IR vision.  The second adds tremor sense.

CommandVoice: each level gives a one point benefit to reaction rolls from other robots.  A robot with at least one point in this can establish a Secret Base at 8^th level, gaining five robot followers per level of CommandVoice.  Max of four levels of improvement.

GroundPounder: each level adds 10’ to tactical move, 30’ to normal move.  Max of four levels.

Load Bearing: adds 30#, cumulative per level to carrying capacity (+40/+80/+120/+160)

Install Device: any non-weapon technological device obtained can be installed inside the robot.  It can’t weigh more than about ten pounds.  Some degree of self-power or free uses per day may be possible, this is too variable a factor to give rules for.  The DM will determine any such benefit before you do it.

PositronShield: grants a saving throw vs. magic to avoid energy drain.  Each extra level adds four to the roll. 

Reslilience: one level in this removes the need to breathe and grants immunity to vacuum.  Each level beyond that grants resistance (+4 saves, -2 per die of damage) to either fire, cold, electricity, or acid.

Haunting Custodian

The name 'Haunting Custodian' comes from AD&D but I always found the creature (aka the 'Drelb') somewhat dull.  Here's my take on a creature of this name:

No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90'
AC: 3
HD: 3+1
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d4 + root
Save: F6
Morale: 8
Hoard: none

Haunting Custodians, also known as Drelb, are a type of earth elemental summoned and bound to a particular building or dungeon to maintain it.  They 'put things to right', resetting traps, closing doors, repairing damage and generally trying to keep things as they are.  

These creatures appear as 4' tall stone humanoids with brass beards.  Though quite strong they do not use weapons, and can only strike with a fist in combat.  However anyone standing on stone who is struck by one must save vs. magic or have the stone flow up over their lower legs, rooting them in place until the stone can be broken away (8 points damage from blunt weapons or picks, any excess damage being taken by the trapped creature).  They generally do not fight in any case, as they can move through stone as easily as air and tend to avoid confrontations.

Drelb can cause a variety of sounds to emanate from stone that they are within.  Knocking, tapping, even their rasping voice.  They will use this ability to annoy or disturb interlopers, or to draw dungeon dwellers to various locations, usually with a view toward making trouble for destructive invaders.  

As far as custodial functions, consider a drelb to be able to accomplish the work of five skilled and equipped miners or stonemasons.

Binding a drelb to service requires a fourth level MU spell.  The spell requires that the Custodian's 'pay'--one 100 gpv gem per year of service--be placed in an elaborately cast and carved stone and metal vessel that is  placed inside a magic circle in a room in the place to be guarded.  The magic allows the drelb to remove a single gem per year from this vessel.  (More can be added to extend the term of the binding.)  If the magic circle is broken so is the Custodian's binding.  If freed it will often try to seize whatever of it's 'pay' remains before departing forever.