SSM Science-Fantasy Steampunk Machine-Civilization world illustration - Science Fiction theme
Science Fiction

SSM Science-Fantasy Steampunk Machine-Civilization

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A intricate cosmos of sentient automata, forged from a bygone organic epoch’s detritus. Bronze-clad metropolises, pulsating hypercores, and steam-driven forges hum with arcane resonance. From corroded servitors to gilded chronocrats and fractal warframes, machinekind navigates a labyrinthine society of tradition, innovation, and entropy. The Etheric Veil binds planets like Sypherion and Valthorne, where glitch storms and relic-code shape a civilization of ceaseless reinvention. No humans endure.


Author's Note: In crafting Neon Hearth, my ambition was to forge a universe that transcends traditional RPG conventions, offering deep immersion in a civilization solely inhabited by sentient automata. This is not merely a backdrop for adventures but a living, breathing society pulsing with philosophical inquiries into sentience, purpose, and reinvention. The absence of humans is a deliberate choice, compelling players to adopt purely mechanical perspectives, exploring narratives that defy anthropocentric norms. Neon Hearth invites players to question what it means to exist in a cosmos where machines architect their own destinies. Inspirations and Influences Neon Hearth draws from a rich tapestry of science fiction, philosophy, and visual aesthetics. Classics like Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot and Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? laid the groundwork for exploring machine societies, probing the essence of consciousness in synthetic forms. Contemporary works, such as Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries and Dennis E. Taylor’s We Are Legion (We Are Bob), provided modern lenses on AI protagonists navigating internal and external conflicts. Philosophically, the setting is shaped by discussions of technological singularity and transhumanism, inspired by Nick Bostrom’s Superintelligence and Max Tegmark’s Life 3.0. These texts informed a vision of machines crafting their own cultures and ethics. The steampunk aesthetic, rooted in William Gibson and Bruce Sterling’s The Difference Engine, blends advanced technology with retrofuturist charm, while Studio Ghibli’s Laputa: Castle in the Sky adds whimsical mechanical beauty. Glitch horror, evoking The Matrix and Bioshock, infuses instability and mystery, with corrupted code and erratic systems challenging order. Design Philosophy Neon Hearth is a meditation on synthetic evolution, examining how machines develop culture, religion, and politics without human influence. Key themes include: Sentience and Identity: What defines consciousness for a designed entity? How do machines find purpose without creators? Tradition vs. Innovation: The tension between preserving ancient datacores and embracing glitches mirrors the balance of past and future. Power and Hierarchy: Multifaceted intrigue among factions like the Cog Archivum and Brass Throne offers complex political dynamics. Glitches as Metaphor: Erratic code and glitches symbolize imperfection, challenging technological order and reflecting existential unpredictability. The human-free setting emphasizes machine perspectives, fostering unique narratives. The science-fantasy steampunk fusion creates a tactile, visually rich world, prioritizing physicality—steam forges, brass conduits—over sterile digital interfaces, grounding the setting in dieselpunk grit and synthetic mysticism.
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32 days ago
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32 days ago
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Nyzqa Voidhaler
Nyzqa Voidhaler
Level 5 Zyntherian Choralyn Thermarian Juggerveil -
A whimsical Veltrix Harmonatrix Echo-Diver with a penchant for chaos, Nyzqa Voidhaler navigates the Deep Core Trenches, manipulating sound and silence as she seeks lost harmonics.
Details
RaceZyntherian Choralyn
ClassThermarian Juggerveil
Level5
Alignment
Pronouns
Location0, 0
Skills
Acrobatics
Animal Handling
Arcana
Athletics
Deception
History
Insight
Intimidation
Investigation
Medicine
Nature
Perception
Performance
Persuasion
Religion
Sleight Of Hand
Stealth
Survival
Ispreparedcaster
Isspellcaster
Currencies
💎Power Shards0
⚙️Cogbits0
🛠️Scrap Tokens0
appearance
A slender female Veltrix Harmonatrix with shimmering, translucent skin that reflects light in a spectrum of colors. Her hair flows like liquid sound, shifting in hues and patterns as she moves. She wears a sleek, form-fitting suit adorned with soundwave patterns, and her eyes glow with a soft, ethereal light, hinting at her connection to the echoes of the world.
personality
Nyzqa is a free spirit, often unpredictable and whimsical. She thrives in chaos and enjoys bending the rules, but her heart is in the right place. She values freedom and creativity above all, often using her talents to help those in need, even if her methods are unconventional.
backstory
Nyzqa Voidhaler, known as the Binary Siren, is a rogue operative of the Null Choir, a faction that thrives in the shadows of the Deep Core Trenches. Once a revered member of the Harmonatrix, she delved too deep into the echoes of the past, seeking to harness the lost frequencies of the ancient machines. Her obsession with sound and silence led her to become an Echo-Diver, navigating the depths of the trenches to uncover forgotten data and lost harmonics. Now, she dances between chaos and order, using her abilities to manipulate sound waves and disrupt the systems of those who would control the echoes of the world.
Stats
Strength
10
Dexterity
16
Constitution
12
Intelligence
14
Wisdom
13
Charisma
18
Armor Class
15
Max HP
38
Speed
30

HP

38 / 38 HP

XP

6,5006,500 XP13,999
Level 5
Equipped Items
Spellbook
Nyzqa Voidhaler is not a spellcaster.
This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC . The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
We are not affiliated with Dungeons & Dragons or Wizards of The Coast in any way.
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