Automata are self-aware, mechanical beings of varying design, purpose, and complexity. While diverse in appearance and function, all automata share core structural principles that govern their construction, operation, and maintenance.
Automata range widely in size: small, nimble units like Cogwrights may stand as short as 90–120 centimeters tall, while Forgehands and Sentinels can exceed 3 meters. Most common automata fall between 1.5 and 2 meters. Their bodies are generally humanoid in shape—torso, limbs, and head—though exceptions exist, particularly among Scavenged automata, whose body plans are often atypical, reflecting the improvisational nature of their assembly from salvaged components. Despite differences in proportions and limb configuration, all automata are designed to balance mobility, stability, and mechanical efficiency.
The exterior of an automaton consists of articulated metal plating, brass or copper lattices, reinforced joints, and exposed gearwork in some models. Plates are often engraved or etched with functional markings, decorative flourishes, or calibration indicators. Heads are typically humanoid in form, housing sensory arrays and providing a recognizable “face,” though expressive features may be limited to mechanical articulation rather than flesh-like flexibility. Limbs are composed of interlocking segments with gears, pistons, and servomechanisms allowing precise movement. Feet may be flat for balance or adapted with claws, pads, or small treads depending on the automaton’s purpose.
All automata possess sensory systems, but the specific configuration varies by design and purpose. Eyes often consist of lens arrays or light receptors capable of detecting motion, light intensity, and color variations, with some specialized models integrating magnification or night-sensitive optics. Auditory sensors capture vibrations or resonant frequencies rather than sound in the organic sense. Tactile arrays along fingers, hands, and feet detect pressure, texture, and mechanical strain. Certain models include additional sensors for environmental monitoring—temperature, motion, or wind flow—but the presence and arrangement of these vary widely.
The defining feature of almost every automaton is the internal spring, a coiled power source that stores kinetic energy and drives all movement and function. This spring can be rewound using external energy storage devices—Ticks, Chimes, and Strikes—which provide measured quantities of usable energy. Proper maintenance of the spring is critical; misalignment or damage can lead to partial or total mechanical failure.
Within the body, automata contain intricate networks of gears, cogs, pistons, and mechanical linkages that translate stored energy into controlled motion. Core functions—locomotion, manipulation, sensory input, and specialized tasks—are powered by these interdependent systems. Some automata incorporate memory cogs or data storage units within their torso, enabling long-term preservation of information and experiences. Cooling vents, lubricated conduits, and tension regulators ensure that energy is efficiently distributed while preventing mechanical strain.
Automata are inherently modular, designed for repair and part replacement. Limbs, heads, sensory arrays, and internal components can often be swapped, repaired, or upgraded, though compatibility depends on size, proportion, and mechanical interfaces. Smaller automata, such as Cogwrights or Whisperers, allow for more flexible modifications, while larger models like Forgehands or Sentinels require specialized tools and multiple operators for major repairs. Modularity ensures that automata can endure centuries of service, provided energy and maintenance are available.
Automata do not age biologically. Mechanical wear, corrosion, or loss of energy limits operational lifespan, but with regular maintenance, proper lubrication, and rewinding of their internal springs, they can remain functional indefinitely. Components may degrade over time, and external plating can dent, rust, or erode, but repairs or part replacement restore full capability. Functionality is thus more dependent on energy availability and care than intrinsic lifespan.
A typical automaton’s internal layout is layered for efficiency:
Central Core: Houses the internal spring, which provides the primary motive force.
Transmission Networks: A series of gears, rods, and linkages distributes energy to limbs and tools.
Control Interfaces: Mechanical regulators translate input from sensory arrays into motion.
Memory and Computation Units: Certain models include cogs or storage systems for logging information, calculations, or learned behaviors.
Auxiliary Systems: Cooling vents, lubrication channels, and redundant gear arrays prevent catastrophic failure under load.
Automata design reflects their original purpose. Luminaries are sleek, highly articulated, and optimized for precision and communication. Forgehands are robust, heat-resistant, and engineered for strength and endurance. Archivists prioritize stability, data preservation, and deliberate movement. Scavenged automata exhibit improvisational designs, often asymmetrical, with mismatched components and adapted functionality. Despite these variations, all share the same fundamental reliance on energy, motion, and mechanical modularity.
In essence, automata are highly adaptable, mechanical lifeforms. They rely on a single, rewound internal spring for energy, maintain themselves through modular repair, and combine gears, pistons, and sensors into intricate, living machines. Their external plating and humanoid form mask the complexity within, while their design ensures that, with energy and care, they can endure the ages—an eternal civilization of brass, copper, and motion.