Science Fiction
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.
Played | 4 times |
Cloned | 1 times |
Created | 32 days ago |
Last Updated | 32 days ago |
Visibility | Public |

HP Range250 - 350 (Avg: 300)
AC20
XP13000
Description
A molten titan of slag and pistons, the Pyroclast Behemoth roams the lava fields of Valthorne, its core venting searing ash and warping time around it. Forged in the Crucible Epoch, it serves as a guardian of sealed forges, unleashing its fiery wrath upon intruders.
Details
Size | Huge |
Type | Construct |
CR | 15 |
XP | 13000 |
Languages | understands Ignan but cannot speak |
Defenses
Armor Class | 20 |
HP Range | 250 - 350 (Avg: 300) |
Damage Vulnerabilities | None |
Damage Resistances | None |
Damage Immunities | None |
Condition Immunities | None |
Actions
Ashen Vortex
The Behemoth creates a swirling vortex of ash around itself. All creatures within 15 feet must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away and become blinded until the end of their next turn.
Magma Wave
The Pyroclast Behemoth erupts a wave of molten magma in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 60 (10d10) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.