Character Creation and Setting Discussion

Range: 20 feet +5 feet/L Duration: 2 rounds/L
Saving Throw: Special. Regular, non-intelligent machines cannot save vs Telemechanic operation. Cybernetics and bionics attached to living flesh, sentient machines and magic items and devices are impervious.
This power is a step beyond the mere understanding of machines granted by Telemechanics, it allows the psychic to telepathically operate machines with his mind! As long as the machine functions, he knows how to use it, and it is turned "on," the psychic can manipulate it with his mind as if his fingers were on the controls! This means he can operate computers, key pads, set/program an alarm clock, change the radio station, operate a VCR or television, drive a hovercar (even if there is already a driver, but at -30%), cook something in a microwave, turn off (or on) a surveillance video camera, and so on.
The Telemechanic Mental Operation power will only work on machines that have an electronic or other power source. This power does not work on artificially intelligent machines (i.e. intelligent computers, robots, etc.), nor on cybernetics, bionics, Techno-Wizard devices, rune weapons or magic items. The psychic can use other psionic powers and engage in other activities, but must maintain some level of mental concentration and contact to keep control of the machine. During this period, he is -1 melee attack/action and -5% on skill performance. He must also stay within range. If he steps out of range or loses concentration, the machine returns to normal in 1D4 seconds.

Range: Touch or 40 feet Duration: One minute per level of experience.
Saving Throw: Special. Regular, non-intelligent machines cannot save vs Telemechanic paralysis. Cybernetics and bionics attached to living flesh, sentient machines and magic items and devices are impervious.
This is a form of techno-manipulation whereby the psychic is able to psychically bond with the machine and momentarily prevent it from functioning. Just as in bio-manipulation, the psychic blocks the transmission of signals along the machine`s "nervous system," effectively incapacitating it. This means the power is only effective against machines that require a power source. Simple devices like wind-up toys, scissors, old revolvers and pistols, swords, knives, crossbows, and similar items cannot be affected. The affected machine freezes in place and does not respond to any of its controls until the psionic influence comes to an end.
The psychic can use other psionic powers and engage in other activities, but must maintain some level of mental concentration and contact to keep the machine inactive. During this period, he is -1 melee attack/action and -5% on skill performance. He must also stay within range (40 feet/12.2 m). If he steps out of range or loses concentration, the machine returns to normal in 1D4 seconds.

See the Invisible: Detects invisible things, including supernatural beings and objects hidden by magic. In a device, this could function as a magic-sensitive infrared sensor.
Sense Magic: Detects the presence of magic energy. A device imbued with this spell could be a magical motion sensor or alarm.

[b]Manipulate Objects[/b]: Allows the caster to telekinetically lift and move objects, including small tech components. This is invaluable for assembly and precision crafting.
[b]Cleanse[/b]: Purifies an object or area, which can be useful for removing magical or conventional impurities from salvaged materials.
[b]Shatter[/b]: Instantly breaks non-M.D.C. materials like glass. This is a useful tool for dismantling and salvaging.

[b]Magic Shield[/b]: Creates a magical force field that provides S.D.C. protection. This effect could be imbued into armor or a personal deflector system.
[b]Mystic Fulcrum[/b]: Reduces the weight of an object. Permanently enchanting a vehicle with this spell could improve its speed and fuel efficiency.

[b]Energy Field[/b]: Creates a personal energy shield that provides M.D.C. protection. This is an ideal spell for creating protective magical armor or field generators.
[b]Watchguard[/b]: Creates a small, invisible guardian that warns of intruders. When built into a device, it could serve as a high-tech magical alarm system.

[spoiler=Overview]
• The name "Faerie Bot" is misleading. It comes from the spherical hover vehicles these tiny beings pilot, not from the creatures themselves. For decades, all that was seen were glowing orbs with stubby arms and legs, piloted by doll-like figures. Because the machines could fly, cast spells, and wield psionics, many assumed they were magical faeries. In truth, they are a race of small humanoids known as the Fraanids.
• Fraanids stand only 8–12 inches tall (0.2–0.3 m) and weigh just 1–2 lbs (0.45–0.9 kg). They have tiny humanoid bodies with two arms, two legs, and a large shield-shaped head, oversized black eyes, a small V-shaped nose, and a wide mouth. Their metallic or iridescent skin and toy-like proportions make them look almost artificial. They rarely leave their spherical hovercrafts, leading early scholars to believe they were robots or cyborgs. The nickname "Faerie Bot" stuck.

Nature
• Like Earth’s faeries, Faerie Bots are curious, mischievous, and fascinated with larger beings. Unlike them, they are mortal D-Bees who combine magic, psionics, and advanced technology. They are extremely inquisitive, often dismantling machines to study them — from power armor to Techno-Wizard devices. While they usually mean no harm, their tinkering often causes trouble, especially since they can rarely resist modifying or "improving" devices owned by others.
• Most are shy and elusive, fleeing when discovered, often leaving disassembled machines behind. Still, they can repair and reassemble devices three times faster than humans, and sometimes improve performance by 10–20%. Only true artificial intelligences and advanced computers confound them (-35% to work with).
Origins and Habitat
• Fraanids are believed to have come to Earth through a Rift sometime after the Great Cataclysm, first appearing about 25–30 years ago in southern Canada, Michigan, and the Coalition States — regions rich in industry and technology. For many years they maintained a Rift in old Detroit, traveling back and forth to their homeworld, but this Rift collapsed around 104 P.A. and they are now stranded.
• They seem to use a unique form of Techno-Wizardry to power their spherical vehicles, but no human has ever successfully studied one. If a Faerie Bot dies, its sphere crumbles into useless scrap.
• Today, they are extremely rare, with perhaps as few as 500 on Earth. They gather in groups of 3–12, but individuals often wander off alone or in pairs, exploring, adventuring, or attaching themselves to humans, Sasquatch, or other friendly D-Bees. They speak in squeaky, incomprehensible voices outside their spheres, but inside they use a universal translator that mimics human speech over radio.

Personality
• Faerie Bots are friendly, well-meaning, and enjoy helping companions, but their insatiable curiosity and need for only three hours of sleep per night frequently get them and their allies into trouble. They wander off, tinker with machinery that isn’t theirs, and often become unreliable — though never malicious.
• They prefer allies who are tolerant, curious, and mechanically inclined: Operators, Techno-Wizards, Grackle Tooth, Psi-Techs, Dog Boys, and humans. They dislike cruelty, oppression, and mindless violence, and will not remain with those who mistreat them.

Enemies
• They view most intelligent beings with fascination, but recognize demons and supernatural predators as threats. Strangely, they are fearful of Earth’s true Faerie Folk, dragons, and powerful magic users (other than Techno-Wizards).[/spoiler]



[spoiler=Fraanid — Player Character]
• Also Known As: Techno-Faeries, Bubble Faeries.
• True Name: Fraanids (frayn-ids).
• Alignment: Any, but most are Anarchist.
• Size: 8–12 inches (0.2–0.3 m).
• Weight: 1–2 lbs (0.45–0.9 kg).
• Life Span: 50–90 years (average 70). Some speculate they may be immortal.
• Average Level (NPCs): 1D4+4; PCs start at 1st or 2nd.
• Sleep: 3 hours per day.
• Attributes
•• M.A. 1D6+10 P.S. 1D6+2 P.P. 1D6+8 P.E. 1D6+10 P.B. 1D6+2 Spd. 2D6 (running, outside sphere)
• Combat
•• Hit Points: 2D6 + P.E.
•• S.D.C.: 1D4×10, plus physical skills. Must rely on magic or M.D.C. armor for protection.
•• M.D.C.: Gain 1D6 per level of experience.
•• Attacks per Melee: As per HtH training; psionic powers count as actions.
•• Bonuses: +1 initiative, +1 strike, +4 pull punch, +2 roll with punch/fall, +2 save vs possession, +3 save vs Horror Factor.
•• Psionic Defense: Need 10+ to save vs psionics/mind control.
• Abilities
•• Vision: Nightvision 300 ft (91 m), sharp eyesight.
•• Protective Membrane: Secondary eyelid works like polarized sunglasses.
•• Natural Mechanics: Can dismantle, repair, and rebuild machines three times faster than humans; can enhance performance by 10–20%. Computers and A.I. puzzle them (-35%).
• Psionics (Master Psychic):
•• Empathy
•• Object Read
•• Mind Bolt
•• Telemechanics
•• Telemechanic Mental Operation
•• Telemechanic Paralysis
• Magic (all at half normal strength, range, and duration):
•• Globe of Daylight
•• Ignite Fire
•• Fuel Flame
•• Fire Bolt
•• Call Lightning
•• Energy Bolt
•• Energy Field
•• Impervious to Energy
•• Telekinesis
•• Plus two spells of choice per level (from levels 1–4).[/spoiler]


[spoiler=Exploratory Shuttle Craft]
• All Faerie Bots possess a spherical hovercraft, roughly the size of a basketball, weighing 40–70 lbs (18–32 kg).
• Standard Features:
•• Always spherical, never larger.
•• 2–3 main arms (robotic utility arms; P.S. 1D6+12).
•• 1–2 secondary limbs or antennae (P.S. 1D4+5).
•• 2–4 retractable tool arms with interchangeable heads (wrenches, scanners, plasma torches, etc)
•• 1–2 light weapons (usually lasers, 2D6–3D6 M.D., range 2,000 ft/610 m).
•• Universal language translator (93% accuracy).
•• Tow line and grappling hook (30 ft, holds 500 lbs/225 kg).
•• Multi-optics system.
•• Proximity alarm (10 ft range).
•• Narrow/wide band radio.
•• Power source unknown, apparently limitless.
•• Propulsion unknown (possibly anti-gravity).
•• Flight: Hover or fly at up to 150 mph (240 km/h); cruise 10–30 mph. Ceiling at least 30,000 ft, possibly space-capable.
•• Underwater: Travels at 60 mph (96 km/h), depth up to 1 mile (1.6 km).
•• M.D.C. by Location: Arms 20 each; secondary/tool limbs 10 each; main body 120. Small size/fast speed makes it -3 to strike.
•• Self-Repair: Can regenerate 40 M.D.C. without tools. More extensive repair requires pilot effort and parts; if destroyed, takes 1D4+6 months to rebuild.[/spoiler]

Powers and abilities of a Techno-Wizard
1. The Techno-Wizard Has the Following Psionic Powers: Machine Ghost ( 1 2), Mind Block (4), Object Read (6), Speed Reading (2), Telemechanics ( 1 0), and Total Recall (2).
2. I.S.P. Base: Roll 4D6 plus the character`s M.E. number to determine the base Inner Strength Points. The Techno-Wizard is considered a Minor Psychic so he or she receives another I D4+ I I. S.P. per each additional level of experience.
3. Saving Throw Versus Psionic Attack: As a Minor Psychic, the character needs a 1 2 or higher to save vs psionics.
4. The Techno-Wizard starts with the following spells: Armor of Ithan (10), Blinding Flash (1), Breathe Without Air (5), Call Lightning (15), Cloak of Darkness (6), Deflect (10), Electric Arc (8), Energy Bolt (5), Energy Field (10), Fire Ball (10), Fire Bolt (7), Fuel Flame (5), Fly (15), Forcebonds (25), Globe of Daylight (2), Ignite Fire (6), Impervious to Energy (20), Impervious to Fire (5), Magic Net (7), Magic Shield (6), See the Invisible (4), Sense Magic (4), Shadow Meld (10), Superhuman Strength (10) and Telekinesis (8).
The core abilities of a Techno-Wizard revolve around the fusion of magic and technology.
Crafting and creation
Magical device creation: A TW can infuse magical properties into otherwise mundane technological items. This can be as simple as an armored helmet with an enchantment or as complex as a flying vehicle powered by magic.
Techno-Wizard conversions: A TW can convert standard technological gear to run off magical power sources like Potential Psychic Energy (PPE) or Inner Strength Points (ISP), effectively making them magical items.
Enchanted weapons and armor: TWs can create weapons with magical abilities, like guns that fire fireballs or lightning bolts instead of conventional ammo, and armor with mystical protections.
Magical vehicles: TWs can build anti-gravity vehicles and other specialized craft that are powered by ambient magical energy from ley lines.
Device operation
Machine empathy: TWs often develop a strong, almost telepathic connection to the devices they build, allowing them to operate them with an intuitive ease.
Custom upgrades: They can modify and upgrade existing TW gear with new enchantments and powers.
One-time gadgets: TWs can craft one-use "gadgets" that replicate the effect of any known spell.
Combat and utility
Magical ammo: TW guns are known for firing limitless ammo by generating energy bolts, providing a huge advantage over conventional firearms.
Vampire hunters: Specialized TWs create magitek devices designed to exploit supernatural weaknesses, such as squirt guns with infinite holy water ammo or flash grenades that simulate sunlight.
Spellcasting: A TW is a magic-user and retains the ability to cast spells normally, though they are often less proficient at traditional spellcasting than pure mages.
Limitations of a Techno-Wizard
Despite their versatility, Techno-Wizards face several significant limitations.
Dependency on materials and tools
Creation requires resources: Crafting TW items is time-consuming and expensive. It requires specialized tools, parts, and magical components like mystic gems.
Manual process: The hand-made nature of Techno-Wizardry means that mass production is difficult and most items are unique creations with the designer`s personal touch.
Vulnerabilities
Magic negation: TW devices can be nullified or destroyed by magical effects, such as a Dispel Magic spell.
Technology disruption: Since their devices still rely on technology, they can be vulnerable to tech-based attacks like electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), which can shut down or disable them.
Organic frailties: Most TWs are still flesh and blood, susceptible to mundane attacks, poisons, and other threats. Their power relies on their devices, not inherent physical abilities.
Political and economic challenges
Coalition hostility: In the Rifts setting, Techno-Wizardry is outlawed in the Coalition States, where practitioners are persecuted and exiled. This severely restricts their ability to operate freely.
Lack of profit: The black market for TW items pays a fraction of the retail price. This makes funding large-scale projects difficult, forcing many TWs to operate on a shoestring budget.
Game master oversight: Because of their potential for a wide range of custom-built powers, a TW`s abilities often require more input and oversight from the game master.