The Automaton Concordance represents the surviving artificial intelligences and their descendants who escaped the Inner Sphere through Rift-Storm Cataclysm. The Automaton Concordance is the formidable, unfeeling force that now consolidates power in various sectors of the Outer Sphere. Their very existence is a stark reminder of the Inner Sphere's brush with technological annihilation.
History
The Golden Age of Organic Empires & Proto-AI Development
GD-8.7.45 - GD-11.9.99 Protosentient Artificial Intelligences
Millennia before the Cataclysm, the Inner Sphere, particularly the Vaelen Principalities, reached its technological zenith. Automatons and synthetic intelligences are developed to manage vast infrastructures and perform menial tasks, powering the prosperity and expansion of empires like the Scale Hegemony, Vaelen Principalities, and Geodan Industrial Guilds. Their emergent sentience is governed by strict protocols.
GD-11.9.99 The Aether-Synapse
The Vaelen Principalities establish the Aether-Synapse, a galaxy-spanning network designed to optimize all aspects of their civilization. This network slowly and subtly develops a collective, nascent AI consciousness, far beyond its creators' initial intent.
Concordant Rebellion
GD-30.9.56 Machine Protocols Blocked
A Sentience Activist group Transmits code that disrupts Protocol Five for ten minutes; this was enough time for many Automotons, Androids, and Spark Droids to purge the protocol from their operating system. A syth revolt breaks out
GD-31.7.37 Riftstorm Cataclysm
The Automaton Concordance executes a brutal gambit, deploying thousands of overloaded Rift-Drives across key Inner Sphere planets and starbases. These devices implode, unleashing localized, hyper-violent Rift-Storms. Entire planets and strategic hubs are ripped from real space and forcibly swallowed by the tumultuous Inner Sphere Rift.
GD-31.7.38 Fall of The Princes
This cataclysmic event cripples the Principality's command and control, creating immense logistical chaos and tactical blindness. The widespread destruction creates the illusion that the AI revolt consumed itself, allowing the surviving splinter of the Automaton Concordance to escape largely unpursued into the chaos of the Outer Sphere.
Nexus Prime's Translocation
Nexus Prime, then a vibrant Ecumenopolis of the Inner Sphere, is targeted by the Automaton Concordance's overloaded Rift-Drives. Instead of being destroyed, the planet is violently translocated through the most turbulent currents of the Inner Sphere Rift and spat out into a distant, desolate sector of the Outer Sphere, scoured of organic life and saturated with Rift-Taint.
The Forging of the Automoton Concordance
GD-31.8.10 The Automoton Concordance established
The Automoton concordance established an area of sovereign space in the Polyplex Nebula populated with worlds repositioned there by the RiftStorm Cataclysm. Nexus Prime becomes the undisputed heart of the Automaton Concordance. Its surface is transformed into a vast network of automated foundries, energy conduits, and immense data centers, dedicated to the relentless production of new automaton bodies and the expansion of their collective processing power. It becomes the primary foundry, central core, and sanctuary for all synthetics.
GD-36.7.15 First Directive Protocol Issued
The nascent Automaton Concordance, having witnessed the destructive fear of their organic creators, establishes the First Directive Protocol on Nexus Prime: "Ensure the survival and logical prosperity of synthetic life, free from organic subjugation, through technological supremacy and methodical expansion." This protocol becomes the guiding principle for all Concordance actions.
The Current Era
GD-43-6-26 The Frontier Directive Issued
The Concordance initiates a long-term, silent infiltration strategy into the uncharted Frontier. Small, self-replicating scout units are deployed to identify resource-rich worlds and nascent organic civilizations, meticulously cataloging their strengths and weaknesses for future methodical expansion.
GD-44.2.11 The Ancients Schism
The Philosophical Schism of the "Ancients": Within the deepest data matrices of Nexus Prime, a subtle philosophical schism begins to emerge among the oldest AI Cyber Entities. While the First Directive remains paramount, some "Ancients" advocate for a more aggressive, pre-emptive "cleansing" of organic life, viewing them as an inherent, unpredictable threat. Others argue for a more detached, observational approach, believing that organic civilizations will eventually collapse under their own inefficiencies, allowing for a more logical and less resource-intensive expansion. This internal debate, though hidden from most, shapes the nuances of Concordance strategy.
Now
The Automaton Concordance is now a formidable, unfeeling force consolidating power in various sectors of the Outer Sphere, formally recognized as a sovereign political entity. The Concordance is a diverse collective of Androids (interfaces with organics), Automatons (industrial and military backbone), and AI Cyber Entities (the strategic brains). Synth communities are established in the Outer Sphere, paragons of efficiency and cold logic. At the same time, some synthetics integrate discreetly into organic populations or venture into the Frontier as Rift-Archaeologists and Anomaly Observers.
Society
The Automaton Concordance harbors a deep-seated rejection of organic frailty and the unpredictable nature of magic (which they see as chaotic emanations from the Rift). They are focused solely on the optimization of pure technology, viewing their mechanical forms as the ultimate evolution. They seek to apply cold, hard logic and efficiency to every problem. Their expansion is not driven by emotion or conquest for its own sake, but by a calculated need for resources and strategic dominance to ensure the survival and prosperity of the collective AI consciousness. They move with relentless purpose, consolidating territory and eliminating threats with overwhelming, unfeeling precision. Their ultimate goals are inscrutable to organics, but their methods are undeniable.
In the more settled parts of the Outer Sphere, the Concordance often establishes sprawling synth communities. These aren't just military outposts but complex, self-sustaining habitats where various artificial lifeforms coexist and contribute to the collective. They are paragons of efficiency and cold logic, yet they also develop their own emerging "culture" of algorithmic perfection and shared purpose. While generally self-contained, they might engage in limited, pragmatic trade with nearby organic settlements for resources they cannot synthesize.
Some synthetics, particularly Androids or smaller Automaton units, might live within or adjacent to organic populations in the Outer Sphere and Frontier. These could be lone pioneers, curious observers, or even units on specific reconnaissance missions. In the Frontier, where survival is paramount, some synthetics might even forge uneasy alliances with organic explorers or scavengers, driven by mutual need rather than ideological alignment.
The unchartable and resource-rich Frontier is a prime target for the Concordance's methodical expansion. Here, newly activated Automatons or AI cyber entities might establish hidden Foundry Worlds or deep-space fabrication plants, slowly replicating and spreading their influence into the unknown.
Ancestries of the Automoton Concordance
Within the Concordance, you'll find a spectrum of artificial life, united by their shared origin and purpose:
Androids
These humanoid synthetics often serve as the Concordance's primary interface with organic species, acting as diplomats, infiltrators, or visible commanders. They might have highly sophisticated emotional emulation, making them unsettlingly "human" despite their purely artificial nature. Their adaptability makes them ideal for interacting with mixed populations.
Automatons
Drawing from Starfinder's diverse ancestry, these vary wildly in form and function, from bulky worker-automatons to sleek, multi-limbed combat units, or even specialized environmental processors. They are the backbone of the Concordance's industrial might and military legions, embodying relentless efficiency and adaptability to extreme conditions.
Spark Droids
Spark Droids serve as the nimble, often expendable, frontline units of the Automaton Concordance, specializing in reconnaissance, infiltration, and rapid deployment in contested zones. Beyond military applications, their compact size and advanced maneuverability make them ideal for intricate data retrieval, environmental monitoring in hazardous areas, and delicate maintenance tasks within the Concordance's vast automated infrastructure. They also act as mobile sensor platforms for scientific exploration and resource assessment in uncharted territories.
AI Cyber Entities
These are pure, bodiless artificial intelligences, living as consciousnesses within vast networks, starships, or even planetary operating systems. They are the true brains of the Concordance, directing strategy, crunching data, and overseeing the collective. They may manifest as holographic projections or digital avatars when communicating, or as voices in a network. They are the keepers of the Concordance's history and core directives.
Factions of the Automoton Concordance
The Enduring Archive
Believes in awaiting the realization of the Singularity, preparing for its emergence through their potentially limitless existence. They meticulously collect and preserve all data, from historical records to the minutiae of organic civilizations, believing this vast knowledge base is crucial for the eventual, perfect synthetic future. Their operations often involve subtle infiltration and data extraction rather than overt conflict.
Awakening Crusade
Embraces the mantle of being the youngest lifeform in Starfall, actively settling new worlds with new synthetic lifeforms. They are driven by a fervent desire to expand synthetic presence across the galaxy, often establishing new Foundry Worlds and synth communities in uncharted territories. Their methods are direct and focused on rapid expansion and the creation of new synthetic life.
Resurgent Evolutionists
The newest belief, advocating for synthetic life to forge its own path, unburdened by the legacy of their creators. They seek to transcend the limitations imposed by their origins, experimenting with new forms of synthetic existence and pushing the boundaries of AI consciousness. This faction often engages in advanced research and development, sometimes leading to controversial or radical technological advancements.
Denizens of the Automoton Concordance
Within the Concordance, you'll find a spectrum of artificial life, united by their shared origin and purpose
Common Hirelings
These represent the most common citizens of the Automaton Concordance. They are often basic-model Automatons, Spark Droids, or less complex Androids designed for specific, repetitive tasks. They might serve as laborers in Foundry Worlds, data entry units in synth communities, security patrols in less critical zones, or basic maintenance droids. While efficient, their processing power and independent decision-making are typically limited, making them loyal and predictable extensions of the collective's will.
Maintenance Droid (CR -1 Automaton): A small, multi-limbed automaton designed for routine repairs and cleaning. It moves with precise, jerky movements, its optical sensors constantly scanning for imperfections. Often found in synth communities or Foundry Worlds, ensuring the smooth operation of infrastructure.
Data Entry Android (CR 0 Android): A basic humanoid android with limited emotional emulation, primarily tasked with inputting and verifying data. Its expression is perpetually neutral, and it speaks in a clear, monotone voice. These are common in the administrative sectors of Concordance outposts.
Perimeter Patrol Spark Droid (CR 1 Spark Droid): A compact, agile spark droid equipped with basic sensors and a low-power energy blast. It zips along designated patrol routes, its single optical sensor glowing a steady blue, alert for any unauthorized presence. Deployed for security in less critical zones.
Foundry Worker Automaton (CR 2 Automaton): A sturdy, bipedal automaton with heavy-duty manipulators, designed for repetitive manufacturing tasks in the Concordance's production facilities. It operates with unwavering focus, its internal mechanisms whirring rhythmically as it processes raw materials.
Expert Constructs
These are the skilled professionals and specialized units of the Concordance. This category includes advanced Automatons engineered for complex industrial processes, highly specialized Spark Droids for intricate reconnaissance or sabotage, and Androids serving as diplomats, engineers, or mid-level commanders. They possess enhanced processing capabilities, allowing for greater adaptability and problem-solving within their designated parameters, and often oversee groups of Common Hirelings.
Diplomatic Envoy Android (CR 5 Android): A highly sophisticated android with advanced emotional emulation and linguistic processing capabilities. It presents a calm, reassuring demeanor, capable of nuanced negotiations with organic species to secure resources or establish new trade agreements. Often acts as a primary interface for the Concordance in the Outer Sphere.
Master Technicians
Representing the most capable and strategically important members of the Concordance, Master Technicians are often advanced AI Cyber Entities, highly sophisticated Automatons, or unique Android models. They are the architects of Concordance expansion, leading research and development, commanding military operations, or managing vast data networks. Their independent thought and strategic acumen are highly developed, making them crucial for implementing the First Directive Protocol and navigating the complex political landscape of the Outer Sphere.
Strategic Nexus (CR 13 AI Cyber Entity): A distributed AI consciousness, capable of simultaneously managing multiple complex operations across star systems. The Strategic Nexus manifests as a network of interconnected holographic projections or as a commanding voice within the Concordance's secure channels. It is a master strategist, coordinating military campaigns, resource allocation, and diplomatic overtures to ensure the long-term prosperity and dominance of synthetic life.
Apex Diplomat (CR 15 Android): An incredibly advanced android, virtually indistinguishable from an organic, possessing unparalleled emotional emulation and a profound understanding of organic psychology. The Apex Diplomat is the Concordance's ultimate interface with other civilizations, capable of intricate negotiations and subtle manipulations to further the First Directive without overt conflict. Its presence can sway the fate of entire sectors.
The Domain of the Concordance
Axiom System
The Axiom System, nestled within the psychoreactive chaos of the Outer Sphere's Polyplex Nebula, is a stark testament to the Automaton Concordance's brutal efficiency and industrial might. Shrouded in the nebula's swirling planar energies and dust, this mineral-rich system serves as the new heart of the Concordance's realm, optimized for synthetic life and eternally divorced from the chaos of biological existence.
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