Cyborg Lore

The Novus are both cursed and blessed by the inability to evolve. They cannot lose the adaptations allowing them to hop planets, even when generations pass on a single planet.

But, they cannot gain new traits to match their environment. The solution to this for an advanced civilization is to apply technology in place of evolution.

The technology and methodology vary from civilization to civilization. It starts with external tools and minor implants. But, in time advanced societies always devise ways to improve on biology.

A Cyborg is the result. In civilizations beyond a certain stage, every citizen has a degree of enhancement.

Most are day to day practicalities, such as smart implants to mentally connect to technology and identify the user. But others go beyond civilian needs.

Society: Cyborgs have no singular culture. Instead, every society has a different view of Cyborgs.

Ecology: There are many forms of cybernetic enhancement. Anything from injected cocktails of mutagens and nanotech to surgical implants.

Regardless of method, there are two important aspects to cybernetics, resources and neural control. Money and access to technology is required to acquire an enhancement.

A Cyborg is also limited by how many enhancements their body and mind can handle. Simply attaching a plethora of devices to a Novus’ brain will result in mental break down and neural degeneration.

The margin of safe enhancement a given Novus can withstand is easily measurable and cannot be safely exceeded.

Appearance: Many enhancements are externally visible, while others have no effect on appearance.

Game Play: Any Feature that could be explained by an implanted enhancement that is attainable within the local level of advancement can be a Feature for a Cyborg. The Game Master can determine what is possible within a given civilization.

The limit to what a Cyborg can withstand is an in game explanation for why Cyborgs with enough wealth cannot get more enhancements than they have FP. Since the number is not exceedable or based on anything predictable, it can be directly tied to the FP available to the Cyborg.