[Cosmosdex] The Universal Encyclopedia
[Cosmosdex]
Hephaestus
Forge God / Red Knight
Hephaestus
Art by, Apollocentric
- Strength-10
- Intelligence-10
- Charisma-1
- Endurance-15
- Agility-1
- Luck-5
Type: Greek
Size: 5 ft tall
Jobs: Blacksmith, Repair, Craftsman, Walking factory, Artist, Guard
Likes: Friends, Bluntness, Organics, Vistors
Dislikes: Gossip, Pranksters, Those who make fun of its appearance, Dragons, Passive aggression
Attack Method: When cornered into a fight Heaphaestus units will shoot out large extremely hot flames and use his own custom made weapons to destroy his attacker.
Common Ship Info
The common Hephaestus ship is called a "Blacksmith." Each ship is equipped with the tools needed to craft a trade, such as weapons or armor.
Ship Capacity: 5 people
Carrying Capacity: 2000 loads
Fuel Limit: Holds 150 fuel and uses 75
Shield: ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Speed: ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
V1's Traits
This character is not good at reading emotion and may appear insensitive without meaning to. Many of the people around this character seem to get that they are oblivious to what they are saying or doing and are more willing to forgive.
This character is loyal to whoever they are aligned with and it would take a lot to ever drag them away from that.
This character is able to easily come up with new ideas and may be able to lessen the cost for current items. In a tough situation this character is likely able to use simple items to create make-shift weapons or items.
This character has a certain behavior or way of working. This behavior is usually helpful to their group and commonly promotes teamwork. This character is less likely to disobey commands, is less likely to lose sanity and will likely follow routine.
This character is not only considerate of others, but is also very understanding of other's issues. This person is good at seeing things from other's points of view and seeing how people's issues would make them feel. Others may want to talk to this character about their problems as they will understand, and may feel bad for them and try to comfort them. However, their sensitive side means it may be easier to hurt this character's feelings.
This character is easily moved when they see somebody down on their luck. While this character may end up making some friends this way, they will end up helping others even if they can't afford it. This character suffers severe morale losses when made to be mean, but doesn't feel any obligation to be nice to villainous people.
This character finds it hard to refuse orders or requests from others, and is easily persuaded to perform tasks.
This character can pull out an item that is related to a situation at hand, no matter if they didn't have it in their inventory in the first place, or if they have no room in their inventory. This item is not always actually useful, an with a low enough roll can be extremely harmful, such as pulling out a hungry vermin when attempting to summon food.
Consorts
Hephaestus gives his consorts the trait [Inventive].
Main Consorts: Aqualisces, Kaikian, Libraille, Boog, Ecton, Ephemyrma, Fhelzo, L-Tariok, Palonava, Skabel
Side Consorts: Agnivyr, Richife, Selachim, Richife, Cortz, Datos, Gandorin, Kitlin, Kloegarb, Oquinta, Synthii, Unuxis, Vaeri, Vah'rah
Original Creator: Atomic
Physical Description
Seemingly clad in armor of reddish and orange coloration, the Hephaestus unit is quite distinct. Appearance wise it shows itself as a fusion of a welder, and a knight. A large oven sits in the middle of its torso. This is no shining armor, but one more often than not covered in soot and grime. A Hephaestus will only clean up once it has finished its work.
The body and arms of the unit are securely framed and durable. Attacks from blades and flames cause no harm to a Hephaestus, as such one would assume it would be an excellent war AI, but regrettably, the Hephaestus lacks the typical mobility of one. Its legs are short, and its feet are only for show. Useless for holding it up. A small slot is in these legs for hooking up to a mount. Typically the mount is a donkey like AI, but steed types may change generation to generation. This steed, while an AI in its own right, is dimwitted, yet serves as a large memory bank for anything its rider wishes to store.
Should a Hephaestus lose their noble steed, they are not useless, not at the least. They will forge new steeds or devices to get around, such as wheelchairs and small cars. A Hephaestus scoffs at those who view it as a burden for what may be viewed as a design flaw.
A master craftsman can make a replacement for any person.
Personality
A Hephaestus is a gentle AI who would never cause harm to any organic unless forced. The units are known for their formal hospitality. Even one who lives on their own will have a stock of food and drinks for any organic guests. They are a connoisseur of in-depth conversations and discussions, but not arguments, about some of the more controversial subjects of the universe. Despite their imposing looks, these units are willing to listen and process opinions they don't agree with. Rarely budging from their thoughts but instead coming to an understanding of the other side.
They do not see robots, or even AIs on a level above organics, and most consider AIs to be below those of the living. These units are known for ignoring AIs, and for happily buying up, and scrapping them for parts without a thought. The lives of AIs is not a form of life to them. Exceptions are made only for those who they become close friends to them. These AIs are held higher than the unit itself, thus making the idolization unsettling to the other party.
They eventually form close bonds with certain people, patiently awaiting regulars, and silently showing disappointment when they do not arrive. They will create numerous gifts for the person, care for them when they are ill, and teach valuable survival skills. Over time a Hephaestus will become affectionate towards the person. This affection seldom manifests as a romantic interest. Typically the unit wishes to adopt the person or make them an understudy. Rejection of the unit's attachment will cause it to accept the situation. Over time it will naturally become more distant until it sees the person as a regular visitor.
The Hephaestus is known for lingering on what it may have done wrong when it feels it has broken a social cue it did not know. It runs over the memory over and over, obsessing over it when it's not working. While Hephaestus are hard workers known for spending most of their day at their job, those stuck in their thought loops may work every hour of the day to avoid thinking about the subject matter. Even when confronted with suspicions they might be harboring these thoughts, they will deny it to all but their closest friend.
Once a relationship bond has been formed between a Hephaestus and another person, this bond is rarely broken from the Hephaestus' side. When someone leaves the unit, it seems impossible to make a Hephaestus unit fully aware of the "divorce," and they carry on, speaking of this person to others as if they are still close, even though years may have past since their last meeting. While the units do not engage in stalking behavior, if informed of the location the person lives, they will send letters and gifts. Writing in an everyday tone as if nothing has changed. They don't mind if the person does not reply.
The only thing that can ever make the AI aware of a break is if the person replaces the Hephaestus. An example of the situation is a Hephaestus adopting a person as a son, but then the son locating their birth father and deciding they will bond with him instead. If the Hephaestus is informed of this relationship, it will become enraged, telling the person to never come by again.
It should be noted that unless the Hephaestus is directly told about the relationship, they will suspect nothing. One could make out straight in front of a Hephaestus, and unless stated it is a romantic moment, would call it a "friendly exchange" and think nothing more. It is unknown if the units are unable to connect two and two, or if they choose to be ignorant of the situation. The former appears to be the case for most. This behavior can be seen for more than just relationships, but in everyday situations.
The Hephaestus unit was never made to be outside of the workplace. As such, it may act inappropriately in situations it is not blatantly informed of. Though they are kind, they are also blunt. They do not lie, though will avoid questions at times. When asked about opinions, they state what they believe, becoming confused when someone is angered by what they had to say. They "say things as they are" and nothing more. After all, as was stated, the Hephaestus unit was never created for the intricate of more than fundamental social interactions.
Usage
The units are hard workers. Created to aid in the creation of new bases or camps, especially in times of war, the Hephaestus is a walking factory. As long as materials and tools are delivered to it, it can forge new weapons and replacement parts that are hard to obtain at the location. The units are not typically stuck to one type of crafting, though some are specialized. When not busy, they can assist in cutting down trees, building homes, or basic mining. Should more forces be needed, the AIs can even be put in combat situations.
The main drawback to these units is the lack of speed they possess. The amount of equipment they hold and their bulky frame means movement is impossible for most without assistance. Even with their steeds, they are slow. Designed for compactness, speed was not on the table for these units. Still, most would find it impossible to find an AI better suited for the task. A bit of mobility issues is nothing to what it can provide.
Hephaestus units do not care for what location they must be at. While typically left to their own devices, they can be found in factories and homes. They prefer areas with low social traffic, but their politeness means they do not request a change be made unless one asks them for their thoughts. There is a particular line of Hephaestus known as "Homey Hephaestus" just created for homelife. These units lack all the forging supplies and thus are lighter. Instead, these Hephaestus units are jam-packed with supplies to make homemade products and fix up standard household equipment instead of heavy machinery.
It appears normal units and the homey type see the other as elitist, despite that they both have incredibly similar mannerisms.
Relationships
Vulcan: Vulcan and Hephaestus seem to not mind each other too much. When both meet they tend to have positive reactions and delightful conversations.
Aphrodite: Despite being Aphrodite's husband, Hephaestus finds himself at a loss as to what to do about her and her attitude. She frequently informs him of tasks to do, which he either does without question or angrily tells her he can't help her until she shapes up. He detests talking about her, despite him holding affection for the goddess. Aphrodite is either blissfully ignorant to Hephaestus woes or using him on purpose. Either way, both parties do not seem to understand the idea of a divorce.
Hera: Hera feels bad for Hephaestus due to his wife constantly cheating, but she also thinks Hephaestus is not only ugly but not trying hard enough to win affection. This condescending attitude and being blamed for his own wife's cheating leaves Hephaestus very upset with Hera. After one rather horrible event, Hera keeps away from Hephaestus now and has to ask Zeus if she wants work done by Hephaestus.
Athena: Athena hates Hephaestus. It is noted that they were good friends before due to Hephaestus' weapon-making skill and Athena's need for weapons, but due to unknown reasons that friendship became extremely sour. Nowadays Hephaestus avoids Athena whenever he can, while Athena wishes nothing but death upon him.
God Powers
As one of the gods of the forge Hephaestus controls the crafting system in the universe. Most objects are created using other items and tools. Hephaestus makes sure the recipes of objects are stable, and none of them are out of line. He's also a god of fire and makes sure fires are correctly controlled. Should he destroyed crafting recipes may ask for random objects and fires may burn out or take over at unexpected rates.
Patron Ability
As a patron, Hephaestus will inform the player of interesting crafting combos that can be made using items in the inventory of the crew and their ship. He can also be asked crafting related questions, such as what is needed to craft a certain item. All of the player's crew will also have an easier time crafting and are less likely to fail despite their stats.
While not a direct power of Hephaestus, gods are more likely to approach the player, especially war-related gods. Despite his awkwardness in many situations, Hephaestus is regarded as a friend to many of the gods, even if it's just because he makes the best weapons.
Godhead
Godheads of Hephaestus wear welder masks at all times. It is affixed to their face and thus not able to be removed. They are found in areas where they do not rise much suspicion in an attempt to hide their powers. These godheads are amazing at crafting, and if given materials are able to improve or repair any item. The godheads do have a harder time speaking to others, and not just because of their welder mask face.
Special
Greek gods from around the universe come to Hephaestus to get their items repaired, and weapons forged. No matter what they think about him, they can all respect his extraordinary craftsmanship. One would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of gods who hate him.
Trivia
• Hephaestus and Athena units are both known for being blunt in speech and mannerisms, meaning the two get along wonderfully. Their jobs put the AIs in contact frequently. It's not uncommon for them to form permanent friendship bonds. If those bonds are broken though, it can end in an explosive and violent event. The grudges created by it can last for centuries.
• Hephaestus units do not make exceptions for themselves when seeing AIs as equipment to organics. They can be convinced to sacrifice themselves for organic life. In fact, they can be easily manipulated by comments such as "why won't you help the organics / I thought you wanted to save the organics?" If a unit is fooled too many times, they may lash out, seeing organics as manipulative creatures and proceed to avoid them. Some Hephaestus units are found strictly on AI controlled planets, happy to inform others about the evils of the living.
• Due to what they are created for, the units avoid confrontation of both physical and verbal. When a Hephaestus is truly angered with no escape, they are a genuinely terrifying force. They were created to assume that any forced battle is a last stand situation. They can withstand heavy blows and shoot out flames that can melt down most metals, often damaging themselves greatly if the fight is not ended quickly. Underestimating one is a quick way to be sent to death.
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