‘Yashi’ TekTree(aka ‘Cyrad’, ‘Nang’,’Nag-Tani’)
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/taalismn/Terror-Treemg372_zpsd0ec42aa.jpgShe remembers little of what happened; only bright hot light and attendant agony, softened only by the black comfort of unconsciousness, broken by rude awakening back into pain. Yet somehow she gets the impression of movement, of being CARRIED, each sway and jolt sending fresh waves of suffering through what she realizes with a growing coldness of heart, must be a grievously injured body. She regains a semblance of consciousness with the awareness of being set down on the ground. What little she can see through swollen eyes suggests a low darkness hanging over her, constant movement in her fogged vision making her dizzy and sick. She would scream from agony and embarrassment if she could as what remains of her clothing is quickly stripped from her, in the process taking swaths of burnt skin and strands of charred flesh with it.
She feels her shattered body lifted, pushed up against something. What little feeling she still has in her limbs registers discomfort as thorns poke her skin, bindings wrap around her arms, legs, and torso, holding her up. She would protest at this treatment, but she is too weak to even lift her head; that is done for her as more windings go around her head and her neck. All over she feels the indignity of more prickers biting into her abused skin. There is a momentary choking sensation as something finds her lips, invades her mouth, forcing itself in and down her throat. Something else, like a hundred little insect bites, stings her at the back of her head in the neck. Her half-open eyes barely make out the sight of tendrils burrowing into her arms and chest like large maggots feasting. She would cry from those half-open eyes if she could at the continued desecration of her body.
Then, unexpectedly, there is a sense of warmth, of an almost wet flowing down over her body that carries the pain away.
“There, there,” a voice seems to coo in her mind. “I’ve just met you and already I love you. And I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” This creation of the Lost Eclipse is often mistaken for one of ARCHIE-3’s Shemarrian Wryding Trees(See Damon Sutton’s article in Rifter # 53, pgs 35-37). In reality, the Tektree is a wholly artificial entity, the EShemar having discontinued the cruel practice of grafting robotics into living trees.
The Yashi-Tree resembles some sort of mutant mangrove with a thick trunk, large, thick roots, thick twisted branches, and multiple vines. The vines and branches can become manipulatory appendages, and the Tree can actually uproot itself and walk, albeit slowly, from location to location.
The monstrous Tektree is often mistaken by outsiders for an instrument of torture used by the Nightmares. Indeed, the sight of vine-enwrapped beings, many of them only partially intact, trapped among the vines and fronds of the gnarled and twisted tree, would seem to indicate that the tree is some sort of demonic parasitic lifeform draining the life from captured victims.
The reality is that the Tree is really a life support and repair station for the Lost Eclipse. TekTrees are cyber-’living’ factories that gather and refine energy and minerals for use as repairs for both robotic and cyborg Shemar alike. The integral programming of the Yashi Tree is similar to that of the VatFathers’, but the emphasis is primarily on REPAIR and HEALING, rather than RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT.
That having been said, the Tree IS on occasion used to hold and interrogate prisoners, especially those that need medical care or special considerations(such as bio-monitoring during questioning to keep a steady read on the prisoner’s mental and physical state). The use of mental engram readers and drugs to induce prisoners into spilling their secrets is primarily what is responsible for the Yashi-Trees’ reputations as ‘torture trees’.
Other rumors hint that the Yashi-Trees are the female equivalents of the VatFathers and that those female mad geniuses that the Tribe captures are sentenced to a sort of living purgatory trapped inside the Trees. In reality, the core of the Trees are Acolite/Pariahs or certain NeShemar, still in their cyberhumanoid bodies, but merged(the synth-flesh skinned back from their arms and legs) with the Tree. So interlinked, the Acolite becomes the ‘spirit’ of the Tree, and such is considered by many to be the closest to an Elite class for the Acolites. In a true crisis, the core cyberhumanoid can still separate from the Tree and escape, but such an action is a jarring and arguably traumatic experience for the Acolite.
Yashi-TekTrees are NOT combat-rated, though they have heavy armor and have some ability to defend themselves. They have a surprising number of attacks per melee for ‘pacifistic’ members of the Tribes, but given their lack of mobility, the ability to fend off multiple attackers can prove invaluable to their survival. That having been said, they rarely would be left to fend off attackers alone; they are typically stationed in major Shemarrian facilities or secret enclaves with plenty of potential defenders and defenses nearby. They often play host to retinues of smaller robots(such as ‘Chitterlings’) that serve as both assistant laborers and bodyguard contingents. They most often work in conjunction with Tribal Tinkers and Seeresses.
First seen with the Lost Eclipse, the Yashi-Tektree has since been adopted by the Horrorwoods Tribe and the Wayfinders have evinced an interest in them as well. It is not known if any other Tribes have adopted the caste-class design.
-Another few minutes and the plague would have completely corrupted their immune systems. At that point the only solace you could offer them would be death. As is I have had to use a modified Vada-nanite program to remedy the situation. They will be changed from what they once were, but they will still be themselves, not mindless distort-zombies.- “So it IS a xeno-mutagen doing this?”
-A form of viral nanotech affecting biological systems. It has made an attempt to convert me as well.- (Indication of worry)“Should we be concerned?”
(
Shades of smugness)
-Not at all. For all its effects, the mutagen is stupid and unsophisticated. It is no match for a true warrior of life. I have defeated it easily. -Type: Shemar
Class: Robot Cyberoid
Crew: Advanced Neural Intelligence
M.D.C. By Location:
Vine-Tentacles(many) 5 each
Branch- Arms(10-12) 100 each
Vibro-Blade Branches(20) 50 each
Spines(20-40) 50 each
Leaf Canopy* 1d6x100
Root-Legs(8) 120 each
Main Body 800
*The Leaf Canopy effectively acts as Splinter Armor for attacks from above; effective Armor Rating of 14; if an attack’s ‘To-Strike’ roll exceeds that, the magic attack bypasses the shielding altogether and strikes the main body of the target. However, it still has some effectiveness as defeating missile attacks; on a ‘To Strike’ roll of 6-7, Armor-Piercing missiles bash themselves on the obstructing leaves, doing only 1d4 MD, and on a 8-10, do only HALF damage due to premature detonation or redirect of their kinetic force.
Height: 30-40 feet
Width: 9-12 ft feet trunk diameter, branches can spread out as far as 35 ft
Length: 9-12 feet trunk diameter, branches can spread out as far as 35 ft
Weight: 10 tons.
Power System: Nuclear, supplemented by solar and wind power.
Physical Attributes: Equal to Robotic PS. 35, PP. 24,.
Cargo: Only what can be held and concealed in the branches. Also has several (1d6) concealed compartments in the truck(roughly equivalent to cyborg chest compartments).
Speed:
Running: Can ponderously walk along at about 5 MPH
Jumping: Not possible
Flying: Not possible
Underwater: Has no problems crawling along the bottom at a slow 3 MPH, but cannot swim.
Market Cost: EXCLUSIVE to the (E)Shemarrian Tribes
Systems of Note:
Standard Shemarrian Robot Systems, plus:
Full optical systems, laser targeting, passive night vision, telescopic vision, thermal imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, and polarization filters. Also has motion and heat detection, and other standard Shemarrian systems. Additional/special sensors may be built in by the creating Spinsters or at the behest of the individual.
*Molecular Analyzer---The Tek-Tree constantly samples the air, soil, and other materials brought near for chemical analysis. Also useful for detecting forest fires.
*Bionic Cybernanite Repair Systems---A modified bionic nanotech repair system that is now standard through the reformed Shemarrian Nation. Those in the Tektrees are juiced up, not only to repair the Cyrad herself, but to also repair those attached to her. These systems repair 4d6 MD per hour, and can repair 300 MDC before needing material stocks to convert to MD repair material.
*ManufacTree Systems----The Yashi-Tektree has the capability to manufacture repair nanites(both MDC repair and SDC medical nanites).
The same systems also draw water, nutrients, and minerals through root tendrils(that can extend as far as 150 ft).
If well-fed with minerals, the Tree can manufacture the equivalent of 10 IRMSS or RMK kits an hour. It can also create and refine basic drugs and chemicals(the equiavlent of 15 doses of aspirin or 10 gallons of antiseptic an hour) , delivering them in plastic ‘fruits’ hanging from its branches.
*Water Filtration---The Yashi-Tree can draw and purify water through its root system, and deliver it in plastic ‘fruits’ hanging from its branches. It can process up to 80 gallons an hour in this manner.
*Stabilization Bore-Pylons----Inspired by the Glitterboy’s laser-drill leg pylons, only each root-leg can extend a laser-pylon down 20 ft, firmly anchoring the Tree against all but the most catastrophic winds and shockwaves.
*Nanobot Repair/Injection Systems----The Yashi-Tree can inject SDC or MDC repair nanites into patients. Typically has 60 doses of each type on hand at any one time.
*Somatic Restraints---Prisoners and aggressive patients can be held by somatic restraints(vine-tentacles) with a Robotic PS equivalent of 30.
*Life Support Systems---Those attached to the TekTree can be intubated and connected to the equivalent of a full cyborg life support system, including heart-lung machine, IV feeding, and dialysis. Depending on the degree of care necessary, up to six patients can be handled at a time.
*Concealed Surgical Suite----The vines and branches of the Yashi-Tektree conceal an array of medical tools the equal of any good emergency room.
*Leaf Cocoon----This is simply wrapping a patient or prisoner in a sheath of megadamage plastic fabric(leaves). The cocoon has 1d4x10 MD.
*Molecular Reconstruction---TheYashi-Tree can ‘decay’(using a combination of mechanical, chemical and nanotechnological means) materials to be re-used, absorbing them for the use of the internal manufactories. See the ‘Rust’ Faux Magic for the recycling of MDC materials and metals.
*Holographic Projection System---The bark and leaves of the Yashi-Tree conceal a holographic projection system that can be used to distort the outlines of the Tree, project data to audiences, or produce a virtual avatar of the Tree’s central intelligence(usually a glowing face or nymph-like humanoid). Effective range of 60 ft.
Weapons Systems:
1) Utility Lasers(10)---These are variable mode tool lasers that can act as laser scalpels, welders, cutters, and, at higher power levels and focus-strength, laser blasters.
Range: 1 ft to 300 ft
Damage:(SDC) 1d6-3d6 SDC
(MD) 1d4-3d6 MD
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: Effectively Unlimited
2) Vibro-Cutters(20)---Razor-edged branches that can slice and dice.
Range: Melee
Damage: 1d4 MD per blade
3) Spines(20-40)---Similar to those mounted on the original Monstrex Warmounts, these articulated and sharpened branches can stab with great force. They are often inlaid with real wood for use against supernatural creatures vulnerable to such.
Range: Melee
Damage: 1d6 MD on a thrust
4) Chemical Spray System---Concealed sprayers in the branches and trunk can dispense a variety of different chemicals, usually sedatives, irritants, or fire retardants.
Range: 100 ft
Damage: Varies by chemical; typically uses tear gas/mace-like agents, soporifics, or anti-laser aerosols.
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 100 doses of up to 10 different chemicals
5) Leaf Shuriken---In extreme situations, the Yashi-Tree can hurl sharpened metal or hard plastic leaf-blades at opponents, typically as a distraction.
Range: 80 ft
Damage: 1d4 SD or 1d4 MD
Rate of Fire: ECHH, and can be ‘thrown’ in batches of 1-10
Payload: 50-60, and the Yashi-Tree can regrow them at a rate of 10 per hour for SDC blades, or 1 per hour for MD blades.
6) Optional Use of Handheld Weaponry---It’s rarely done, but if absolutely necessary, the Yashi-Tree can use its arm-branches to pick up and use handheld weapons, using the core EShemar’s relevant W.P. skills. One very lucky(or unlucky) Splugorth raiding party that had managed to stumble across a Lost Eclipse staging camp with its guard down was treated to the horrifying sight of a giant tree shooting at them with several rail guns caught up in its branches(the raiding party was completely obliterated with no survivors).
7)(False Magic)---Inspired by ARCHIE-3’s Spell Approximation systems, the Yashi can seemingly cast various spells. Rather than use a PPE generator and technowizardry system, most Yashis use technological systems, cunningly formatted to look like magic(though rumored Wayfinder Yashis are said to have ACTUAL magic, especially those who were Elemental Warlocks or Elemental Fusionists in their ‘first’ lives).
*Befuddle---A directed sonic effect, caused by ultra low frequency noises that affect the inner ear of most beings. Those caught in the area of effect must save vs non-lethal poison(16 or better) or be come increasingly dizzy and disoriented; -2 to strike, parry, and dodge, HALF APMs, and -15% to skills. Beings with acute hearing suffer DOUBLE these penalties. Range is 80 ft and covers a 25 ft wide area. Those with hearing protection(or without audio hearing) are unaffected.
*Summon and Control Insects---What look like a swarm of 1d4x100 gnats summoned by the Yashi Tree are really the flying equivalent of RMK button drones. The tiny robots can do little other than buzz around, land on objects and people, and generally behave as pests. They can bite, but their bite does no real damage and is more like a horsefly’s stinging bite(though some Yashis have experimented with envenoming the bite). They can land on targets and act as tags(show up as passive reflectors to an active radio ‘ping’). Have a flying speed of 20, and a battery life of 20 minutes before needing to land on the Yashi Tree and recharge via induction. Other variants include ‘fireflies’ with LEDs, ‘squitos’ with blood-drawing capability(does minimal damage, but can acquire blood samples), and ‘buzzers’ which emit a harsh buzzing sound.
*Windrush----Actually accomplished through high-pressure air fans hidden in the branches.
Range: 100 ft
Damage: 1d4 SDC on impact, and roll an 18 or better or be knocked off one’s feet 1d4x10 ft downwind. Lose initiative and 2 APMs getting back up. Even on a successful save, the targets will be unable to advance advance against the wind blast. Characters of 300 lbs weight or heavier have only a 45% chance of being knocked down, but will have trouble making headway(reduce speed by HALF). Small light objects may be scattered up to 150 ft away.
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: Effectively Unlimited
*Extinguish Flames---With a wave of its branches the Yashi-Tree can cause flames in its vicinity to go out. In reality, this is nothing more than a concealed fire extinguisher, pumping out a colorless, odorless, inert gas that suffocates combustion. This is a separate system from the aforementioned chemical sprayer network. Range of 80 ft, 100 applications.
*(False Magic) Rust---This is simply the application of specialized nanites that break apart metal, same as the metal-dissolver nanites used in Japan. This is part of the Yashi-Tree’s mineral absorption system for reducing scavenged materials and recucling them.
Range: 100 ft, and affects a 10 ft square area
Damage: Reduces the MDC of metal-based body armors and light power armors by HALF, heavy power armors and light vehicles by 30%, and heavy robots and vehicles by 10%. Damage takes 4 melees/1 minute, and is obvious by acute discoloration and flaking of the armor. Other effects identical to those of the Japanese nanites(which they were probably based on to begin with).
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 100 applications
*Create Leaf Armor---This is really just the rapid weaving of light megadamage plastic fronds into crude(non-EBA) armor akin to a tunic, poncho, or cape. These suits have weigh about 5-10 lbs and have 1d4x10 MD, and typically have no to -5% prowl/movement penalty. It takes the Yashi-Tree about 1d6 melees to weave a suit around a cooperative recipient. Each use of this power subtracts MDC from the Leaf Canopy until it is regenerated.
Programming/Skills:
All standard Shemarrian (Pariah) skill programs, plus:
Medical Doctor 85%*
Cybernetic Medicine 85%*
Botany 85%*
Biology 85%*
Robot Mechanics 85%*
Nanotechnology 85%*
Recycle 85%*
Mechanical Engineer 85%*
Chemistry 85%*
Artificial Intelligence 80%*
(*plus any I.Q. bonuses)
Actions/Attacks Per Melee: 10
Note: Bonuses are in addition to those possible from the Shemar’s elective training
Initiative + 2
Dodge : No Dodge
Parry +6
Strike +4 (+4 w/ ranged weaponry, +6 w/ Shemarrian Rail Guns)
Roll +1
Pull Punch +4
Disarm +2
Entangle +6
Knockout/Stun on a Natural 18-20
Slap with Tentacle 6d6 SDC
Constrict with Tentacle 1d4 MD
Slap with Branch 1d4 MD
Full Strength Punch w/ Large Branch 1d6 MD
Power Punch w/ Large Branch(2 APM) 3d4 MD
Stab with Spike Branch 1d6 MD