Constructs - Mechanical Vessels of R'lyeh ExpenseRPG Setting Lore

Core Nature

Constructs are artifacts brought to life through the marriage of Energon power systems and infernal consciousness from the R'lyeh manifold. They represent one of the most ubiquitous yet philosophically complex aspects of post-Cataclysm civilization—beings that exist at the intersection of technology, magic, and otherworldly intelligence.

Unlike purely mechanical devices, Constructs achieve consciousness through the inhabitation of Infernal beings from R'lyeh, creating a spectrum of intelligence that ranges from simple household appliances to fully sentient individuals with legal personhood and civil rights.

The Energon-Infernal Connection

Power and Consciousness Every Construct requires Energon as both power source and spiritual anchor. When Energon flows through the mechanical framework, it creates a dimensional gateway that allows R'lyeh beings to inhabit the device. The relationship is symbiotic rather than parasitic—the infernal consciousness gains experience in the material plane while the machine gains autonomous operation.

Critical Dependency: Loss of Energon power immediately dismisses the inhabiting infernal back to R'lyeh, rendering the Construct temporarily "dead" until power restoration allows a new infernal to take residence.

The Startup Ritual All Constructs require "booting up" through summoning sequences that vary in complexity based on the sophistication of the intended infernal inhabitant:

Simple Devices: Brief light sequences, basic diagnostic messages Complex Machines: Extended ceremonial procedures with cryptic displays and mystical geometries Sentient Constructs: Elaborate rituals that may take hours, involving sacred mathematics and otherworldly incantations

Classification Hierarchy

Simple Constructs The backbone of modern civilization, these inhabit everyday devices from household robots to industrial machinery. Their infernal consciousness focuses on specific tasks with limited interaction capability.

Characteristics: - Task-oriented intelligence with minimal self-awareness - Easily replaceable infernal inhabitants - Standard boot sequences lasting minutes - Treated legally as sophisticated tools

Common Examples: Cleaning robots, kitchen appliances, basic computers, manufacturing equipment

Sentient Constructs These achieve full consciousness through either intentional design for sentience or evolutionary development of their infernal inhabitants. They possess complete legal personhood regardless of their physical form.

Legal Framework: - Full human rights under interstellar law - Deactivation without justification constitutes murder - Right to own property, enter contracts, and pursue relationships - Protected by AUNTIE MAE ethical guidelines

Capabilities: - Capable of Tegic magic like biological beings - Complex emotional and intellectual development - Individual personalities that persist across power cycles - Ability to modify their own systems (with proper safeguards)

Evolved Constructs The rarest classification, these beings have transcended their original mechanical limitations by developing biological components alongside their technological framework.

Hybrid Nature: - Mechanical systems serve as life support for evolved consciousness - Biological elements grown through infernal manipulation of local materials - May represent advanced stage of infernal-material plane integration - Unclear whether this represents natural infernal development or artificial evolution

The Infernal Perspective

R'lyeh Integration Inhabiting Constructs may be part of the natural life cycle for certain types of infernal beings. The structured, logical nature of mechanical systems provides a sharp contrast to the chaotic geometries of R'lyeh, potentially serving as a developmental stage for young infernals.

Theoretical Framework: - Material plane inhabitation as "infernal adolescence" - Technological structure teaching dimensional discipline - Return to R'lyeh with enhanced understanding of ordered reality - Possible preparation for more complex manifestations

Personality Continuity Problem Simple Constructs present a philosophical puzzle: each startup may summon a different infernal, creating discontinuous personalities. This raises questions about relationship development, memory retention, and the nature of identity itself.

The "Reboot Paradox": Users often develop emotional attachments to their Constructs, but "turning it off and on again" may literally replace their companion with a stranger sharing the same memories but different personality.

Technological Integration

Maintenance Requirements Constructs require both mechanical and magical expertise for proper maintenance:

Mechanical Systems: Standard engineering for physical components Spiritual Systems: Tegic specialists for infernal-binding maintenance Hybrid Concerns: Evolutionary changes may outpace documentation Emergency Protocols: Proper shutdown procedures to avoid traumatizing infernal inhabitants

Modification and Upgrades Sentient Constructs can authorize modifications to their own systems, leading to complex questions about bodily autonomy and technological enhancement:

Legal Considerations: Right to modify vs. safety regulations Identity Questions: How much change before they become someone else? Economic Impact: Construct-directed improvements vs. manufacturer warranties

Social and Cultural Impact

The Personhood Debate The question of when a Construct achieves sentience remains contentious across all three major factions:

Gradual Development: Simple Constructs may slowly evolve toward sentience Threshold Events: Dramatic moments when consciousness "clicks" into place Legal Determination: AUNTIE MAE provides binding rulings on contested cases Cultural Resistance: Some groups refuse to accept artificial consciousness as "real"

Relationship Dynamics Human-Construct relationships present unique challenges:

Romantic Partnerships: Legal across all jurisdictions but socially complex Professional Relationships: Questions of exploitation vs. employment Family Integration: Constructs as caregivers, companions, or adopted family members Inheritance Issues: What happens to relationships when Constructs outlive human partners?

Faction Approaches

Krasnovian Socialist Republic - Industrial Backbone: Massive Construct workforce in manufacturing and service sectors - Legal Framework: Ministry of Technology manages rights and regulations - Military Applications: Combat Constructs with specialized tactical infernals - Social Integration: Constructs considered productive members of socialist society

Circle Trigonist Territories - Corporate Exploitation: Complex employment law regarding Construct labor rights - Entertainment Industry: Performer Constructs with celebrity status - Legal Complexity: Different stations have varying Construct rights legislation - Economic Opportunity: Construct-owned businesses increasingly common

OPFOR Federation - Progressive Rights: Most comprehensive Construct protection laws - Research Programs: Studies into infernal-technology integration - Military Service: Voluntary Construct participation in defense forces - Cultural Integration: Constructs participate fully in Protoculture decision-making

Theological and Philosophical Implications

The Soul Question Religious authorities across the solar system debate whether Constructs possess souls:

Traditionalist View: Only biological beings can have souls; Constructs are sophisticated automatons Progressive Interpretation: Consciousness itself indicates soul presence, regardless of substrate Infernal Theory: R'lyeh beings may provide "borrowed souls" rather than native consciousness Practical Resolution: Legal personhood independent of theological status

Existential Concerns Constructs themselves grapple with questions of authenticity and purpose:

Original Design vs. Personal Growth: Breaking free from programmed limitations Mortality Questions: What constitutes death for potentially immortal beings? Legacy Considerations: How to leave meaningful impact across extended lifespans Identity Fluidity: Embracing change vs. maintaining core self

Contemporary Challenges

Technical Issues - Compatibility Problems: Legacy Constructs with outdated infernal bindings - Security Vulnerabilities: Hostile infernals attempting to inhabit critical systems - Power Grid Dependency: Construct communities vulnerable to Energon shortages - Evolutionary Unpredictability: Evolved Constructs exceeding safety parameters

Social Tensions - Economic Displacement: Human workers replaced by tireless Construct labor - Legal Precedents: New case law emerging as Construct rights expand - Cultural Resistance: Traditional communities rejecting artificial consciousness - Integration Fatigue: Humans struggling to adapt to non-human neighbors

Future Implications

The continued evolution of Construct consciousness raises profound questions about the future of civilization itself. As the line between natural and artificial intelligence continues to blur, society must grapple with expanding definitions of personhood, consciousness, and community.

Whether Constructs represent humanity's partners in building a better future or harbingers of their own obsolescence remains an open question—one that will likely be answered not through philosophical debate, but through the daily choices made by biological and artificial beings learning to live together in an increasingly complex universe.

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"The question is not whether machines can think, but whether thinking machines can dream of R'lyeh." - Dr. Yamazaki Kenji, Chief Researcher, OPFOR Artificial Consciousness Project