Automail Prosthetics
How would they work, and why they would make for a good addition.
Automail prosthetics can be both aesthetically interesting, as well as providing cool Roleplay; if done right that is. Because despite how fun they could potentially be for the wielder, if not nerfed properly, they can prove to be a bore and an irritation to those having to deal with it. This post is just a personal suggestion of mine, on how to properly implement prosthetics that are a tad more advanced, and how to nerf them properly.How would they work, and why they would make for a good addition.
Suggestions on How
The first issue we have to look into is how they would even function. How could you theoretically attach wires to tendons and muscles. One could always claim it is driven by soul or Construct magic, and this could in theory work and provide an explanation, but there are other ways of explaining it. Celestial magic is a powerful force in healing, and can mend broken tendons and muscles. If one were to install organic tissue encased within the prosthetic, it could perhaps serve to explain why it functions. The tendons are real, and spliced together through Light-magic, after the base metal rods have been connected to the bone. This would of course mean the Automail was limited in its capacity, but we'll get to that in the weakness section. The Allar possess strong regenerative capabilities, and utilizing their tendons and muscles could prove to help along the healing process. Though, do take my explanation here with a grain of salt, and feel free to comment your suggestions.
Weaknesses
So a Prosthetic limb can prove to be a huge deal for a character. It can change their life, per say, but this is not without cost:
The Limbs would be weaker than normal limbs:
- If a Character is a strongman-build on the rest of their body, the Prosthetic limb that could be attached to them would only be muscular, since it needs to weight the same as the other arm for balance. This also means that a Prosthetic limb would actually be weaker in combat than a normal arm, unless it is special made (a.i: so expensive only royalty could afford it, made of the best, lightest material.)
The limbs would be expensive to get, maintain and break:
- Because of the sheer technological power going behind it, a limb like that will be extremely expensive. Commoners might be able to get themselves hold of a cheap model, one lacking in finger articulation, or wrist and shin articulation. The materials used, and the process and time it takes to build one would also mean that damage to such an automail would prove to be expensive, and in many cases, an expensive automail would just have to be scrapped, and replaced with a cheap one instead. If broken, it would cost you the full price to build, and re-attach a new one. This is to incentivise careful play, and discourage reckless fighting with such an expensive piece of machinery. You wouldn't go bashing your MacBook into people's faces, now would you?
- Due to the awesome and complex nature of finger articulation,l it would be near impossible to recreate it. The most basic Automail versions would likely shake and be so unsteady that drawing a single letter would be impossible. It would only really be useful for picking up objects and tasks that require little Dexterity.
Weak to heat, cold, electricity, fire and frost:
- Due to the nature of an Automail containing both iron, copper and wooden parts, it would be very weak to the elements. A person could easily get frostbitten if they wore their automail out in the Elladorian winter, even when covered up, and you could quickly get sunburnt in the sun. Electricity, fire and frost would prove to be very effective against you, and would likely ruin the automail upon contact.
With all that said, there should be some benefits to it as well:
- Attachments and customization is easy, one could replace the hand with a small blade of maximum dagger-size, or a claw to better hold objects. It could be plated up a bit more, to provide extra protection, or it can be painted and decorated to suit your style!
Why should this be implemented?
I can already see the arguments against this case come forth, and I agree to an extent. No, it isn't the most realistic because proper prosthetics didn't show up until the 19th century, but I think that it is alright none the less; not everything on Massive is realistic, and I believe this could fit in well with the lore and in the universe. In a world where gods walk among men, magic is real, Vampires roam the streets, and Dragons can shift between the forms of man and beast, would a prosthetic arm with so many weaknesses really seem that far-fetched?
With all that said, I'd love to hear some feedback in the comments, do you think this would work?
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