Cybernetics and Mutations

Balance & Fairness:

Mutations and cybernetics are tools for storytelling, not powergaming. Advantages must be balanced with disadvantages or roleplay challenges.

Example: A cybernetic arm may increase strength but require constant maintenance or make you stand out in public.

Visibility vs. Secrecy:

If your mutation or cybernetic is hidden, most NPCs/PCs may not react. If it is visible or obvious, expect IC consequences such as suspicion, prejudice, or Brotherhood discipline.OOC Conduct: IC prejudice is allowed and encouraged for realism. OOC prejudice, harassment, or targeting is strictly against the rules and will result in moderation action.

Cybernetics:

These Cybernetics are extremely expensive, require extensive surgery in New Chicago Cybernetics Facilities and are rare.
Prosthetic limbs, ocular implants, internal organ replacements, and neural augments are possible.
Some enhancements may offer advantages but should be balanced with drawbacks, vulnerabilities, or upkeep needs.
Cybernetics are highly advanced compared to other fallout source materials due to the setting, technology and timeline)

In-Character Prejudice:
- While cybernetics are practical and advanced, visible or heavily cosmetic augmentations may draw scrutiny. Especially augmentations that add animalistic or bestial features.
- Some wastelanders see cybernetic users as less human or “unnatural.”
- Prejudice is IC only — no OOC harassment is tolerated (see Community Guidelines).

Available Cybernetics

Cybernetic Arm

Pros: Enhanced strength, integrated tools or weapons; intimidating presence.

Cons: Obvious mechanical look; may jam or spark at bad times.

IC Notes: BOS may allow if documented; public may whisper “raider tech.”

Cybernetic Eye

Pros: Perfect vision, night vision, targeting overlay.

Cons: Unsettling glow or mechanical twitch; vulnerable to EMP.

IC Notes: Seen as cold or “inhuman,” BOS uses under supervision.

Cybernetic Legs

Pros: Greater mobility, running speed, jump power.

Cons: Noisy servos, stiff gait, mechanical failures.

IC Notes: Public sees “machine soldier”; BOS suspicious of unlicensed upgrades.

Dermal Plating-

Pros: Enhanced resilience, bullets/knives less effective.

Cons: Cold, metallic patches under skin; looks unnatural.

IC Notes: Public recoils at touch, BOS sees potential tech corruption.

Neural Interface-

Pros: Faster reaction time, mental data links, weapon integration.

Cons: Risk of seizures, migraines, or disassociation.

IC Notes: BOS fears brain-hacks; public fears “machine mind.”

Cybernetic Heart-

Pros: Stamina boosted, resistant to fatigue and toxins.

Cons: If damaged, extremely vulnerable; requires rare maintenance.

IC Notes: The public rarely notices; BOS values but distrusts.

Cybernetic Lungs-

Pros: Can breathe through radiation, dust, or water.

Cons: Cold, rasping breath; coughing sound of metal.

IC Notes: People fear it sounds like a ghoul.

Cybernetic Spine-

Pros: Enhances posture, strength, and carrying load.

Cons: Surgical scars; risk of full-body shutdown if compromised.

IC Notes: BOS tolerates but sees high risk of tech dependence.

Voice Modulator-

Pros: Can project loudly, mimic voices, or intimidate.

Cons: Sounds artificial, uncanny; slips at bad moments.

IC Notes: Settlers may laugh or fear “robot talk.”

Integrated Weaponry-

Pros: Hidden blades, pistols, or energy tools inside limbs.

Cons: Requires maintenance, heavy, limits subtlety.

IC Notes: BOS rarely allows; the public sees it as raider or mercenary gear.

Mutations
Mutations can be passive, active, or physical in nature. The character must remain fundamentally human baseline (no full ghouls, super mutants, or non-human species).

In-Character Prejudice:
- Mutants often face fear, suspicion, or discrimination in settlements.
- In New Chicago and Brotherhood of Steel territories, prejudice is especially strong.
- Characters with visible or obvious mutations may experience IC bias, distrust, or even hostility from others.
Brotherhood of Steel Policy:
- Officially, the BOS expels undocumented mutants from service.
- A “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy exists:
  - If your mutation is subtle or can be hidden, you may remain within the BOS ranks.

If revealed, expulsion or punishment may occur ICly.

Available Mutations

Adrenal Reaction

Pros: In fights, desperation brings out terrifying strength and focus.

Cons: Reckless health risks; looks unstable, like they thrive on pain.

ICNotes: Seen as a “berserker,” distrusted in leadership roles.

Bird Bones

Pros: Moves lightly and gracefully, can leap or fall safely.

Cons: Physically fragile; brittle appearance.

IC Notes: Mocked as weak, fragile; BOS might view them as a liability.

Carnivore

Pros: Perfect for wasteland survival, meat is plentiful and efficient.

Cons: Cannot digest plants, limiting diet in certain regions.

IC Notes: Hunters respect it, others may find it “feral.”

Chameleon

Pros: Can vanish from sight, perfect for ambushes or escape.

Cons: Hard to control, activates in tense moments; may make others uneasy.

IC Notes: Feared as sneaky or untrustworthy.

Eagle Eyes

Pros: Keen awareness, sniper’s eye, uncanny attention to detail.

Cons: Physically weakened; can appear sickly or underfed.

IC Notes: BOS values the skill but mistrusts the frailty.

Egg Head

Pros: Brilliant insights, strong memory, heightened perception.

Cons: Frail body, mocked for being “all brains, no brawn.”

IC Notes: BOS tolerates if useful; others may see as “freak genius.”

Electrically Charged

Pros: Sparks fly in stress; attackers risk getting shocked.

Cons: Uncontrolled bursts can damage gear or allies.

IC Notes: Seen as unstable, dangerous to live with.

Empath

Pros: Deep emotional bond inspires teamwork and loyalty.

Cons: Easily hurt by stress, pain, or loss; sacrifices self often.

IC Notes: Viewed as noble by some, a liability by BOS.

Grounded

Pros: Resistant to high-tech weapons, safe in energy-heavy fights.

Cons: Technology use is unstable, and devices glitch around them.

IC Notes: BOS may fear they interfere with tech.

Healing Factor

Pros: Recovers from wounds unnaturally fast; inspires awe.

Cons: Slower to respond to medicine or stims; unnerving to watch wounds close.

IC Notes: Rumors of “ghoul blood” or unnatural taint.

Herbivore

Pros: Finds nourishment from plants others ignore, thrives on simple foods.

Cons: Cannot digest meat, seen as weak in survivalist groups.

IC Notes: Mocked for being “soft.”

Herd Mentality

Pros: Draws strength from groups, inspires unity.

Cons: Falters when alone, reliant on company.

IC Notes: Seen as dependent or “pack animal.”

Marsupial

Pros: Incredible leaper, able to traverse ruins or ambush from heights.

Cons: Sometimes childlike in demeanor, absent-minded.

IC Notes: BOS treats them as “too obvious,” easy to expose.

Plague Walker

Pros: Presence becomes dangerous when sick; enemies fear approaching.

Cons: Must be ill for it to manifest, isolating and feared.

IC Notes: Ostracized; BOS quarantines them immediately.

Scaly Skin

Pros: Tough, hardened skin provides visible resilience.

Cons: Obvious mutation, skin feels rough, repels touch.

IC Notes: Distrusted as “inhuman.”

Speed Demon

Pros: Quickest hands in the Wastes, restless and driven.

Cons: Consumes food/water rapidly; jittery mannerisms.

IC Notes: Seen as twitchy or unhinged.

Talons

Pros: Natural melee weapons; terrifying in close combat.

Cons: Makes handling tools/weapons awkward; monstrous appearance.

IC Notes: Feared, sometimes hunted outright.

Twisted Muscles

Pros: Fearsome melee fighter, raw brute power.

Cons: Poor shot, clumsy with firearms.

IC Notes: BOS might view them as “mutant brutes.”

Unstable Isotope

Pros: Emits dangerous energy under stress, terrifying presence.

Cons: Hurts friends and enemies alike; drains trust.

IC Notes: BOS will not tolerate their presence.

Cybernetics and Mutations

Mutations Mutations can be passive, active, or physical in nature. The character must remain fundamentally human baseline (no full ghouls, super mutants, or non-human species).

Mutations
Mutations can be passive, active, or physical in nature. The character must remain fundamentally human baseline (no full ghouls, super mutants, or non-human species).