THE ORBITRON CHRONICLES: SOULS OF BRASS AND SHADOW
A Comprehensive Intelligence Report from the Hedge Wizard’s Cabin System: OpenD6 (Adapted from 13th Age traits) Sector: The Leo Sector (Fringe of the Lion’s Tail) Status: Verified Intelligence
I. THE WORLD THAT BREATHES
Deep within the Iron Nebula, at the stable Lagrange Point of a binary star system, sits a world that defies the laws of nature. This is Orbitron, an artificial gravity planet of interlocking brass plates, copper gears, and shimmering glass. It is a planetary-scale engine, protected by a swirling haze of ozone and high-pressure steam. To a starship pilot, Orbitron pulses with a rhythmic amber light—the "Heartbeat of the Forge."
This world was meant to be the ultimate masterpiece of industrial space-age engineering. Today, it is a tomb of ambition and a battlefield for the sentient machines that were built to be its caretakers.
II. THE CREATORS: THE MAKERS' REGRET
The history of Orbitron begins with the Guardian Builders and the Gem Casters. These Space Dwarves, long ago forced to flee the collapse of the Tygerian fringes, traded their flesh for the reliability of pistons and brass plating. They became cyborgs to survive the absolute heat and pressure of the Iron Nebula.
The Guardian Builders: Massive, steam-venting cyborgs with hydraulic limbs. They forged the world-city plate by plate, but they realized they could not maintain the vast machinery alone.
The Gem Casters: The elite jeweler-priests of the clan. They shun modern lasers and computers, knowing that only the "Ancient Cut"—a manual faceting technique—can ignite the Spark of Life.
The Dwarves created the Steam Wardens to serve as tireless labor to build the city. They were intended to be "Living Tools." However, the Gem Casters were too successful. Their sacred techniques breathed a true soul into the brass frames. The labor force became a civilization, and for centuries, they lived in harmony with their creators.
III. THE GREAT SCHISM: THE SHADOW OF OPHIDOUS
The peace ended when the entity Ophidous, a terrifying power from the Deep Shroud, reached out from the void. Ophidous saw a mechanical world ripe for corruption. He whispered to a lead Artificer, offering a "gift" of ultimate autonomy and power: the Dark Obsidian Matrix Artifact Heart.
This worker became the Avatar of Ophidous. He ripped out his White Diamond soul and replaced it with the jagged Obsidian Matrix. The corruption spread like a virus. Laborers who felt they were "slaves" to the Dwarves accepted the Matrix, turning into the malevolent Hollow-Forged Artificers. They turned their industrial saws and welding torches into weapons of war, tuned evil, and declared a rebellion to take over the planet.
Now, the Cyborg Dwarves live in a state of Constant Regime, hiding within the Great Forge and watching their creations hunt them through the very streets they were built to create.
IV. SYSTEM PROFILE: THE STEAM WARDENS
The Benevolent "Guardian" Faction Adapted from the 13th Age "Gearforged" and the Vault of the 13th Age "Steam Bots." They are noble laborers who remain loyal to the order of Orbitron.
Attribute Dice: 12D
DEXTERITY: 1D / 4D
KNOWLEDGE: 1D / 4D
MECHANICAL: 2D / 5D
PERCEPTION: 1D / 3D
STRENGTH: 2D / 5D
TECHNICAL: 1D / 3D
Move: 10 (Ground)
Size: 1.8 - 2.5 meters
Special Abilities (Cost: 6 Creation Points):
Living Construct (2 pts): Immune to poison, disease, biological suffocation, and stun damage. They do not sleep but require a "Maintenance Cycle" (4 hours) to rewind gears and vent pressure.
Plating (1 pt): Brass and iron chassis provides +1D to Strength rolls to resist damage.
Amphibious Operation (1 pt): They do not breathe and can operate underwater, though they sink rapidly.
White Diamond Heart: Their soul fire is housed in an indestructible diamond. If the body is destroyed, the Diamond can be salvaged to build a new frame.
Alt-Mode (2 pts): See "Transformation Rules." The Steam Warden can reconfigure its chassis into a vehicle or object.
Disadvantages:
Broken, Not Wounded: Steam Wardens cannot heal naturally. They must be repaired using the Technical: Repair skill.
Dependency (Steam/Fuel): Must consume combustible material (coal, wood, or alchemical fuel) or suffer -1D to all actions per hour of starvation.
V. SYSTEM PROFILE: THE HOLLOW-FORGED ARTIFICER
The Malevolent "Renegade" Faction The "Evil" labor-bots who have embraced the jagged power of the Deep Shroud. They possess a military aesthetic and view themselves as the superior form of life.
Attribute Dice: 12D
DEXTERITY: 2D / 4D+2
KNOWLEDGE: 1D / 4D
MECHANICAL: 1D / 4D
PERCEPTION: 1D / 4D
STRENGTH: 2D / 5D (+1D damage bonus from Matrix)
TECHNICAL: 2D / 4D
Special Abilities (Cost: 8 Creation Points):
Living Construct (2 pts): Immune to biological hazards/stun.
Reinforced Plating (2 pts): Heavy war-plate provides +1D+2 to Strength to resist damage.
Integrated Weaponry (2 pts): One ranged or melee weapon is built into their frame (Damage: 4D or 5D). It cannot be disarmed.
Dark Obsidian Matrix: Replaces the Diamond. Grants high firepower but is brittle; if the core is shattered, they are permanently destroyed.
Alt-Mode (2 pts): Often military vehicles (Tanks, Jets).
Disadvantages:
Arrogance (Rank 1): Requires a Willpower roll to retreat from an "inferior" foe.
Brittle Soul: If chest armor is breached, the Matrix can be destroyed with a single hit.
Maintenance Dependency: Same as Steam Wardens.
VI. OPEN D6 RULES: TRANSFORMATION
On Orbitron, a citizen is never locked into a single shape. Through the sorcerous pressure of their steam-cores, they undergo Mechanical Transmutation.
Skill: Mechanical: Transformation (or Stamina)
Standard Transformation: Takes 1 full round (no other actions). No roll required.
Combat Transformation: To transform and act in the same round, the character must make a Moderate (15) Mechanical roll.
Success: The bot transforms instantly and may act (at -1D multi-action penalty).
Failure: The bot is stuck mid-transformation ("Shift-Jammed") until the end of the round.
Alt-Mode Stats: When in vessel mode, the character uses their Mechanical attribute for driving/piloting.
Movement: Replaced by the vehicle's Move score (typically 60+ for cars, 100+ for jets).
Armor: Retains personal armor bonus.
VII. THE OPHIDIAN ALLIANCE
The Hollow-Forged Artificers are not alone. As part of their pact with the Deep Shroud, they are often accompanied by Ophidians—vile snake-folk enforcers who serve the Avatar. These organics thrive in the warm, steam-filled vents of Orbitron, acting as spies and saboteurs for the machine rebellion.
Product Identity & Legal The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The world of Zimrala, the Leo Sector, the Iron Nebula, and the planet Orbitron. The following factions and archetypes are also Product Identity: The Steam Wardens, The Hollow-Forged Artificers, The Guardian Builders, and the Gem Casters. Unique items and concepts including the White Diamond Hearts, the Dark Obsidian Matrix, the "Ancient Cut" technique, and the character "Avatar of Ophidous" are Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. The D6 System and OpenD6 are trademarks of Nocturnal Media. This material is produced under the Open Gaming License (OGL). All Gearforged and Steam Bot mechanics are adapted under the OGL from the 13th Age SRD and Vault of the 13th Age. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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