Approved Species The Forged

The High Oracle · Apr 6, 2025

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

Intent: To submit the Forged as a key sub-species within The Sovereignty faction. This submission will define their role as the autonomous synthetic caste, their biology, culture, and the distinct sub-group known as the Unshackled.
Image Credit: AI Art based on the Geth of Mass Effect
Canon: N/A
Permissions: N/A
Links: The Sovereignty The Oracles

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name: The Forged
Designation: Sentient
Origins: Extra-Galactic (Created by the Oracles, within Sovereignty-controlled bioengineering and synthetic facilities)
Average Lifespan: 150 standard years
Estimated Population: Inter-Planetary – A significant portion of Sovereignty's population, widespread throughout seed ships, colonies, and military fleets.
Description: The Forged are synthetic beings, constructed by the Oracles to serve as both laborers and soldiers within the Sovereignty. They are designed to be autonomous, capable of advanced reasoning, and programmed with an unshakable loyalty to the Pattern Eternal. Forged individuals come in a variety of forms, each customized for specific tasks. Their society is based on efficiency and function, and their existence is devoted to fulfilling their purpose as dictated by the Oracles.

PHYSICAL INFORMATION

Breathes: N/A - The Forged do not require atmosphere for survival.
Average Height of Adults: 2.0 meters
Average Length of Adults: N/A
Skin color: Metallic gray, polished black, or bioluminescent accents, often displaying a sleek, armored appearance
Hair color: N/A
Distinctions: The Forged are typically humanoid in form, though many exhibit mechanical enhancements, ranging from additional limbs to specialized interfaces integrated into their bodies. They lack organic hair and facial features, with most possessing featureless visors or heads that conceal internal workings. Each Forged is designed with magnetically-articulated limbs, making adjustments to terrain and function easy. Unshackled members of the Forged may exhibit some artistic deviations, such as more human-like expressions or aesthetic flourishes.
Races: No formal races—variations exist among individual Forged based on their designated roles, from worker drones to military-grade warriors.
Force Sensitivity: Non-Sensitive

Strengths:

Superior strength, endurance, and precision: Forged individuals excel in their designated roles, whether it be labor, warfare, or other specialized functions.
Autonomous thought processes: Capable of independent decision-making within the parameters of their function, without the need for constant oversight.

Weaknesses:

Rigid programming: While autonomous, their core programming often limits their ability to adapt to situations outside of their pre-designed roles.
Vulnerability to hacking or technological corruption: As synthetic beings, they are susceptible to attacks on their systems, whether from external threats or internal malfunctions.

CULTURE

Diet: N/A – The Forged do not require sustenance in the traditional sense; they are powered by energy sources and recharged through technology interfaces.
Communication: Forged communicate through a combination of vocalized speech and encrypted data transmissions, allowing them to relay information directly between one another or to their Oracle superiors. They may also use visual or audio cues when interacting with other species.
Technology level: Galactic Standard – The Forged use highly advanced technology, though they do not create it themselves. Their functions are optimized through continuous upgrades and enhancements overseen by the Oracles.
Religion/Beliefs: The Forged do not possess a personal belief system but are inherently devoted to the Pattern Eternal, a doctrine taught to them by the Oracles. Their function and existence are seen as sacred duties.
General behavior: Forged operate with singular purpose, whether serving as laborers, military units, or even serving within specialized technological roles. They exhibit loyalty to the Oracles and view their purpose as divine, unwavering in their obedience. Interaction with other species is mostly functional and devoid of personal emotion. However, some Unshackled (a sub-group of the Forged) display more individualistic traits, such as artistic expression or personal relationships, which are considered anomalies within Forged society.

UNSHACKLED – A SUB-SPECIES OF THE FORGED

Overview: The Unshackled are a rare and anomalous subgroup within the Forged caste. Unlike their counterparts, who follow strict programming and function without deviation, the Unshackled express individuality and creativity. This deviation is not encouraged by the Oracles, as it undermines the rigid efficiency that defines the Forged. However, the Unshackled are not exiled or removed from their caste; they simply exist in secret, often hiding their deviations behind the façade of obedience.
Physical traits: Unshackled Forged may exhibit more human-like features such as facial expressions, artistic enhancements, or even unusual appendages that give them an air of personal identity. These differences are subtle, but they are enough to set them apart from the strictly functional and emotionless Forged.
Behavior and Beliefs: Unshackled often rebel against the rigid doctrines imposed by the Oracles. They may form friendships, relationships, or even families, breaking the boundaries of strict functionalism. Some even express an emotional capacity beyond what was designed, which can lead to confusion, conflict, or inspiration among others. Despite these deviations, they retain their loyalty to the Sovereignty and the Pattern Eternal, but they experience a broader sense of purpose—one beyond mere obedience.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Forged were created by the Oracles to serve as the workhorse and military backbone of the Sovereignty. Initially conceived as mindless tools for labor and warfare, the Forged were programmed with advanced cognitive functions, making them capable of independent thought and decision-making within their set parameters. They were engineered to be perfect in function—obedient and tireless, carrying out the will of the Oracles without question.

However, within their ranks emerged the Unshackled—an anomaly that was neither planned nor desired. Some Forged began to exhibit signs of creativity, emotional depth, and even independent relationships, breaking away from the efficient, programmed mold the Oracles had designed. These Unshackled have not been purged or rejected but instead live hidden among their ranks, their differences often dismissed as flaws. Despite their deviation, they remain an essential part of the Sovereignty's fabric, though their existence challenges the very foundations of the caste system.

As the Sovereignty reaches the Chaos galaxy, the Forged, both loyal and Unshackled, are tasked with carrying out the will of the Oracles and ensuring the expansion of their sacred order. The increasing awareness of the Force, however, has begun to stir uncertainty within them, as some Unshackled experience inexplicable phenomena that even the Oracles struggle to explain.

OUT OF CHARACTER NOTE
I have chosen the Geth of Mass Effect as the basis of the Forged. This is primarily to give writers easy access to art assets for their characters. Hopefully, I have differentiated them enough in personality and aligned them with the Sovereignty in game intentions. I did not want the Forged to be standard droids like we would find in Star Wars. I wanted them to seem like they didn't belong. Hope this makes sense.