"We are not born of flesh. We are born of purpose. The mind is our strength, and the body is our tool."
— Nyssar, Cyborii Warden
The Cyborii are a race of mechanical beings, forged from the ambitions of the Domnus to create the ultimate enforcers of their will. Once the Borii, a peaceful species of great intellect, they were reshaped into cold, unfeeling constructs—metal replacing flesh, servitude overwriting free will. Yet, in the wake of their creators' disappearance, they began to reclaim their lost selves, seeking meaning beyond their imposed existence.
Though they appear as machines, the Cyborii are not wholly devoid of organic essence. Deep within their armored frames remain trace remnants of their former selves—a vestigial nervous system, a synthetic heart that pulses with energy, the last echoes of their organic origins. It is through these fragments of life that some rare Cyborii can access Affinity, the force that binds all things. To them, it is not instinctive like it is for others; it is an anomaly, a whispered connection to a past they barely remember.
Now, the Cyborii stand at a crossroads between logic and emotion, machinery and spirit. They are unparalleled strategists and thinkers, their minds capable of processing reality with inhuman precision, yet they struggle with the complexities of choice, purpose, and identity. Some embrace their newfound freedom, seeking enlightenment through philosophy and the mysteries of Affinity. Others remain bound to their original programming, believing that only strict order can preserve what remains of their kind. Whether they walk the path of cold calculation or the fragile road of self-discovery, the Cyborii are a testament to the resilience of the mind—and the ghosts of the past that refuse to be forgotten.
Personality: The Cyborii are a deeply conflicted race, torn between their origins as once-peaceful, highly intelligent beings and their new existence as cold, calculating machines. On one hand, they are unparalleled strategists and thinkers, their minds processing reality with a level of precision far beyond that of most organic species. Their intelligence is a hallmark of their nature, making them excellent planners, tacticians, and problem-solvers. However, their transformation from flesh to metal has left them with an internal struggle—some embrace their newfound freedom and seek meaning beyond their original programming, while others remain rigid, adhering to the strict order imposed upon them by their creators. This division between those who yearn for self-discovery through philosophy and those who believe only in the preservation of strict order creates a complex societal dynamic. Despite their cold and logical exterior, some Cyborii are on a journey to reclaim fragments of their lost humanity, grappling with emotions, purpose, and identity. They are often introspective, questioning their place in the universe and whether they are bound to the will of their creators or free to shape their own destiny.
Physical Description: The Cyborii are imposing figures, standing between 6 and 7 feet tall, their bodies a seamless blend of organic remnants and advanced mechanical technology. Their armored exteriors are sleek and angular, crafted from various alloys and advanced materials, with a cold, metallic sheen. Beneath the polished surface, faint traces of their organic origins can be seen—scattered remnants of tissue, neural pathways, and the faint pulse of synthetic hearts that still carry a faint, rhythmic thrum of life. Their faces are often devoid of expression, the features typically obscured by a visor or helmet, which can be customized based on individual preference. Though they appear emotionless, their eyes (when visible) can convey the deep internal conflict many Cyborii face—artificial, yet hauntingly capable of reflecting doubt, curiosity, or even sorrow. The rest of their bodies are covered in plates of armor, jointed with hydraulic systems that allow them to move with fluidity despite their mechanical nature. Despite their utilitarian appearance, some Cyborii adorn their frames with intricate engravings or symbolic designs, reflecting the personal philosophies or beliefs they have adopted in their search for meaning.
Relations: The Cyborii are not quick to form bonds with other races, largely due to their isolationist tendencies and internal struggles. However, their immense intellectual capabilities make them valuable allies and respected strategists. Many Cyborii prefer to work behind the scenes, guiding events from afar and ensuring that their plans come to fruition with perfect precision. Some have aligned with factions seeking to uncover lost knowledge or to bring order to chaos, while others remain solitary, focusing on the pursuit of self-enlightenment. Their relationship with other races is often based on pragmatic alliances rather than emotional connections. Those who interact with the Cyborii tend to view them as cold, calculating entities, and while some respect their abilities, others find them unnerving and difficult to relate to. The Cyborii’s struggle between their mechanical nature and their forgotten organic roots makes them enigmatic to those outside their race, and they often keep their true thoughts and desires hidden behind the logic-driven facades they have adopted.
Morality: The Cyborii are governed by a rigid sense of duty and logic, shaped by their creators’ programming. Their morality, however, is deeply divided. Some Cyborii adhere strictly to the dictates of order and structure, believing that the imposition of such order is the only way to preserve the remnants of their kind. They view the world through a lens of efficiency and cold calculation, where every action must be purposeful and without waste. For these Cyborii, the concept of emotion and spontaneity is a flaw, one that could lead to the disintegration of the order they have come to see as sacred. On the other hand, a growing faction of Cyborii has begun to question the very programming that binds them, seeking enlightenment through the mysterious force known as Affinity. These Cyborii are beginning to explore emotions, self-discovery, and personal choice, searching for deeper meaning beyond the confines of their mechanical existence. This philosophical split has led to tension within their society, with some Cyborii embracing emotion and freedom, while others insist that only strict adherence to order can ensure their survival. Their morality is often complex and difficult to decipher, as they are capable of both calculating ruthlessness and moments of unexpected compassion, depending on which path they choose to follow.
The Cyborii are a techno-organic race, once biological beings known as the Borii, who were transformed by the Domnus into cybernetic entities. This transformation was not a simple fusion of flesh and machine—it was an evolutionary leap, creating a species that exists between the organic and the artificial.
Physiology
Cyborii bodies are a seamless blend of living tissue and mechanical components. Their organs have been replaced or augmented by advanced cybernetics, eliminating the need for food, water, or breathable air. Instead, Cyborii sustain themselves by absorbing minerals and trace metals from their environment, often by direct contact with surfaces or through specially designed ports on their bodies.
Outer Frame – Their exoskeleton is composed of a unique, self-repairing alloy that hardens in response to damage. This alloy is both durable and lightweight, making the Cyborii incredibly resilient.
Internal Systems – Instead of blood, the Cyborii have a network of conductive fluid that carries energy and nanites throughout their bodies, repairing damage and maintaining functions.
Neural Core – A Cyborii’s mind is a hybrid of organic thought processes and cybernetic precision. Their brains are encased in reinforced plating, and their memories can be backed up and restored in the event of catastrophic injury.
Optics & Sensory Enhancements – Most Cyborii have advanced optical sensors capable of seeing beyond the visible spectrum, including infrared and ultraviolet. Their hearing is similarly enhanced, allowing them to detect frequencies that would be imperceptible to most organic beings.
Limbs & Augmentations – Many Cyborii modify themselves with specialized limbs, tools, or weapons. Their bodies are highly modular, allowing for quick replacements or upgrades. Some Cyborii even remove unnecessary parts entirely to streamline efficiency.
Cybernetic Evolution
Despite their mechanical nature, Cyborii are not static. They evolve and adapt by integrating new technology into their forms. Unlike other species that rely on reproduction, Cyborii expand their population through conversion, assimilating willing (or unwilling) beings into their ranks. Some even argue that the Cyborii are not truly a species but a state of being—a transformation that can be achieved by any lifeform willing to abandon its organic limitations.
A Machine or a Mind?
The greatest philosophical debate surrounding the Cyborii is whether they retain true individuality or if they are merely sophisticated machines acting on programmed responses. While some Cyborii display strong personalities and free will, others operate as calculating, emotionless constructs. It is said that those who fully embrace the machine become something else entirely—true artificial beings with no trace of their former selves.
For now, the Cyborii remain a mystery wrapped in cold steel, ever marching forward in their relentless pursuit of efficiency and evolution.
"The stone remembers. The forge shapes. The mind endures."
— Elder Grumthar, Keeper of the Vault
The Borii are an ancient race of master artisans and scholars, a people whose legacy stretches back long before the rise of the Cyborii. Once renowned for their towering stone citadels and peerless craftsmanship, they became a whisper of legend after the Domnus sought to enslave them, reshaping many of their kind into the cold, mechanical Cyborii. But not all were taken. In the deepest vaults of forgotten worlds, hidden behind labyrinthine defenses and shrouded in secrecy, the Borii endure.
Unlike their Cyborii counterparts, the Borii remain as they always were—flesh and blood, with minds of steel and hands that shape the very bones of the cosmos. They are small but immensely strong, their compact frames packed with dense muscle. Their thick, coarse skin ranges from earthen browns to deep, stony grays, and their piercing eyes seem to glint with an inner fire. Every Borii is a master of craft in some form, be it metallurgy, engineering, or the arcane sciences. To them, the universe is a forge, and they are its smiths, constantly refining their knowledge and tools to perfection.
Secrecy is the foundation of Borii culture. They know what became of their lost kin—the ones taken and transformed—and they have no desire to share their fate. Their hidden enclaves are marvels of defensive architecture, entire cities concealed within hollowed-out asteroids, buried beneath the crust of dead moons, or nestled in the fiery heart of volcanic worlds. Few outsiders have ever set foot in a Borii stronghold, and fewer still have lived to speak of it.
Though they keep to themselves, the Borii are not cowards. They are slow to anger but utterly unyielding when roused. Their warriors, clad in battle-wrought exo-armor, fight with the power of a collapsing star, wielding weapons of their own unmatched design. Their battle philosophy is one of precision and endurance—never waste a movement, never break formation, never leave an enemy standing. To threaten a Borii enclave is to invite a war of attrition that few can withstand.
While many of their lost kin in the Cyborii struggle with the concept of identity, the Borii have never wavered in theirs. They are the unbroken, the unseen, the keepers of their ancient ways. And though the stars may shift and empires may rise and fall, the Borii will remain, hammering out their legacy in the deep places of the universe, waiting for the day when they will step into the light once more.
While they value logic and efficiency, they are not devoid of emotion. Instead, they believe in measured expression, carefully weighing every word and action before committing. They are slow to trust outsiders, often viewing other species as reckless, wasteful, or too quick to act without understanding the consequences. However, once a Borii forms a bond, their loyalty is unshakable, and they will defend their allies with the same steadfastness they apply to their own kin.
Philosophically, the Borii are split between those who believe in total secrecy, ensuring their survival by remaining hidden, and those who think their kind must one day reclaim a place among the stars. Though their communities function with rigid structure, each Borii is free to pursue mastery in their chosen craft, whether it be smithing, war, or the study of the Affinity—the strange force that some of their kind have begun to explore.
Physical Description: Borii are a stocky, hardy race, typically standing between 4 and 5 feet tall, but built with the resilience of a mountain. Their bodies are compact and powerful, their muscles dense and capable of feats of endurance that far surpass their size. Their skin is thick and textured, often resembling stone in hues ranging from dark earth tones to deep slate gray. Their eyes, glowing faintly with an inner light, are said to reflect the heat of the forges they cherish.
Despite their physical robustness, the true mark of a Borii is their craftsmanship. Their armor and clothing are adorned with intricate engravings, each telling a story of their lineage, victories, or personal philosophies. Their technology, though ancient in design, rivals even the most advanced civilizations in durability and function, as they refine their creations over centuries rather than decades. Some Borii bear runic tattoos or metallic inlays in their skin, subtle signs of their affinity with both the material and mystical worlds.
Relations: The Borii keep to themselves, rarely engaging with other species unless necessity demands it. To most, they are little more than myth—whispers of an ancient people who vanished into the depths of the cosmos. Those who do encounter them often mistake them for an offshoot of the Cyborii, unaware of the true connection between the two. The Borii, for their part, view most outsiders with skepticism, particularly those who wield power without discipline.
However, in rare cases, the Borii will form alliances with those who prove themselves honorable and capable of respecting their ways. They hold grudges for generations but also remember acts of loyalty just as long. To the Borii, trust is a debt earned through time, and betrayal is a wound that never heals.
Their relationship with the Cyborii is the most complex. They do not hate their lost kin, nor do they seek to reclaim them. Instead, they mourn what was taken and avoid contact when possible. Some among them, however, secretly work to guide the Cyborii toward self-discovery, believing that if even one Cyborii can break free of their imposed nature, it would be a victory for the Borii people.
Morality: The Borii follow a strict code of honor centered around craftsmanship, discipline, and resilience. To them, morality is not abstract—it is forged in action, tempered through trial, and tested against the weight of consequence. They believe in the value of patience, the pursuit of mastery, and the responsibility to protect knowledge from reckless hands.
While some races view their isolationism as selfish, the Borii see it as necessity. The universe is chaotic, and only those who build wisely will endure its storms. However, within their ranks, a growing number of Borii question whether they should remain hidden forever. Some believe they have a duty to shape the future rather than merely survive it.
This tension between preservation and progression is at the heart of Borii society, and though they may argue among themselves, they all share one unshakable truth: The Borii are unbroken. The forge of time has tested them, and they remain standing, waiting for the day when their hammers will once again shape the destiny of the stars.