State of the Commonwealth - Notes on Synthetic Enhancement, as well as Monetary Considerations in the Knights-Marshal of the Commonwealth

Synthetic enhancement and prosthetics, even organ, modification and replacement are all possible, sometimes even easily managed in the Commonwealth and beyond.

Depending on who you are, and how deep your pockets [as well as how dedicated you are to the concept, in terns of undergoing unnecessary surgery and recovery time] you can even have organs implanted that do things your natural ones do not. Hearts, lungs, kidneys and other similar organs in non-humans are readily replaceable, if you have the means to see the procedures done.  All of which has led to extended lifespans for those who do. Having said this, the majority of synthetic implantations or replacements are carried out by, and upon, the wealthy, for either cosmetic or health reasons. For the vast majority of Commonwealth citizenry, access to such techniques and technology, even such utilitarian ones as prosthetic limbs, is beyond their means.

Among the Knights-Marshal, synth prosthetics are widely available. Any serving member of the Order, regardless of their duties or rank, may be fitted with synthetic limbs or organs to replace those lost in service. Thus it is not uncommon to see command staff, having seen decades of service, to have one or more obvious synthetics parts. Service in the order can be dangerous, its costs high; and those who have a great deal of experience are too valuable to retire simply because they lost a leg or an eye.

One of the better-known synthetic augmentations in Knights-Marshal service is the Accoladion. Named for the ceremony in which a Knight is created, invested with her duties, rights and responsibilities,  as well as the oaths to uphold them, the Accolade is a singular mark of dedication and achievement for a member of the Order. The Accoladion is carried out immediately after the new knight has sworn his oaths.

Each Knight-Marshal, on attaining the Accolade, is altered ritually through surgery and implantation, conferring a number of abilities useful to the Knight. These procedures are sacred to the Order, and almost never found in individuals who are not Knights-Marshal.

• Each knight is implanted with a compact organic device within the rib-cage, called the Conversion Chamber that will convert waste gases in the body [like carbon-dioxide in humans] into breathable air for a short time, enabling her to survive without Atmosphere for 10 minutes per point of Brawn. 
• The Biolitic Engine, installed in the gut will extract and store energy and water from food and drink digested, against future need, allowing the Knight to go without food for twice as long as a normal member of its species.
• A Reticulum Layer, cultured and grown beneath and through the epidermis of the Knight, grants her resilience against the vacuum of space, and exposure to extremes of temperature. Direct damage form heat or extreme cold is still possible, but the Reticulum Layer allows normal operation in temperatures ranging from -40 to +40 Centigrade.
• In times of dire necessity, the Vampiric Organ, will convert blood and musculature to energy, allowing the Knight to survive even deadly wounds or prolonged starvation or exposure. By consuming a Point of Brawn or Agility, the Knight's body will stabilize upon death in a cataleptic state, from which it can be revived with application of powerful healing. An obviously fatal wound, such as decapitation, dismemberment, or destruction by acid or fire, negate this ability. In addition, if a Knight is dying from prolonged exposure to the elements or starvation, or similar privation, the Vampiric Organ will stave off death, converting 1 Point of Brawn or Agility per Common Month to preserve the Knight's body, until its is revived or wastes away entirely.

In game terms, if you have one or more artificial limbs, you need not take the 'Cyborg' Advantage UNLESS you also have powers from Synth powers list. To access that list, you must take the 'Cyborg' Advantage. The exception to this is the Accoladion.

Other augmentations and simple replacements are possible as well. Serving member of the Order are expected to support themselves as much as possible, and may claim ‘rightly won’ articles acquired in the performance of their duty. Thus many Lances [the individual units of Knights, sergeants and others that serve as a single ‘unit’ – such as a party of Player Characters] return to their Greatship with weapons, money and other items, which are then turned over to the Pursor General, who evaluates their worth, takes the Order’s Share [and possibly the Captain’s Share as well], and logs the rest as credit to the Lance.

The Order’s Share, and the Captain’s Share:

The Knights-Marshal as an Order, must sustain itself, and does so through a variety of means ranging from planetary ownership [the Home of the Order is on the planet Terra Proxima, which is also owned outright by the Knights-Marshal], to bequeathments by wealthy individuals, grants from the Commonwealth, even by plunder on occasion. One of the methods is the Order’s Share. The Order’s Share is generally between 10 and 15 percent of whatever a Lance reclaims in the course of its duties. In addition, the Knights-Commander of a Flagship can levy between 1 and 5 percent over and above As the Captain’s Share, for her personal use. This was originally intended as a means for Knight-Commanders to ensure that the ship [which in the early days of the Order were often the property of their Commander] would be properly maintained, and as reward for the individual’s willingness to risk so valuable an article of their personal property in service to the Order. In the Centuries since, nearly all ships are built, owned and maintained by the Order. Yet the Captain’s Share remains available. Some Commanders levy nothing to themselves, allowing their Lances greater means, others turn the Captain’s Share over to the Order, and some keep it for themselves, amassing considerable wealth in the process.

                  Individual GMs can adjust the Order’s and Captain’s Shares to suit their style. If the desire is to keep the players’ Lance ‘hungry’ then the Lance’s share can be reduced by up to 20%. On the other hand, if the GM chooses, a 10% tithe of their loot can allow them greater freedom in equipment and upgrades.

Note: Some players may be resistant to the notion that their hard-won treasure is being tithed. It can be pointed out to them the many benefits that Order membership grants in exchange, from free fuel, repair and accommodation on the Greatship, a ‘Bank’ that is secure as the order itself - which has endured for centuries, access to advanced medical, synthetic, and technological treatment and gear.  Add to this the ‘perks’ enjoyed by Order personnel on many worlds – free food and accommodation, sometimes even free repairs and fuel for their ship, and the respect of many, and the Order’s Share might be seen to be less onerous.

NEXT: I am currently working on a Game Mechanic that will allow a player to accept a 'Disabled' result in combat, removing a limb or creating some other long term impairment, thus making the need for synthetic replacements possible, in game.