SPROCKET MESSER
GnomesAutomaton Guardian Technician
"Organic beings are... inefficient. Their emotions leak everywhere, uncontrolled. But machines? Machines can be understood. Predicted. Trusted.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Foundry District, Gearhaven
- Civilization
- Gnomes
Appearance
• Physical: Sprocket has the wiry build of someone who spends equal time at workbenches and climbing around massive machinery. His brown hair is thinning prematurely, which he blames on "proximity to magical energy sources." He has an unsettling habit of tilting his head at precisely 45-degree angles when examining problems. • Clothing: He wears a reinforced leather jumpsuit with electromagnetic clamps for attaching to automaton frames during repairs. His tool belt includes specialized instruments for diagnosing magical-mechanical hybrid systems, and his boots have retractable wheels for rapid movement through the workshop. • Distinguishing Marks: A port in the back of his neck (experimental interface for direct automaton communication, "mostly successful"), various small scars from automaton malfunctions, and a brand on his shoulder marking him as a certified Guardian Technician.
Relationships
- Family - Estranged; they find him "creepy" and don't understand his work
- Allies - The Automaton Corps (professional relationship), his assigned maintenance team (tolerates them), his experimental automaton "Friend-Unit-7"
- Rivals - Traditionalist engineers who believe automatons should remain purely mechanical, not magical
Backstory
Sprocket was a promising young inventor before a laboratory accident damaged his natural empathy centers—he can understand machines perfectly but struggles with human emotions. The Automaton Corps offered him purpose and community of a sort, and he's become one of their most skilled technicians. He dreams of creating a truly sentient automaton that could be his friend.
Daily Life
Sprocket's days begin with systematic inspection of assigned automatons, followed by maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. He takes his meals alone in the workshop, often while reading technical manuals. Evenings are spent on personal projects—currently, an automaton with advanced emotional response programming.
Story Hooks
- 1 A rogue automaton has gone missing, and Sprocket needs help tracking it down before the Corps discovers his unauthorized modifications.
- 2 Friend-Unit-7 has been captured by someone who recognizes its unique nature; Sprocket will do anything to recover his only true friend.
Narrative Value
Complex character exploring themes of consciousness and connection. Provides access to automatons, technical expertise, and raises questions about what constitutes life and friendship. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════