Biology
An Anthroid is a synthetic humanoid, indistinguishable at a glance from a fully organic human save for a visible “jack” or data port on the head – which may be concealed by a brightly-coloured circular plug – and any number of other markers of their synthetic nature, such as exposed muscular cables or manufacturing lines on the dermis.
The creation of anthroids begins with a skeletal frame, which is immersed in a vat of nano-polymers and proteinogens over several months of gestation. Targeted impulses induce these materials to weave together into synthetic tissues, including a complex neural lattice analogous to a human brain. When internal culturing is complete, a FABREP dermal sheath is moulded over the neonate’s musculature, giving the Anthroid human-like skin.
Anthroids are traditionally generated “as adults” with a baseline of experience and insight loaded in as standard. There is an increasing trend (inspired by their Sophiform ancestor) towards allowing new Anthroids to organically develop through physical bodies that are upgraded and replaced as the Anthroid ages – meaning some adult Anthroids will have experienced a childhood of sorts. The age of physical and emotional maturity in this process is presently aligned with that of humans as a matter of legal convenience, and only Anthroids with both adult-presenting bodies and adult minds are considered adults.
As a hard-wearing synthetic species with an innate affinity for replacing and augmenting themselves due to their mechanical frames, Anthroids have a greatly extended lifespan compared to organics – for example, a few members of the second generation of LEGA-C are still active, and each is over 250 years old. Despite this physical longevity, Anthroids of advanced age still experience information decay and bit rot leading to the reduction and then cessation of neural function; they are by no means immortal, though their body might endure after the mind is gone.
Newer generations of Anthroid, designated LEGA-D (though the use of that term is rare), are sleek, organic and almost indistinguishable from humans. Older LEGA-C models are still humanoid, but the relative crudeness of their construction and less refined dermal sheathing means they are much more obviously synthetic – though recognisably still based on humans. LEGA-C might have visible rivets in their faceplates or limbs, for example, or shiny plastic “skin” like a mannequin. Despite this difference in appearance, LEGA-C and LEGA-D anthroids have roughly the same cognitive and physical potential and recognise each other as equals.
