Augmentation

A cybernetic arm can be an augmentation.

See also: Augmented

An augmentation is a permanent modification of a part of the body, whether through science, technology, magic, a combination of those three, or by other means. Augmentations most often take the form of cybernetic or biotechnological enhancements, and less frequently through magitech, necrograft, or pure magic alone.

Implantation & removal

Installing a new augmentation is a complex and often expensive procedure that must be performed by a qualified cybernetic surgeon or other medical professional. Removing an augmentation, often to replace it with a differnt one, is similarly complex. A newer biotech augmentation can generally shut off an old augmentation while the new one is being integrated. As augmentations are coded to the user, it is impossible for someone else to use it after removal.

Types of augmentation

Augmentation can be broken down into several categories including biotech, cybernetic, magitech, and species graft augmentation.

Biotech augmentation

A biotech augmentation either modifies the user's DNA or implants them with biotechnology. Examples include adaptive biochains, climbing suckers, or a dragon gland.

Cybernetic augmentation

A cybernetic augmentation is an integration of technology with the flesh and bone of the person into which it is installed. Examples of these include an antitoxin membrane, an implanted shortwave shortwave receiver-transmitter, or a voice amplifier. The anacite inhabitants of the planet Aballon are particularly adept at manufacturing cybernetic augmentations.

Magitech augmentation

Magitech augmentations are a hybrid technology that fuse magical and technological components. They are highly sought-after by technomancers, but can be useful to anyone. They often contain mystical elements such as magically-charged crystals or rune-covered microchips. Examples of such items include arcane lenses, charged skin, and dimensional braces.

Necrograft augmentation

Necrograft augmentations implant undead organs within living bodies through necromantic magic and do not use technology. They were invented on Eox in the Pact Worlds system, but are illegal to create or install on most of the Pact Worlds. They can most-commonly be found on the Eoxian city of Orphys or at the Necroforge, but have also been seen in less-reputable augmentation clinics elsewhere. Examples of necrograft augmentations include the black heart, bone blade, and corpseskin.

Species graft augmentation

In species graft augmentations, a technology that mimics the natural abilities of another species are installed into the user's body. They are different from other forms of augmentation in that they can take the form of cybernetics, biotech, magitech, or nanite enhancement, but must be installed and can be removed by specialists like any other form of enhancement. Examples include the bulwark graft, carbonic respiration graft, and cheek pouches graft.