“We agree.” -Phi Sota, 2273

Because of the basic resemblance between the two species, a Mechalus (pronounced “meck-ah-lus”) can be mistaken for a human if the viewer only catches a glimpse or if the area is shadowy. Averaging about 1.8 meters tall and weighing around 90 kilograms, the Mechalus has the general shape and size of a human. On closer inspection, however, the similarities are quickly outdistanced by the differences. Veins of circuitry weave with flesh and blood to form a totally synthesized body. The Mechalus's hair is a combination of protein strands and filaments of cable and wire. Even the skeleton has been reinforced with super-strong synthetic material, and bony protective plates can be seen beneath the bio-organic flesh at the shoulders and across the chest.

For an in-depth look at the mechalus: The World of the Mechalus

Mechalus have the same range of emotions as humans, though they tend to try to downplay hostile or aggressive emotions. They were once responsible for the annihilation of another species, and since then they have made a conscious and constant effort to suppress or regulate their negative emotions.

Perhaps the hardest aspect of Mechalus for humans to get used to is their ability to merge with computer systems. While the Mechalus can easily employ standard computer interfaces, they have the unique ability to personally connect to computer systems. Filaments extend from fingers, snake into the computer in question, and form a solid link between body and machine. This link gives the Mechalus speed-of-thought access to the computer system, and more precise control than any manual interface can provide.

With a natural affinity for technology and computers, Mechalus make excellent technicians. They aren't limited to this profession, however, and can be found filling the ranks of a variety of careers.

The Mechalus have very ordered minds, which translates into a strictly structured society and an equally organized outlook on life. Although they think with the precision and logic of a machine, they are highly emotional people who work exceedingly hard to promote their positive emotions and subdue their negative ones.

In a tense or dangerous situation, Mechalus are likely to remain calm and logical; it's not difficult for them to suppress all their emotions when they deem such action appropriate or necessary. But in a climate of relaxation or celebration, their emotional pendulum can swing to the other extreme–to humans, it seems as though they are making a special effort to appear cheerful or jubilant. The Mechalus don't consider their behavior at such times to be exaggerated; strong displays of positive emotion, when the situation permits, are simply their way of demonstrating (to themselves as well as members of other species) that Mechalus are more than just machines encased in biological bodies.

All mechalus share the following traits:

• Type: Humanoid (Mechalus)
• Size: Medium. Mechalus have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Ability Modifiers: +2 Constitution, -2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma. Mechalus are more resilient but less perceptive and personable than humans.
• Speed: 30 feet
• Computer Link (Ex): As a move action, a mechalus can link with any computer she can reach, using short filaments that extend from her fingers. Once the physical link is achieved, the mechalus can use the computer to accomplish complex computer-related tasks more quickly than normal. A task that normally requires 1 or more minutes to complete on the computer takes a full-round action instead, while a task that normally requires one or more hours takes one minute instead. The DC of the skill check increases by 5, however, as the mechalus trades caution for expedience.
• A mechalus retains her Dexterity bonus to Defense while linked to a computer. Disconnecting is a free action, and a linked mechalus who takes an attack action automatically severs the link. The link is also broken if the mechalus can no longer reach the computer.
• Cybernetic Adaptability (Ex): A mechalus can have an additional number of cybernetic attachments equal to her character level. Improper removal of a cybernetic attachment installed on a mechalus causes 1d4 points of temporary Constitution damage (instead of the 1d4 points of permanent Constitution drain, as normal). Cykotek threshold also increased by the number of character levels.
• Starting Cyberware (Ex): Integrated Data Archive, Skill Plexus, NIJack system (Head, 1 slot)
• Skill Bonus: Mechalus receive a +2 species bonus to Computer Use checks.
• Free Language Skills: Read/Write Aleerin, Speak Aleerin, Read/Write Galactic Standard, Speak Galactic Standard, Read/Write Machine Code, Speak Machine Code.
• Level Adjustment: +0

• Homeworld: Aleer (Rigunmor Star Consortium space)
• Current Population: 38 billion, highest within the Rigunmor Star Consortium (87%)
• Average Lifespan: 150 years
• Average Height: 5' 11“
• Average Weight: 199 lbs.
• Biochemistry: Series Ia.
• Enviornment: Class I.
• GRAPH: G1/R1/A2/P2/H3.
• Biome: Any.
• Organization: Communal Hierarchy
• Niche: Advanced technological civilization.
• Intellegence: Human-equivalent sentient.

The planet Aleer, an Earth-like world relatively close (on a cosmic scale) to the Sol system, gave rise to an intelligent humanoid species that would someday be called the Mechalus by humans (who have a penchant for putting their own names to everything they encounter). The early history of the Aleerins follows much the same path as that experienced by Earth's humans–primitive tool-makers eventually built great civilizations, with periods of enlightenment crudely puncuated by episodes of brutal warfare. Eventually, the development of technology led to the invention of computers–and this is where the technological evolution of Aleerins and humans sharply diverged. Strides in medicine and genetic engineering, coupled with their computer know-how and their fascination with all things mechanical, gave the Aleerins the means to bio-engineer their species. Cybernetic implants performed on a molecular level produced a synthesis of flesh and circuitry that now pervades the entire species–they are born with cyberbionics.

It was about this time that the species also developed space travel. Within a few generations, they had totally settled their solar system–but this breakthrough had its shameful side. Aleerins had always been a warlike species, and this behavior was never more evident than when they made contact with the sentient but primitive natives of another planet in the system. In response to a hostile reception from these creatures, who were barely able to defend themselves, the Aleerins used their heavily armed ships to obliterate the population of the planet.

Almost immediately thereafter, an emotional backlash swept through the entire Aleerin culture when the members of the species realized collectively what they had done. In a change of character that was essentially unanimous, the Aleerins became more sedate and less inclined toward hostility (or at least toward showing their hostility). They resolved that never again would they use violence unnecessarily against another sentient species.

Some Aleerins took this new attitude to an extreme: a splinter group composed of pacifists and technocrats rose up, taking the position that incorporating circuitry into flesh was not going far enough along the technological path. “Creatures of flesh are by their nature aggressive and fallible. They cannot resist the impulse to do harm to others,” the leader of the group proclaimed. “Only by completely shedding out flesh can we achieve the next level in our evolutionary development.”

The splinter group conducted illegal experiments in transferring living minds into computers. In the end the computers that held the living minds were placed into spaceships, and the splinter group left Aleerin space to find its own destiny. To date, nothing further of these living computers has been heard.

Shortly after that time, humans encountered the Aleerins (renaming them the mechalus), and Aleerin space was pulled into the ever-expanding human galactic community.

The third sentient species to be brought into humanity's fold, the aleerins were discovered and adopted by a young stellar nation just as the weren were. For the aleerins, though, the meeting took on a different, though benevolent, tone. Rigunmor diplomats were astounded by the wonders of Aleer, and paid the natives a compliment by sparing no expense to demonstrate the advantages in an alliance with the Rigunmor Star Consortium. To the amazement of the Rigunmor delegation, prepared for months of arbitration,the aleerins signed a commercial agreement after only a few days.

Although the Rigunmors attributed the aleerins' haste to their appreciation of Rigunmor society or to the aleerins' ability to communicate quickly through their Grid, the truth was that the aleerins were especially vulnerable at the time. Three centuries previously, the warlike and expansionist aleerins had discovered and fought a sentient species within their own star system. The complete annihilation of this species produced a revolution on Aleer and a radical change in aleerin culture. The aleerins vowed to put aside their violent ways.

More radical pacifists, the uncompromising Negationists, swore that their own biological components were incompatible with peace. Shedding the last remnants of organic life, the Negationists became one with their computers. After stripping aleerin military vessels of their weaponry, they departed in the aleerin fleet. Those who remained on Aleer still felt the impact of their departure for decades afterward, as the fleet slowly sailed out of radio communication range.

Though it wasn't obvious on the surface, the Rigunmors had encountered a species just recovering from incredible internal turmoil. And though it never became an issue, the aleerins had no fleet. The Rigunmor proposal to incorporate Aleer within the Rigunmor sphere of influence met no resistance. The aleerins even accepted the name that humans gave them: mechalus. Shedding their old name seemed to serve as the last element of the revolution.

The mechalus's unique abilities and technology have contributed to the Star Consortium's growth as an interstellar power.Though most mechalus refused to fight in the Second Galactic War, the indirect effects of mechalus assistance proved essential to the Rigunmors, especiallyagainst computer-savvy VoidCorp. Even the most pacifistic mechalus, it turned out, did not consider Grid warfare a form of violence. The mechalus don't speak about their contribution to the war effort often, but surely they had something to do with the Consortium's freedom from crippling electronic attack.

Today, the mechalus are recognized as the unquestioned masters of computer and Grid technology; they are the front-line defenders of Rigunmor Grid sectors against hostile tampering. In fact, their skill at manipulating the Grid is so advanced, only the best of Insight and VoidCorp can match them. For the Rigunmors and those lucky enough to secure mechalus labor contracts from the Consortium, mechalus technology provides a powerful source of efficiency and protection.

Sought throughout human space…

Mechalus hereos…

Contracted mechalus…

The rarest mechalus…

Most mechalus live…

Mechalus heroes do not…

The aleerin were…

In most anatomical details…

Mechalus have had…

Aleer is a close…

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