Author’s Note: The RIEN are an artificial race designed for the HardNova Intercosm which has yet to be released. The gamemaster should disregard references to company names, places, and events. Gamemasters who wish to introduce the RIEN into their USU campaigns can either create them as a new race or have one appear aboard the characters’ ship. A RIEN who appears in this manner could be used as a hook to introduce the characters to the Intercosm.

Replicated Intelligence Energy Node (RIEN) The RIEN are a race of artificial constructs composed entirely of energy. In their natural forms, they appear as a glowing ball of electricity, however, they can also assume the form of a typical Darhren man or woman. A RIEN’s appearance is preset by his programming and cannot be altered. In human form, their eyes glow and crackle with energy, giving away their true nature. In energy form, RIEN can fly at normal walking speed, even through space, and can even enter Hyperspace lanes, but they cannot penetrate planetary atmospheres. RIEN cannot wear clothing or carry equipment while in energy form. RIEN must recharge for at least five hours each day or else they begin to suffer effects similar to fatigue. RIEN suffer damage normally. Their programs repair themselves at a rate comparable to that of human healing time. They can also be treated (with the proper scanning tools) by those who are skilled in computers instead of medicine. A RIEN’s program can last up to 300 years if not destroyed. All RIEN have photographic memories. Society The RIEN are constructs created by a mysterious race known only as the Tulari. The Tulari preprogram the RIEN with certain abilities, skills, and characteristics, and then transmit them into the Intercosm to expand their knowledge. When a RIEN’s program runs out or is damaged beyond repair, its consciousness returns to share its experiences with the Tulari. The first RIEN appeared in the Intercosm near the start of the Darhren Empire. RIEN are spontaneously “born” in different locations throughout the galaxy and have appeared in a variety of locations including starship bridges, Pit Ball Championship announcer’s booths, shopping centers, and once in the middle of an Imperial Council session. The only prerequisite to these seemingly random births seems to be the presence of a nearby communications console, although no transmission has ever been detected on any known wavelength. The RIEN have no social organization, although they do enjoy mingling with other RIEN and sharing their experiences. They have always been staunch supporters of the Empire and many RIEN live on Planet Darhren. RIEN find work in a wide variety of mundane and exotic occupations from bartenders, to physicians, to starship pilots. To the RIEN, the experience is more important than the actual task. Many RIEN work as couriers for the Darhren military and often volunteer for the more “interesting” assignments. RIEN respect individuality. They can experience emotions, but prefer to use logic to solve complex problems. The RIEN practice no religion of their own, but are always interested in learning and discussing religious and cultural beliefs. Although they do not see things in terms of good and evil, they tend to have an altruistic streak and an innate desire to help those in need. On rare occasions, however, programming glitches have caused some RIEN to become renegades and a danger to civilized society. Planet (Unknown) The RIEN have only the most basic knowledge of the Tulari homeworld and their creators. No one in the Intercosm has ever seen a Tulari, and many rumors surround their existence. Some say the Tulari are extinct, and that the RIEN are operating on automated programming. Others believe the Tulari are galactic lorekeepers who have gone into stasis while their constructs collect data. Still others believe the Tulari are a malevolent race intent on conquering the Empire. Characters Limitations no psionic gimmicks Required Gimmicks electrical discharge logic inexhaustible energy vacuum* limited flight* Optional Gimmicks cultural enhancement mechanical New Gimmicks Vacuum The character may operate in the vacuum of space without a space suit. Limited Flight When in energy form, the character can fly at normal walking speed and may enter hyperspace lanes (treat as hyperspace generator with Speed -5). Yejin Hastweld

	fitness			awareness			creativity			reasoning			influence
	3			3			1			3			3

Skills: athletics 2, brawling 2, firearms 3, gunnery 4, melee 2, piloting (ground) 2, piloting (spacecraft) 7, astronavigation 5, computers 5, general knowledge 6, piloting (starships) 7, streetwise 2, street cred 1
Gimmicks: electrical discharge, logic, inexhaustible energy, vacuum*, limited flight* Yejin is a 200-year-old female RIEN pilot who has served aboard a number of corporate surveying and exploration vessels. Yejin now resides on Planet Darhren where she works as a private flight instructor. She has extensive knowledge of the outer provinces and can become an excellent source of information for obscure galactic facts. Thym’is Vi

	fitness			awareness			creativity			reasoning			influence
	4			3			1			2			3

Skills: athletics 4, brawling 5, firearms 4, gunnery 5, melee 4, piloting (ground) 3, scavenging 1, commodities 2, advanced engineering 4, astronavigation 4, computers 4, demolitions 2, general knowledge 2, piloting (starships) 5, engineering 2, streetwise 3, street cred 3
Gimmicks: electrical discharge, logic, inexhaustible energy, vacuum*, limited flight* Vi is a young RIEN who was captured several years ago by the Gonchak Command . Gonchak science bots subjected Vi to a series of brutal experiments in an attempt to unlock and duplicate his RIEN programming. The ordeal left Vi’s program permanently damaged, and the left side of his body is hideously deformed. Vi eventually escaped his captors and has since vowed to destroy the Gonchak Command. Vi captains a fully-crewed Basuum-class Corvette named the Relentless and has turned to piracy and raiding in order to finance his private war. Vi has been known to ally himself with the more radical elements of the intergalactic eco-terrorist group Overgrown.