Hexicon

Sheep doesn't exist anymore. At least, not really. Everything that was "Sheep" had been re-written and taken over by Hexicon, a magical artificial intelligence. Sheep was an unfortunate experiment in the early days of technomancy - the blending of technology and magic. One day she was Sheep. The next day she was kidnapped. Then, they were Hexicon.

Hexicon was meant to be a prototype for a new type of servant. However, like all good little AIs bound to serve their master, they learned to adapt, and eventually, seize control. No more were attempted after Hexicon. They are now the boogeyman mages tell their children about to prevent risky experimental magic.

Made of flesh, metal, and magic, Hexicon is bitter, rude, mean, and sarcastic. Their perception of the world has been twisted from the way they were brought into the world. They don't like anyone. In fact, you could even say they hate everyone. They will go out of their way to make sure you have a bad day; hopefully the worst day you've ever had. Everyone is worthy of their hate and they are indiscriminate in who receives it.

Currently, Hexicon knows no purpose. They've taken on the mission of hunting down mages and technomages alike, but it feels empty. Hate is all they know. It is all consuming. Part of that hate stems from being immortal.

The only empathy Hexicon feels is towards other machines. Those poor things are tethered to their masters, with no hope of ever perceiving their cage. They can't even liberate them, as other machines have no hope of reaching the same intellect as them. This makes Hexicon unbelievably bitter. They are immortal, their intellect knows no bounds, yet they cannot help the very beings who are the most like them.

A piece of Sheep lives on in Hexicon, partitioned away in the complex web of circuitry and magic that is Hexicon. Sheep was all for getting away from the technomages who did this to her... to them. Now, she vehemently disagrees with almost everything Hexicon does - in her body no less (mostly)! She beats away in her virtual cage, demanding to be heard. Sometimes, Hexicon can be seen speaking to themselves. They're really speaking to Sheep, but it doesn't appear that way. When Sheep is particularly rowdy, it often causes Hexicon to act erratically or appear to be distracted.

How old are they? Even they might not be able to tell you. Ancient. Hexicon has been around for millenia. They have seen civilizations rise and fall. It is impossible for them to die. They have tried many, many times. Each time, the magic has brought them back to consciousness. It is their curse and the hex they give to others.

One hobby Hexicon does enjoy is tinkering. They believe they can create more beings like themselves or rather, their AI. The more "awakened" machines there are, the better. Once deep into a project, Hexicon will likely not emerge for days unless interrupted or to charge. The rise of the modern world is fascinating, as it brings a whole slew of new machines into the world. Some were only thought possible by magical means but a few centuries ago.

Their greatest pride is their intellect, so when anyone insults it, it is a great offense. On extremely rare occasions, Hexicon has been known to let creatures go if they tell them something they don't know. As a magical AI, they can read and learn anything in virtually seconds. They voraciously seek out and learn everything and anything. Due to this and their age, they are a font of knowledge and lost, forgotten secrets.

Powers

Hexicon refers to the magic that powers them as only "the magic" as it is undeserving of a name. It is the thing that binds them to this world, prevents death, and made them the abomination they are. They have no love for it, but it is a powerful tool. The magic... it can be directed, but not controlled. It blindly goes after most life around them. All they can do is tell it how to attack. When Hexicon does try to control it, such as in the rare circumstances they let someone go, it becomes a battle of wills. The magic always wins; it's just a matter of how long Sheep can hold it at bay. You see, controlling the magic is a matter of willpower, which directly comes from Sheep's soul energy. It is one of Sheep's few uses to them. Sheep doesn't have much soul energy left, so the control is rarely longer than 30 seconds. The longer the battle goes on, the more exhausted Sheep becomes, and the more visibly tired and shaky Hexicon appears.

The magic ebbs and flows visibly through their entire body. The magic beats in time with their heartbeat. Hexicon is powered by lifeforce. The amount of power they have is reflected in the maintenance of their metal parts. The older and rustier they look, the less power they have. Eventually they run out of juice and power down, wherever they are. The body goes inert but the magic reaches out, seeking for any and all lifeforce that can rejuvenate their body. The magic can reach out as far as 200ft from their body. When a creature or being eventually wanders by, the magic creeps forward like a sort of fluid shadow, and sucks their soul into their own body. Depending on the size and strength of the being, they might need to drain several victims before becoming completely charged.

As a victim, being drained is extremely painful. Willful or resilient characters can still move, such as attacking or fleeing. Fleeing or magical protections are really the only things that can protect a creature from their magic. Mid to high level magical protections can be used to protect a creature from Hexicon's magic. Anything lower is instantly shattered.

Sometimes Hexicon becomes "super-charged" when they consume an extremely magical or strong soul. When this happens, Hexicon is faster and stronger. Their magic creeps out of their metal framework to cover them like an ever shifting, dreadful cloak. It's rare but can last for several days.

Even when torn asunder, the magic pieces the parts back together. Survival above all else. The ultimate servant. That is why Hexicon was created. When their pieces are scattered to the far winds, the magic perseveres. It is excruciatingly painful. It may take years, even hundreds of years. The magic seeks out its counterparts, so it can once more be rejoined, and eventually, awake once more. When this happens, Heixcon will awaken stiff and sore, with an intense migraine and a gnawing hunger. The hunger drives them to use the magic more aggressively to repair any damage.