1. Characters

Henrique

Engineer

Henrique Zhao-Wu, an Afri-Zeni cyborg of the Afri-Zen Synthocracy, embodies a life of transformation, faith, and redemption. Born in one of the expansive, hyper-urbanized city-states of the Afri-Zeni territories, Henrique's early years were defined by pragmatic idealism. Like most citizens of the Synthocracy, he pursued a life centered on the harmonious melding of human and synthetic forms, though his approach to cybernetic augmentation was unusually slow. Henrique valued his humanity and resisted full integration into the Synthocratic ideal, opting for incremental upgrades meant to assist in his engineering trade rather than to transcend physical limitations.


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History

Maerth

In his mid-thirties, Henrique's cautious journey into augmentation ended tragically. A cheap, mass-produced augmetic leg malfunctioned catastrophically, leading to an explosion that obliterated much of his organic body. Luckily the Synthocracy's advanced medical care and the reparations paid by the legs manufacturer saved his life, but only by reconstructing him almost entirely as a cybernetic entity. This sudden and traumatic shift profoundly altered Henrique's worldview. He developed a deep spiritual yearning, seeking meaning in his survival and transformation.


This newfound faith led Henrique to reject the Synthocratic ideal of mechanistic perfection even though he symolized the epitome of that belief. Feeling alienated from his technologically obsessed society, he migrated to Império de Tarsis, a theocratic empire known for its adherence to The Faith, a religion revering the balance between soul, body, and the divine. There, Henrique faced intense prejudice, as cyborgs were often viewed as soulless abominations. However, his humility, work ethic, and genuine piety gradually earned him the respect and trust of the local community.


For nearly 177 sol years, Henrique has lived on a remote colony within the Imperio de Tarsis. Starting as an outcast, he endured ridicule and ostracism. Yet his unyielding devotion to the Faith, combined with his unparalleled skills as an engineer, won him allies. Over time, the colony's Patron formally pardoned him, recognizing his contributions to the community's infrastructure and well-being. Henrique eventually became the colony elder's trusted advisor and chief engineer, roles in which he balanced both his technical and religious knowledge. He would later join the crew of the Princess of Centauri

Description and Traits

Henrique's appearance is a blend of minimalised functionality and tradition. His body is entirely mechanical being a Mandaka-Biometsu Inc. "Simul-IV-B" cyborg body. He retains a humanoid form thanks to the shape of his new body and is now often dressed in clothes from the more common Tarsian culture. He wears colourful robes and tabards inspired by traditional Tarsian attire, symbolizing his integration into the community.

Henrique’s model, funded as compensation by Mandaka-Biometsu, is a Simul-IV-B hybrid, it balance functionality with affordability. His subtype is capable of processing liquid energy solutions but retains basic organics to interact with limited sustenance. Due to his accident no scan of his face existed, leaving his head with a sharp, utilitarian metal frame. Being now 177 sol years old, his warranty has expired, and Henrique has made extensive modifications to the base design, including:

Removed Limiters: Enhanced strength and reaction speed, bypassing original programming limits, a swell as removing the "natural-humanlike" aching knees cosmetic function.

Aftermarket Add-ons: Third-party advanced hands with inbuild tools for engineering work and self-maintenance.

Despite these upgrades, Henrique’s system has become increasingly quirky over the years due to software drift and wear from unsupported modifications.



Moral and Personal Traits


Faithful: Henrique's faith is central to his identity. He sees his survival and transformation as part of a divine plan and strives to live a life of service and humility.

Resilient: Having faced both physical destruction and social rejection, Henrique possesses unshakable inner strength and patience.

Empathetic: His experiences have made him deeply compassionate, especially toward those marginalized or suffering.

Pragmatic: As a skilled engineer, Henrique values practicality and problem-solving. He bridges the gap between the technological and the spiritual, advocating for responsible innovation.

Wise: His long life and varied experiences have given him a measured, philosophical outlook. He is a trusted advisor, offering insight that balances tradition with progress