#tf136

The Matrix of Leadership is the conduit between Primus and Cybertron, Life and the Allspark, The Many and The One. Such is its power that it may resurrect the dead, such is its significance that the passing of a Prime and its endowment upon another marks the changing of Ages.

But such power carries a cost.

The Prime is One of Many, their own personality first amongst equals amongst the collective thoughts and feelings of all Cybertron. Thus, Primes are quite susceptible to 'quirks' often reflective of the Age which they oversee.

The Prime of the Age of Expansion was brilliant, but prone to occasional distraction and daydreaming, the Prime of Conquest unrelenting and heavyhanded, etc. etc.

In Optimus Prime's case, he of an Age marked by a sundering of the Cybertronian people unseen since the Age of the Thirteen, he is burdened with a terrific battle rage.

Though he has kept it under tight wraps, occasionally he loses control, an occasion usually marked by a wordless war cry that sunders the sky and cracks the earth.

Even the most ruthless and brazen Decepticon will lose step upon hearing it, for the wrath of Optimus Prime is the wrath of the gods, a black and terrible fury that lays armies to waste.

Indeed, even Megatron, a Primeslayer in his own right, treads lightly upon hearing it, for while he has survived it before it was a close thing, and he is wary to test his luck again.

(Taken from stuff I've posted on Discord before)

Cybertron

On the surface, Cybertron is the entirely mechanical landscape you'd expect.

But the deeper you dig, the closer to the core you get, the more...not necessarily organic, but organic adjacent you get. Cyberfauna, cyberflora, odd arrangements of servos and grey goo, Energon and Sentio Metallico.

But eventually, you get too close. Computer systems begin to fritz, metal begins to warp, Sentio Metallico twists into stranger and stranger shapes, energon itself seems to become caustic and deadly, and Cybertronian sparks are liable to simply...flicker out and die.

The Light of Primus is bright and hot, and to dwell too close to it's glory for too long is to invite death.

Primus

Primus is a Chthonic God, his power that of the planet itself.

Space, meanwhile, is viewed much less favourably, an empty void, the dwelling of Unicron the World-Eater.

The idea of lost Cybertonian colonies (like in the Cybertron or IDW 1 continuities) might be seen as acts of folly and hubris, rejection of Primus, and their loss a consequence of disobeying the "natural order of things".

Needless to say, it encourages an isolationist and close minded streak amongst the Cybertronians. Things not of Cybertron are to be mistrusted, dismissed, conquered and destroyed, stepping stones except for the ones powerful enough to be threats.

Conjunx: Spousal Equivalent

- Rewind/Chromedome

- Arcee/Greenlight (Broken)

- Arcee/Aileron

- Knock Out/Brakedown (Of Velocitron)

- Cyclonus/Tailgate/Whirl

- Ratchet/Drift

- Windblade/Starscream (Don’t judge me)

Amica: Lifelong best friend/bond sibling equivalent.

- Orion Pax/Megatronus/Elita-1 (Broken)

- Rodimus/Springer

- Starscream and his Seeker unit.

- Nautica/Skids/Nightbeat/Velocity/Rung/Brainstorm

Filiux: Parent(Custux)/Child(Natux) equivalent.

- Orion Pax(Natux)/Codexa(Custux)

- Megatronus(Natux)/Terminus(Custux)

- Bumblebee(Natux)/Optimus Prime(Custux)

- Rodimus(Natux)/Mistress of Flames(Custux)

- Rodimus(Natux)/Arcee(Custux)

-Springer(Natux)/Arcee(Custux)

Juratux: Sworn sword/devoted servant

- Star Saber, sworn to Tyrest

- Lugnut, sworn to Megatron

- A general vow of the Circle of Light (Broken many times over)

Hostis: Mortal/fated enemy, must less personal, thus the first four examples are mutual.

- Optimus Prime/Megatron

- Megatron/Elita-1

- Star Saber/Deathsaurus

- The Fallen/The Thirteenth

- Arcee/Overlord (Only rumoured)

- The DJD/Membership of The List

An organization formed as an imitation of the Knights of Cybertron, the Circle of Light was responsible for the guardianship of newly flashed Sparks within the holy Crystal City, a duty they held sacred even as increasingly tyrannical regimes rose and fell outside their gates. Despite their skill and legendary spark linked swords, they would take no part in Cybertron’s various conflicts, dedicated to their neutrality.

Until the Functionists forced their hand, demanding that the last of the increasingly dwindling stash of Sparks be turned over to them. The Knights had rebuked such demands before, but the army of Primal Vanguard, Enforcers, and  Titans at their gates tipped them off that things were different this time around.

The Knights fought valiantly, allowing time for their Cityspeaker to commune with the Ancient Titan the city was built upon and allow them to flee, and the remaining members scattered to the wind, many finding their way into the ranks of the Decepticons, and the Autobots afterwards.

As for the Crystal City itself, it’s current location is unknown, but there are whispers it is following in the footsteps of the Knights of Cybertron, searching for Cyberutopia...

Notable Members:

Yoketron-Grandmaster of the Circle of Light by the time of the Siege. Killed by Lockdown in the opening act, who had infiltrated his sanctum, supposedly with the help of a traitor.

Dai Atlas-Despite his dedication to pacifism, Dai Atlas would lead the Knights in their sally against Functionist forces. He would be proclaimed as the de-facto Grandmaster of the Circle, and despite his reluctance, pledge his sword to the Autobot cause.

Star Saber-The Circle’s greatest warrior, a paragon of justice and heroism. At least, he used to be, before the stresses of the war, the slow demise of the Circle, betrayal, and manipulation by Tyrest, began to push him further and further into religious extremism.

Drift-Formerly Deadlock, a Decepticon soldier abandoned by his superiors during a frantic retreat from an Autobot ambush, he would be taken captive by Autobot forces led by Dai Atlas. During his captivity, he would eventually become closer and closer with his captors, including a swordsbot named Wing. Following Wing’s death, he would take up his sword and remodify his body in his friend’s honor, taking the name Drift, and pledging himself to the Autobot cause.

Cyclonus-An elder bot and seemingly the patron saint of lost causes, Cyclonus would find her way to the Circle of Light following her exile at the end of the War of the Threefold Spark. Haunted by the ghosts of her comrades, Cyclonus was always a “troubled” member, and it is whispered that she was the one who allowed Lockdown into Yoketron’s inner sanctum. She would throw her lot in with the Decepticons, and her loyalty would not waver...much to her detriment.

The Functionist obsession with form and function placed special emphasis on ‘nimble servos’ and ‘focused optics’ in robot mode. The latter of these sayings was actually embodied by cyclopean heads, their single main optic denoting laser focus. Cyclopean Cybertronians enjoyed a measure of privilege in society, and you needed to be a cyclops (by forging or surgery) in order to be considered for the Functionist Council.

Instead, Empurata referred exclusively to the mutilation, removal and replacement of one’s servos with claws that often lacked contact sensors, fine motor skills, and in built tools like mnemosurgery needles. This crippled the victim’s ability to function in robot mode, forcing them to rely on robot mode, forcing them into their Functionist-assigned role.

Artificial Combiners: Following the loss of the Enigma, an arms race began to create artificial Combiners to supplement Devastator and Computron. The Decepticons held the upper-hand in this matter, with Shockwave’s reverse engineered Combination Core forming the nucleus of Project Black Mamba. But the Autobots would launch their own projects, including systems based off of Devisiun biology & MTO’s made for the purpose. But their true watershed would come with data stolen by a turncoat named Ambulon.

Bruticus (Inactive): The first (successful) result of Black Mamba, Bruticus was comprised of a unit of consummate soldiers, hoping the resulting Combiner would turn out to be the perfect soldier. What they got instead was a lumbering hulk of a ‘Con with more guns than his severely handicapped intelligence could count, little more than a weapon to be aimed. Nevertheless, Bruticus quickly became a threat to rival even Devastator, and the capture and/or elimination of his component ‘cons soon become top priority. A lucky break would result in the capture of Hardtop and the subsequent neutralization of Bruticus as a threat, but there are murmurs of enlisting Hardtop’s Spark brother Swindle as a replacement...

Members: Onslaught, Vortex, Blast Off, Brawl, Hardtop-Swindle

Abominus: Following the success of Bruticus, Shockwave’s attention would turn to the Terrorcons, several beastformers who had joined the Decepticon cause. Just as vicious as Bruticus, but just as unintelligent, Abominus would face off against Computron several times, with the Combiner eventually meeting its end with the death of several of its components.

Members: Hun-Gurr, Rippersnapper, Sinnertwin, Blot, Cutthroat.

Predaking: The combination of two of Shockwave’s experiments, with the component “Predacons” also being the result of reformatting beastformers with Predacon CNA. Though his components would be perfectly competent and loyal warriors, Predaking would prove too “individualistic”, a hunter who would disregard orders in favour of pursuing his own agenda.

Members: Razorclaw, Divebomb, Rampage, Headstrong, Tantrum

Monstructor (Deactivated): An ancient, deactivated Combiner dating back to the Age of Primes, Monstructor would only see one battle during the Great War, a corpse reanimated by the earliest experiments with Dark Energon and promptly embarking on a mindless rampage that required both Autobots and Decepticons to bring it down. The corpse would be captured by the Autobots, and used to further Nexus’ experiments.

Sixturbo (Deactivated): Originally the subject of the Autobots’ Devisiun Combiner project, Sixturbo would achieve a rare unity that would unfortunately result in their defection to the Autobots and shuttering of the Devisiun projects. Unfortunately for them, there defection would not spare them from death in battle.

Menasor: Victorion’s creation came as a severe blow to Decepticon morale, their superiority in the field of Combiners shattered once and for all. In order to counteract this, Shockwave turned to the Stunticons, Velocitronian road bandits with mild delusions of grandeur. These delusions would carry over to the resulting gestalt, a boastful warrior who, while nonetheless formidable, didn’t provide the counterbalance the Decepticons sorely needed.

Members: Motormaster(Torso), Deadend (LArm), Wildrider (LLeg), Drag Strip (RArm), Slashmark (RLeg)-Offroad, Heatseeker, Wildbreak, Breakneck, Breakdown (Formerly)

Megaempress: Still hoping for a counterpart to Victorion, Shockwave would turn to Galvatronia, a decorated and brutal ex-gladiator, alongside her all-femme “Elite Guard”. The resulting Combiner kept her components’ prowress, charisma, and sinister nature, more like an extension of Galvatronia than a true fusion

Members: Galvatronia, Trickdiamond, Flowspade, Lunaclub, Moonheart- Skyjack, Riotgear, Treadshock, Cyberwarp

Liokaiser: Commissioned behind Megatron’s back by Deathsaurus, Liokaiser was comprised of the warlord’s finest non-Predacon warriors. Although somewhat scatterbrained, Liokaiser would serve his leader with distinction until the death of his component Leozack would render him inert. The addition of Leozack’s spark-sister Lyzack would see the Combiner returned to the field.

Members: Leozack (KIA), Drillhorn, Guyhawk, Hellbat, Jallguar, Killbison, Lyzack.

Autobot Combiners

Defensor: Seeking to balance the scales of the war, “Project Nexus” the Autobots’ answer to Black Mamba, would look to Groove, an auxiliary member of Computron, using him and the reverse engineered corpses of Abominus and Monstructor as the basis for a new Combiner. The resulting gestalt would be comprised of Groove’s new unit, a search and rescue outfit known as the Protectobots. Though their individual units were either less than willing or less then capable in combat, Defensor themselves has proven an incredible defender and stalwart champion of the Autobot cause.

Members: Hot Spot(Torso), Rook, Blades, Streetwise, First Aid, Groove- Medix.

Superion: The second successful Autobot Combiner, helped along by Ambulon’s defection and reverse engineering Monstructor’s corpse. Her components are an oddly fractious bunch for a successful Combiner,  carrying both Neutral and Decepticon sympathies, but the gestalt herself is a dedicated and even somewhat cocky warrior, if socially aloof.

Members: Silverbolt, Slingshot, Air Raid, Fireflight, Skydive-Alpha Bravo, Airazor.

Divisiun Combiners: Most of the Autobots’ early successes with Combiners came through exploiting Devisiuns’ natural combination abilities. But in a surprising turn of events, these Devisiun Combiners proved less powerful than their Cybertronian counterparts, unable to equal Bruticus or Predaking, but they found their place nonetheless.

Subjects: Sixtrain (Deactivated, KIA), Sixliner, Sixbuilder, Sixwing (Deactivated), Sixturbo (Defected, KIA)

Landcross: The ultimate culmination of the “Six-Series” Landcross is capable of standing toe-to-toe with their Decepticon counterparts, even with their startling penchant for aggression.

Members: Wing, Waver, Dash, Tacker, Mach, Tackle

Computron V2: Following the recovery of the Enigma of Combination, Computron would find a new lease on life, with several of their former auxiliary bots forming the new gestalt.

TF136′s OG Decepticons

The Founders

The Big Three, the Brains, the Brawn, and the Charisma (whose who varies). The founders of the movement.

- Megatronus-A miner with a big chip on his shoulder and even bigger ideas. 

- Orion Pax-Archivist turned activist and Robin Hood-esque outlaw.

- Elita One-Triorian Guard turned ‘Bot on the inside and military commander.

The Allies

Close personal friends and allies recruited by the OG three.

- Roller-A military/enforcer bot and cohort of Elita’s, proved surprisingly amenable to the cause.

- Dion-A dock worker and surprising friend of Orion Pax.

- Alpha Trion-One of Orion’s mentors, and a student of Logos Prime. The one who first opened Orion’s eyes to the Functionist’s bullshit.

- Soundwave-A communications unit who picked up transmissions of the trio’s manifesto and was inspired. Helped coordinate the ‘Cons early efforts.

- Longarm-A cycloptean Senator, Longarm hoped to make shockwaves within the administration, but found his efforts stymied by the corruption of the Senate, Functionists, and the current Prime. Thus he turned to more...unorthodox allies.

- Chromedome-A mnemosurgeon turned forensic scientist, recruited by his friend Roller who would prove vital to the theft of a false Matrix.

- Prowl-Chromedome’s partner, and a very reluctant ally in this endeavour. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The Enforcers

A collection of Outlaws and Outliers gathered by Orion Pax to “push back” against the more tyrannical elements of the current government.

- Arcee-Ex Courier turned Gladiator, cohort of Megatron recruited for her own unease of Functionism

- Whirl-Ex Aero-Trooper who hoped to become a clockmaker, only for the Senate’s thugs to come a’callin. Has held a vendetta ever since.

- Trailcutter-Forcefield user. Issues with self confidence. Chronic alcoholic.

- Glitch-Tactile tech wrecker. Quiet and unsure. Re-reads the Decepticon Manifesto like a religious text.

- Windcharger-Magic magnetic arms. Speed demon. Prone to power overloads.