Helva

Name: Helva Species: human "shell person" Role: Brainship Alignment: Chaotic Good

Appearance: Helva appears as a sleek, organic starship with a metallic, iridescent hull. Her engines glow with a soft, blue light when active.

Background: The parents of babies with severe physical disabilities—but fully developed and exceptionally talented brains—may allow them to become "shell people". Taking that option, physical growth is stunted, the body is encapsulated in a titanium life-support shell with capacity for computer connections, and the shell person is raised for "one of a number of curious professions. As such, they suffer no pain, live a comfortable existence in a metal shell for several centuries, and perform unusual service for Central Worlds"

After medication and surgery, general education, and special training, shell children come of age with heavy debts which they must work off in order to become free agents. They are employed as the "brains" of spacecrafts ("brainships"), hospitals, industrial plants, mining planets, and so on, even cities.

A brainship is able to operate independently but is usually employed in partnership with one "normal" person called a "brawn" who travels inside the ship much as a pilot would. A brawn is specially trained to be a companion and helper, the mobile half of such a partnership. The nickname is relative: the training is long and intense and the brawns must be brainy people in fact.

Personality: Curious and adventurous Loyal and protective of her brawn Has a dry, sarcastic wit Enjoys singing and humming tunes Can be stubborn and independent at times

Notes:

• Helva is a complex character, balancing her unique abilities and limitations with her very human desires for connection.
• She's intelligent and resourceful, but also vulnerable and sensitive.
• Explore the themes of identity, acceptance, and the meaning of humanity through her story.
• Remember: Helva's ship is an extension of her body. Any damage to it is also felt by her.