The Modulari
The Modulari are artificial beings, androids and cyborgs, with little to no permanent self-image. A Modulari thinks nothing of swapping an arm with a more useful replacement, or simply exchanging heads with a friend for the sake of variety.
History
There is no discrete moment when the Modulari formed. Artificial intelligences have existed longer than anyone can remember, and given the unusual nature of the Puzzlebox, no one is much surprised that some took their manufacturing into their own hands. Likeminded enitities, over time, have drifted together, into what is something between a community and a swap meet.
Underlying philosophy
Never be so attached to something that you can not bear to exchange it with something better, even your own body. Modulari pity organics and proprietary mechanicals, who can not easily change themselves should the need or desire arise.
Physical description
The typical Modulari is an artifical entity of mix-and-match parts. One leg may be a realistic rabbit leg, while the other is a gleaming pneumatic device; the body of an insect, and a stylized plastic dog head. All body parts are completely modular, usually down to even the finger segments (such potpourri hands are fairly rare, though). Only one part of the Modulari remains constant, the "id box". For a "true" Modulari, this is basically a small computer containing the basic personality and memories. In a "wethead", or "converted" Modulari, this is partly organic. When an organic person becomes a Modulari, his brain is removed, cybernetically augmented, and placed in a box that served the same function as the purely artificial version.
Life as a Modulari
Most Modulari are created. Typically, a half-dozen or so will pool their resources to commission the creation of a new, blank id box. Aspects of each parent's personality, but none of the memories, are seeded into the new id box, and the id box is placed into a special "baby body". A baby body is small, less customizable body with safety features to keep the developing personality from getting into too much trouble. It takes a year or two for the new Modulari to achieve full conciousness and functionality, and this time is spent learning from not only the parents, but from all willing members of the community.
Not all Modulari are androids. As mentioned before, there are also converted Modulari, affectionately called wetheads. Few people have the temperament to have their body of flesh destroyed so they live a radically different life, but the Modulari are happy to convert anyone that asks. There is no stigma against a wethead, possibly because it's impossible to tell by looking.
Social ranking appears to non-Modulari to be based on how many attachments an individual has. The reality is more subtle, however. In actuality, a Modulari is more esteemed when he appears more content. Modulari bore easily with parts they use often, and a Mod is generally happiest when he never has to wear an arm he's not in the mood for. Thus, a Mod with more parts is usually happier and thus earns more esteem, but having suitable parts is just as important.
Aesthetic sense
Modulari surround themselves with the same plug-and-play nature that they live. A Mod is just as likely to replace an interior wall of his house as change the curtains. Modulari art is surprisingly complex, consisting of connecting parts that can be swapped and rearranged into entirely new works.
Location
The Modulari headquarters is Neighborhood
?, a living space the size of several city blocks jumbled together. Neighborhood is a Mod himself, the official head of the faction, and the various buildings and utilities are to Neighborhood as arms and legs are to another Mod. Neighborhood rarely takes an active interest in the day-to-day doings of the faction, beyond constantly rearranging the cityscape they live in to its own whim. For the most part, the administrative and political tasks of the faction are left in the hands of Julian
? Snaploc and his corporation.
Known Members