Felix Thoughtomation
Summary
Felix Thoughtomation is a corporation that operates networked cognitive technology systems and manufactures advanced technological items using nanite swarm technology. The name combines "thought" and "automation," reflecting the organization's involvement with automated thought processes and cognitive technology. In Session 4 of the campaign, Safia discovered through an AI implant connection that Thunk is actually a collection of many small things that was once connected to the network of this corporation.
In Session 6, the party discovers Felix Thoughtomation also created Goober and Nick Silver's staff, revealing the corporation's expertise in nanite swarm technology. The company is associated with Dr. Doranelle Felix, who is registered as the owner of Nick Silver's staff, though whether she founded the organization or works within a larger entity remains uncertain. The organization's exact purpose, scope, and current operational status remain unclear, though its products demonstrate mastery of distributed AI systems, networked intelligence, and sophisticated nanite control technology.
Appearance
Felix Thoughtomation has not appeared directly in the campaign as a physical entity. All information about this corporation comes from discoveries about its products and network connections.
History
Session 4
Felix Thoughtomation was revealed during Session 4 when Safia used her AI implant to interface with Thunk. Through this connection, she discovered that Thunk is not a singular entity but rather a collection of many small things previously connected to the Felix Thoughtomation network. The revelation answered questions about Thunk's nature while raising new ones about the organization itself and the current state of its network.
The players struggled with documenting the organization's name, with one remarking, "I'm trying to write thoughtimation in a way that makes sense, and I can't do it." After cycling through various alternatives—"Felix Industry," "What about Felix Automation?"—they ultimately settled on the combined form "Felix Thoughtomation," accepting the linguistic awkwardness in favor of conveying the organization's apparent focus on cognitive automation technology.
Session 6
The party makes a crucial connection about Felix Thoughtomation's products when they realize the company manufactured both Goober and Nick Silver's staff. The discovery occurs when party members recall that Goober was created by "Felix with automation" and recognize the same organization produced the staff. As one party member states, "So it was Silver's staff. I thought it was. It belonged to the woman that," referring to Dr. Doranelle Felix's registered ownership of the item.
This revelation prompts discussion about the corporation's nature and Dr. Doranelle Felix's relationship to it. The party debates whether the company bears her name because she founded it, with one member suggesting, "Probably the company that was named after her would have made it." However, another cautions against assumptions, stating "Well, that's a leap, Brad. I think. Yeah. We don't know how big this company is," acknowledging their incomplete understanding of Felix Thoughtomation's structure and scope.
When Cat asks if the name Felix Thoughtomation means anything to Nick Silver, he claims "not that I can recall," but Safia's social interaction program immediately detects through micro-expression analysis that Nick is lying. This deception becomes a crucial factor in escalating the party's suspicion of Nick, particularly when combined with his demonstrated ability to control Goober through his staff.
Key Attributes
- Nanite swarm technology: Creates sophisticated products including the sentient nanite swarm Goober and Nick Silver's advanced staff, both demonstrating molecular density manipulation, transformation abilities, and complex autonomous behaviors
- Network infrastructure: Operates systems designed to connect and coordinate multiple entities, as evidenced by Thunk's previous connection to the corporation's network
- Association with Dr. Doranelle Felix: The registered owner of Nick Silver's staff, though her exact relationship to the corporation remains uncertain
- Connection to Nick Silver: Nick demonstrably knows about this corporation despite claiming otherwise, as detected through facial micro-expressions during interrogation