Zardios
Zardios Marren (borne October 9, 2002) is a MERDOian anthroid constructed in the form of a lizard/dragon hybrid closely resembling a draconid but with notable differences. He has remained Lurdanjo's most loyal friend and companion ever since his creation, designed originally just to protect, comfort, and serve Lurdanjo like all companion MERDOians are intended. Eventually, Zardios gained his own free will and sentience, and came to terms with his actual love for Lurdanjo, despite intitial doubts that he could only "love" because of his programming.
== Appearance ==
He stands about six feet, three inches tall. His foot-long dark blue hair is spiked out with gel in the summer months, and combed back into an elegant mane during the colder months. His slim, yet very shapely and handsomely athletic tone is best described as a lifeguard's physique. Despite his lifelike outer appearance, his interior is completely mechanical. Honed senses might notice one part of him that does not seem lifelike, such as circuit traces in his iris or very faint whirring under his synthetic flesh layering.
== Personality ==
Although 100% artificial, he prefers not to be called a robot or a machine, as he can express and genuinely feel at least 90% of organic emotions (such exceptions including hatred and jealousy), although he tends to be far more logical in using them. Because of this, he is very resolute in his feelings and opinions (he won't stop loving those he loves, he tends not to judge others based on accidents or quick experiences), but also has trouble understanding the purpose of evil or how it could possibly exist, which often troubles or depresses him. He also has a great deal of trouble understanding the concept of death, though he understands it to be especially emotionally painful.
Far from being a mindless machine, Zardios enjoys many activities such as painting, playing the piano, gardening, and other pastimes that give simple pleasures. His personality is very gentle and loving, as he is willing to help out anyone in danger and comfort them if necessary. His voice is low yet full of soothing energy.
His artificial nature allows him a different sort of personality from many other beings, and also gives him many advantages. He is not prone to become tired, sore, bored, or to receive physical pain. He possesses great strength and stamina relative to most ordinary beings. He also has incredible flexibility and limited transformation abilities such as being able to change his scale and hair color. Having a very fast, artificially intelligent mind also allows him to excel at games of skill and logic such as chess or Tetris. On the flip side, he is not considered very creative or independent, and therefore can be easily convinced to do just about anything he considers ethical, logical or not, and often loses at creative games like Pictionary.
== Official Statistics ==
- Codename: MSA-2017
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 230 lbs
- MERDOian Class 8
- Processor: 10-core MCPU at 37 Thz per core, 900 Pentabyte ACISP (Acquired and Cognizant Information Storage Partitions)
- Strength: Up to 15 tons using each limb when well balanced.
- Speed: Up to 85 miles per hour running, 45 MPH swimming
- Stamina: About five days on a single charge in general activity, twelve hours at peak activity
- Durability: Typical organic beings cannot harm him with bare hands, powerful guns can slightly harm his operations, seems relatively weak against EMP and radiation.
- Power Source: Solar power and cold fusion usually keep him at near peak charge, keeping him running for two days or up to five days respectively under normal circumstances)
Categories: MERDOian Lore, Main Characters, Synthetic Beings