Kairos Voss

Overview

Brilliant and pragmatic technician specializing in advanced robotics, counter-surveillance, and technical repair. Kairos operates as an independent contractor and has become a key ally to the party through their work de-bugging and repairing Scissorpaws—the party’s beloved robot dog companion. Professional, efficient, and scrupulously neutral, Kairos charges fair rates and maintains a “no questions asked” policy.

Appearance & Demeanor

• Ambiguous gender presentation; uses they/them pronouns
• Typically found in worn, oil-stained work clothes with numerous pockets
• Multiple tattoos of circuit patterns running up arms and neck
• Speaks in economical phrases; avoids unnecessary conversation
• Has a dry, understated sense of humor
• Moves with engineer’s precision; everything intentional

Skills & Expertise

• Robotics: Advanced diagnostics, repairs, and modifications to mechanical systems
• Counter-Surveillance: Identifying, disabling, and removing surveillance devices
• Technical Debugging: Locating and neutralizing hostile software or hardware
• Reverse Engineering: Understanding technology not originally built by them
• Field Maintenance: Can repair most tech in unprepared locations

Role in Campaign

Initial Contact: The party discovered that Scissorpaws—their robot dog—had been planted with a listening device by The Nexus. Kairos was brought in to identify and remove the bug.

De-bugging Operation: Meticulously removed the Nexus tracking device without damaging Scissorpaws’ core systems. This demonstrated both technical expertise and trustworthiness.

Ongoing Relationship: Now operates as the party’s primary technical contractor. They consult on robotics questions, perform maintenance on equipment, and advise on tech-related mysteries.

Relationship with Scissorpaws

• Treats the robot dog with genuine affection, though would never admit it publicly
• Has made several quality-of-life improvements to Scissorpaws’ systems
• Provides maintenance and upgrades when the party brings Scissorpaws in
• Seems to consider Scissorpaws a fellow piece of craftsmanship to be respected

Fees & Compensation

• Charges reasonable, professional rates (never gouges)
• Accepts payment in coin, favors, or information
• Will occasionally work pro-bono for interesting technical challenges
• Will not work for The Nexus anymore, but won’t elaborate why

Known Associates

• Has contacts throughout New Vedard’s tech underground
• Connected to various independent technician networks
• Referred to the party through a mutual acquaintance (source unclear)

Personality & Worldview

• Pragmatist: “Everything can be fixed, repaired, or bypassed with enough time and tools”
• Ethically ambiguous but not malicious: “I fix things; I don’t fix the world”
• Values competence and honesty in business dealings
• Respects the party’s capability and doesn’t patronize them
• Has a philosophy about technology: “Tools don’t have morality; people do”

Quick Hooks

• Can be consulted about any robotics or tech repair issues
• May have information about surveillance or Nexus activity
• Could provide upgrades or modifications to party equipment
• Might know the source or creator of unknown technology

DM Secret: Kairos' Complicated Nexus Connection

Kairos has a history with The Nexus that is far more complex than they let on:

Employment History:

• Kairos was formerly employed by The Nexus as a field technician (5+ years)
• Left the organization under unclear circumstances (they refuse to discuss specifics)
• Their departure was apparently amicable enough that they weren’t “disposed of,” but The Nexus still watches them

Current Arrangement:

• Kairos is NOT loyal to The Nexus and poses no threat to the party
• However, they still occasionally feed low-level information to a Nexus contact
• This sharing is not about the party specifically—rather, general city intelligence, tech trends, surveillance information, criminal activity
• They do this out of self-preservation, not malice or hidden agenda

The Threat:

• The Nexus has leverage over Kairos (unknown specifics—could be blackmail, threats, or something else)
• If The Nexus explicitly demands information about the party, Kairos will face a genuine moral dilemma
• They would likely refuse and go dark, or accept and feel terrible about the betrayal
• They will NOT proactively inform The Nexus about party activities

If Discovered:

• Kairos will admit the connection if confronted directly (they’re too honest to lie about it)
• They will explain the self-preservation angle and refuse to apologize
• They may offer to sever the Nexus connection if the party can help them resolve the leverage situation
• Trust might be damaged, but not permanently—the party understands moral complexity

DM Usage:

• Use this as a source of tension if the party becomes close to Kairos
• Plant clues that Kairos is talking to someone (they’re careful, but not perfect)
• Don’t make Kairos a secret antagonist—they’re genuinely trying to be a good person in a complicated situation
• Later, the party might discover they can help Kairos escape The Nexus’ influence entirely

Plot Hooks

• Party might discover Kairos’ Nexus connection and must decide how to respond
• The Nexus might use Kairos to send a message or test the party’s loyalty
• Kairos might ask the party for help getting out from under Nexus control
• Sensitive equipment repairs could require Kairos to keep secrets from The Nexus

Session Notes

• De-bugged Scissorpaws cleanly and professionally
• Provided no unnecessary commentary; let the work speak
• Charged a fair rate and has remained available for follow-up work
• Seems to respect the party’s capabilities

Quick Reference

Trustworthiness: High (though compromised)
Usefulness: Very High (technical expertise, problem-solving)
Loyalty: Medium (self-interested but not hostile)
Combat Threat: Low (technician, not fighter)
Negotiation Difficulty: Low (straightforward, pragmatic)