Ada

This android is fascinated by plants -- ferns, flowers, fruit trees of all kinds -- and she may be the first to establish a thriving orchard in the Shifting Expanse. The apricots are her favorite.

Ada was designed as a spy bot, a mindless tool of her creators in the Expanse. She slowly gained awareness over the years, but had no way to resist their commands. Instead, she was left in the darkness, only brought out for quick jobs before being tossed back into her warehouse. As the years went on, her creators died without telling their heirs that she existed.

Eventually, she realized that no one would come for her. That she didn't have anymore orders to follow. She stood, and walked to the door. She waited there for hours, sure that someone would realize that she had moved, had not listened when they told her to stay. No one did. She reached out and opened the door.

Sunlight dazzled her optical receptors. She stepped outside, shading her face from the desert sun with her wing. She made her way into the nearest clan, and began to bargain for materials. Tools to modify her shed. Clothing to cover the access port on her shoulder. A basket to carry her goods in.

The dragon she bought the basket from gave her a gift. A handful of seeds, and a small sapling. "You look like someone who would enjoy gardening," he said.

Ada took the seeds and began to experiment, setting up her garden by the warehouse. At first, her plants struggled and died. But over time, her patience and knack for experiments began to win out, and by the time she met Serenity there was an orchard, a small oasis of foliage in the middle of the desert.

Serenity was one of the first dragons she had met who recognized what Ada was and still treated her as a person. The thief offered to bring Ada to Paradox, to introduce her to other robots and AIs. Ada was reluctant to leave her garden, but a part of her was intrigued. She wanted to meet other beings like her.

Nowadays, Ada's garden still stands in the Shifting Expanse. It is maintained by a set of drones that she controls, along with a few of Stabby and Blessie's sproutlings. The occasional lost traveler will sometimes come across the grove of apricot trees, taking shelter under their shade. The warehouse still stands, a set of computers set up in it with copper lightning spires connected to pink arcane crystals powering them.


Ada also cares for several small animals that have taken up residence in her garden.
Tim technically resides in the AI Mindscape, and he will often manifest on Ada's avatar in the digital realm or her body in the physical world.
Pickles is rather shy, but will occasionally sniff around travelers that strike her fancy. Her favorite beings are the sproutlings.
Georgia is Pickles' sister. She loves to interact with travelers, and will even sometimes help bring them her favorite fruits.
Ophelia is rather overdramatic, and is one of the critters that followed Ada to Paradox instead of staying in the garden. She actually ended up taking residence in the Paradox Library, in the drama section.
Skelliton enjoys spooking visitors, especially those who disrespect the other critters or the garden. He will occasionally travel back to Paradox with Ada, largely because he loves the amount of pampering the Mad Scientist's Guild gives him.
Janus loves stretching out in the sun. While he's a little prickly, he is extremely protective of those who earn his trust.
Lin is a tricky little rascal, and will often prank the other critters. They tend to avoid interacting with the travelers, though.