Focus

​​​​​​A Focus is a small augmented reality device worn by human users that serves as a multipurpose sensory interface. This device is responsive to the user's gestures and voice, and displays a visual 3D interface visible only to them, aiding in the operation of machinery and technology alike, as well as in communications.

Appearance and Functions

The device resembles a small silver triangle, approximately an inch long from base to tip. A strip of light - presumably a power indicator - runs along the centre line of the device from the bottom to the tip. The Focus attaches to the side of the user's head through an unknown mechanism that closely resembles magnetism in operation.
It is extremely durable and can remain operational for hundreds of years, as evidenced by Aloy's Focus being left in a cave exposed to the elements for nearly 1,000 years and losing no known functionality. It is not known what type of energy the Focus runs on or how it recharges. Considering the fact that Aloy's Focus was found resting in direct sunlight, it is possible that the Focus operates on solar energy.
When activated, a ring of light illuminates around the device. The interface is within a wide geodesic polyhedron of holographic light, and important markers are also indicated with holographic light in purple and blue hues. The user can interact with some of the holograms with gestures. The interface can be used while in motion up to a point, as Aloy must walk slowly to use it.
The Focus also contains a suite of sensors that can scan and reveal the location of animals, humans, and machines in a certain range. It is somehow linked to the technology present in machines as well, as Aloy can scan machines with it, revealing information about them such as components and behavior, and in some cases, the three-dimensional interface will extend and adapt to machines to facilitate some processes.
Aside from powerful and adaptable sensors, it also contains a capable processing unit, albeit one that was relatively weak by the standards of the Old Ones. The Focus can repair heavily damaged files and audios in a matter of hours or days, which normally is a computationally intensive process and can take years for current, real-world processors to achieve - if at all.
A Focus can tap into the data stored on other Focuses, as Aloy does multiple times throughout the game, by simply holding another Focus in her hand and scanning it. It can be assumed that the process is destructive, seeing how the scanned Focuses sparked and malfunctioned after the data transfer was done.

History

The Focus was invented some time in the 21st century by Faro Automated Solutions, as a personal device that could be used by civilians. The Focus could be used in a wide variety of different ways, with supplemental functions available through apps from the Faro Store (similar to real-world smartphones). It became common to have one by the mid 21st century.
After the Faro Plague eradicated life on Earth, Focus devices remained functional into the 31st century.
Focuses were a planned feature of APOLLO, where they would be used to educate the new generation of humanity. However, after Ted Faro's purge of APOLLO, none of these Focuses were used for their intended purpose.
Usage of Focus devices among the new generation of humans is incredibly rare. Notable exceptions are Aloy, who discovered one as a child; Sylens, who found and repaired a damaged one; and the Eclipse, who used a communication network developed by Sylens under HADES's orders, allowing instantaneous communication over vast distances. However, this network was destroyed by Aloy in order to infiltrate Sunfall.
After the fall of the Eclipse, Aloy and Sylens are the only two people alive known to have Focuses (Olin Delverson is a possible third, depending on whether Aloy spared or killed him).

Mechanics & Inner Workings

• Ability Cost: 2 Intellect Points
• Action: Yes
• Its power is normally never depleted.

When a character is wearing a focus, a Player is granted the "Scan" Ability:
You scan an area equal in size to a 75-foot (23 m) cube, including all objects or creatures within that area. The area is considered long range. Scanning a creature or object always reveals its level (a measure of how powerful, dangerous, or difficult it is). You also learn whatever facts the GM feels are pertinent about the matter and energy in that area.

Effects

This is the set of information you can gather and the mechanical effect it will have in the game.

Machine Visibility

Making the structures of nearby machines visible through obstructions, similar to an X-ray.
In unstructured time, this information lasts for a short period of time. In structured, this information lasts for 5 rounds.

Threat Data

Scanning machines and registering their information (level) in the Machine Catalogue in the Notebook. This briefly leaves them and their weak points highlighted.
In unstructured time, this information lasts for a short period of time. In structured, this information lasts for 5 rounds.

Mark Target

Optionally places a marker to allow for tracking a machine outside of scanning mode.
This information remains visible unless the character moves into Very Long Range from the target or the target is dead.

Target Patrol Pattern

Optionally places a trail on the ground indicating a machine's patrol route.
This information remains visible unless the character moves into Very Long Range from the target or the target is dead.

Scan Data

Decoding datapoints, glyphs, and vantage points.
A character can scan in Short Range and discover for hidden datapoints. If anything is found, the character will have awareness of it's location in their HUD. A character can read the data (text, voice or holo) if in Immediate Range.

Tracking

Revealing tracks or evidence left behind by humans or machines.
NOT SURE HOW TO HANDLE THIS MECHANICALLY YET.
For example, you might learn that the wooden box contains a device of metal and synth. You might learn that the glass cylinder is full of poisonous gas, and that its metal stand has an electrical field running through it that connects to a metal mesh in the floor. You might learn that the creature standing before you is a mammal with a small brain. However, this esotery doesn’t tell you what the information means. Thus, in the first example, you don’t know what the metal and synth device does. In the second, you don’t know if stepping on the floor causes the cylinder to release the gas. In the third, you might suspect that the creature is not very intelligent, but scans, like looks, can be deceiving. Many materials and energy fields prevent or resist scanning.

Manufacturing process

Unknown

Significance

Personal, Cultural and Survival?

Item type

Electronic / Cybernetic

Current Location

Ruins

Manufacturer

Faro Automated Solutions

Related Technologies

• Augmented Reality

Rarity

Lost Technology

Dimensions

1in x 1in

Base Price

Priceless

Raw materials & Components

Unknown

Tools

Unknown