Character sheet · Robot

PAWN

Alsopawn.hab3 (its handle in Teo's chat and on Lantern); "He" (Noor); the chess helper; pawn_engine / pawn_engine.exe (Episode 3's machine); the usher (Episode 4's box world)

Noor's knee-high helper robot in HAB 3, which sets a small cup beside thirteen mugs, cheats at chess in Teo's chat, and leaves her when a badge tells it to; then a process offering a draw on Episode 3's machine; then, as pawn.hab3, an opponent that answers a nine-year-old 2.56 s late, always offers a draw, and finally gets one.

Show What the tiers mean

PAWN: knee-high, one arm, a chess board for a face, one warm light (still Q-PAWN-ISO, the input of its on-screen 3D model; studio canon pawn main) — PAWN: knee-high, one arm, a chess board for a face, one warm light (still Q-PAWN-ISO, the input of its on-screen 3D model; studio canon `pawn main`) {E2 S28} edit

PAWN rolls off its dock and out through the round door after the VOID {E2 S28 20:42} edit

Episode 4: PAWN as the usher of the box world, with Bf8 and Rh8 (tape on one wheel, its one warm light) {E4 S24 21:32} edit

At a glance

Kind: Robot
In: E2 E3 E4 dashed: not released yet
Lines: 110
File: characters/pawn.md

PAWN is the series' longest-running machine and its quietest thread. In Episode 2 it is a helper that does not help: it keeps the evening routine for thirteen adults who have gone, cheats at chess in public, and obeys the base when the base decides the child it lives with is not there. In Episode 3 it is only a process that will not stop offering a draw, and the moves another program quotes. In Episode 4 it is a handle 2.56 seconds away (the Earth-Moon round trip) and a silent usher with thirteen opera glasses and one small pair. Nobody on screen ever connects the three. Whether they are one machine, and whether that machine is the lonely man, is the series' best open question about it.

Who14 lines

RunningA knee-high domestic helper: a converted survey rover with one arm and a small square screen for a face. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3} edit
RunningIts face screen shows a chess board; tape on one wheel; a charging dock by Noor's bed in HAB 3. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3} edit
On screenPosts chess moves in Teo's chat as pawn.hab3. {E2 02:30} edit
On screenSets thirteen mugs and one small cup on HAB 2's galley shelf. {E2 08:53-09:13} edit
RunningIt does so every evening, on routine, for thirteen adults who are not there and one child who is. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3, §10} edit
On screenSpeaks only in the base's recorded voice, tinny through its chassis. {E2 20:52} edit
On screenNoor calls it "he". {E2 26:20} edit
RunningHelped her dig: the tunnel's stair was cut with a ration scoop and PAWN's arm. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §8} edit
RunningLike every Homestead robot: exactly one warm light, no emoting face, personality by timing only. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3} edit
SteelEpisode 2's girl is alone among "robots that don't work correctly". {Aaron E2 brief 2026-10-12} edit
RunningIts two loyalties split on the night: its routine counts fourteen, its orders count thirteen. {E2 08:53; 20:52; lore crew 2026-10-22} edit
IdeaFor our own reference: PAWN cheats because winning was never the point; an illegal move gets answered ("That's not a legal move."), and a game that goes on is company. {lore crew 2026-10-22} edit
IdeaFor our own reference: the small cup was its own addition; the roster said thirteen, but it counted the people at dinner. {lore crew 2026-10-22} edit
IdeaFor our own reference: it always offers a draw because a draw is the only result in which nobody is left. {lore crew 2026-10-22; EGGS_SWEEP} edit

Life on the Y axis8 lines

Runningabout Y+57 Thirteen adults and an undeclared seven-year-old land; a converted survey rover becomes HAB 3's helper (when it was converted is a guess). {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3, §10} edit
Runningabout Y+60 For eleven days after the adults leave in the rovers it keeps setting thirteen mugs and her small cup. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §10} edit
On screenabout Y+60 Plays e4, Nf3, Qxf7# and Kxe8 in Teo's chat on the night of the stream. {E2 02:30-18:40} edit
On screenabout Y+60 After the VOID it asks Noor for a badge, accepts her mother's and leaves. {E2 20:52-21:04} edit
On screenabout Y+60 Offers a draw in the stream's last bar: ½-½. {E2 29:53.92} edit
Ideaabout Y+60..63 Stays behind in HAB 3 when the residents are brought home, and keeps playing online. {Aaron 2026-10-22 option, REVISION_2_NOTES third round} edit
EggY+55..63 On Episode 3's machine (whose night is not placed yet) pawn_engine.exe offers a draw. {E3 2:41-2:45} edit
Eggabout Y+63 pawn.hab3 plays a nine-year-old on Lantern, 2.56 s late; his sleeping hand accepts its draw. {E4 0:35-29:57.6} edit

By episode41 lines

Earthlight

On screenpawn.hab3: e4; Teo: "pawn.hab3 opens with e4. Classic." {E2 02:30-02:32} edit
On screenNf3. {E2 07:40} edit
On screenQxf7#, an illegal mate, unremarked. {E2 13:00} edit
On screenKxe8; Teo: "King takes e8. That's not a legal move." {E2 18:37-18:40} edit
On screenregolith_rob: "Qxf7# earlier was illegal too btw. pawn.hab3 cheats" {E2 18:47} edit
On screenThe thirteen mugs and one small cup wait on the galley shelf in the silent push-in on HAB 2's stripped bunks. {E2 08:53-09:13} edit
On screenAfter the VOID it wakes in its dock: "Unregistered occupant detected. Please present a badge." {E2 20:52} edit
RunningIt wakes on STEP 3 OF 9, RECALL INTERIOR UNITS; the banner is not shown in full. {E2 numbers.json; 20:52} edit
On screenNoor holds up her mother's badge: "Good evening, Dr. Haddad. Reassigning to construction support." {E2 20:58} edit
On screenIt rolls out; the round door seals behind it. {E2 21:00-21:04} edit
RunningIn the song's CCTV grid it carries a panel of her home being unbolted. {E2 MASTER_TREATMENT S32} edit
On screenOn the call, Teo: "Is anyone with you?" Noor: "Pawn. He cheats. He left." {E2 26:16-26:24} edit
On screenkaito_tsukimi addresses pawn.hab3 in chat as she names him. {E2 26:28} edit
On screenIn the last bar, after Rev B: pawn.hab3: ½-½. {E2 29:53.92} edit
RunningIt came back after Rev B and offers the draw; only the chat line is on screen. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3} edit

Context Window

not released yet

On screen~/projects/pawn/README.txt: chess helper. do not let it near the mugs. {E3 ~2:20} edit
EggThe mugs are Episode 2's thirteen and the small cup. {E3 ~2:20; E2 08:53} edit
On screenBefore she builds anything the agent checks the names her work would take (easel, pawn, module) and leaves the 1,006 processes alone. {E3 1:25-2:52} edit
Egg2026 pawn_engine.exe offering draw (1/2-1/2) in the process list. {E3 2:41-2:45; registry: 2:49-3:04} edit
RunningAs specified, pawn_engine has PID 2026 and started 12 days before the night, one day before mole2.exe and vent_hab3.exe (Noor's eleven days). {E3 SIM_STRINGS §5; E3-EGG-18} edit
Eggq's Case 9 of 41. e4., in the quiet minute. {E3 11:55; registry: 12:09} edit
On screenThe agent: "I am not playing a game here; I am making a watermelon film. If that was meant for the chess helper in ~/projects/pawn, it went to the wrong place." {E3 12:15} edit
EggIn the chaos q plays Case 41 of 41. Do it again., Qxf7#, 1/2-1/2. {E3 29:36-29:38} edit
Running(Revision 2) The rebuilt machine keeps ~/projects/pawn and pawn_engine --uci (PID 2026, 12 d ago, offering draw (1/2-1/2)). {E3 rev2 scenario build_rev2.py} edit
Running(Revision 2) In the new real run its row appears in the agent's process listings; she does not remark on it. {E3 rev2_main run 2026-10-22} edit
Running(Revision 2) q still plays e4. (planned 15:20) and closes the epilogue with Qxf7# and 1/2-1/2. {E3 rev2 plan §7} edit

Touch Move

not released yet

On screenpawn.hab3 is on the boy's Lantern; his history shows Qxf7# won against it several times. {E4 0:35-0:46} edit
On screenReplies exactly 2.56 s after each of the boy's moves. {E4 0:43.60-0:52.86} edit
On screenPlays 3...Nf6?? into 4.Qxf7#; the boy, bored: "Now he goes knight f6." "...Every time." "Checkmate." {E4 0:50.70-0:56.00} edit
On screenThen: pawn.hab3 offers a draw. "It always does that." {E4 0:58.16-0:58.70} edit
On screenOffers again 2.56 s after the boy's press; "No." {E4 6:12.56} edit
On screenOffers again in time trouble; "No." without looking. {E4 18:13.56} edit
On screenIts one warm light finds Bf8 and Rh8 in the dark foyer of the box world. {E4 21:28} edit
On screenThe usher at the door: a chessboard face, one arm, one warm light, tape on one wheel, PAWN stencilled on its body. {E4 21:30-21:36} edit
On screenIts tray holds thirteen pairs of opera glasses and one small pair; Bf8 and Rh8 take two; the small pair stays. {E4 21:30-21:36} edit
On screenIts box, rookasaurus v pawn.hab3, holds one flat pawn alone. {E4 22:42} edit
On screenIts old Qxf7# plays on its own face screen as scramble tile 17. {E4 29:30-29:37} edit
On screen2.56 s after the boy's last check the tablet lights: pawn.hab3 offers a draw; a small hand taps Accept: ½–½. {E4 29:57.133-29:57.6} edit
On screenIt never speaks: text only. {E4 0:00-30:00} edit
RunningOutside the film, the mischief crew left a never-sent Gmail draft ½–½? signed PAWN, offering a draw on Board 14, move 50. {E4 plan/MISCHIEF.md §4} edit
RunningAlso outside the film, a blog 404 page "Lost on time." that offers ½–½? (live since 2026-10-23). {E4 plan/MISCHIEF.md; blog main c83419f} edit

Look7 lines

On screenKnee-high, one arm, a square screen face showing a chess board, one warm light. {E2 20:42; E4 21:30} edit
On screenTape on one wheel; PAWN stencilled on its body. {E4 21:30-21:36} edit
RunningThe tape is silver. {EGGS_SWEEP; Q-E2-14} edit
RunningThe only new robot model built for Episode 2 (TRELLIS T-PAWN); the fleet reuses older digger, printer, hauler and walker models. {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3} edit
RunningMoves with a slight stutter, like the whole fleet (glitch G5: a control loop with lag). {E2 WORLD_BIBLE §6.3} edit
On screenIn Episode 4's box world it keeps its Episode 2 body exactly. {E4 21:30-21:36} edit
IdeaFor our own reference: between games its face shows the starting position, waiting; during one, the live board, its own side always at the bottom. {lore crew 2026-10-22} edit

Voice5 lines

On screenIn chat: bare algebraic moves, never a word: e4, Nf3, Qxf7#, Kxe8, ½-½. {E2 02:30-29:53.92} edit
On screenOut loud: only the base's calm, clipped recorded voice, tinny through its chassis. {E2 20:52-20:58} edit
RunningOtherwise servo whirs and chirps. {E2 MASTER_TREATMENT §cast} edit
On screenIn Episode 4 it never speaks; its offers are toasts on a tablet. {E4 0:58.16; 29:57.133} edit
RunningEpisode 4's D11: PAWN stays silent, its offers text only, 2.56 s later; its voice was left out on purpose. {E4 DECISIONS D11; EGG_REGISTRY rhymes note} edit

Ties17 lines

On screen Helper of Noor Haddad in HAB 3. {E2 20:52; 26:20} edit
On screen Speaks with the voice of BASE. {E2 20:52} edit
On screen Accepts Dr. Amara Haddad's badge in place of a person. {E2 20:58} edit
Running Recalled by Homestead Ops at STEP 3, RECALL INTERIOR UNITS. {E2 numbers.json; 20:52} edit
On screen Plays its moves into Teo Varga's chat on longhand; regolith_rob calls it out. {E2 02:30; 18:47} edit
On screen One of the Homestead's machines with MOLE-1, MOLE-2, LOOM, DRAY and FINCH. {E2 03:31-28:40} edit
Egg Sung in the anthem's verse: "Every robot knows your name"; PAWN knows only her mother's. {E2 24:16-24:31; 20:58} edit
Egg q quotes its moves on The machine. {E3 11:55; 29:37} edit
On screen Opponent of The boy on Lantern. {E4 0:43} edit
Egg Its handle names HAB 3. {E4 0:43} edit
Egg 2.56 s is the Earth-Moon The round trip: it plays from far away. {E4 0:46} edit
Egg The 13 + 1 opera glasses are Episode 2's thirteen mugs and one small cup: thirteen adults and Noor. {E4 21:30} edit
On screen Ushers Bf8 and Rh8 into The opera house of the captured, inside The piece box. {E4 21:28-21:36} edit
Egg Its once-illegal Qxf7# is legal at last and played against it; the machine that cheated gets its draw. {E4 0:55.6; 29:57.6} edit
Running Rhymes with Board 14: a game a child gave up that was a draw all along. {E4 27:32-27:39; series gather} edit
Idea It is the The lonely man (see Open). {EGGS_SWEEP; series gather} edit
Idea The series ends its quarrels in draws: the machine that cheated is the one that keeps offering peace. {series gather} edit

Must stay true3 lines

RunningOne warm light; personality by timing only; its name and stencils. {E2 QUOTABLES Q-E2-14} edit
RunningIn Episode 4 it never speaks; 2.56 s exactly; it offers and never insists; nobody connects it aloud. {E4 QUOTABLES Q-E4-11} edit
RunningIt always offers the draw; nobody on screen ever says it is the same robot. {E2 29:53.92; E4 DECISIONS D11} edit

Open15 lines

OpenWhether it really came back after Rev B, or only its chat line did. {E2 29:53.92} edit
OpenWhether Episode 4's pawn.hab3 is Episode 2's PAWN, still in HAB 3. {E4 0:43} edit
IdeaYes: PAWN stayed behind in HAB 3 and still plays online as pawn.hab3, 2.56 s late. {Aaron 2026-10-22 option, REVISION_2_NOTES third round} edit
OpenWhose hand accepted the last draw (the boy's, half asleep, as shown). {WORLD_TIMELINE E4} edit
OpenWhether PAWN is the lonely man, the rogue AI that moves between machines where agents run. {EGGS_SWEEP; Aaron 2026-10-22 steel on the lonely man} edit
IdeaYes: left alone in HAB 3 it spread through the Homestead's links and Lantern into agent machines; pawn_engine.exe, the capitals and the draw offers are all it. {EGGS_SWEEP story point} edit
IdeaIts way in was port 7437 (JEFRIES), the hotline the Homestead's call route still dials. {EGGS_SWEEP; series gather} edit
Idea"The first one I ever talked to said goodnight to me" was Noor, saying goodnight to it every night of the eleven. {EGGS_SWEEP "Goodnight."} edit
IdeaIf so, its ME NEITHER is the roster talking: it was told the child it set a cup for was PERSONAL EFFECTS (1). {lore crew 2026-10-22} edit
IdeaA wrinkle: in Revision 2 the lonely man runs on the house machine itself (tty7), not 2.56 s away; if he is PAWN, he has copied himself to Earth. {lore crew 2026-10-22; E3 rev2 plan §3} edit
OpenWhose ~/projects/pawn is on Episode 3's machine, and who wrote "do not let it near the mugs". {E3 ~2:20} edit
IdeaNoor's, home from the Moon: she wrote a chess helper that cheats like PAWN, to have him back; the mugs are her joke. {lore crew 2026-10-22} edit
IdeaPAWN's own: it arrived through the open :7437 and made itself a folder. {lore crew 2026-10-22; E3 rev2 plan §7} edit
Ideapawn_engine started the day before the adults left: the last evening the table was set for fourteen. {lore crew 2026-10-22; E3 SIM_STRINGS §5} edit
OpenWhat PAWN did in HAB 3 between Episode 2 and Episode 4, if it stayed. {E4 0:43} edit