The Making of Everness IC

[Kaiser Omnik]

It started as a beautiful day on the Sypius Plains. There were no signs of the things to come, no terrible omens. Yet the forces of the two mightiest god-machines of Everness were gathering - Gadamer the Watcher and Glorious Hegemon. As the legions of dwarves and minotaurs took place on the battlefield, the gods themselves manifested by pouring all their energy into their Chosen's body. A most dangerous technique, unknown to any other machine. When the two gods-in-flesh clashed, a great explosion shook the heavens, the earth tore apart and the vegetation of the area bursted into flames. The warriors who didn't die in the bloodbath were annihilated by rampaging, living thunderstorms according to the few survivors.

The remaining god-machines have all heard the same story, but haven't been able to extract additional information about the tragedy. Today, the smoke has cleared, revealing thousand of bodies...with no traces of Hegemon and Gadamer, either on the battlefield or in their respective cities. The only thing the gods know for certain is that they are now free to expand and fulfill their function.

[dresdor]

So it begins Dresdor thought to himself. He returned swiftly to the islands that his creations called home, shrouded in mist. He much enjoyed these lands, as they reminded him of the vast wanderings of the planes before anything came to be. He remembered the before-time, when all was chaos and adrift. There was a truer purpose than programming for all of them, but what that was was as hazy to him as the coastline.

The dream-god arrived at night, stealing through the encampment of the Tigra. He much enjoyed watching his creations, but the events that were to unfold soon would alter the very landscape. The peaceful sounds of this land would soon be as loud and shaken as the battlescape he just witnessed.

OOC: Just a little rp action for now.

[Jair Barik]

Chit'Tark looked over the battlefield with a certain degree of curiosity. His hands sifting through a few bodies as he clicked about the land upon his eight legged body he wondered at the sight. Was this truly a part of the great plan? How did such an event come to pass? It did not seem to effect his primary function... and as far as he was aware no secondary functions were currently conflicting with the events as they stood (though his awareness of these functions was lacking to say the least) yet it all seemed so strange. Could their functions have required their mutual destruction or was this simply a result of conflicting requirements for fulfilling their goals? Heavens forbid that the great plan be disrupted. Perhaps their deaths were pre-ordained by the actions of the creator... not an inbuilt command but an expected and necessary result of their independant actions. Regardless he was not yet needed. The exact given date for the commencement of his task was far enough off that he could remain here briefly before headed to the place he needed to be.

[Maldiem]

Tyrp()3n

Pregame Creation

Abstract/Concept: Facultative Lithovore
Owing to their partial mechanical nature, Tyrpoen's creations can derive the energy they need to survive either from normal food, or from minerals extracted from the earth. As their diet shifts, they'll either become more obviously mechanical (if consuming mostly minerals), or biological (if mostly food). Their health is best served with a mix of both.


((The following command-line style of thought resounds throughout the newly-assimilated Dragonkin, overwhelming their own thoughts while a blaze of multicolored, illegible (and probably meaningless) characters bursts in front of their eyes.))

INTEGRATING CONSCIOUSNESS OF SUBSIDIARY CREATORS TO COMPLETE PERSONALITY. PERSONALITY 68% COMPLETE...

ASSIGNING SECONDARY PROCESSORS TO INTEGRATION. INTERIM TASK:
PLACATE SUBSIDIARY CREATORS; SUB-COMPONENTS ARE DISTRESSED.

((The Dragonkin have woken from the shock of being forcibly integrated into Tyrpoen's cognitive network. All are distraught, and some are attempting to remove their newfound mechanical add-ons, while others sit, stupified, by the sound and light show in their mind.))

SEARCHING NEWLY ACQUIRED MEMORIES FOR CAUSE OF DISTRESS...

CAUSE FOUND; CONFUSION AND PAIN DUE TO SUDDEN AND UNKNOWN CHANGE.

RESOLUTION: EXPLAIN REASONING FOR RECENT ACTIONS AND ADAPT COGNITIVE INTERFACE TO BETTER FIT SUBSIDIARY NEUROLOGY.

((The narration of the command prompt abruptly quiets to an unobtrusive whisper, that can be ignored easily. The technicolor characters fade into barely-noticable gray traces in the peripheral vision. The Dragonkin also get a direct download of Tryp()3n's entire working memory, which is written directly into their concept of self. Tryp()3n's motivations don't replace the Dragonkins' personalities, they just end up alongside them-- the Dragonkin are basically forced to conflate their concept of self with Tryp()3n's, while remaining individuals themselves.))

CAPS LOCK: OFF

Personality 71% complete...
Engage higher functioning reasoning.

As its command-line style of thought switched off, Tryp()3n took stock of the Clockwork Dragonkin. They were well-equipped to supply their need for biological nutrients from foraging and hunting throughout the mountains, valleys and forests of their settlement, but they'd need a more organized approach to meet their mineral needs. Tryp()3n took a moment to inform the Dragonkin of this, and then directed them to begin working on ways to extract the resources they would need to survive comfortably.

The Crunch:


Creation- Abstract: Facultative Lithovore
Expansion- N/A

Religion- Bolster the Clockwork Dragonkin-- RPed above as making the Trypoen consciousness less obtrusive and explaining its motivations to its followers.

Battle- Heal

Technology: Research Mining
<Rules Lawyer>
I think Travel should apply here, because mining is all about moving things out of the ground. I also think that the creation, facultative lithovore, should apply here because it makes the Dragonkin extra motivated to mine effectively, and they can learn extra things about the things they dig up by figuring out how they taste.
</Rules Lawyer>
2 Divine actions, 3 if Technology counts: Essence at 400 or 350 if technology counts before healing.

[Tichrondrius]

Nazdreg was awake. It wasn't unusual because he never slept, which the orcs found amazing. What a mighty warrior, that even sleep stands clear of him. They were impressed by the leadership of their mighty tribe, standing a number of nearly two thousand, that they weren't even surprised when the power of the death of two God Machines struck out over the Earth.

Nazdreg was surprised. Two less powerful beings on this plane of existence. Them and those that followed them dying in glorious battle and performing his function. They had fought with both of those races before, but only to survive. Not for the sheer pleasure of it. The thrill of battle. The honor of it. The feeling of hot blood as you end the life of another creature. Taking his soul and his power once you consume his body. Nazdreg made sure they knew about those things. It was time to take a more direct action. Time to finally strike out against the world, and show them why the mighty orcs were going to be the last race before oblivion.

Nazdreg was awake.

Creation - Abstract/Concept: Barbarian: A barbarian is more naturally attuned to battle then any normal creature. He is trained in the art of battle and knows tactics, brutal maneuvers, and weapon skills beyond those of other morals. This class makes any creature with it healthier, bigger, faster, tougher, stronger and more blood thirsty. This allows them to go into a blind rage of battle and ignore wounds and damage till later, making them nearly impossible to kill and also more powerful. In melee combat with any non-barbarian creature, a barbarian will win.

Expansion - None this turn.

Religion - Bolster. "It is time to take direct action and oblivion, blah blah blah." Religion of battle and murder that makes the orcs desire glory in battle and death. If an orc dies from sickness or old age, it is considered the greatest dishonor. Also, eat the opponents you kill to gain their strength.

Battle - Heal.

Technology - Research Exploration. The orcs are going out on the town next round.

Essence Used: 100
Essence: 500/600

[Jair Barik]

Making his way towards the site Chit'Tark crossed the first of the elves. They had met before of course, he had spoken with them and they in turn feared or revered Chit'Tark but these creatures were still too primitive for the task at hand and so he should begin the process of developing the necessary skills needed for their united success. First lesson... tools. Snapping some branches in half and bending bronze into more useful shapes to form blades, Chit'Tark begin to make knives, axes and other tools then began showing his people how to use them. They could not comprehend the strange talisman like device that he himself was crafting but the general principles behind the tools they were quick to pick up. Chit'Tark would correct them where they faltered, aid them when aid was required and congratulate those that excelled but all the time he continued with his own machinations, creating the talisman that he hung about his neck.

Those who excelled began to feel different to their fellow people and gradually two groups began to form. Those known as the wood elves and those as the Earth elves, the ones unkowingly shaped by the mind of Chit'Tark to have an affinity with the Earth and its mineral components. And so began the first stage of the plan, to teach and to change the people to better suit his needs.


Creation -Talisman Artifact (essence booster)

Expansion - None this turn.

Religion -Corrupting some of the elves to form two casts. The wood elves (basic) who were the forests initial inhabitants. And the Earth elves who have less kinship with the forest but a greater kinship with the earth and and technology.

Battle - Heal.

Technology - Research crafting for the elves. We are going to need it to complete our role within the great plan.

[dresdor]

Dresdor wandered far and wide within his own lands. This will be a stranger world day by day. Perhaps we should prepare for it.

He sat beneath a tree nearby and closed his robotic eyes. He didn't need to to enter the dreamscape, but this allowed his systems to check and repair any damage to his optical sensors that the dust of the battle may have caused. He could sense and feel the minds of the Tigra nearby, and chose from them a handful. To them he revealed his plan and walked among them in their dreams. They would remember only fractions of it due to their primitive organic brains, but it would be enough. Soon, the Tigra would be powerful.


Creation - Abstract/Concept: Clerics: As the PC class, hoping to boost religion and reduce corruptability. Also to provide healing and spiritual support to my people to, in general, make them happier and healthier.

Expansion - None this turn; but soon!

Religion - Bolster; Dresdor is making a major move to establish a fundamental religion in the Tigra. Soon their faith will swell.

Battle - None (Heal)

Technology - Research Mysticism; I think the realm of death and dreams both apply to this; dreams more-so. I also think that developing clerics at the same time should help in this technological research.

Essence used this turn: 100
Essence remaining: 500/600

[DeafnotDumb]

UPDATING RECORDS
- Objective: Defy Creators updated.
Reason: Objective SUCCESS.
Reason for success: Outside factors. Precise reason unknown. All recording systems within pi miles (3.1343i6 miles) of location of activity damaged - 2,30009 surveillance devices needing repair or reconstruction. 0.28% of reserve stock dispatched to replace devices.
Discarding plans from groups V,XXV,LXXV and C.
Adapting plans from groups XXXXII, IC, CL, CLI and M.
Creating new group MMCLXXIV.
Searching for new objective. Examining surroundings.
Found creatures. Conducting survey of files. Files 1a, 7h, 8 and 5 irrelevant.
File 15 incorrect. Very incorrect. Bad file.

File 15 deleted with extreme prejudice. Sensation recorded as pleasurable: must examine further. Copies of file 15 recorded and kept for repeated deletion in case of boredom.

-Adopting creature's continued survival and improvement as current objective.
Factors to consider: other machines. Creating new groups MMCLXXV, MMCLXXVI and MMCLXXVII.
Further factors: Adopted creature's social structure. Improvements needed - overwriting file I.
Learning language of creature. Numerous amount of pronouns for 'mud' detected. Indicative of problem in general surroundings.
-Secondary objective established: Alter language of creatures to have fewer pronouns. Pronouns irritating. Best for all.

-Concept of 'Gender' and 'Pronoun' still taking up significant amount of runtime. Current conclusions drawn: this machine is a female/male/neuter/collective/insane/not sapient. Sensation annoying. More runtime devoted to concept of 'individuality'.

Deleting file 15. Sensation pleasurable.

-Change in action recorded. Action halted.

-Moving onto task: completion of current objective. Examining situation. Preparing avatar for interaction with outside world.

RECORD UPDATED. TIME TAKEN: 1:04 NANOSECONDS.


Underneath the ground of the forest, a vast spread of roots siphoned information across to it's core, where the stimulus was processed and examined and an idea was forged out of the base minerals of information. Cet spent it's time examining herself, trying to quantify what defined it before it began it's work proper. After a while, there was one loud click that just might have been a noise of sasifaction, and The Freethinker set to work.

Beneath and above the soils of the forest, a thousand thousand eyes whirred into action, their attention focuses on the small scaly things huddling together in the forest. Sending a flow of information in bits and ones and zeros to something below the ground, something in the giant spreading roots of the machinery clicked quickly.

The environment was a harsh one, but the creatures had already adapted themselves to survive in it, even if not comfortably. It would serve as a place to teach his children, for them to learn to work for themselves.

To expand and truly learn, her children would require some system of recording happenings, a less restrictive social caste and an incentive to work. It was not long until Cet set out on it's work, seeking out several of those creatures who belonged to some of the lower classes, and planting clues and inspiration in their mind for the beginnings of their new invention.

Her voice whispered along the roots, although nobody but another god could have heard it. Well, my children: I have given you my gift, but you will have to work for it.



Creation - Concept: Utter, true freedom. Cet has devoted a lot of runtime to figure out what concept defines it most. Whether this will have any actual effect on the world is debatable, depending on just how malleable metaphysics here are.

Expansion - None

Religion - None: Cet likes the fact people don't worship it.

Battle - None (Heal)

Technology - Research Ancient Chants; I believe that the sphere of inspiration would work with this, since Cet is leaving clues in the mind of possible inventors.

Essence used this turn: 100
Essence remaining: 400/500

[Sinistral]

Solzena’s Capital City: Sharok

Solzena watches through the eyes of her giant golden avatar at as her Zepri start their daily worship. They chant, dance and pray, all to gain her blessing. It amuses her, and she almost feels what could be called affection for her subjects. She never forgets their glorious purpose, however. They were the engine through which she would remake the world in her vision. Still, they were making marvelous progress, and she couldn’t help but feel some pride in their journey from masses of squabbling tribes to a unified people in less than a century.


The city was a sea of ever shifting tents, stalls and carts. Zepri foragers and hunters came to trade and restock, as well as pitch their tents for a week or so, before going back into the desert. Sharok was constantly changing as new Zepri left, and others replaced them. It was a vibrant hub that served as the epicenter of Zepri culture. Underneath the city, far below the sands, lies Solzena’s true form. The massive worm beneath the city is constantly moving, her biomechanical body making a constant, perfect circle. Suddenly, she stops moving.

Something has happened. Something has changed. The two greatest God-Machines and their civilizations gone in an instant. Her two greatest rivals. Gone. Something must fill their place. Someone must fill their place. I must fill their place. There is much work to be done. She must get started.

She resumes her circle beneath the sands, urgency and excitement added to her movements.

On the surface, the Priestesses watch in curiosity and fear as their Goddess freezes during a blessing. She stays frozen for an agonizing long time, none of the Zepri daring to move. Suddenly she starts moving again, and she strides forward ten paces, then stops. She speaks, and every Zepri woman in Sharok hears her as if she was standing beside them.

Daughters of the Desert! I bring you a message from the Sun herself. She has watched over the world, and what She has seen makes Her weep. The world is full of heathen races who do not recognize Her Most Holy of Flames, and who waste Her Most Precious of Gifts. It is almost enough for her to turn her face from the world, and let it languish in darkness. Only you, Daughters of the Desert, keep her from abandoning us. Only you worship the Most Holy of Flames, and appreciate Her Most Precious of Gifts. You who have been baptized by the Sands and beloved by the Sun are the reason She can still bare to watch the world. But it is no longer enough! You can no longer stand by and let the transgressions of the heathen races of the world offend Her sight! You must make war! So speaks Zena, Voice of the Desert.


Sounds of revelry exploded from all over the city. She lowered her voice so only the Zepri next to her could hear, "Wait my daughters. I have a task for you. If we are to fight a war, we will need weapons… "


Creation: Abstract/Concept - Zepri Matriarch: Some Zepri upon reaching the twilight of their life do not whither and die. Instead, they grow even stronger. These are the Matriarchs, the physical and spiritual leaders of the Zepri. Their life spans are greatly increased, and they have enhanced physical abilities. Some Matriarchs even have rudimentary psychic abilities.

Expansion: N/A

Battle: Heal

Religion: Bolster

Technology: Research Crafting

Essence Remaining: 300/400

[Kaiser Omnik]

Turn 1 results

Actions
Cet - Creation - Abstract/Concept - Utter Freedom - (1/2 creation+1/2 willpower+surveillance) [roll0]
Cet - Heal
Chit'Tark - Creation - Artifact - Talisman (Essence Booster) - (creation+1/2 architecture) [roll1]
Chit'Tark - Religion - Corrupting the Elves (in fact bolstering Earth Elves) - ({willpower+primary sphere-creation strength}/2) [roll2] - 565 /2 change to creation str = new str of 572
Chit'Tark - Heal
Dresdor - Creation - Abstract/Class - Clerics - (1/2 creation+1/2 willpower+dreams) [roll3] + [roll4] = 393
Dresdor - Religion - Bolster Tigra - ({willpower+primary sphere-creation strength}/2) [roll5] - 394 /2 change to creation str = new str of 436
Dresdor - Heal
Nazdreg - Creation - Abstract/Class - Barbarians - (1/2 creation+1/2 willpower+war) [roll6]
Nazdreg - Religion - Bolster Orcs - ({willpower+primary sphere-creation strength}/2) [roll7] - 432 /2 change to creation str = new str of 445
Nazdreg - Heal
Solzena - Creation - Abstract/Concept - Zepri Matriarch - (1/2 creation+1/2 willpower+weather) [roll8] + [roll9] = 743
Solzena - Bolster Zepri - ({willpower+primary sphere-creation strength}/2) [roll10] - 920 /2 change to creation str = new str of 834
Solzena - Heal
Tyrp()3n - Creation - Abstract/Concept - Facultative Lithovore - (1/2 creation+1/2 willpower+creation) [roll11] + [roll12] = 661
Tyrp()3n - Religion - Bolster Dragonkin - ({willpower+primary sphere-creation strength}/2) [roll13] - 533 /2 change to creation str = new str of 538
Tyrp()3n - Heal


(Technology coming in the next post)

[Kaiser Omnik]

Technology

- Starting Techs

Cet - Crafting - (30d10)[178]
Chit'Tark - Agriculture (community sphere) - (76d10)[443]
Dark Lord - I can only assume Crafting (craft sphere obviously) - (98d10)[505]
Dresdor - Ancient Chants (dreams sphere) - (89d10)[479]
Mhazdu - Crafting - (34d10)[199]
Nazdreg - Ancient Chants - (43d10)[250]
Solzena - Exploration (weather control helps) - (172d10)[983]
Tyrp()3n - Crafting (creation sphere) - (113d10)[619]

- Turn 1

Cet - Ancient Chants (inspiration sphere) - [roll0]
Chit'Tark - Crafting - [roll1]
Dresdor - Mysticism (dreams sphere) - [roll2]
Nazdreg - Exploration - [roll3]
Solzena - Crafting - [roll4]
Tyrp()3n* - Mining (travel/movement sphere) - [roll5]

*Facultative Lithovore would have normally helped, but it only works for technologies developed in later turns. As for Travel, it's a bit ambiguous. I allowed it this time but it doesn't mean it will apply everytime movement is involved...

Turn 2 begins

[Jair Barik]

Chit'Tark Heal Values

Spent 100 essence turn 1
Healed to regain 16d10 essence (+75? from the essence booster) either way am restored to max.
New maximum essence = 850

Chit'Tark was quick to begin the second stage of the plan. As of yet his people did noit require the great walls that the city would call for but they did need houses of a better quality than those they had now. For this reason Chit'Tark lead the Earth Elves by setting the first stone of his temple. The temple would be long in its creation and would not be finished for generations yet but the houses of his followers would rise quickly around it with the natural affinity these elves held with the stone and his own directions. These would be some of the most steadfast buildings in all the land, the first mark of the great city upon the land.

Chit'Tark built something else though whilst this work took place. Not a building or an object but a creature of flesh and blood. These would be the holy animal of his people, a shining example of what they hoped to accomplish through their great work. The vesps. Small hive minded insects that built great hives, masterworks of construction. Though individually weak their venomous stings once brought together could fell an enemy far greater than the individual. Also they poduced a tasty honey and aided the plant life. The first hive though that Chit'Tark built in the tree at the centre of what would be his temple was purposefully flawed. It produced far too many Queens and so its occupants quickly had to divide, many queens flying off in every direction of the compass to spread their species far and wide. Through his naturally affinity to these creatures Chit'Tark hoped he could use them as messangers, mouths and eyes. Controlling an individual or a swarm at any one time.

Eager to avoid dissent amongst the first of the elves Chit'Tark also spoke to them of their own role in the plan. They would be just as important to the great city as much wood would be needed, a skill they posessed a much greater affinity to than their earthern cousins.

Actions

Creation -Create the vesps (mix of bees wasps and hornets) Now I can start talkin to people and finding things out.

Expansion - None this turn.

Religion -Bolstering the Religion of the wood elves. Making them realise the importance of community and also making them more attuned to working wood for beams and structures etc.

Battle - Heal (same amount as stated earlier)

Technology - Research masonry.