The Network is a world where computer programs look and behave like people; using Identity Discs as keys, multitools, and weapons; Interfacing other programs or inanimate machine systems to share information, traveling across a digital landscape on Lightcycles that can extend solid wakes behind them and collapse into batons when they’re not being used.
The Grid is one System on the Network - an independent nation-state - and it had been quarantined after viral programs called Automata overran and infected the native Cryptos. After leaving it long blocked off, a coalition of other systems sent two factions of Programs to explore the Grid - the Miners were archaeological programs, and the Defenders were protectors against the Automata.
Purpose is the vocation of a Program; and Function can refer either to a mundane job or, insultingly, a primitive Program who is little more than their job. Priority is the inborn hierarchy of Programs, and obedience to Priority is almost automatic - so if a Priority 1 Program gives orders, its followers with Priority 2-20 will find it instinctively difficult to disobey. The lower your priority, the harder it is to disobey.
The Defenders, being mostly higher Priority than Miners and paranoid about the dangers of Automata, made it very difficult for the Miners to fulfill their Purpose. However, a hidden group of Cryptos in stasis was uncovered, and with them a group of unknown Programs who lacked Purpose, Priority, or Function. They were referred to as Variables - and in fact, were the Investigators.
Cryptos, Defenders, Miners, and Variables all explored the terrain and fought Automata corruption in an attempt to uncover SAGE, legendary founder of the Grid, a User - a godlike being with the ability to create Programs and indeed systems - who had been corrupted and was imprisoned in the depths of the Grid. During the search, frustrated Programs tired of Defender tyranny founded a new faction, Revolutionaries, by learning to copy the Variables’ lack of Priority into themselves.
It was discovered by the Investigators that ROSE, leader of the Miners, was in fact the Arcana known as the Magician; that SAGE was the Hermit; and that Lovers and Devil had unleashed the Automata virus on the Grid in an assassination attempt when Hermit attempted to leave the Arcana’s game. At great cost, the Automata were defeated, SAGE rescued (losing his physical form in the process and gaining a lupine form made from salvaged data) & returned to the game, and the free but isolated system of the Grid was left behind.
Now, several cycles later (a unit of time about a year long; three millicycles are equivalent to one day), the Travelers return...
WORLD INFO
The Grid is one System on the Network - an independent nation-state - and it had been quarantined after viral programs called Automata overran and infected the native Cryptos. After leaving it long blocked off, a coalition of other systems sent two factions of Programs to explore the Grid - the Miners were archaeological programs, and the Defenders were protectors against the Automata.
Purpose is the vocation of a Program; and Function can refer either to a mundane job or, insultingly, a primitive Program who is little more than their job. Priority is the inborn hierarchy of Programs, and obedience to Priority is almost automatic - so if a Priority 1 Program gives orders, its followers with Priority 2-20 will find it instinctively difficult to disobey. The lower your priority, the harder it is to disobey.
The Defenders, being mostly higher Priority than Miners and paranoid about the dangers of Automata, made it very difficult for the Miners to fulfill their Purpose. However, a hidden group of Cryptos in stasis was uncovered, and with them a group of unknown Programs who lacked Purpose, Priority, or Function. They were referred to as Variables - and in fact, were the Investigators.
Cryptos, Defenders, Miners, and Variables all explored the terrain and fought Automata corruption in an attempt to uncover SAGE, legendary founder of the Grid, a User - a godlike being with the ability to create Programs and indeed systems - who had been corrupted and was imprisoned in the depths of the Grid. During the search, frustrated Programs tired of Defender tyranny founded a new faction, Revolutionaries, by learning to copy the Variables’ lack of Priority into themselves.
It was discovered by the Investigators that ROSE, leader of the Miners, was in fact the Arcana known as the Magician; that SAGE was the Hermit; and that Lovers and Devil had unleashed the Automata virus on the Grid in an assassination attempt when Hermit attempted to leave the Arcana’s game. At great cost, the Automata were defeated, SAGE rescued (losing his physical form in the process and gaining a lupine form made from salvaged data) & returned to the game, and the free but isolated system of the Grid was left behind.
Now, several cycles later (a unit of time about a year long; three millicycles are equivalent to one day), the Travelers return...