Behind The Veil

[Oracle]

The Virtual Adepts

Specialty Sphere: Correspondence

The Virtual Adept paradigm is one of the more difficult concepts to grasp, as many in-game rationales involve theoretical physics and complex mathematics, but also because it involves looking at reality in a manner that is foreign to most. Central to their magic is the idea of Information as a metaphysical component of existence. There is Information describing all objects, people, places, and ideas; changing the Information changes reality. According to the VAs view of the universe, the Information for all things throughout space and time exist in the Correspondence Point. Magic is then performed by lowering their consciousness into Virtual Space to perceive that Information, and then changing it through force of will. Things are not so simply, however. The VAs know the cosmos is an incredibly complex system involves laws and mathematics that surpass the ability of the mortal mind to comprehend. One cannot brute force reality any more than they can start a car engine by kicking it. Changing Information in such a way that magic will be performed requires understanding how that data will be processed and complex calculations to determine what exact alterations are needed.

If the universe runs on mathematical formulas, as modern scientists attest, and draws on a pool of Information, then it is in effect no different than a normal computer, albeit one with infinite computational capability. There is data that describes the characteristics of everything in existence, the procedures by which it is processed make up the operating system (OS), and the interface is reality as we know it. As with any OS, understanding how it functions allows one to find exploits that cause it to interpret input differently, just as changing the data directly causes the results to change. Treating the universe like a computer provides a model with which most VAs are already familiar, and gives them some sense of how to go about "hacking it", whether through viruses that change genes, sounds and sentence structures that influence how people process words, or by modifying the source code of reality directly.

This perspective is also helpful because the VAs largely must perform their magic through computers and other technological devices. While they recognize that their Avatar allows them to change Information and control reality through will alone, because the universe is so complex they need tools to help with the calculations and data abstractions that must be made. Furthermore, it comes more naturally for them to manipulate Information related to technology, as they can create effects that coincide with how the universe treats those devices. While teleporting to another location only requires figuring out the relative coordinates and changing one's Information, it's much simpler to send that Information along a telephone line, which is already designed to transfer data from one area to another. Likewise, a VA might be able to program a lightning strike, but it is significantly easier for them to cause electricity to fly from a power line where the energy is already moving. In the end, the VAs must attempt to work within the confines of a system they do not fully understand.

Focii: In order to perform magic the VAs rely on tools that either help them perform calculations or serve as abstractions for the Information they are manipulating. Computers serve the former purpose and are the principle focus for most VAs; for many they become cherished companions, even an extension of the mage. As the computers grow more powerful they can be used to solve more difficult problems, and for that reason most VAs have long experimented with quantum computers and ternary computers that use "yes, no, maybe" to represent fuzzy logic and subjective values. Computers aren't necessary, however; anything that helps in solving math problems can be used, including regular calculators, chalk and blackboard, mathematical proofs, or music. No particular device is required, only that the VA understand the process and results, which imparts the knowledge necessary to manipulate Information accurately.

[Oracle]

Factions:

Cypherpunks:

These code-makers and code-breakers use their talents to control the flow on information. By encrypting information, they keep it out of the hands of their enemies. By decrypting information, they put it in the hands of the Virtual Adepts. They successfully fight back at the Technocracy at their own game, with their own tools, and their own codes.

Faction Paradigm: Control who has information, and you control everything.

Chaoticians:

These data-masters crunch numbers for the Tradition, becoming masters of chance and probability, and happy to tell you whether your plan has a chance in hell of succeeding. Using chaos theory, the Chaoticians can affect the present and predict the future. If a butterfly flaps its wings in Taipei, what’s the effect on the German stock market? A Chaotician can tell you.

Faction Paradigm: With the right analysis, nothing is ever truly up to chance.

Reality Coders:

This faction seeks out the fundamental truths of the universe – the source code, so to speak. Once they know what makes reality tick, they can break it down and rebuild it – Reality 2.0, the realization all the dreams of the Adepts. They work to gain acceptance of virtual reality among the Sleepers – not for boring research like the Technocracy, but as a limitless world of possibilities.

Faction Paradigm: Reality is flawed, but we can build something better.

Nexplorers:

These cyber-warriors escape from our world into the digital world, loving the freedom that the virtual space offers. If they had the option, they’d spend all their time in the Digital Web, but they also find time for their duty, working on Reality 2.0 with the Reality Coders. They may seem immature, but if you’re ever stuck in digital space, you’ll want a Nexplorer warrior on your side.

Faction Paradigm: The body is just a shell, and there are places only the mind can go.