Not necessarily. They're more of a safeguard encoded into Corporeal Realities (this is to kinda explain the 'potential' of humans/mortal Prime Entities). Non-Entities were the originals, yes, and did not intend for Corporeal Reality to exist at all. It goes into more backstory stuff that I don't wanna get too heavy into.
Edit: That's not to say I won't divulge more information. After all, I am expecting someone to play an antagonist along with me. With what I have in mind they'll know a fair amount of this stuff.
The idea behind the Augur's enforcers is, actually, something that's going to be covered.
Edit: An (abridged) explanation of just how a Prime Entity comes to be could be worthwhile, here. Prime Entities exhibit similar properties to Layered Reality Shards, albeit on a much smaller scale. That is to say that they are essentially 'junk data' that cannot be removed or altered by Augurs or 'hard resets' of a Zone.
Their similarities to Layered Reality Shards end solely in the universal redundancy. Prime Entities are created from pieces of 'Threadless' remnants of data that are amalgamated during the 'reset process' perpetuated by the end of a Cycle. This scattered Prime Entity data is amalgamated into various beings. Each of these beings eventually develop a Fate Kernel.
A Fate Kernel is essentially what becomes the 'soul' of the Prime Entity, making them complete.
(Sorry for rambling! I can clarify certain parts, if need be.)
Yeah, it gets difficult to not go on tangents about every little detail, hahaha. I'm glad you understand, though, the nature of my decidedly vague definitions. Explaining everything would take forever and, as you said, it's an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the 'universe' (myself included, some things in these particular RPs end up defying even what I'm prepared for); as well with the understanding that will eventually grow alongside the characters.
What are you referring to when you say 'higher beings'? I'm assuming you mean the Moderators. Strangely, that's not their call to make. Prime Entities exist within every 'incarnate' Corporeal Reality. They're something of a constant between each Corporeal Reality that comes to be. Of course, Esoteric Reality (which does not have the same divisions that Corporeal Reality does, in terms of separate iterations of it existing have no instances of Prime Entities within its confines.
Yeah, though, the PK section won't be hugely relevant to our characters until later in the story. It's also intended to provide the scope that I hope we reach in the RP. Sorry for it being confusing!
The CK section I'm having trouble with. I'm not sure if I should include anything beyond a basic idea of what New Graeline is like. However, I intend to consistently update both sections; with my own additions or approved concepts/places added by all of you!
I'll also be taking suggestions for 'hot spots' in NG for our characters to frequent. Otherwise, there won't be much in the way of info. (Until we add more, through the progression of the story.)
One thing I'd like to take the time to point out is that The Creature (it has a designation, which is Slaughter Doll) will not appear the same to each victim. I know that's seemingly random, but I wanted everyone to present their own tormentor in the opening post.
Edit: I'd also like to point out that NG's reality is a 'Lockdown Shard' of the Corporeal variety; meaning that no Augur/Moderator may intervene in ongoing events.
2nd Edit: I will be including Auspices, Manifestations, Fate Kernels, Linchpins/Anchors, and Affinity in the CK section to pad things out more. As well as a Character Sheet Skeleton.
If there are any direct questions, don't hesitate to drop your girl a line. I don't mind discussing anything regarding this...uh...'universe'.
Thought I'd go ahead and post what I've jotted down so far, and get a general feel for what you guys think. This is the Player Knowledge section, just to give you an idea as to the 'metaphysical structure' of the universe its self. I plan for this to be in the OOC, along with an introduction and probably a small bit about New Graeline and the creature that will be tormenting our characters in our opening posts. I'm not sure if I want to flesh out NG too much, to give our characters some 'free roam' time in the city. I might map out a few 'key' locations...but other than that, I'm unsure.
Suggestions?
Augur: Put simply, Augurs (or Moderators) are akin to 'gods'; being imbued with the ability to alter and rearrange the data of any specific Reality Shard. However, they are subject not only to their directives (passed down from Zone Administrators) but their Personality Restriction Protocols, as well; ensuring that a fully-functioning Augur will always perform within the bounds of their P.R.P and their 'divine commands'. It is extremely rare that such a being will directly interfere with any Reality Shard unless otherwise directed. - - - - -
Contained Reality Shard: Contained Reality Shards are the frozen state in which an Augur views a particular span of time within a 'locked' reality. Contained Reality Shards are independent Shards that exist without the direct interference of an Augur. It is the function, however, of an Augur to set the parameters of a Reality Shard before it becomes Contained.
Certain Contained Reality Shards may also be known as 'Lockdown Shards', meaning that they have been placed under some kind of quarantine. This state of isolation is often attributed to corruption in the Shard's data or instability in its very existence.
Navain is a different case altogether. See 'Layered Reality Shard' for more information. - - - - -
Layered Reality Shard: Unlike a standard Reality Shard or Contained Reality Shard, a Layered Reality Shard is far removed from the influence of an Augur/Moderator. Indeed, most L.R.S are heavily corrupted or damaged; leaving them as 'unwanted clutter' within the system. Composed of 'redundant data' (or 'amalgamated junk data', if you prefer') that can not be removed, or unnaturally altered, at the end of a designated Cycle.
Layered Reality Shards technically occupy no space within a Interstice Zone (a term usually accompanied by a numerical designation, which denotes the entirety of an Esoteric Reality) and are usually 'invisible' or outright disregarded by a Zone Augur.
Navain exists between Contained Reality Shard 019 and a Null Space, allowing for traversal between the two through various means.
- - - - -
Null Space: A realm within an Interstice Zone that has no corporeal or esoteric connections, serving as a sort of detached transportation system to those who have happened across them. The existence of these spaces is anomalistic, and are populated solely by Non-Entities.
Null Spaces are presided over by Scribes; creatures of neutrality that oversee certain events that can or will not be handled by Moderators. Null Spaces tend to remain in stasis, unlike the other iterations of reality.
- - - - -
Cycle: The term used for a 'hard reset' of any particular Zone and its contained realities. Most Cycles undergo regular resets, with their parameters changed to avoid further corruption of a given Corporeal Reality. As implied, Cycles tend to repeat themselves; even with deviations in their programming. It is most of Administrators who see the initiation of a new Cycle; but there are methods that exist within Corporeal and Esoteric reality capable of forcing such a wide-spread reiteration.
- - - - -
Prime Entity: A corporeal entity that resonates with a particular Corporeal Reality. An inhabitant of that reality, capable of Harmonious Output within their native realm. Not all Prime Entities are human, but a majority will be for this iteration of Cracks in The Sky.
Despite their capacity for Harmonious Output, most Prime Entities are powerless within their Reality of origin. If removed from it, however, there exists the possibility of anomalous properties presenting themselves.
- - - - -
Non-Entity: A being that originates from a Layered Reality or Null Space. Unlike Prime Entities, Non-Entities have the ability to exert their influence over minor aspects of data within any given reality. Non-Entities (Null Variety) can not exists outside their Layer for long. More often than not, they are seen as a thread by Zone Moderators and will be executed with extreme prejudice. Thankfully, their lack of 'existence' can make them difficult to track.
As a note, entities from Navain are considered Prime Entities (and as such possess no Non-Entity capabilities, with few exceptions); within their place of origin.
Fate Kernels, Auspices, and Manifestations will be added, as I go along. Admittedly, the PK section is going to be a lot more 'meaty' than the CK entry. I'm going to try and give enough information to make it understandable, but keep it vague enough so that there's a reason to explore it in the RP.
I'm hoping that this gives at least a little insight as to what the flavor-intro was getting at.
Also, I do have another working computer at home; so I may be able to get some work done more quickly than anticipated.
Edit: I think that'll cover it for a comfortable number of players. If anyone else is interested, feel free to post and I'll keep you in mind in case something goes awry with another player who's involved.
Edit 2: Got started on the OOC. Woohoo~
I'm not entirely sure how much information to include about the mundane stuff. New Graeline its self and other such information about the 'real world' our characters are going to live in. I'd also rather not go into huge detail about the other countries mentioned, given that they exist (as of now) solely to provide a bit of flavor to the world.
@Empress More esoteric stuff is fine. Custom titles save me a few moments of work anyway.
@pugbutter Ahhhhhh! Dude, I am so sorry I missed your post! I'll provide more of the story in the OOC, if that's cool. If you have particular questions, I can answer them while I'm online. Also, thanks for the tentative interest!
Plot Summary: The Pariah Dreams are drawn together by the first Rift to interfere with their Corporeal Reality Shard. This Anomalistic Rift releases a creature into New Graeline city, one which begins seeking out certain individuals who have a corrupted Fate Kernel. These Prime Entities (the humans) are targeted through various means and inevitably (and quickly) suffer death (I figure these will be our intro posts. I was thinking it wouldn't necessarily matter if they all died at once, given the strange desynchronization of time between their reality and Navain...as well as the various other layers of metaphysical un-realms), after their death they are met by a Scribe. The Scribe transports them to Navain, wherein they will encounter the beginning of their journey. They will begin in the Hollow Egress; a scattering of ruins from New Graeline with a nigh-destroyed hospital serving at its center.
Within the Hollow Egress they will meet a character who offers them the chance to return home. As well as, probably, some exposition.
Otherwise, I plan for our characters to interact in the real world and attempt to discover what exactly is going on with their transitions between the two worlds and what impact their actions may have on the 'real world'.
That's just me laying out a little bit of what I have in mind. Figure once we're past the intro, the story will become more open.
I know that introduced some terms that may or may not be immediately understandable. I intend to include them, with definitions, in the OOC.
