OOC: FTaAWoA, or FT2

[Luca]

Heya,

This is the OOC discussion and planning thread for FT2. Like the name implies, it's based on the FT universe, CalRef's original RP. The reading of that RP is not necessary or required. We're just going to use its environment and themes, basic rules, etc. It's my goal to use the best parts of that universe, scrap the ones that are a little to archaic (farewell lolcatz) and have more fantasy adventures.

The premise is that everything online has a fantasy interpretation. Code is magic. It's a part of everything and makes everything up. Think of a building outside. It's made of stone, but imagine if you swung a hammer at it and broke a bit off, and looked closely at it -- you'd see a hollow html exoskeleton with a a css theme that gives it colour and texture. Code can also be used as scripts or spells. Websites are worlds, dimensions, or realms, you can travel through them via portals, google streetcars, etc. Passwords are locks, forum boards are buildings, most everything that's apart of CalRef is a structure. Notably, the Admin Tower is a kind of central control point that has a lot of important interfaces, facilities, and some of us just live there.

A lot CalRef's processes are automatically done, things like optimising sessions, clearing caches, calculating statistics and other vital operations that keep things moving. In this universe, those tasks are done by SimpleBots, robotic creatures of various sizes and shapes. Although each SimpleBot is specialised to do certain automated tasks, any of them can act as a terminal in a pinch (if they have connection), some are sentient and have morals, and none of them can be too far away from Calamity Refuge for too long before they cease function.

This incarnation of FT takes place a hundred internet years after Rebirth. So, in that regard, we don't have to worry about ancient OG characters (unless their controller happen to show up again). The internet, at large, has just face a shock apocalypse that has left most smaller realms in the internet plane with massive damage or degradation. So I suppose we are trying to cope with that, reorganise ourselves, and rebuild.

DO I HAVE TO KNOW THE KOMPUTER THEEINGS? No, not really. But you're online, aren't you? You experience the internet, even if you're non-technical, and you can probably think of a fantasy version of the things you do. Originally the FT story was inspired by just events that happened around the community, then they went in a purely creative direction. And I think anywhere in between is alright. Admins might know how to use script magic, but you might have some kind of piece of software (device, weapon, or tool) that let you do certain static things. Maybe you don't know how it works, but you know how to work it.

Anyway, post any questions comments or ideas you have and we can work together on them.

[Luca]

Gabriel said I could do this.

He said that like three years ago, but you know.

[A]

My first thought after reading this is a small group of all-powerful mages that can control the world around them by harnessing the power of raw binary. I have no idea if it is a good idea or not.

[Natalie]

I spent too long trying to understand the accent.

This is exciting, I've always liked the world concept of FT and I'm keen to put some thought into how to approach it. It might take me a little while to figure out.

[Natalie]

My headcanon is that Joshua is like 23, and nothing will convince me otherwise.

[Luca]

I've been thinking more about how code-based magic might actually be *done* in this world, and I'm thinking that there may be (at least) three primary ways.

The first is like, in a pre-prepared format. Scripts, which can be literally scrolls or items that have the data of the scrolls embedded within them. These things are typically pretty stable, mostly tested, tend to do what they're meant to do and nothing outside that because of their take-it-at-face-value nature. The code is pretty tangible, concrete, and not meant to be changed (although it possibly could be with tinkering). Simple devices can have simple scripts in them and be pretty easy to make, use, and transport. Complex devices can run software that is more advanced, but works on the same premise, although transporting them might be difficult if they're not ancient relics or otherwise expertly made.

A second that I'm thinking about can be something done on the spot, run directly on the server a la bare metal. Arcane hand-gestures, having this stuff materialise in the air, lots of colourful light. The scale and complexity of that on-the-spot creation would be determined by the caster's own technical abilities. It's basically like testing in production though, and that can go bad in a hurry if the person has no idea what they're doing or accidentally fucks something up. I've mentally taken to calling this the "Emulated Just In Time" method, or ejit because you have to be a bit of an ejit to think it's always good, safe, and will never backfire on you.

A third is basically the above, arcane hand-gestures, having this stuff materialise in the air, lots of colour, but within demarcated barriers of light, forcefields, or Dr Strange's mirror dimension. It's an area that you can see and pass into, but it's been technically separated by dimension so that if something of your code magic fucks up and detonates, it won't affect you or anyone else. It is the safest way to create scripts or larger projects like web applications, which would be represented as a building of whatever scale the complexity or narration needs.

I think there are probably more ways of doing things than this, and it doesn't at all speak to all the other types of possible magic like elemental or Emily's nature magic, but it's just something I had a mental thought of while I was in the shower today.

[Luca]

She knelt down and whispered something to it, some sort of secret magic words only the simplebots and Emily knew.

Ah yes
sudo help me get to the 16th floor

[Kitran]

Welcome to the roleplay, Nat! I'm up for RPing with anyone if someone wants to be the one that came into the lounge looking for service.

Luca, did you have your own idea on which buildings were going to be at the Refuge? Should I assume it's based on the current forums?

[Natalie]

Thanks! I don't really know what I'm doing yet but I'd been sitting on that draft forever and wanted to get something out there. I'll be busy with other projects for the next week or so but I could try to collaborate on something after that if anyone wants.

[Luca]

Welcome to the roleplay, Nat! I'm up for RPing with anyone if someone wants to be the one that came into the lounge looking for service.

Luca, did you have your own idea on which buildings were going to be at the Refuge? Should I assume it's based on the current forums?

It's a good question, because I imagine that the modernization of things means that some things will be different than they once were, and some things will largely be the same.

I imagine that most of the buildings in our main district will be somewhat like a university campus. With different, sturdy buildings for each board of the forum, the wiki, and other primary services amidst abundant greenery. The Eyebeast holding a special note as being in a semi-pocket dimension between the 14th and 15th floors of the 16-floor admin tower. (We downsized)

As you head further away, however, things become decreasingly developed and increasingly wilderness. The internet has some ability to erode and decompose, so there are ruins out there to be discovered, and occasionally small Refuge outpost buildings containing survey or observation equipment.