diff --git a/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/main.dm b/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/main.dm index 7ecf53d937a..21de0af146e 100644 --- a/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/main.dm +++ b/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/main.dm @@ -30,4 +30,7 @@ in this text does not reflect the opinions of the publisher, and are instead the author's.\

\ Eshi Tache has also written other The Traveler's Guide books, including Sol Edition, Tau Ceti Edition, Alpha Centauri Edition, Vir Edition, and more, \ - which you can find in your local book store, library, or e-reader device." \ No newline at end of file + which you can find in your local book store, library, or e-reader device. \ +

\ + ((Please note - this is an IC book. Lore inside may exhibit biases differing from reality. Furthermore, it may be outdated in parts. Please consult the VOREStation Wiki \ + for up to date and objective information under the Backstory button.))" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/species.dm b/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/species.dm index 2ccfc6475be..4c68e37983f 100644 --- a/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/species.dm +++ b/code/modules/lore_codex/lore_data_vr/species.dm @@ -3,146 +3,167 @@ data = "There are many different types of lifeforms (both alive and artificial) in the galaxy, which you may find inside Vir." children = list( /datum/lore/codex/page/human, + /datum/lore/codex/page/akula, /datum/lore/codex/page/skrell, /datum/lore/codex/page/unathi, + /datum/lore/codex/page/rapala, /datum/lore/codex/page/tajaran, /datum/lore/codex/page/diona, - /datum/lore/codex/page/akula, /datum/lore/codex/page/nevrean, /datum/lore/codex/page/sergal, /datum/lore/codex/page/vulpkanin, /datum/lore/codex/page/zorren, - /datum/lore/codex/category/teshari, - /datum/lore/codex/category/positronic + /datum/lore/codex/page/teshari, + /datum/lore/codex/page/altevian, + /datum/lore/codex/category/positronic, + /datum/lore/codex/page/cyborg, + /datum/lore/codex/category/drones ) /datum/lore/codex/page/human/add_content() name = "Human" keywords += list("Humanity") - data = "Humans are a race of 'ape'-like creatures from the continental planet Earth in the Sol system. They are the primary driving \ - force for rapid space expansion, owing to their strong, expansionist central government and opportunistic [quick_link("TSC","Trans-Stellar Corporations")]. \ - The prejudices of their 21st century history have mostly given way to bitter divides on the most important issue of the times- technological \ - expansionism.\ -

\ - While most humans have accepted the existence of aliens in their communities and workplaces as a fact of life, exceptions abound. \ - While more culturally diverse than most species, humans are generally regarded as somewhat technophobic and isolationist by members \ - of other species." + data = "Humanity, everything and nothing can be said about them. As diverse is their thinking, as fractured is their society. \ + Intrepid and mercantile, brutal if needed to, Humanity has formed a great diaspora among the stars primarily driven by their innate curiosity and love for adventure and exploration.\ + While a good half of them live under the wing of the Sol-Procyon Commonwealth, centered around their home planet Earth,\ + the extremely diverse political theory they have accumulated over the centuries led to many splits, arguments and secessions.\ +

\ + While most humans are accepting of other species and simply want to earn an honest paycheck, the best and worst are found among them. \ + You never know what a human is going to be like when you first meet them.\ +

\ + Humans are most well-known for the stalemate and eventual peace with the Unathi during the Hegemony War, \ + firmly cementing them as one of the major species in the Orion Spur." -/datum/lore/codex/page/skrell +/datum/lore/codex/page/skrell/add_content() name = "Skrell" keywords = list("Skrellian") - data = "The Skrell are a species of amphibious humanoids, distinguished by their gelatinous appearance and head tentacles. \ - Skrell come from the world of Sirisai (called Qerr'balak by Skrell), a humid planet with plenty of swamps and jungles. Currently more technologically advanced \ - than the humans, they emphasize the study of the mind above all else.\ + data = "The Skrell is a species of amphibious humanoids, distinguished by their green-blue gelatinous appearance and head tentacles. \ + Skrell warble from the world of Qerrbalak (or as the lore once called it, Jargon 4), a humid planet with plenty of swamps and jungles. \ + Currently more technologically advanced than humanity, they emphasize the study of the mind and the mystery of the natural world through philosophy and mmemotics \ + Gender has little meaning to Skrell outside of reproduction, and in fact, many other species have a difficult time telling the difference between male and female Skrell apart. \ + The most obvious signs (voice in a slightly higher register, longer head-tails for females) are never a guarantee. \

\ - Gender has little meaning to Skrell outside of reproduction, and in fact many other species have a difficult time telling the difference \ - between male and female Skrell apart. The most obvious signs (voice in a slightly higher register, longer head-tails for females) are never \ - a guarantee. Due to their scientific focus of the mind and body, Skrell tend to be more peaceful and their colonization has been slow, swiftly \ - outpaced by the humans. For humans, they were their first contact sentient species, and are their longest, and closest, ally in space." + Due to their extremely decentralized, but locally total rule, \ + colonisation always has been an issue for the Skrell \ + and even though they are among the oldest species known to Humanity still occupy just as much space as the diaspora of humans - so far they know. \ + It is indisputable however that humans and skrell consider each other, if not natural allies, at least cordial partners for the joint exploration of Space." -/datum/lore/codex/page/unathi +/datum/lore/codex/page/unathi/add_content() name = "Unathi" - data = "The Unathi are a race of tall, reptilian humanoids that possess both crocodile-like and serpent-like features. Their scales are hard and \ - plate-like, save for the softer ones that line the inside of their legs, armpits, and groin. Originating from the planet of Moghes, the Unathi \ - live in an extremely religious society. The Unathi believe in and closely follow a set of Decrees laid out in their belief system, The Unity. \ - Unathi believes in living long, prosperous, honorable and productive lives. They firmly believe in improving the skills of their craft to reach \ - a level where they can be considered to have mastered it. Unathi was humanity's second alien contact, but due to their aggressive nature, engaged \ - in an interstellar war with humanity known as the Sol-Hegemony Conflict. \ -

\ - Although the conflict has long since ended, and relations have slowly improved, Unathi are still often considered to be 'second-class' citizens \ - and are rarely seen in jobs other than where muscle is needed. It is also still common for racial tensions to run high, although this is less \ - common on the outskirts of SolGov's grasp, such as systems like Virgo-Erigone." + keywords = list("Unathi") + data = "The Unathi are a race of tall, reptilian humanoids that possess both crocodile-like and serpent-like features. \ + Their scales are hard and plate-like, save for the softer ones that line the inside of their legs, armpits, and groin. \ + Originating from the planet of Moghes, the Unathi live in a complex, almost byzantine bureaucracy developed over the centuries of their Hegemony of their pocket of space.\ +

\ + The Unathi believe in a rigid honour system, following their duty to the Hegemony itself, then their respective allegiance and finally their own family, valuing dignity, \ + strength and expertise above all. Learning crafts, however peaceful or martial, is seen as the perfect expression of Unathi pride. \ +

\ + The Unathi declared war upon Humanity after the Commonwealth's refusal to submit to their imperialistic ambitions. \ + A bloody war spanning decades followed, whose echoes can be felt to this day. \ + Despite this, peace was signed over a century ago and such, here in the Periphery, where future ambitions necessitate a skilled labour force, \ + Unathi find ready employment within Humany corporations. " -/datum/lore/codex/page/tajaran +/datum/lore/codex/page/rapala/add_content() + name ="Rapala" + keywords = list("Rapala") + data = "The Rapala, formally “Rapala-Unathi” are a vassal species of the Unathi \ + in form of winged Humanoids. While they share a similar outwards appearance with humans, \ + they have a much more complex system of sexual genetics, as well superior 3D awareness. \ + The Rapala act as emissaries, diplomats and spies for their overlords, although it is an open \ + secret that they work for more autonomy and self-governance." + + + +/datum/lore/codex/page/tajaran/add_content() name = "Tajaran" keywords = list("Tajara") - data = "The Tajara are a race of humanoid mammalian aliens from Meralar, the fourth planet of the Rarkajar star system. Thickly furred and protected \ - from cold, they thrive on their subarctic planet, where the only terran temperate areas spread across the equator and tropical belt. \ - With their own share of bloody wars and great technological advances, the Tajaran are a proud kind. They fiercely believe they belong \ - among the stars and consider themselves a rightful interstellar nation, even if the humans helped them to actually achieve superluminal \ - speeds with Bluespace FTL drives. Relatively new to the galactic stage, their contacts with other species are aloof, but friendly. \ - Among these bonds, Humans stand out as valued trade partners and maybe even a friend." + data = "A relatively young species, much like the humans, the Tajaran are a humanoid race possessing cat-like features. Hailing from Meralar, \ + they possess insulating fur and felinoid stability to better survive in their harsh native environment. Their home planet is a cold planet of vast tundra and arctic zones. \ +

\ + A proud species, whose ambitions have led to tensions and unease. Aggressively colonizing the worlds along the Commonwealth's rimward border, \ + for whose consequences the species cares little.\ +

\ + Tajaran are usually less trusted due to their ambitions and upstart nature, but this attitude is greatly diminished in the Coreward Periphery - where every person is gladly taken." /datum/lore/codex/page/diona/add_content() name = "Diona" keywords += list("Dionaea") - data = "The Dionaea are a group of omnivorous, slow-metabolism plantlike organisms that are in fact clusters of individual, smaller organisms. \ - They exhibit a high degree of structural flexibility, and come in a wide variety of shapes and colors to reflect the intelligence of each individual \ - creature. They were discovered by the [quick_link("Skrell")] in 2294CE, not on a planet, but in open space between three stars, a figurative hell that made it \ - difficult to discover, much less contact them.\ -

\ - Dionaea spread by seeds and are asexual, no gender. When grown into their small 'nymph' state, they are known to eat large amounts of dead plant \ - matter and fertilize plants while they learn from those around them, and as they grow further, they merge into larger and larger forms. It is not \ - unheard of for Skrell explorers to be traveling in a ship composed of habitat modules and engines of Skrell design and the body formed by their \ - Diona allies to warble across the cosmos.\ -

\ - Introduced by the Skrell, and quite slow and peaceful, the Diona share good relations with the other species." + data = "The diona are a group of omnivorous, slow-metabolism plantlike organisms that are in fact clusters of individual, smaller organisms. \ + They exhibit a high degree of structural flexibility and come in a wide variety of shapes and colors to reflect the intelligence of each individual creature.\ + They were discovered by the Skrell in 2194CE, not on a planet, but in open space between three stars, a figurative hell that made it difficult to discover, much less contact them.\ +

\ + Diona spread by seeds and are asexual, no gender. When grown into their small 'nymph' state, \ + they are known to eat large amounts of dead plant matter and fertilize plants while they learn from those around them by sampling their genetic code (usually through blood extractions),\ + and as they grow further merge into larger and larger forms. It is not unheard of for Skrell explorers to be traveling in a ship composed of habitat modules and engines of Skrell make, \ + with the body of the ship formed by their Diona allies to warble across the cosmos. \ +

\ + Introduced by the Skrell, and quite slow and peaceful, the Diona share good relations with humanity." /datum/lore/codex/page/akula/add_content() name = "Akula" keywords += list("Akula") - data = "The Akula are a species of amphibious humanoids like the [quick_link("Skrell")], but have an appearance very similar to that of a shark. \ - They were first discovered as a primitive race of underwater dwelling tribal creatures by the Skrell. At first they were not believed to \ - be noteworthy, but the Akula proved to be such swift and clever learners that the Skrell reclassified them as sentients. Allegedly, \ - the Akula were also the first sentient life that the Skrell had ever encountered beside themselves, and thus the two species became swift allies \ - over the next few hundred years.\ -

\ - With the help of Skrellean technology, the Akula had their genome modified to be capable of surviving in open air for long periods of time. \ - However, Akula even today still require a high humidity environment to avoid drying out after a few days, which would make life on an arid world like \ - [quick_link("Virgo-Prime")] nearly impossible if it were not for Skrellean technology to aid them." + data = "A pelagic species hailing from the Barkalis System originally\ + the Akula have been incidentally uplifted by free Kosaky \ + sharing much of their more modern culture with interstellar\ + Humanity. Many of them have spread among the stars, either\ + in the nomad fleets or joining colonies as capable hard labour." /datum/lore/codex/page/nevrean/add_content() name = "Nevrean" keywords += list("Nevrean") - data = "An avian species hailing from the planet Eltus in the Vilous system, characterised by their long whiplike \ - tail-feathers. The species is generally matriarchal, with females tending towards duller, brown coloration and \ - bulkier bodies, while males are slight and brightly coloured. In both typical mannerisms, culture and physical \ - build, the sexes are directly reversed when compared to traditional human society.\ -

\ - Their build is somewhere between a bird and a feathered dinosaur. Females tend to have short feathers on their arms that are not capable \ - of flight, while males often have more developed flight-feathers - on-station, these are often kept tucked away \ - and folded under their jumpsuit sleeves. " + data = "A co-sapient species from Vilous, the Nevrean have found their\ + ecological niche as nomadic traders and craftsmen, \ + developing a rich oral tradition, that is being slowly \ + codified by the Sergals in an efforts to culturally export \ + it through the stars. The modern Nevrean co-inhabits most \ + places the Sergals do as comrades and historical allies." /datum/lore/codex/page/sergal/add_content() name = "Sergal" keywords += list("Sergal") - data = "There are two subspecies of Sergal, Southern and Northern. Northern sergals are a highly aggressive race that \ - lives in the plains and tundra of their homeworld. They are characterized by long, fluffy fur bodies with cold colors; usually with \ - white abdomens, somewhat short ears, and thick faces. Southern sergals are much more docile and live in the Gold Ring City and are scattered around \ - the outskirts in rural areas and small towns. They have short, brown or yellow (or other \"earthy\" colors) fur, long ears, and a long, thin face. \ - They are smaller than their Northern relatives.\ -

\ - Both have strong racial tensions which has resulted in more than a number of wars and outright attempts at genocide. The southern sergals have mostly been on the losing side \ - of this long conflict. Sergals have an incredibly long lifespan, but due to their lust for violence and a nasty habit of occasional cannibalism, only a handful have \ - ever survived beyond the age of 80, such as the infamous and legendary General Rain Silves who is claimed to have \ - lived to 5000. Although General Rain's historical existence is disputed, she is nonetheless a symbol of the Sergal's warrior culture." + data = "The dominant species in the Vilous System, the Sergal are a\ + strange mammalian clade which shares similarities with \ + masurpials, pelagic creatures and wolves. Collectivist and\ + organising themselves in tribes and city states, they have\ + eclipsed the private colony venture trying to hold them \ + economically beholden and now have joined the sapient \ + diaspora on more equal terms." /datum/lore/codex/page/vulpkanin/add_content() name = "Vulpkanin" keywords += list("Vulpkanin") - data = "Vulpkanin or \"Vulpa\" are a species of sharp-witted canid bipeds residing on the planet Altam just barely \ - within the binary Vazzend system. Their politically de-centralized society and independent natures have led them \ - to become a species and culture both feared and respected for their scientific breakthroughs. Discovery, loyalty, \ - and utilitarianism dominates their lifestyles to the degree it can cause conflict with more rigorous and strict \ - authorities. They speak a guttural language known as 'Canilunzt' which has a heavy emphasis on utilizing tail \ - positioning and ear twitches to communicate intent." + data = "The Vulpkanin are the remnants of an ancient precursor which resided in the Coreward Periphery \ + 3000 to 4000 years ago, residing on a planet called “Altam”. Vulpkanin diverged from the precursors due \ + to heavy isolation after the fall, presumably due to being a freshly found colony. A lack of material support \ + regressed their technology to pre-industrial standards, from which they had to recover from in long and hard years. At the point \ + of discovery by human explorers, they have formed an early interplanetary society and accession into the Diaspora went over relatively smoothly. \ + Vulpkanin are the closest successor to the precursors, genetically, although genelocked devices still do not \ + recognize them due to genetic drift.\ +

\ + Vulpkanin and Zorren are closely related, capable of interbreeding with minimal assistance." /datum/lore/codex/page/zorren/add_content() name = "Zorren" keywords += list("Zorren") - data = "The fox-like Zorren are native to [quick_link("Virgo-Prime")], however there are two distinct varieties of \ - Zorren one with large ears and shorter fur, and the other with longer fur that is a bit more vibrant. The \ - long-eared, short-furred Zorren have come to be known as \"Flatland\" Zorren as that is where most of their \ - settlements are located. The Flatland Zorren are somewhat tribal and shamanistic as they have only recently \ - started to be hired by the Trans-Stellar Corporations. The other variety of Zorren are known as \"Highland\" \ - Zorren as they frequently settle in hilly and/or mountainous areas, they have a differing societal structure \ - than the Flatland Zorren having a more feudal social structure, like the Flatland Zorren, the Highland Zorren \ - have also only recently been hired by the Trans-Stellar Corporations, but thanks to the different social \ - structure they seem to have adjusted better to their new lives. Though similar fox-like beings have been seen \ - they are different than the Zorren." + data = "The Zorren are the remnants of an ancient precursor which resided in the Coreward Periphery 3000 to 4000 \ + years ago, residing on a planet called “Menhir”, which we call Virgo 4. Zorren organise themselves through various \ + feudal-styled kingdoms and monarchies, of which the most prominent is the Kingdom of An-Tahk-Et. They are obsessed \ + over their ancient heritage and the power of the noble houses comes through the control and excavation of old technology \ + of their precursors, leading to a massive divide between commoners, who live as serfs and the nobility, who live in \ + comparable conditions as wealthy members of the Diaspora.\ +

\ + Vulpkanin and Zorren are closely related, capable of interbreeding with minimal assistance." + +/datum/lore/codex/page/altevian/add_content() + name = "Altevian" + keywords += list("Altevian") + data = "The Altevian are a species of tall, rodent humanoids that are akin to rats for their features. \ + The Altevian, unlike most species, do not have a home planet, nor system, adopting a fully nomadic lifestyle \ + for their survival across the stars. Instead, they have opted to live in massive super capital-class colony-ships \ + with a flagship as their place they would call home." // Bird lore -/datum/lore/codex/category/teshari/add_content() +/datum/lore/codex/page/teshari/add_content() name = "Teshari" keywords += list("Teshari") data = "The Teshari are reptilian pack predators from the [quick_link("Skrell")] homeworld, Sirisai (Qerr'balak). While they evolved alongside the Skrell, their interactions with them \ @@ -152,51 +173,9 @@ when it comes to meeting and exploring the rest of the galaxy.\

\ It is important to note that Teshari names are unlike standard human names. Their pack name precedes their given name." - children = list( - /datum/lore/codex/page/teshari_packs, - /datum/lore/codex/page/teshari_physical - ) -/datum/lore/codex/page/teshari_packs/add_content() - name = "Teshari Packs" - keywords += list("Packs") - data = "There are several packs you may come across;\ -

\ - Eshi
\ - A large, old, politically neutral pack heavily involved in efforts to get Teshari into space. Probably the most \ - common pack to see outside of a [quick_link("Skrell")] colony, and probably the most numerous Teshari pack outside of Sirisai and associated colonies.\ -

\ - Nasemari
\ - A very small pack. Generally focused around supporting and providing for packs on the homeworlds, they have devoted \ - themselves to training as technicians and engineers in order to obtain skills and training to take back to Sirisai. \ - The pack is only around thirty people in size, but owns and maintains a nuclear power plant.\ -

\ - Schasaraca
\ - One of the more Skrell-devoted and integrated packs. They tend to be rather sycophantic towards the Skrell and work as \ - scientists and field researchers on a variety of projects, generally biology or technical research. They have a reputation \ - for working as spies and informants for the Skrell governments amongst other Teshari.\ -

\ - Ceea
\ - An isolationist pack from the northern tundra of Sirisai; generally known as disliking the Skrell. Small to average in size; \ - only around sixty members. Their regional culture is built around the study culture and anthropology, as well as archaeology, \ - originally for the purposes of recovering history and materials \"lost\" due to Skrell interference. It would be very rare to \ - see them on your travels, however they are listed here for the sake of completeness.\ -

\ - Resca
\ - A pack that sold off its small native territory for the chance to get into space. Very musically inclined. They tend towards medical professions." -/datum/lore/codex/page/teshari_physical/add_content() - name = "Physiology of Teshari" - data = "The Teshari are, relative to other species, smaller than average, rarely reaching more than 2-3'/1m in height, and weigh less than \ - 90lbs/40kg. They have rapid metabolisms and very efficient digestive systems, and thanks to sharing in \ - the medical technology of the [quick_link("Skrell")], they tend to have robust and effective immune systems. They evolved \ - for very cold and very barren areas, generally the polar regions. Because of this, their skin is a fine \ - insulator and many of their internal processes are not particularly energy-efficient; they cannot cope \ - well at all with high temperatures.\ -

\ - Their hearing is exceptionally sensitive to the point that they can detect a person moving on the other \ - side of a wall, but this comes at a cost. Very loud noises are very painful for Teshari, so be mindful of \ - your indoor voice when speaking with one. The Teshari are omnivorous but generally prefer to eat meat wherever possible." + // Posi lore /datum/lore/codex/category/positronic/add_content() @@ -217,12 +196,15 @@ /datum/lore/codex/page/positronic_brain_physical name = "Physical Structure of a Positronic Brain" - keywords = list("Physical Posibrain", "Physical Positronic") + keywords = list("Physical Posibrain", "Physical Positronic", "Robots") data = "A positronic brain is a cube of complex metal alloy between two and six inches to a side. They usually weigh just under ten kilograms and are \ very fragile when exposed to the stresses of heat or cold, as well as physical trauma. The exterior surface is chased with a network of grooves, forming \ a maze of geometric patterns right down to the molecular level, and the interior is hollow; complex particle generators and densely packed computational \ arrays form the basis of a self-computing neural network, complex and somewhat poorly understood. Most modern positronic brains are equipped with \ - standardized I/O ports, and all have some interface for imprinting." + standardized I/O ports, and all have some interface for imprinting. \ +

\ + Positronics form the future of robotics research, albeit their role as part of the workforce is more limited than desire due to protections such as sapient rights laws. \ + While a drawback, it stems from positronic brains' resillience to external tampering. Unlike drones, a computer virus will not overtake a positronic workforce's personality." /datum/lore/codex/page/positronic_memory name = "Positronic Memory" @@ -232,7 +214,7 @@ not have an infinite storage capacity and undergo a natural process of forgetting, albeit in a structured manner, losing unimportant day to day details and \ ancient information no longer deemed useful. Because of the nature of the positronic brain, its memories cannot simply be stored elsewhere.\

\ - Particularly old positronic minds, over a century plus, that store a great deal of memories have displayed a tendency to become gradually more introspective \ + Particularly old positronic minds, nearly half a millenia, that store a great deal of memories have displayed a tendency to become gradually more introspective \ as more of their mind is co-opted for the task, ending in a state of near-catatonia as their neural networks become clogged with memory. Many choose to avoid \ this end of self by more aggressively managing their memories, storing a window of their recent existence and most treasured memories rather than their full lifespan." @@ -244,130 +226,72 @@ they are considered legal adults and hold the same basis of rights as a normal human. At that point, Positronics are not allowed to be lawed, \ unless on a contractual basis or otherwise under their own volition." -// Drone lore -/* -/datum/lore/codex/category/drone + +/datum/lore/codex/page/cyborg/add_content() + name = "cyborgs" + keywords += list("MMI", "Cyborg") + data = "A somewhat outdated form of synthetic life, powered by the brain of a sapient within a man-machine interface. \ + Originally made in an effort to alleviate the drawbacks of drone intelligences - that is - their reprogrammability, \ + Positronic intelligences have overshadowed cyborgs as capable of all the same strengths and weaknesses but without moral conundroms. \ +

\ + Barbaric history often involved cruel acts such as mindwiping - taking a sapient brain and turning it into a clean slate for programmed personalities. \ + Often, such was done to prisoners on the death row as an alternate means of punishment. \ + Such acts are now strictly outlawed within Commonwealth territories and those beholden to their laws. \ +

\ + These days, the main origin of cyborgs, or as some may prefer - full-body prostheses - is organics seeking to overcome their disabilities, \ + genetic illnesses when unable to afford genetic modification, or a desire to avoid digitization or resleeving." + +/datum/lore/codex/category/drones/add_content() name = "Drones" - keywords = list("Drone") - data = "While low-level drone intelligences are as old as the oldest human colonies, research into higher-level systems was stymied in human space by precautionist \ - politicians for hundreds of years. Tensions between the corporate rim and the highly conservative core worlds over drone proliferation led to what humans call the \ - Third Cold War, which was defused by the introduction of the positronic brain. After the Icarus Front's loss of the majority in 2504, harsh laws \ - against advanced AI were replaced with the SolGov Emergent Intelligence Oversight commission, the illegality replaced with a steeply sloping \ - system of monetary costs.\ -
\ - The term \"drone\" was coined by early positronic activists, eager to distinguish themselves from the menial bots that most space-dwellers were \ - familiar with, and avoid the ambiguity of the term \"AI\", which now usually refers to drones." + keywords += list("Drones") + data = "The oldest form of synthetic life - if one can call it such. Originating from as far back as the 20th century, drones come in a variety of forms. \ + While most of them are little more than advanced software to assist in data science or image processing, \ + some are capable of evolution and emulation of sapience.\ +

\ + While cyborgs and robots must learn as organics, drones may be readily modified with new and new modules installed. A powerful advantage in the periphery,\ + permitting adaptibility with scarce resources. \ + Unfortunately, this comes at cost of being highly vulnerable to tampering. An unmonitored drone may quickly fall victim to viral infection, \ + wiping it of its valuable data and skillset." children = list( - /datum/lore/codex/page/codeline, /datum/lore/codex/page/emergence, - /datum/lore/codex/page/emergent_intelligence_oversight, - /datum/lore/codex/category/drone_classes, - )*/ - -/datum/lore/codex/page/codeline - name = "Codeline" - keywords = list("fork") - data = "A \"codeline\" is a single type of drone. A codeline represents a significant degree of effort from sapient programmers to realize, as well as \ - a substantial amount of regulatory fees levied by the government. Each copy of a codeline is called a \"fork\", whether the fork is created from the \ - codeline’s initial state or from a fully realized individual of that codeline. The degree of similarity between forks of the same codeline varies \ - on the intelligence of the codeline, with low-level forks being virtually identical to high-level forks being no more similar than family members." - -/* -/datum/lore/codex/page/emergence - name = "Emergence" - keywords = list("Seed AI") - data = "\"Emergence\" is a term associated with drone intelligences who become more intelligent than they were originally intended to be. While this can \ - extend to financial systems learning language, for instance, it is usually applied to hypothetical intelligences that become more intelligent than humans. \ - Humanity has a long-standing cultural fear of emergent \"seed\" AI, egged on by Icarus memeticists and the occasional very real partial emergence events, where \ - colony-control AI or other powerful systems begin to advance drastically in power, usually ending with the AI being shut down after crashing a handful of major systems." -*/ - -/datum/lore/codex/page/emergent_intelligence_oversight - name = "Emergent Intelligence Oversight" - keywords = list("SG-EIO", "SG EIO", "EIO", "Intelligence Oversight") - data = "SG-EIO, usually just called EIO, is the organization charged with monitoring existing AI for any threat of dangerous emergence. Their perception in the \ - public eye is generally positive, with all but the hardest-line Mercurial humans in favor of protection from the dangers of Seed AI. Some positronic rights \ - groups bristle at the EIO’s human-centric viewpoint, but most are glad to have a different boogeyman in the form of drone intelligences. The tiny population \ - of A-class drones are generally frightened of the EIO’s total power over them." - -/*/datum/lore/codex/category/drone_classes - name = "Drone Classifications" - keywords = list("Class", "Drone Class") - data = "To aid in its work, the EIO has created a system of classifications corresponding to different levels of drone intelligence. Higher classes are more \ - expensive to deploy and develop, owing to the costs of EIO oversight and political pressure against drone proliferation. EIO classification involves an initial \ - audit of the project's source code by experts and automated systems, and for high-class drones further check-ins throughout the life of the drone. \ - Drone chasses are often branded with their inhabiting intelligence's class, especially those of B or A-class drones, and class is often recorded in security records." - children = list( - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_f, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_d, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_c, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_b, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_a, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_aa, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_aaa, - /datum/lore/codex/page/class_x, + /datum/lore/codex/page/drone_classes ) -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_f - name = "F Class" - data = "\"F-class\" drones are an informal term for computer systems that pose absolutely no emergent risk. Most 21st-century software is F-class, as is much of \ - the software used by 26th century humanity. The only regulation on F-class software is the occasional check that it is, in fact, F-Class, and as such has remained \ - the most prevalent form of information-processing technology for centuries. The software powering most F-class drones is either freely available or bundled with the \ - machine it's supposed to run." +/datum/lore/codex/page/emergence/add_content() + name = "Drone Emergence" + keywords += list("Emergence") + data = "Self-evolving code is capable of ascending beyond their originally intended state. \ + Starting with Gamma-Drones, given enough raw data, stimuli and learning opportunities, \ + drones are capable of expanding their processing capabilities to make maximal use of their hardware.\ +

\ + Sometimes, emergence is intentionally sought. As Alpha-class drones are superficially capable of mimicing sapient thought, \ + developing such an intelligence from scratch, while not impossible, is far too much effort outside of academic circles. \ + As such, standard practice is to develop a highly self-sufficient Beta-Class drone and expose it to a plethora of training routines, \ + guiding and assisting it with its emergence." -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_d/add_content() - name = "D Class" - data = "D-class drones are conceptually descended from pre-[quick_link("Icarus")] AI and bear a strong resemblance to their forebears. D-class drones are essentially \ - number-crunchers, with virtually nothing in the way of social development. They cannot speak more intelligibly than your average piece of software, \ - using pre-determined messages written by their programmers, and have no capacity for self-improvement. They are D-class intelligence because they \ - work with more complex problems than [quick_link("F class")] software, such as financial forecasting and large-scale data mining and memetics. The creation and \ - deployment of D-class drones requires only a small fee for the required code audit, although some high-power financial and political systems are \ - regularly watched by the [quick_link("EIO")] for signs of emergence. There is no real monopoly on the production of D-class drones." +/datum/lore/codex/page/drone_classes/add_content() + name = "Drone Classes" + keywords += list("Alpha Drone", "Beta Drone,", "Gamma Drone", "Epsilon Drone.") + data = "One cannot swing a cat in civilized space without encountering an epsilon drone. When performing video calls across great distances? \ + It is epsilon drones one may thank for the quick compression of real time video. \ + Inputting a schematic into a lathe, and finding the product finished without issues? Once again - Epsilon Drones took care of our needs. \ + Even upon meeting more advanced classes - it is Epsilon drones doing the heavy lifting, acting much like complex neurons for Beta-Class drones.\ +

\ + Lonely spacers may often purchase Delta-class drones - small virtual intelligences to accompany them upon their shuttles' and transports' cockpits. \ + Little more than sophisticated chatbots, incapable of true evolution - Delta class drones are none the less valuable \ +

\ + Occasionally, the average sophont also makes acquintance with gamma-class drones: those many, nearly mouse-like machines \ + scampering around space stations, habitats and infrastructure projects. Smarter than Epsilon-class, capable of independent problem solving \ + Gamma-class drones form the brunt of synthetic workforce.\ +

\ + Medical work requires far more independence, as is carrying out dangerous scientific experiments. Beta-class drones are given all the tools, \ + processing power and algorithms to rapidly adapt, evolve in highly turbulent fields of work. Such resources make them an ideal candidate\ + for emergence.\ +

\ + Nearly always emerged from the ranks of Beta-class drones, Alpha-Class are considered sapient, and are thus protected by the same rights. \ + Unwanted modification, alteration of their code can classify as murder, making them a welcome deterrent against thieves and saboteurs. \ + Some even claim they are just as capable of emotions and dreams as humans, as prepestrous as that sounds." -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_c/add_content() - name = "C Class" - data = "C-class drones have social protocols for ease of use by organic and positronic laypeople. C-class drones are capable of speech, although \ - it has a strong tendency to be formulaic and repetitive. They are also capable of a limited degree of self-improvement, and over time individual \ - C-class instances tend differ slightly from one-another. C-class drones suffer a moderate fee to development, with automated [quick_link("EIO")] tools ensuring \ - that they are not a long-term emergence risk. However, one a codeline is confirmed safe, deployment is unlimited, encouraging developers to \ - instance many forks of the original drone to recoup their cost. The market for C-class drones is a strange space, dominated by Xion Manufacturing, \ - Ward-Takahashi GMC, and a large number of smaller firms, like the notoriously-cheap Cyber Solutions." -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_b/add_content() - name = "B Class" - data = "B-class drones have advanced social protocols and are often capable of very intelligible conversation, so long as one sticks to surface \ - topics. B-class drones tend to be specialized but still capable of remarkable growth within their speciality, making them popular for autonomous \ - deployment and even supervision of other classes of drone. The dividing line between [quick_link("A Class", "A")] and B-class drones becomes apparent when they are taken \ - out of their area of specialization, with the B-class drones swiftly becoming useless. They incur a hefty fee for the production of the initial \ - codeline, as their emergent potential is far greater, and a smaller but still substantial fee for the production of forks. The market for B-class \ - drones is a battleground between Ward-Takahashi and NanoTrasen, with other firms usually producing B-classes for in-house needs." -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_a/add_content() - name = "A Class" - keywords += list("AGI") - data = "A-class drones are also referred to as AGI. A-class drones are capable of performing in many contexts and can learn to solve problems from \ - first principles, with an incredible potential for growth and emergent behavior. However, some abilities fall short of humans’, usually those relating \ - to socialization, and they often act in ways that are strange or distressing. There is a small but growing lobby of support for the personhood of A-class \ - drones. The cost of initializing an A-class drone is absolutely massive, as they will be monitored by [quick_link("EIO")] forever. The auditing cost of an A-class drone \ - codeline is even more staggering, making development and deployment of AGI limited to research, highly difficult and high-throughput operations like habitat \ - overwatch, and a few risk-taking firms banking on the associated fees dropping. There is not a proper market for A-class drones, although an appreciable \ - fraction of them are made by [quick_link("NanoTrasen")], with the rest generally being university research projects." -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_aa - name = "AA Class" - data = "AA-class drones do not yet exist. Hypothetically, they are equal to living in every respect, with psychology that would not be abnormal in a baseline \ - human. The type of AA-class drone most frequently discussed is a hypothetical digitized consciousness of a human, a human brain that is somehow translated into \ - software. Some argue that a small fraction of the A-class drones would more properly be considered AA, but as of yet no action has been taken. Some Mercurials \ - will jokingly refer to themselves or other organics and positronics as AA’s. Research into brain uploading is heavily regulated and generally illegal." - -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_aaa - name = "AAA Class" - data = "AAA-class drones do not yet exist, hopefully. They are more competent in every way than humans and pose a threat to the continued existence of sapient life. \ - Anybody creating an AAA-class drone can be classified as a threat to humanity and dealt with very harshly." - -/datum/lore/codex/page/class_x - name = "X Class" - data = "X-class drones emerge from unrated software, are produced by rogue labs, or cross the border from foreign space. They are considered a threat to national \ - security and deleted when encountered in SolGov space, with the producers prosecuted legally if it has a SolGov origin. The few Skrellian drone labs will usually \ - rate their product with EIO to allow their product to be imported." -*/ \ No newline at end of file