One of the more extraordinary things to come out of a long-running high fantasy campaign I was in was a dimension-spanning computer system. It was created by the mage Czarzhan after learning about computers in his journeys to other worlds. (Czarzhan was an information hoarder who accrued a great deal of wealth by way of the slave trade. He had devised a magical conditioning process which kept the slaves sold by him loyal to their owners (such slaves have the Reprogrammable Duty disadvantage). All beings enslaved by this process also had an overriding Duty to Czarzhan, allowing him to get information from them about their "masters" whenever he liked. He also kept a large zoo of exotic and common creatures, documenting all he could record of their biology, social habits, etc..)
Czarzhan saw the obvious uses of database management, and began gathering the information necessary to build a system that would fit his needs. As his knowledge and experience with such devices grew he realized that it was possible to construct spells to "run" as programs on enchanted computers. Then he came across the term "spell-checker." He knew it referred to a device that checked for grammatical errors in documents, but he fell in love with the thought of examining the nuances and intricacies of spells with specially written diagnostic programs. He hoped to collect a library cataloging all the magic in his world.
However, there was more than one type of magic in his world. There were those who manipulated the ambient energies of the world around them, those who seemed to draw the power from within themselves, and others. Czarzhan became driven with a need to know magic in all its myriad forms. This need, coupled with hating the thought of knowledge being lost, led him to construct a system that could not, as a whole, be destroyed.
Czarzhan created a network with two forms processors: protected nodes (the large, hidden, and immobile main storage places) and the Eye-Os (the remote sensors). The eye-Os would upload all recorded data to the local node on a periodic basis and the nodes themselves kept in constant communication with each other.
Czarzhan's quest to create the MAGUS Device was a period of enormous growth. In the decades it took for him to develop the skills he needed, he became part of a group of adventurers (DUH! It was a campaign!). He helped them achieve their goals and they helped him. He also found love, and with that love gained a compassion for others. He is still in the process of dismantling his slave trade (a campaign in itself), but has come to realize the value of others' points of view. As a result, he has offered the services of the MAGUS Device to others in return for information. With few exceptions, he has limited this access to magi, psis, and those with experience in scholarly research into the mysteries of the universe(s) and the mind.
Eye-Os
the art of not being seen
One lesson Czarzhan learned from information gathering through his slave trade was that the most valuable information was collected when nobody knew it was being collected. Therefore, eye-Os are masters at camouflage, at least, to mundane senses. Eye-Os will often generate illusions of common small animals (cats, birds, mice) about themselves as a disguise. The smallest they can assume is the size of a hummingbird. If there are few mages about, or if they have reason to believe there is no risk of discovery, they will assume their natural form: an intangible sphere of force. Invisible to the naked eye, such spheres can be detected by most magical senses, Mage Sight sees them automatically and they can be detected on a successful IQ roll by anyone with Magery, Empathy, Intuition, ESP, or Telepathy.
Eye-Os in their natural form can become visible to normal vision under certain circumstances. They will be visible when using magic to defend themselves. Any eye-O might have access 1d+4 attack spells, 1d+3 defensive spells and at least 10 Knowledge spells, all at level 21 and with a fatigue pool of 25. Or Electrokinesis or Psychokinesis at Power 10 and relevant skills at level 19.
| Eye-O | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST: | 5 | Mv/Dg: | 61/5 | Size: | <1 |
| DX: | 13 | PD/DR: | 5/Spl2 | Wt: | 2-3 oz. |
| IQ: | 15 | Dmg: | 2d+13 | Origin: | Spec.4 |
| HT: | 15 | Reach: | C, 1 | Habitat: | Any |
- An eye-O can travel in all 3 dimensions and can Teleport twice per day, usually used only to escape.
- The generating parts of an eye-O are insubstantial as a function of its operation, but consist of specially enchanted silicon crystals (glass) inlaid with opal patterns. Against magical/psionic attacks, these crystals have DR 4.
- Eye-Os can discharge energy at targets up to 4 feet away from them, RoF 1, it costs 1 fatigue every 3 discharges
- All of the Above #34. And a long-running fantasy campaign (would that be initialed RPG?)
The other time an eye-O becomes visible is when it is doing a "first-hand" scan of an object. The eye-O begins to glow and passes harmlessly through the object it is scanning, recording everything they penetrate. This is their preferred method of reading books and other literature. It can be applied to lifeforms as well, recording the knowledge as it passes through one's brain. However, such scans are not braintapes, merely "snapshots" of information within that person's mind with little or no personality associated with it. Attempts for a first-hand scan can be blocked by magical defenses as well as a psionic Mind Shield, etc..
Although eye-Os are constructs, their functions have evolved and been improved upon by the generating nodes to such a degree that they are practically lifeforms. Eye-Os can exist in magic-dead zones. Certain of their abilities are inaccessible in such areas (such as teleportation or linking to the MAGUS) until and unless those powers can be reworked to function in that environment. Eye-Os can still function (move, observe, record, remain insubstantial) in such conditions because they are so complex in their construction as to mimic living beings, and these things are a part of their "life" processes.
Any eye-O can teleport to the location of any other eye-O on the same plane. This cost no energy on either eye-Os part if they are in contact with a central node of the MAGUS device. Similarly, an eye-O can teleport across planar barriers to another if both have contact with the same node or currently connected nodes. Eye-Os cannot, by themselves, teleport into or out of a particular plane.
Whenever possible, an eye-O will "hitch a ride" with interdimensional travelers to other worlds (if they can do so unobserved, so much the better). If it is the first eye-O to get to a new world, it immediately begins summoning more eye-Os and they spread out to gather more information about the new world.
Terminal Eye-Os
As mentioned above, Czarzhan has granted the use of the MAGUS Device to scholars and mages in many different worlds. The way those users communicate with the MAGUS is through the use of a special type of eye-O, called a Terminal Eye-O.
The generating parts of a terminal eye-O integrate themselves into the body of the user. Remaining insubstantial, they maintain a continuous "first-hand" scan of the user's mind and body, but positioned such that, should they materialize, they will not harm the body. Smaller generating crystals, linked into the terminal eye-O, are placed within an exterior focus through which the user communicates with the MAGUS. (Sometimes, due to the user's belief system, physiology, or his native world's physical laws, all of the generating parts are placed within the focus.)
Knowledge Access
The Eye-Os have scanned thousands of libraries on over a hundred different worlds, each of varying societal structure, history, and technical achievement. The user of a terminal Eye-O, depending on his level of access, has available an incredible amount of information on a wide variety of subjects. The MAGUS Device has organized this knowledge into a database cross-referenced by title, subject, author, time and world of origin (including political and geographic subdivisions), validity of information, related subjects, etc..
Due to the enormous bulk of lore available, despite thorough cataloging and documentation, finely honed research skills are recommended. Also, due to the effect this amount of information might have on most worlds, even regular users rarely receive unlimited access.
There are several levels of access:
- Level 1: This is equivalent to having several well referenced books on a single subject. A regular user might grant this level of clearance to a friend or apprentice who would need insight into a particular area of study.
- Level 2: This is equivalent to having a bookshelf full of works, either finely detailing a specific subject, or each on separate related topic.
- Level 3: This is equivalent to having a bookcase full of works that go into good detail on many specific subjects and cross-referenced to a wide variety of related topics.
- Level 4: This is equivalent to having a small (one or two room) library that covers a wide range of subjects.
- Level 5: This is equivalent to a branch of a public library system. This is the starting level of access for terminal Eye-O users.
- Level 6: This is equivalent to the main branch of a public library for a large city. At this level, there is limited access to knowledge derived from other planes.
- Level 7: At this level, the user has full access to almost all printed works of his home world (the World Library), as well as some knowledge from other worlds of similar societal structure and technical development. Reports of important events for that world, updated daily, are also available.
- Level 8: The world library of the user's home plane (if available) as well as the world libraries of several roughly similar planes are accessible at this level. Events reported for each world are more detailed.
- Level 9: As per level 8, with access to world libraries from moderately more advanced planes, and event reporting that includes projections of future events based on history, etc., including percentage chance of occurrence.
- Level 10: As per level 9, with access to world libraries from far more advanced planes.
Miscellaneous Services
Terminal Eye-O users can send and receive communications to each other instantly. Any user of a terminal who is receiving can opt to take an incoming communication or not, or can place the terminal into "Do Not Disturb" mode, in which the sender can leave a message if he so desires the may be accepted by the user at a later time. Neither sender nor receiver need move or show any outward sign that this activity is taking place (although if they wish show real-time visual of their surroundings they probably will).[e-mail, chat, teleconferencing, all that: it's a magically enhanced network, fer god's sake!]
Game Effects of Terminal Eye-Os
Due to the continuous first-hand scan, all users have the equivalent of a Biomonitor (p. UTT100, 3 points). The Terminal eye-O, using the scan, also learns to mimic the mind of the user, becoming a perfect duplicate in IQ weeks. These experiences (in this case, they are the same as a braintape) are backed up in permanent storage on the local node. This is the same as the Backup Brain advantage (pUTT114, 10 points).Users also gain Secret Communication (20 points). As a result of the vast amount of information available, presented as practical knowledge, users may use the Inventing rules presented under the Gadgeteer advantage (25 points), for both devices and spells. Furthermore, those with Level 8 access or above have the equivalent of the High Technology advantage at a level equal to their Access Level minus 7 (25, 50, or 100 points for Levels 8, 9 or 10 respectively).
It costs 58 points to be a Terminal Eye-O User at Access Level 7 or below.
The MAGUS Device in the campaign
Eye-Os can show up just about anywhere. They are compulsively curious, but try to remain hidden from the inhabitants of a world as long as their existence is unknown to that world. Once eye-Os are known (their existence revealed in stories known in popular culture), they become less careful about being spotted.
Eye-Os will also follow people around if it appears that they are doing something that is important to that world. They often follow explorers, scientists, and criminals, watching their actions in the hope they discover something new. If discovered by their subjects, they will remain shy, trying not to influence events.
Eventually, if the people being followed show they are aware of the eye-Os and don't care they are there, the eye-Os will be less likely to hide themselves.
Eye-Os can be contacted telepathically or through magical means. If contacted, it is possible that, if asked, they may keep the actions of the group they are following out of the daily updates for that world's World Library, at least temporarily, or place it in the Library under a passcode protection. [They want to record everything, but they don't mind keeping it from others]
Should a continuing dialog be maintained, an eye-O may reveal that they are a part of the MAGUS device. They may supply information to those they are following, provided they could have gotten it for themselves (equivalent to Level 3 or 4 knowledge access). If an information exchange agreement can be developed (or just general trust, roleplaying is the key here), one or two members of the group may be offered a terminal eye-O.
That's it for now. If there is interest (e-mail me at caroth@iu.net), and I'll post more about the MAGUS Device
Last updated on May 30, 1998
