cough cough.s.dsmljsd coguh. lap t op. through this ask i am now cursing you to think about algebralien in an objectified context worldbuilding, specifically:
how do objects regard the numbers? (numericals? numbarssss) especially considering the numbers are fully organic and might not have organspace?
do they have the same hominid/bestial structure as objects do
whats different about the region where they come from, does it depend on which one of the lawless/false kings rule that territory?
in general, apart from there technically being two lawless kings, how do their concepts of lawless kings differ
HIIII hi astronic hiii :] sorry for the wait on this i was waiting to make sure it's very good. smiles
Algebria ; [ .. name pending] and its inhabitants
Algebria is a smaller region compared to some others- having two main wild districts that directly contrast each other (as well as a few smaller, but incredibly prominent middle class settlements scattered in Verdant Chalkboard) and one large city district, Cosine. The overall region shape is similar to that of a null sign or empty set, with moderately sized mountains driving a line through the region- these same mountains are the same reason that the region was left largely undiscovered until relatively recently- with most Object/Numbar relations only picking up within somewhat more recent generations.
The Roots is a large forest thick enough to obscure most of the sky that fills roughly half of the ground level in Algebria and watched over mainly by Infinity. It is a region largely unspoiled by construction however groups ('playgrounds') of Numbars that gather in one location may build their own settlements in any clearings that occur. The Roots is a conflict heavy area- many 'wilder' Numbars gather here and a large amount (including an infamous 'Fourteen') prey on other Numbars, particularly other Integers.
Verdant Chalkboard is the other wild district of Algebria- although its wild status is under high debate by most geographers due to some of the smaller settlements dotted throughout, as well as a moderately sized town leading up to Cosine. The district is mainly watched over by 2763. Verdant Chalkboard is a large plains location with some smaller deciduous groves of trees scattered about- it also features natural rock structures and dips in the ground that offer shelter to playgrounds of Numbars looking for a location to settle.
Cosine is the largest city in the region and is located in the very center- with travel infrastructure spiraling out from it in most directions. It is a rare instance of a location free from natural mathematical hazards- that is, shapes and forms that can form an Equation potentially hazardous to an Integer's health. While Objects reside in many settlements throughout Verdant Chalkboard, Cosine is considered a somewhat exclusive location due to its main draw: The material known as Infinitum (named by objects as 'Hourglass's Gilded Folly' after a taxonomical mishap by the aforementioned researcher) is contained in veins throughout Algebria and radiates a heightened passive background radiation that draws Numbars to the mountain. Over years of evolution it settled into Numbars' biology and gave their animal and factoric cells flexibility; allowing Integers their ability to shift their value and add together, as well as Symbols and Operators the ability to manipulate Integers. Infinity and 2763 hoard this radiation in their cells and pass it to their offspring, leading to certain abilities being unlocked in some of their direct descendants. Infinitum is chemically useless if not mildly toxic to Objects (hence the prior classification) and attempts to pass on its gathered powers to Objects often causes symptoms of radioactive poisoning in the bodies of both individuals.
Numbars - Biology
Objects are observed to have three cell types already- Numbars only have two, and in very particular places.
Numbars evolved from a convergence in a very early Object ancestor based on abstract concepts, and a distant unknown relative of the common mammal. Whilst their limbs or 'parts' are made up entirely of animal cells and are structurally similar to that of objects, Numbars' bodies are made up of a mix between animal cells and a separate kind of synthetic cell only found in Numbars called 'Factoric' cells. Factoric cells are found solely in the body and each hold a part of that Numbar's 'value' (in Integers) and 'semantic' (in Symbols). When factoric cells are damaged or missing, it can cause particular disorders in Numbars- although some disorders are 'dormant' and only activate under extreme stress or duress (such as Factoric Cell Deficiency, a congenital conditi Numbars are one instance of neither confirming nor denying Organspace theory in sapient beings- as many of their internal systems appear to be present, however in most subjects a mix of rogue factoric cells and Infinitum based radiation caused partial liquidation of any discernible organs when exposed to open air.
They (Numbars) do not conform to the dichotomy of bestial/hominid objects- however they do have several types of appearance that depend on what sort of Numbar the individual is. For example, Operators appear to prefer aquatic environments (particularly freshwater) and Letters are suited to extreme environments, while most Integers take the in-between and seem to take on mostly typical mammalian traits. Numbars are also more prone to further features of their assigned animal than noticed in Objects.
The only exception to the rule is Irrationals, a smaller and rarer offshoot of Numbar who seems to 'cancel out' typical animal traits and appears similar to hominid objects.
Regardless of type, all features and genes are always overruled by direct descendance from any Lawless King.
SPAWNING STONES AND TERMINALS - Numbars do utilize Spawning stones- located throughout Algebria- and reproduce in the same way as Objects. Object and Numbars do not hybridize fully however in some cases an Object may have Numbar features. (but not vice versa. See below) Contrary to Object society, Numbars do not utilize Respawn Terminals or any similar equivalent. This is because Terminals are not programmed or designed for the production and use of factoric cells due to their unique makeup- and even in successful attempts, many Numbars are unstable without many of their factoric cells. This leads to either chronic illness or death- or in incredibly rare cases, an error leading to a Numbar being recovered with Object features or parts of their main body; also known as Misprinted Cell Disorder. Due to these previous errors Numbars are considered unrespawnable- at least with today's technology.
LETTERS AND SYMBOLS - Letters and Symbols are- simply put, remnants of a separate sister group that had previously been living aside Numbars but either died out, migrated into what would become the Outskirts and died off- or integrated into the species as a whole. Letters are more commonly seen as Variables now- and most punctuation mark Symbols are considered archaic, though they do exist. EQUATIONS - Equations are the phenomenon of factoric cells and Infinitum energy being instructed to liquefy and fuse two or more Numbars together in a (typically temporary) conjoined state. Whilst mathematical fusion is only observed in Integers, Operators and Variables are capable of causing or aiding this process to happen consentually. Equations are never without risk- there have been documented cases of Numbars being unable to separate and eventually fully integrating into a new entity. With strict safeguards in place, however- it is used to combine sleeping Infinitum-gathered power and aid in brunt force work such as construction.
Most Numbars participate in equations at some point in their life- however there is a regional ban on equations with any kind of negative and some irrational numbers due to the lasting effects they have on other Numbars’ factoric cells.
Most objects do not contain factoric cells and thus cannot participate in Equations as a fused participant- not even as a conduit (like an operator).
LAWLESS KINGS - Infinity and 2763
Infinity and 2763 are considered by Object classification to be the Lawless Kings of Algebria- though they break a few of the rules to fit the role. Both Kings are in constant conflict, fighting to be the one in true control of the mountain Cosine sits atop due to Infinitium's draw. They have each absorbed an unhealthy amount of the material's power, leading to their extended lifespans and strange abilities. While both are equivalent in power, the Numbar population is split in loyalty and unknowing objects asking which King is in charge will often spark an argument even amongst the mildest Numbars. 2763 is a chimeric being- its descendants take on a wide range of mixed-animal appearances easily mistaken for a respawn defect- and some more directly related take on a weakened variation of one of its powers: to steal the strength and power from another entity, even that of another, foreign Lawless King’s descendant. Infinity is a deceptively powerful avian Symbol with a surprisingly smaller frame compared to that of another King- his descendants take on an exclusively avian/feline appearance, with some exhibiting features comparative to a porcupine or horned animal. Its descendants are gifted not in physical strength- more fragile and erratic, but capable of manipulating the subconscious thought and perception of another entity.
These powers are stronger the more directly related to the two Kings the individual is. It is rare, but not entirely unheard of, for these traits to be passed to an Object descendant.
This is not a concrete pattern, but it has been observed that more Symbols have descendance from Infinity, and more Integers have descendance from 2763.
Additionally, descendants of either King share at least highlight color from their ancestor.
Culture/Object Interaction
Object and Numbar relations is somewhat friendly at the moment- most Numbars have internal arguements with others of their own groups but seem to mostly leave the Objects out of it save for some isolated incidents. A common enrichment activity shared between the two is competing in challenges- mostly low stakes events for small prizes of collected cash or materials of interest. The challenges are low danger, although do contain some rough play and vary in topic from relay races to extended in-the-moment intellectual puzzles.
Since Objects and Numbars have begun migrating between each others' settlements, Numbars have had respawn terminals built in a handful of larger settlements for the sake of visitor safety. Numbar and Object scientists have additionally worked together in the scientific field.
Groups of Numbars are called 'Playgrounds' or 'Playgroups' depending on who you ask.
Names
Whilst many Objects have specific names, Numbars tend to be named based on a variety of factors- increasing in specificity depending on context. For example- when talking about a Seven, they would be referred to as 'Seven'. When talking about two Sevens, they may be referred to as 'Green Seven and Gray Seven'. When talking about two Sevens of the same color, they may be referred to as 'Seven, spawn of Sixteen and Twenty-Two (or Seven of [hometown] or Seven of [employment/hobby/occupation])' and so forth.
When introduced to Object birth names, some Numbars chose to adopt names as well to avoid confusion and enjoy personal individualism in large playgroups of the same value or type. Some Objects, equally, chose to adopt the Numbaric naming style and it is not impossible to find a pair of similar objects using the style amongst each other.
Numbars in the Rings
By the events of the AU (and the Parasite-based apocalypse) the Numbars have been settling into other regions- in the Rings, particularly Middle Ring, playgroups of Numbars have gathered and scattered throughout the Object communities- although by far they are still a minority compared to the general population.
During the apocalypse many Numbars chose to migrate further from the Rings, taking objects they find close with them.
Numbars are not immune to the Parasites either- though boasting a resilience, over time the Parasites evolve and are able to assimilate factoric cells.
The only exception are Variables- who contain naturally unstable factoric cells that constantly mutate and reproduce. However, this process is not infallible and in most cases turns an unfair race into an endurance sprint that the Variable cannot typically win- only dragging out their suffering.
One of the first Numbars to fall to the parasites in the Rings is 'Vermilla', or Three.
