INDIE SCI-FI

Space Change: This is a card game by Trail & Portal®️ for 2-4 players plus a dealer. The game ends when all players are eliminated except one. The game involves dealing cards, flipping cards, and calculating sums based on card values (number cards at face value, Ace = 1, Jack = 2, Queen = 3, King = 4). The player with the highest value cards displayed at the end of the round gets cards replaced. It is played at a hidden safe house in San Leandro.

Tap Sci-Fi: This is a game played by Beings who have been invited to a family-owned restaurant off the main road. The game involves Mission Cards and Resource Cards such as Awareness, Competition, Cooperation, Communication, and Transportation. The purpose of the game is for the Beings to meet, understand each other, and see who found their way there.

Sci-fi spy: Many Beings love playing a game called sci-fi spy and they throw events and receive a dossier on a character that fits the role. Sometimes Beings come with their own characters.

Beings also engage in mystical practices known as Thought Trails or Vision Trails. Vision Trails involve gatherings of beings from various clans seeking guidance and wisdom from the spiritual realm. Citizens are invited to sit by the water’s edge, where they would find cards with prompts like, “What do you see in your reflection?” and “What do you wish to let go of?”.

Trails are experiences designed by Beings and groups, sometimes including humans, functioning as galleries, classrooms, and venues. They may be designed for fitness, health, or meditative arts. Trails often incorporate symbols, with the triangle being the most common.

​​Types of Trails

Physical Trails: These are tangible journeys enhanced by art, music, and sensory experiences. Basic Physical Trails involve arrangements of polyhedra, art, and food to create immersive experiences.

Thought Trails: Mystical practices where Beings unify with the divine, declare intentions, express gratitude, and release their stake in the manifestation process. These spiritual rituals may be accompanied by sensual ceremonies.

Single Traveler Trail: A personal journey that invites an individual to explore their inner world within the sacred geometry of their Traveler (a personal tetrahedron structure).

Anniversary Trails: Celebrations of love and connection, blending art, passion, and creativity.

Here's how portals function and the roles they play in Being society:

Gateways and Transportation:

Portals facilitate physical transportation to alternate planes of existence.

Some portals are used for transportation, while others are used for self-exploration.

Some Beings use technology to transport themselves into physical portals on another plane of existence physically.

Communication and Shared Experiences:

Portals enable Beings to communicate telepathically and cross into shared thought spaces.

Beings who share telepathic connections may find themselves communicating in a plane of reality, which is also considered a Portal experience.

Virtual reality is also utilized to create an elaborate network of Portals.

Social and Cultural Hubs:

Some portals offer physical gathering spaces for Beings.

They can serve as galleries, classrooms, and venues.

Mystical Significance:

Portals are integral to Being mysticism, such as Thought Trails and Vision Trails.

Cover and Misdirection:

Portals can act as cover stories for beings involved in clandestine activities.

Diversity and Specialization:

There are many different types of portals, each with unique functions and purposes.

Networks and Independence:

Some portals belong to networks like the Manta Network, while others remain independent.

The most common symbol used in Portals is the triangle, which represents the foundation of much of Sub-Side culture, in practice, philosophy, and design.

A Being's Role Bias influences their purpose and interaction with portals, though it does not always define their job. These roles help categorize the influence and function of Beings within their society:

Mystic – Often acts as an advisor, prophet, or spiritual guide.

World-Side Mystics are typically scholars, educators, or religious figures.

Sub-Side Mystics operate within portals, often serving as personal guides to significant Beings.

Defense – Includes soldiers, bodyguards, and security operatives responsible for protection.

Cooperative Agent – Works in the policy departments of portals or networks, ensuring stability between different realms.

Human Outreach – Involves diplomacy, advocacy, and integration efforts between Beings and humans.

World-Side Human Outreach workers may take roles in law, diplomacy, or NGOs.

Human Control – Manages human perception of Beings through media influence, portal washing, and clandestine information suppression.

Time Travel Specialist – Works within Time Travel Portals, ensuring stability in timelines and monitoring any anomalies.

Sub-Sider – A Being who rarely, if ever, leaves portal spaces. They are deeply integrated into the Sub-Side culture and serve as caretakers of portal communities.

World-Sider – Opposite of the Sub-Sider, these Beings rarely enter portals and prefer life among humans.

Portal Operators – Maintain and manage portals of varying sizes. Their roles can range from small, family-run portals to elite tactical teams overseeing high-risk safe houses.

Political Actor – Engages in governance, diplomacy, and network-wide policy creation.

Leader – A Being in charge of an organization, portal, or influential group.

Legend – A Being with historical significance, often possessing extraordinary abilities or knowledge.

Portals serve different functions, ranging from basic transportation to advanced strategic applications. Here are some known portal classifications:

Portal to Portal Transport – A direct link between two stable portals, used for travel and trade.

Roaming Portal – A portal that shifts location unpredictably, often requiring a guide to track.

Large Portal – A high-traffic gateway managed by multiple operators.

Portal of Legend – A portal associated with ancient or mythic significance.

Unknown Portal – A portal with unstable or unpredictable properties.

Multiple Intersection Portal – A convergence point where multiple trails and networks meet.

Frozen Portal – A portal that remains inactive or sealed.

Escape Portal – Used for emergency exits and disappearances.

Standard Portal – A commonly used, well-documented gateway.

Clandestine Stronghold – A secret portal used for strategic operations.

Government Portal – A portal under official human governance or regulatory control.

Human Partnership Portal – A cooperative venture between humans and Beings.

Time Travel Portal – A portal that manipulates time, either subtly or dramatically.

Cooperative Market – A portal used for trade and cultural exchange.

The triangle is a design that is foundationally significant to Sub-Side culture.

Here's why:

The idea of the triangle is the foundation of much of Sub-Side culture, in practice, philosophy, and design.

It is the most common symbol used in many Sub-Side interactions.

One Frequency Nation was laid out in a large triangular formation.

Traveler: refers primarily to the tetrahedron structure, sized to fit personal needs. Some Beings have different Travelers for different reasons. Most have one that they cherish.

Beings have various philosophical and mystical beliefs regarding portals. These beliefs include:

Thought Trails/Vision Trails/Mysticism A prevalent form of mysticism involves unifying with the divine, describing their connection, declaring intentions, expressing gratitude, and releasing stake in manifestation. Sensual rituals and ceremonies can enhance the spiritual experience, but are not essential.

Performative Living Many Beings believe that a life well-lived is performative, suggesting that performance demonstrates intent. This concept is debated and explored within their culture, influencing their governance.

Interconnectedness Beings recognize the universe as an infinite web of interconnected energy, where everyone is part of the whole.

Symbols and Portal Speak Beings use symbols and Portal Speak for Sub-Side interactions. The triangle is the most common symbol and is foundational to Sub-Side culture. Portal Speak often incorporates about 30% Esperanto.

Subjective experience Engaging with other Beings is considered a subjective experience. There is debate about whether interactions with idle Beings are with the Beings themselves or projections.

Time Travel Time travel involves finding a time travel portal and paying to choose a future time. These portals show a possible future derived from the collective clairvoyance of time travel Beings.