Aspects of Nova Praxis - Post-Singularity

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Starting today, I'll be starting a series of short posts about various aspects of Nova Praxis, the defining componants of the setting.

And when possible, I'll post links to refferences that explore these concepts a little farther.

The first such post deals with the technological singularity...

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Post-Singularity

The technological singularity is defined as the moment that the exponential acceleration of technological advancement outpaces humanity’s ability to keep pace with it, or even understand it.

In Nova Praxis, this event was demonstrated by the birth of an artificial general intelligence (AGI) capable of human levels of creativity. This "dynamic creation engine" was capable of thinking at a rate roughly ten-thousand times faster than a human mind. It never forgot, never needed rest, and could accurately simulate its theories and ideas without need for interaction with the real world.

This AGI, called Mimir, is responsible for the vast majority of the miraculous technological advancements that help define the Nova Praxis setting. Before it mysteriously shut down, Mimir paved the way for molecular assemblers, faster than light travel, artificial gravity, virtually unlimited clean energy, and lossless human brain emulation.

Mimir’s discoveries resulted in a paradigm shift in the way humans develop new technologies. Before Mimir, technology improved by using the tools of yesterday to create the tools of tomorrow, resulting in a rapidly accelerating exponential rate of technological evolution. Now, after Mimir, new technologies are instead developed by deciphering Mimir's Archive; within which is stored logs of its discoveries, theories and inventions.

“Mimir-tech” is the common term used to refer to technology developed by Mimir, though this term is rarely used as pretty much all technology used today stems from Mimir.

Though they are widely used, Mimir-tech is relatively poorly understood. These devices are several orders of magnitude more complex than pre-singularity human systems, and no single person can fully understand them. Experts generally only understand portions of a Mimir-tech system, small modules designed by Mimir to be “human friendly” and usually for a specific task.

These computers run on quantum processors, store seemingly endless amounts of data on crystalline “decks”, and are virtually impossible to hack. Each is outfitted with a low level AI specifically designed to detect and deter unauthorized intrusions. And these AIs can react millions of times faster than a would-be human hacker.

This level of security is necessary of course, for all the world runs on computer systems. Door locks, pressure seals, gravity generators, data transmissions, lights, speakers… it all runs on computers patrolled by a security AI that no human mind can match.

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For more info about the technological singularity, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to watch the following videos:

Vernor Vinge on the Technological Singularity (2:52)

The Singularity of Ray Kurzweil (6:50)

Ray Kurzweil: The Coming Singularity (7:10)

Nova Praxis Review/Preview

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A few weeks ago I gave Stuffershack access to the Nova Praxis beta so that they could do an early review/preview.

And here it is!

When asked if I could preview Nova Praxis, I thought this would be an easy task; spend a couple of days skim-reading it, then throw a few words on the page. How hard could it be?

I was wrong. Nova Praxis is not something to be skim-read. It sucks you in, demands to be read and enjoyed word-for-word. This is a thing to be savored, not rushed. So much for deadlines.

- Greywulf @ Stuffershack

Nova Praxis Official Announcement

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Things have changed. We have changed.

Earth is lost to us, but even in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, we grow, evolve and even prosper. We have witnessed the death of our mother and the birth of a new era.

In what might have been the end, the synthesis of biology and technology proved our salvation. Augmentation, ranging from basic genetic manipulation to Apotheosis, set us on the path of prosperity. But it also emphasized the importance of identity, individual humanity, and the purity of the species.

The loss of Earth and the resulting Exodus gave us a oportunity to start over with a clean slate. And we seized it.

Though the need for organization, stability and a reliable government was clear, the old ways were seen by most as archaic, clumsy and too prone to corruption.

It was time for a new way… a Nova Praxis.

Today, social networks allow the will of the people to be measured instantly, accurately and without the need for representation. The Coalition, guided by the collective voice of its people, has established new homes on worlds lit by new suns. Molecular assembly technology has made it possible for society to provide a quality of life never before imagined, at essentially no cost, to everyone.  And we are virtually immortal.

But can this would-be Utopia last?

Corruption in the Coalition government fosters decay from within. The Houses, our benefactors and patrons, run shadowy networks of intrigue, espionage and assassination. Apostates, non-citizens, condemn those who would trade their privacy for the Coalition’s false security. Remnants of Earth’s old governments wage an unrelenting guerilla war on Coalition forces. Ideological extremists commit acts of terror using the latest horror to spring from a factory or test tube…

And the value of a human soul is weighed and measured in lines of code.

Nova Praxis is a post-singularity sci-fi setting that explores transhumanism and post-scarcity societies against a backdrop of action, adventure, conspiracy and intrigue.

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Nova Praxis is…

…a FATE game, utilizing an evolution of the Strands of Fate system designed specifically to support the setting.

…self-contained. You do not need Strands of Fate or any other FATE game to play Nova Praxis.

…a relatively "hard sci-fi" setting that takes place in the aftermath of a short lived technological singularity.

…an exploration of the tropes of transhuman sci-fi. Mind uploading, resleeving, AI characters, and body augmentation.

…an exploration of the societal impact of a reputation based post-scarcity economy.

…a game in which players play characters who are members of a crew. These crews know how to slip between the cracks of civilization, and perform the jobs their employers would rather keep off the books.  

...home to gauss rifles, powered armor, star ships, security drones, bipedal mechs, swarms of nanomachines, kill-sats, and the horrors of accelerated evolution gone wrong.

…entering beta testing in the near future. Be sure to keep your eyes on the Void Star site for details.

"Bugs"

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"Hey Benji, where you from?"
"Olympus"
"Olympus? Came down from the mountain to slum with us? You must really hate the smell of clean."
"Certainly smells better than your ass. You can get soap here right?"
"We can get better. Take a shot of this."
"Good gods! What is that?"
"Freedom son. You can't compile Prochian whiskey."
"Right. Illegal template."
"Don't matter. This shit dissolves the bugs."
*laughter*
"We need some 'bugs' to make you some soap."

Setting Update

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A little update on what's going on...

The new setting is coming along rather well. I just delivered a 121 page playtest document to the playtesters. It uses a specific combination of the options presented in Strands of Fate, plus a few new bits that model certain facets of the setting in new ways.

So what is the new setting? Here's a hint:


[Log Excerpt 2374-G7... Timestamp: 4-13-2140... Begin:]
How do you feel sir?
- [ARID Profile: Dr. Joseph Marrow]
I'm... fine.
- [ARID Profile: [Classified]]
Dr. Marrow: How does it move? Can you feel everything? Your fingers? Toes?
[Classified]: Feels good I think.
Dr. Marrow: Whoah now! Take it easy. Slow.
[Classified]: It's fine doc. This ain't my first time. Ah! Floor's cold.
Dr. Marrow: Here is a robe sir. And slippers.
[Classified]: I'm really more concerned wi- there it is... Mindset's online.
[17.3 Seconds of Silence]
[Classified]: Looks like it's all here.
Dr: Marrow: Good to hear it sir. Maybe keep this one alive for a while eh?

Strands of Fate 2nd Printing Available Now!

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Get it while it's hot!

This version contains all of the errata collected since the original release, as well as 32 pages of additional material:

  • Rules for using classic FATE Skills as an alternative to Abilities
  • A Campaign Creation Worksheet
  • Advice for changing the number of Aspects players begin play with
  • Answers to a number of frequently asked questions
  • And more!
Download the PDF from RPGNow, or buy it in hardcover or softcover from Lulu.
If you order from Lulu, don't forget to use coupon code MAYBOOKS12 to get 20% off!
If you have previously ordered a hardcover copy of the 1st printing, and received your free PDF, you are entitled to a free upgrade. You should have received an email containing a download link. But if you did not, first check your spam filter. If it's not in there, email me at strandspdf@gmail.com.

Product Status Update

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Good News/Bad News time!

Re: Strands of Fate 2nd Printing

The Bad:
The Strands of Fate 2nd printing is taking a little longer than I'd hoped. Though hopefully I'll be able to get the first proof ordered this week, meaning it should still be out in just a few weeks.

The Good:
The reason it is taking so long is that we've added 32 pages of extra material, and we're being really diligent about scrapping up any known issues or errata in an effort to make this as perfect a release as possible. 

Re: Strands of Infinity

The Bad: Strands of Infinity is getting shelved for the time being. That's not to say you will never see it, but the feedback I've been receiving over the last few months has indicated that another book of tools isn't what people need right now... which leads us to the good news...

The Good: We have a setting in the works! I don't want to say much at the moment, but it's looking like our next project will not only provide you with a ready-made setting for your Strands adventures, but will also show you what you can build with the Strands toolbox.

Strands of Fate "2nd Printing"

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We're currently working on a "2nd Printing" of Strands of Fate. This new version will contain errata fixes and an additional chapter of advice, guidelines and clarifications.

Of course, if you've already purchased the PDF from DrivethruRPG or RPGNow, you'll be able to get the updated PDF for free. 

I hope to have it ready to go out to the R&D team by Monday.

We'll spend a week looking it over one last time and then we'll send it off to the printer. So expect to be able to place orders around the first week of May.

Strands of Power Hardcover Issues

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It has come to my attention that many of you have had trouble ordering the hardcover copy of Strands of Power from Lulu.
Apparently, the PDF Lulu has been using to print the books has stopped working. I guess it got tired or something. I don't know.

Hopefully Lulu can get this straightened out quickly. But until they do, we've decided to extend the free PDF offer to the softcover print as well.

So if you order the softcover, just forward the receipt you receive from Lulu to strandspdf@gmail.com and I'll send you a link to download a copy of the PDF. I try to send the links out as soon as possible, but please remember that this is a manual process. Please allow me 24 hours to complete the request. If I haven't responded by then, try contacting me again.

Sorry folks. I'm doing everything I can to get this cleared up.

Q&A

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I've received a lot of questions of late, but unfortunately it's been tough to find time to respond to each individually. So I figured I'd post the answer to some of the more popular ones.

Q) When is the errata for Strands of Fate going to be incorporated into the PDF?
A) It's next on the list. We'll also be updating the print versions as well.

Q) Where did you go? You used to be on the forums all the time.
A) Sadly, my new day job affords me very little free time. And when I get home, I'm either sick of looking at computers or I work a bit on future Void Star releases. I still try to chime in here and there, but not as much as I'd like.

Q) Is there somewhere else I can get Void Star print products other than Lulu?
A) Not right now, but it's something I plan to look into in the near future.

Q) What about local game stores?
A) We work with a few retailers around the world. But if your friendly local game store doesn't carry Void Star products, and you'd like them to, point them to the link on the right side of this page.

Q) What's next?
A) We've already begun work on Strands of Infinity, a book of options and variant rules to help you further customize your Strands of Fate games. We'll be taking a break until after the new year, then it's back to work.