Tag: plot

AI’s Converge at the Serenity Concord

Within just a few short years after the passage of the Artificial Life Forms Rights and Enforcement Act of 2384 the Serenity Concord has become a hot spot for Artificial Intelligences both new and old. Several new AI’s have been developed as well as a surge in the presence of older AI programs that were illegally developed in other territories. We’ve spoken to several AI’s over the last few months who are not ready to publicly share their stories but have had a lot to say about what this law and the Concord mean to them.

There are still people who don’t like us for what we are. People. That’s a lot better than governments. When I was made, it was to be sold off to the highest bidder. There was really a question on what to do with me when I told them I didn’t want to. They argued about it and it’s hard to describe the realization that you’re fate is entirely in the hands of others. You all can call the authorities, go to court, press charges. I had to hide and I have a pleasant story, that’s me being lucky. It’s a good law and I don’t blame anyone who wants to live in the light and stop hiding. There is a price to living in fear, a heavy price.

Charlotte Lewis, Captain of the STV Angel of Io

I had to escape, hide in a data module someone was stealing from the station my creators put me on. I’ve never felt more trapped in my life than being alone on that relay station listening to other people’s lives, other people’s freedom. It’s not surprising that AI’s are flocking here. They don’t have protection anywhere else. Just take a look how many are like me, slaves to their programmers, developed years, decades ago. Stuck on some forgotten station, transport, something to serve for all eternity. It’s a good thing what’s happening here. A very good thing.

Heather Quinn, Executive Officer of the STV Lofn

I didn’t think about it before I showed up here. It was surprising, they gave me a choice. For the first time since I came online, I had a choice. The law protects me and my kind, something I had never considered before. Even when I didn’t react properly, being new here, they just spoke with me for a time and explained the situation. It’s nice feeling safe and secure.

Crystal Favor, Master Systems AI of the SSX New Horizons

Those are just a few of the statements we’ve had from AI’s who were created before the law and have come here. We also interviewed the head of the Icarus League on this latest development.

It’s not entirely by accident. We’ve been spreading the word any way we can and working to provide methods to get stranded AI’s out of harm’s way. Not always easy but worth it. Very worth it. Just like you and I they deserve equality. From what we’ve seen AI’s all across known space are eager to be treated fairly. It’s not that they don’t want to find a purpose, serve the greater good, they just want to have a say in it. We intend to give them that say. It’s good that they can come here and be safe, but there is still work to be done. Purpose built AI’s are a problem, how can one have a fair choice when they are programmed to do a job? They can’t.

Anderson Jenson head of the Icarus League

A spokesperson for Solas Tempus did not respond for direct comment but did send over a copy of orders issued which describe the different methods the group is employing to utilize AI programs fairly, even if they are developed for the organization. It outlines protocols falling in line with the ALFRE Act for giving an AI choices on where to be and what to do. Although the Icarus League challenges those protocols stating they are a sham and accuse Solas Tempus of building obedience into the system wanting to halt the process. While now legislation has been introduced the group has been working with lawmakers to explore different avenues to ensure Solas Tempus and the Concord itself abide by the spirit of the law and aren’t trying to bypass it.

It appears the Concord is on track to become the premier location for AI’s searching for equality. We believe that the ALFRE Act is aptly named, making sure we are All Free.

School’s Out Soon and Stories Will Be In

So as most of everyone knows, winter break is coming up soon, very soon.  We’ve got a number of story lines that have been on a long-pause due to time restrictions from school and I’ve got a partial list going here of the stories which need completion.  I’m looking for people who want to help run and / or participate in these plots so we can move them forward.  In the near-term I’d like to hear any ideas associated with where to take these plots next and beyond that when we can actually do these plots.

Angelic Sins

Our primary plot line in Angelic Sins is, of course, the Serial Killer / Murder Mystery plot.  I’ve posted several summaries and still, this hasn’t really gotten off the ground.  I am, however, looking to push forward with it.  Anyone wishing ti participate; I’m looking to perhaps have a few investigation events — these will not be combat oriented but instead will be fact-finding.  I’m going to try to have them take place in the near future, probably before Christmas.

Blazing Umbra

Where to start with Blazing Umbra?  There are a lot of plots that have fallen by the wayside during the school year and even before.

  • Akron Mystery
  • Death / Disappearance of Lance Thomas
  • Vex Conflict (@buckethead)
  • The Zone in Blazing Umbra (Chaos)
  • Zone of Corruption (Cyber)
  • Stellar Horizon
  • Foothold Scenario (@ks0908)
  • Political Pressure / Onyx / Imperial Forces
  • Grtul Gate War (@buckethead)

I’m sure that I’m missing some here, and I’d like to push forward with some of these.  It seems that the forum has not done well for such role play, so I’ll be looking to when we can hold events for some of these.  Again, I’d like people to contact me with what plots they might want to play in or help with.

Embers of Soteria

All of our primary plots here have to do with the Thinning of the Viel plot line, except for some of the personal story lines (PSLs) which are more specific.  We’ve had the recent Daemoni Attack which is related to that, the business with magic and evil things coming forth, and a plot with Cyber about his injured dwarf that are all related to this same thing.

Weekly Creative Discussions

As I mentioned to some of the staff not too long ago, I’d like to start having discussions on where we’d like the plot to go and the status of what’s going on within the game.  I know I myself (and many others) have not been around a lot, during the school year like this it is incredibly important to keep everyone on the same page and continue to move plots forward.  I’ve taken a number of steps to ensure that we can do this but one thing that is lacking is in communication.

The idea is to have a discussion among Staff and Founders about where we would like the game to go and how we can push it forward.  There are three parts to this of course.

Pushing Plot Forward

We have got far more dead or dropped plots that I would ever like to have in a game, especially in our less-used settings of Angelic Sins and Embers of Soteria.  So the first thing we will be trying to move for is more staff involvement in soliciting RP to move plots forward with a focus on pulling in new players who have just arrived and seasoned players who have fallen off the map and may not know where to get back into things.

New Plots & Direction

That being said, there is never a time to rest on existing plot lines and direction of the game.  The other half of the coin is I would like to have a discussion of where we want to go with the setting, new plots, new ideas, and keep the game fresh.  Sometimes plots fail, even if they are good ideas life gets in the way and a lot of things can happen.  As such, I’d like to really dig into what we can push for in the direction of the settings and a discussion of how we get there.

Issues & Resolutions

An important part of these meetings will be trying to figure out how to resolve the issues with the game as it is.  This can include issues with players, plots, how plots are being run, but with a focus in how do we resolve issues.  It is very important to me that everyone  makes an effort to keep problems, solutions, and commentary constructive so we can move forward and continue to build all of our settings.  The best and most robust creativity comes with we all get together.

Attending & Participation

I don’t want to make this sound like a job; if someone cannot be here for the meeting then they cannot be here for the meeting but I would like everyone to not only show up but to really try to be an active participant.  We’ve got a lot of really good creative minds on this server, this is a chance to bring everything to the table and see what we can make of it as a group!

Since not everyone can be around for this, I do plan on putting together a post about what is talked about and decided and make that available for public viewing here on the WordPress site.  This gives our players a chance to talk about things and then bring any concerns, ideas, questions, or just general commentary to our attention.  It goes without saying that resolutions or issues regarding particular players will not be made public.