Revision as of 16:23, 18 January 2014

Overview

• Data is the essence of information. It provides structure and definition. It is logic.
• Dream is the essence of empathy. It provides intuition and insight. It is emotion.

Light and Darkness are not the only forces at play in the world. There are other Worlds in which Light and Darkness are not the overriding factors in their existence. These worlds, the Data World and the Dreaming World, offer great vistas and serve their own purpose in the grand cosmology.

Commonalities

Data and Dream are not tied to the moral components that make up Light and Darkness, but they are universal constants in their own right. Data and Dream both help make up parts of what make a person whole (Data is Body, Dream is Heart, while both have a part in the Mind)

This means that one can have an ‘alignment’ on both the ‘DD’ Axis (Data-Dream) as well as the ‘LD’ Axis (Light-Darkness). This is also displayed in canon materials in both Data (Virals, Security Programs) as well as Dream (Nightmares, Dream Eaters).

Relationships

Data and Dream do not have an antagonistic relationship like Darkness and Light. They do not seek to destroy each other. They are, however, resistant to intrusion by the opposite force. This is why you do not see Programs in the Dream in general, nor Dream Eaters on the Grid. One could certainly dream of Programs or the Grid itself, or create a Program that mimics a Nightmare, but these are facsimiles and not true representations of those entities. There are occasions where Data may leak upon the Dream and vice versa, but such instances are extremely rare, usually only occurring in places that one or the other has taken total sway of the physical realm.

Data Terms

• Sea of Simulation: A vast digital ocean that acts as barriers between sectors. Travel across it is hazardous, relatively less so by air.
• Outlands: Rough, unpowered or barely powered sectors. The wilderness of the Data realm.
• Null Zone: An area of the Grid that is unpowered. Programs and Data entities generally do not survive long here without some form of an external power source. Often used to refer to both the Outlands and the Sea of Simulation.
• Free Sector: An unpopulated or uncontrolled area of the Grid that nevertheless has power access. More common as one heads away from the Boot Sector.
• Protected Sector: A Sector that is controlled by one of the various forces warring for dominance over the Grid, so named because of the Security Programs that maintain a presence there. These Sectors are almost always found closer to the Boot Sector.
• Boot Sector: The central core of the Data realm where master control is established and maintained. Handles all underlying processes for the Data.

• Nano-Click/”Click”: 1 second.
• Cycle: 1 minute
• Megacycle: 1 hour
• Gigacycle: 1 day
• Teracycle: 1 month.
• Exacycle: 1 year

• Repurpose: To alter a Program to a new function or loyalty, but maintain the old personality and memories. Can go wrong, requiring rectification (see below) to recover the Program.
• Rectify:To completely wipe a Program and rebuild them into a new function.

• Light Ribbon/Ribbon: A wall of light emitted from the back of all known Grid vehicles. Can be used as offense or defense. Also known as Jet Wall or Light Wall, depending on the vehicle.

• Deresolution/Derez: Death.
• Resolve/Rez: To create.
• The Games: A gladiatorial arena, often featuring a variety of events where Programs compete to win. The catch is that these games generally derez you if you lose. Usually used as a punishment by Administrators for those they see no use for elsewhere.

• Administrator: The program or entity that holds control over a Sector or group of Sectors.
• User: Either a Program’s creator/programmer, or a general term for a sentient organic being, especially humans.
• Programs: A general term for any Data-based sapient being. They are the populace of the Data realm and perform many tasks.
• ISO:

Additionally, almost any computer jargon or slang has been known to be used in the Grid for various reasons. Assume most jargon has connotations similar to what it possesses in real life.

Dream Terms

• The Dream: The overall realm in which Dreaming Worlds and Dreamscapes reside.
• Dreaming World: A greater Dreamscape that consists of the common thoughts and impressions of many Minds and Hearts. They are resistant to change, but not impenetrable.
• Dreamscape: Any bounded area within The Dream is a Dreamscape. They appear as bubbles within The Dream.
• Personal Dreamscape: A Dreamscape created by a person who is actively dreaming. The person to whom the Dreamscape belongs to generally has power there, but exceptions exist.