Spheres MUX - Theme
Introduction - What is Spheres?
SpheresMUX is a MUX based around a 'world' that consists of hundreds of different spheres which represent snapshots of specific areas on different planets. These snapshots may have different environments, atmospheres, utterly different flaura and fauna, different gravity, and different constellations. It is somewhat similar to Chalker's Well World in design, with some major differences which will be explained through this document. The whole world is linked together as a tiled flat plane, linked at the corners as demonstrated in the image.
Each circle in the image is a sphere. This tiling would continue to stretch outwards indefinitely. Right now, there are only a handful of spheres (see 'info' for details), but we do allow players to add their own races as soon as they have at least 10 players willing to RP in their sphere. More details will be given on establishing your own sphere in the document 'news createsphere'. Spheres are 250KM in diameter, with a total of about 50,000 square KM in surface area.
Semi-tech) In a semi-tech sphere, basic and advanced mechanics will function correctly, as well as most chemical reactions, however any electrical device will not operate. For example, a mechanical pocket watch would function perfectly, but a digital watch would go blank just like a non-tech sphere. Nuclear reactions will not function here. Some semi-tech spheres may have a limited amount of magic, which can be used to enhance some odd ball machinery, making things like bizarre flying contraptions possible.
High-tech) This is one of the easiest levels of technology to describe: If you can do it in modern day earth, say 1998, then it will function properly. Advanced computers and electronics are possible, but there are restrictions on the size of circuitry that will function. Semi-conductor technology faster than .28 microns will NOT function, so imported tech from most ultra-tech environments will fail. Basically this means: a high tech world could have a pentium equivalent laptop, but that would be the limit of their power in terms of size. They could build something more powerful, but it would have to be bigger. There is generally no magic in high-tech spheres.
Ultra-tech) An ultra-tech sphere has no real limits save ingenuity on how far their technology can progress. They can have advanced tiny, and immensely powerful computer technology & mechanics. An ultra-tech sphere may possess nano-technology and make regular use of bio implants. Almost no magic will function in an ultra-tech sphere, and of course no race has yet had the ingenuity to figure out what exactly this sphere world is, or who created it!
Typically, there are a lot of non-tech spheres, a fair number of semi-tech spheres, some high-tech spheres and a very limited number of ultra-tech aged spheres. The Spheres of the same technology level (except for medieval spheres) are never beside one another to help prevent warfare. Magic from one medieval sphere will usually NOT function in a different medieval sphere, making conquest among them nearly impossible as well. As an example, were the high-tech centaurs to attempt an invasion of their neighboring gryphons, any weapons... (machine guns, tanks etc) would fail the instant they crossed the border. Artillery shells and rockets fired through the fairly narrow joining point of about ten kilometers would not detonate on impact, and would have such a narrow possible trajectory that damage would be negligible in any case. The only way to fight the gryphons would be on gryphon terms... and in their own sphere, where they have magic...
Because of their proximity and shape, the spheres overlap with each other at 6 points. As mentioned earlier, these overlaps are roughly 10 kilometers wide making it easy to cross between spheres. You can see clearly into the other sphere's terrain, that is if their atmosphere is translucent. If you hit the edge of the sphere where there is not a gate, you will feel soft resistance. As you push forward, the resistance will grow, until it has reached a point at which you are unable to progress. There is no 'visible' edge to the landscape, the area beyond the outer edge of the sphere is the same colour as the sky, appearing indistinguishable from the sky.
At the center of each sphere, atop a massive, ancient and immutable obsidian stone pyramid is a shimmering portal which leads to the Core. The Core is a small area where all races can gather, it is not in a sphere, but somewhere in the computer that controls them. The portal is small, only two meters wide and three tall. Inside the core there is the gate through which new inhabitants pass, and are transformed into their new species. When an already registered inhabitant of a sphere passes through this gate, it simply returns them to their home sphere. There is no access to any other sphere other than one's home from the Core.
The world of spheres itself is a mystery to its inhabitants. It is known to the technically advanced races that the balance of ecosystems is maintained by some kind of giant and incredibly complex computer system. They are unable to affect the functioning of this system in any way. The two most popular theories are that it is 1) a zoo for some kind of demi-God or a being sufficiently advanced to be unrecognizable from one, or 2) some kind of massive experiment. There are sometimes multiple snapshots of one world from multiple time periods! (Eg. A piece of England, circa 1411 medieval age, and a piece of China, 2011... information age..)
People arrive from Earth in a variety of ways (make up your own story...) but it usually involves falling through or encountering some kind of mysterious blue/black portal.
Inter-sphere travel is certainly possible. However, natives tend to stay home, and so do newcomers after their initial wanderings. This is because of subconscious 'suggestions' by the main computer that 'home' is a better place to be. Expect to experience these sensations in your wanderings.
SpheresMUX is a place of adventure beyond any and all imagination, a place in which any land, or any creature COULD exist. It can be a place both of great danger, and of great joy. Take care in your travels here. Before moving into the realm of the game, it would be a good idea to examine 'news rules' to get a feel for the rules of the game. We hope you enjoy yourself here on SpheresMUX. If there is anything which you feel would make the game better, don't hesitate to make a suggestion to a wizard.
Note: This web site is presently being maintained by Obasan, use the link provided to send him criticisms or suggestions.