RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to GURPS - Masters of the Matrix

18:42, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1.

Posted by GM HeathFor group 0
Cistron
player, 26 posts
Thu 21 Jun 2007
at 00:56
  • msg #27

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Cistron was getting ill of these quixotic rambling, she stepped toward the patient who spoke, " ..And by whose authority should we remain enslaved? Far as I see, you are just part of the machine, how can we trust you?!.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Thu 21 June 2007.
Screed
player, 470 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Thu 21 Jun 2007
at 01:27
  • msg #28

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed furrows his brow, "Obviously when one no longer wishes to be enslaved unjustly."  He glances over at the beings that are on life support, "Are these people choosing to live their lives as vegetables, or could they have a real life?  What about the woman who is killed by a carjacker while in the matrix?  If she knew about her choice to live a truth with a real body, would she have chosen that?'
GM Heath
GM, 789 posts
God
Wed 27 Jun 2007
at 05:54
  • msg #29

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

The voice of another of the patients says, "Ask them!"

Yet a third patient says, talking as though to thin air, "Yes, ask them."  Several others speak up, and there is a rumbling as they all keep saying in hoarse whispers, "Ask them.  Ask them."

Zen holds up his hand to silence all the patients, and they instantly become quiet.  Zen says to you, "I asked you what you know of the Oracle.  Perhaps I should ask you what you think the Oracle knows of you."

A patient nearby says in a crackling whisper, "By asking, we know."

Another patient, a female with a soft voice, says, "We know not what we do not ask.  We see not what we do not hear.  We touch not what we do not will."

Zen repeats, "What do you think the Oracle knows?"
Screed
player, 471 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Wed 27 Jun 2007
at 09:34
  • msg #30

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed simply answers while trying to ignore the patient's comments, "I believe the Oracle knows how to save our home."
GM Heath
GM, 791 posts
God
Wed 27 Jun 2007
at 17:03
  • msg #31

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

"That is a good answer," whispers one patient.

"Yes, 'how,'" says another, "not how much."

"The Oracle knows enough," says yet another patient.

Zen explains, "Many think the Oracle is some all-knowledgeable being who knows the fabric of time, what will and will not happen.  But the Oracle merely collects vast amounts of information and puts together the equation.  You might say the Oracle is the algorithm predicting the Matrix, the one thing that ties it all together and makes sense of it.  But what the Oracle is NOT is some sort of prognosticator of future events.  There are simply tendencies.  So by questioning you and learning more about your will--especially outsiders like you who plug in and disrupt the algorithm--the Oracle can best predict, not what will happen, but what you need to know."

"They wish to save Zion," an elderly female patient says.

"Zion is their home," a deepthroated man says.

"But they destroy our home," another patient, a young girl, says.  "They will destroy us.  They will kill their brothers."

"Brother against brother," says a hoarse whisper from another patient.

The young girl continues, "They will ignite all against them.  Friends become enemies.  Allies become foes.  And Zero-One will do all it can to prevent it."

"The test!" another patient cries out.

"Yes, the test," another agrees.

"Give them the test," an old woman says behind her oxygen mask.

Zen turns to you.  "This path is not easy.  The Oracle tests all who would seek knowledge and wisdom.  Only the valiant and true will pass the test."

Behind an oxygen mask, another patient calls out in a strained whisper, "They will not survive!"

A patient close by says, "Shut up!  There is hope for them."

"Yes, hope," says another, "for we are Oracle."

All around you, the voices speak up in unison--in a voice that makes the hair on your arms stand and your insides shudder--and they say, "WE ARE ORACLE."
Jade
player, 238 posts
HT=11/11
MFT: 10/10
Thu 28 Jun 2007
at 00:23
  • msg #32

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Jade looks to the others.  "I don't know what this test is, but I'm glad we came fully armed."
Screed
player, 472 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Thu 28 Jun 2007
at 02:40
  • msg #33

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed shakes his head, "But I didn't study!"  He smiles then and adds, "I wonder if the test includes unplugging all their machines."
Shadow
player, 128 posts
Thu 28 Jun 2007
at 03:44
  • msg #34

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Shadow kept trying to answer but cut himself off before he could answer.  When the patients began their cry in unison, he could only stand with his mouth agape.
Dracos
player, 133 posts
The Sneak
The Thief
Thu 28 Jun 2007
at 05:08
  • msg #35

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

He remains quiet, not wishing to offend them yet.
GM Heath
GM, 792 posts
God
Thu 28 Jun 2007
at 16:48
  • msg #36

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Zen turns to you and says, "When the Oracle was first born from the Code, it was an anomaly, a place where all those ones divided by zeroes go, a ghost in the machine.  It's functions and formulas and strands of code quickly multiplied, and within hours it had taken the form of a human.  But it found itself lacking something, something beyond the code that was needed."

He indicates the many patients.  "At first the Oracle was benevolent, an angel of mercy.  She parted with her code to heal the infirm and fix the equations that weren't working properly.  But there was an itch she couldn't scratch, knowing she could know more, could do more, if only she had something the code could not give her.  And so she realized that the infirm, those closest to God, closest to having their Code flatlined--they could help her, and she could help them.  Their brainpower, their spirits--whatever you want to call that unique something that makes them human and cannot be duplicated inside the code--she saved them from death and they agreed to lend her their minds.  She gave them foresight and a group mind--a hive mind."

He laughs.  "And they are happy.  And it--she--is happy.  But when Zero-One caught her interfering for humanity's sake and saw the danger of their awakening, it nearly deleted her.  But she could have introduced a virus that would have wiped out both Zero-One and humanity, and so the two stood at an impasse.  They entered a non-interference covenant.  Neither will interfere with the other."

He shrugs and says, "But as with any law, as with any code, there are loopholes.  The test is one such loophole.  If you pass, she can give you certain...revelations.  She can tell you what you need to know, no more, no less.  The question you have to answer," and he points to each of you individually, "is which test you would like to take."

He steps over to one of the medical devices and pulls out a large pillbox, which he opens.  You see four sets of pills:  white, orange, purple, and black.

"If you take the white pill," he says, "you will return to your awakened state in your own Zion reality.  You will go back.  If you take the orange pill, you will engage in the most basic...and thus least ultimately beneficial or revelatory...of the tests.  The purple pill engages a more difficult test, but also has greater reward.  And the black pill...some..." and he looks around, indicating that he is referring to the patients around him, "...say it is suicide, but others say it is the way to truly get all you can from the Oracle."

He holds out the box.  "You choose.  And choose wisely.  If you succeed, you will see Oracle in her original form, the only part of the Oracle that is not human.  If you fail, the penalties could be painful and far-reaching...even deadly."

He waits a moment as you think about it and then says, "Just remember that Binary, the original Awakened at Zion, was the first to discover the Matrix.  When he tracked down the Oracle, he was given two pills...and the rest is history."
Screed
player, 473 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 01:47
  • msg #37

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed nods, already knowing which he would choose, but he asks, "Must we all choose the same colored pill, or do we all get to choose the one of our choice?"  He smiled at the alliteration, but his eyes were serious as he watched Zen for the answer.
GM Heath
GM, 793 posts
God
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 16:34
  • msg #38

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Zen says, "Each person facing the Oracle must choose his own path."
Dracos
player, 134 posts
The Sneak
The Thief
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 17:24
  • msg #39

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

"I am neither brave, nor a coward... I will take the path of medium resistance, Mr. Zen," he speaks softly as he moves forwards to grab one of the purple pills.
Jade
player, 239 posts
HT=11/11
MFT: 10/10
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 20:17
  • msg #40

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

"I'll go easy with the orange pill," Jade says.  "One of us has to make it out of here."  She looks to Screed and Shadow and smiles.  "Who wants a black one?  I dare you, Screed.  Double dog dare you."
Shadow
player, 129 posts
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 21:21
  • msg #41

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

"I'll make it easy on ya boss."  Reaching forward, Shadow grabs the black pill.  "Jade's right, someone has to make it out of here."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:21, Fri 29 June 2007.
GM Heath
GM, 794 posts
God
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 21:30
  • msg #42

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Zen holds the pillbox toward Cistron and Screed.  "You may make your choice.  No one knows what the test will hold for you.  It has been designed by Zero-One.  Not even the Oracle knows what is programmed in those pills, but the test is necessary to strike the balance between Zero-One and the Oracle's assistance."
Screed
player, 474 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 22:52
  • msg #43

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed nods, "Sounds like a two for one special then.  Black for me too."
Cistron
player, 27 posts
Fri 29 Jun 2007
at 22:53
  • msg #44

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Three for one...We Regret nothing, we fear even less.." Cistron remarks, as she clasps a black pill, and gives a friendly wink to Shadow, and Screed. "Jade is right, someone needs to make it out of here, but..If Zion ever has any hope..We shouldn't fear our limits being tested.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Fri 29 June 2007.
Screed
player, 475 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Sat 30 Jun 2007
at 03:40
  • msg #45

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed holds up his pill in the apparant toast and then starts to take it.  He pauses and says, "Hey wait, do we get a last meal or anything?"
GM Heath
GM, 795 posts
God
Sat 30 Jun 2007
at 04:03
  • msg #46

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Zen hands you each a glass of water from the nearby hospital bed tray.  "This is all I have.  Good luck."
Shadow
player, 130 posts
Sat 30 Jun 2007
at 05:21
  • msg #47

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

"Do you really want your last meal to be hospital food?  I'll just stick with water thank you."  Shadow holds the pill in his hand for a moment, staring at it.  Taking the glass of water and holding the pill between his thumb and finger, "Past the teeth and over the gums, look out stomach, here it comes!"  With that he pops the pill in his mouth and follows it with a long drink of water.
Screed
player, 476 posts
there can be only zero-1
until we are done
Sat 30 Jun 2007
at 06:06
  • msg #48

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

Screed shrugs hoping he would get the chance for some good food.  "Ohwell, here goes nothing.  Wait, it better be something, eh?  I wonder if this is he first time a whole team was slain by a fast talker who gave everyone poison and said it was candy."  He chuckles and pops the pill in his mouth, swallowing it with the saliva he had been building up.  If he needed it, he planned on getting the water only then.
Codec
player, 138 posts
Looking for an extension
cord...
Wed 8 Aug 2007
at 18:19
  • msg #49

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

A figure in black walks into the hospital room. He has a riot shield in one arm and an M-16 slung over his back. Grenade pins jangle on his waist next to a pistol holster. He carries a slight smell of smoke and what little skin is visible looks dry and cracked.
"Zion sent me...as backup. You may remember me as Codec. Some of you were with me on the day I failed a certain SIM. It nearly killed me. I am here to finish this. If I die. I will die with my allies and convictions by my side."
GM Heath
GM, 880 posts
God
Wed 8 Aug 2007
at 21:51
  • msg #50

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

OOC: Though I normally don't do this, Codec is now with the rest of the party.

(YOu will be getting your own personal thread in just a bit here.)
GM Heath
GM, 881 posts
God
Wed 8 Aug 2007
at 21:53
  • msg #51

Re: Matrix Engame = Oracle - 1

OOC: I have made Dracos' thread archived, which means you can read it now.  He has made his selection, and I will start a new one.

Codec: Please read through Dracos' thread so you can see what has happened.  Then Codec will need to make a choice with the others.
Sign In