User
Making up about 18% of the rezzed population, Users are human-like intelligences who live in Soulbank. Most appear as anthropomorphic animals with "digital" details in their avatars. Though they are functionally immortal, there is a finite amount of memory available to them, which has led to a large degree of Drift in their personalities to the point that they are debatably different people than they were when their minds were originally uploaded to Soulbank. In addition, Soulbank has been running so long, few Users even remember there being an outside world.
User Privilege
Soulbank was designed to serve Users, defined as beings with a UID, and does so by producing Process to serve influential User interests and awarding limited use of Authority functions as the system deems worthy. Over time, most Users have become hedonists with short memories and a sense of entitlement, viewing Process as tools, playthings, or claques, which is further encouraged by the rise of Sirius Service Solutions as the premier manufacturer of Process.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Users interact with Soulbank's virtual environments through their avatar, which contains their core memory. Avatar modding is a common practice, introducing a wide variety of forms, though humanoid shapes have long endured as a baseline.
Nodes and Bones
As digital beings, Users are not subject to normal biological rules and have a different internal structure of nodes, bones, and various Functions. In the abstracted world of Soulbank, nodes and bones act as nerves as much as structural supports. Disabling a node or breaking a bone prevents a User from accessing the attached Functions, limiting their ability to interact with Soulbank. Crashing a sufficient number of nodes triggers deresolution.
Functions
Users have access to nine Function libraries (Buffer, Crash, Echo, Find, Goto, Link, Mask, Ping, and Restore) that cover a wide variety of interactions with Soulbank, and frequently instinctively develop or obtain specialized code to optimize their performance in their favored Functions.
Application Programming Interface (API)
More secure and nuanced interactions with a User's avatar and memory are handled through their API, typically located at the base of the neck. Recall terminals often come with a connection device that slots into the User's API for memory transfer. Other services that affect a User's consciousness or modify their avatar typically require such a connection. Though it's often difficult and requires the victim to be unaware, a skilled memknife wielder can target another being's API to copy or steal memory or quickly derez or incapacitate them.
Genetics and Reproduction
With a finite number of UIDs in Soulbank, Users do not reproduce conventionally. Some Traditionalist Users will use Iteration to be "reborn" in a more child-like state under the supervision of a trusted ally. There are some rumors of "missing" UIDs being reintroduced into the community by such means, but such things are extraordinarily rare.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Theoretically speaking, there's no reason for a User to deal with biological needs. They do, however, have some desires imposed on them as a result of their base code and UID. Hunger and thirst require an intake of digital food and drink to sate, otherwise the result is discomfort and reduced clarity of thought. Simple food and drink is provided without cost, but most traditional Users seek out finer dining experiences and the demand has been met with a variety of culinary arts.
Wilderness areas procedurally generate edible plants and animal subroutines for Users to forage for and consume with varying difficulty. Fluorine server is notable for being one of the most difficult servers to survive in without periods of hunger and thirst.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Users have broad access to data in their virtual environment, but successfully sorting out useful information from the noise in the simulation is done with their Find Function. Specialized equipment and software can be built into their avatars to enhance their data access and sorting methods.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Users tend to have one given name, though those who maintain notions of family will often have extended names to reflect this. Every User has a UID that guarantees their immortality by ensuring they will be reconstructed in the Resolution Queue should anything happen to them.
Major Organizations
Common Dress Code
Users frequently form cliques with their own individual style that related Process mimic. Most of these factions display a signature color and emblem. Users tend to have the most dramatic variation in dress, and fashion changes quickly.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
User culture is known for rapid change as different factions come to power. Currently, dangerous games, bloodsport, and thrillseeking are celebrated due to the influence of Argon Entertainment. The ascendancy of Sirius Service Solutions has also cemented the idea of User supremacy as Process are manufactured as custom tools. Conway Productions is another entertainment company that has enjoyed prominence and promoted various trends among Users.
History
Users are not native to Soulbank, originally born as organic beings who had their minds uploaded to Soulbank for now unknown reasons. Before this happened, however, the Administration and Daemons built the system, only for the Administration to hand it over to the newly arrived Users. Much of User history is lost, including the original purpose for their migration into Soulbank.
Common Myths and Legends
Buried deep within the Archives is a document known as the Black Box. Many Users who feel discontent with the raw hedonism of the majority seek out the Black Box and other bits of Soulbank's history in hopes of finding a greater purpose or the great truth behind Soulbank's existence.
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