Silicon Shadows- Table of Contents/Navigation (Numenera/the Strange)

part one - introducing the datasphere
part two - entering the datasphere 2a) datasphere access cyphers and artifacts
part three - translation into the datasphere
part four - places in the datasphere 4a1) the Avaloria Rex 4a2) Dangers of Avaloria
part five - adventuring in the datasphere
part six - exiting the datasphere

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Silicon Shadows- Exiting the Datasphere (Numenera)

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The most common way for entrants to the datasphere to exit is by means of their entry point. Whether their entry point remains open until they emerge, has an automatic recall system, or simply leaves them stranded them if they overstay their allowed time. Generally it takes something dramatic to make an exception to this basic rule.

Silicon Shadows- Adventuring in the Datasphere (Numenera/the Strange)

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Beyond the defined borders of the established systems is the vast "unformatted" space. This "fractal network" called the Strange changes not at all from the way it is presented in the Strange core book. (Ch14 p 212). Key points of interest are the ability to travel between recursions directly through the Strange (p214) and relics of the Strange (p218). Conversely, the threats of the Strange are at least as great as those of the formatted Recursions into which most access pods and juncture points will deliver travelers. Alienation (p216) threatens those exposed to this unformatted space and various creatures call it home (p217).

Silicon Shadows; Places in the Datasphere- Dangers of Avaloria (the Strange/Numenera)

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the Avaloria Rex

While it might seem like Avaloria is an idyllic place of harmony and peace at first, there are a number of threats in this recursion. The most obvious is the wildlife. While it may seem odd that a designed digital system like the Avaloria would have flora and fauna, especially those of a dangerous nature, these things simply represent the various sub-programs and algorithms that maintain the overall system. It is worth remembering that the Avalorians themselves are little different in this respect. In fact, the majority of Avalorian wildlife is dangerous to some degree, either through its own predatory nature or defenses evolved against predators. Such scourges range from skiel, vicious, rodent-like scavengers that have far too many claws and mouths, to classic wyverns. There are even reports near the wastes that great lizard-like creatures have taken to the sky, breathing fire and raging. The purpose and origins of these dragons, for that is what they appear to be, is unknown. While the Avalorian clerics hope they are a sign that their gods have returned and sent these creatures to protect them from the encroaching darkness many fear that they are twisted creations of the invading evils representing their imminent doom.

Silicon Shadows; Places in the Datasphere- Avaloria Rex (the Strange/Numenera)

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Ages ago the Avaloria Rex was a ship of the line in the fleets of a now vanished civilization. What happened to that civilization is unknown, but the Avaloria was abandoned when a fault forced the crew to jettison the main drives leaving the ship stranded in interstellar space. The crew then abandoned her, leaving this vast construct abandoned and alone. Secondary power has proven more than sufficient to keep the remaining systems operational, cycling over to a similarly complete tertiary power for regular maintenance. The result is a great space fortress far from any threat or life. While its sublight drives remain active, and has a course laid in for the nearest stellar object, it will be over a thousand years before it reaches the binary star system that is its target. At that point appearances are that she will be captured between the two stars and remain there, drawing power and waiting in standby mode, until its systems give out.

Silicon Shadows- Places in the Datasphere (Numenera/the Strange)

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For most intents and purposes, adventuring through the datasphere is identical to a game of the Strange. For example, if the characters do find their way from one zone to another their interface goes through a process of recontextualization; their descriptor, their focus, and their equipment change to be appropriate for the new zone. It is worth remembering that, as a character can only translate to locations they have previously visited, new visitors to the datasphere are going to be heavily reliant on gates and other methods of finding their way into locations other than the zone they arrive in.
Within the datasphere recursions are datasphere zones, terms which may be used interchangeably, and the varying physical laws of these different zones reflect the differing nature and interpretations of the systems visited.

Silicon Shadows- Becoming Part of the Datasphere (Numenera/the Strange)

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When a character enters the datasphere, whether their body is converted or they leave it behind, an Avatar is created for them. This digital persona reflects who they are in the real world, as part of any insertion process is to convert the things they encounter into a sensory experience their minds and bodies can process, understand, and react to. The first time a character enters a datasphere zone there is a basic imprinting done on their personality. The character's type is converted to its equivalent from the Strange (glaive to vector, nano to paradox, jack to spinner). Their stats, tier, experience, and advancement choices remain unchanged, however. Further advancement is simply layered on to this template (and converts back to the real world). Equipment from the physical world, including cyphers and artifacts, only translate into the datasphere if they were brought through a matter conversion portal or other similar accommodations were made.

Silicon Shadows- Entering the Datasphere; purpose built devices (Numenera)

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All cyphers and artifacts can be used as a tools to reduce the difficulty to break into the datasphere. However, there are a few cyphers which are designed explicitly to grant unfettered access to the datasphere.

Silicon Shadows- Entering the Datasphere (Numenera)

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While the great network of networks that exists across the Earth, and even beyond, is collectively called the datasphere the fact is there are hundreds if not millions of often incompatible systems being bridged by various layers of accreted technology. The result, however, is that most places in the universe have one or more reflections in the datasphere. Theoretically, this means that at any location, given the right equipment, one can access one network and from there work their way out to any part of the 'Sphere through these ancient cobwebs.
The problem, as with every technological marvel in the Ninth World, is age and disconnection. Entire networks have collapsed and those that remain are not whole. The most complete are self-repairing and have often repaired themselves by merging with other, normally incompatible, networks. The result is that some places it is easier to access a reflection from a remote system which is more compatible with one's own biology and Numenera, reaching back across several such bridges, than to gain access from a given physical location.

Silicon Shadows- the Depths of the Datasphere (Numenera)

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Much of the Numenera interacts with the shattered shells of ancient information networks that crisscross the Ninth World. Many cyphers and artifacts act as intermediaries, fetching and collecting information from these scattered systems before collating and presenting it in formats that have a chance of being understood by these unintended users. Nanos may use, intentionally or not, ancient methods of access and control to reach out into the datasphere and command the mechanisms at work behind so much of the Ninth World to generate the effects of their esoteries. All of these interactions take for granted the prevalence and pervasiveness of the various systems that are, together, called the datasphere without the users ever doing more than trailing the tips of their fingers in these digital worlds.