Proteus
By Shelby Babb (with thanks to Constantine)Progenitor Experiment / Marauder Target
Deep within the Umbra, Proteus pulsated in pleasure. Dr. Kai had told it how helpful it had been in repulsing the latest Marauder attack. Proteus still felt kind of giddy after consuming the "maniacs," as Dr. Kai called them, but it knew these were just feelings of pride and satisfaction. Everyone was always telling Proteus how useful it was, and how helpful. Proteus beamed with joy...
In a swirling spiral of chocolate pudding/blood-soaked uranium, a band of huddled figures sat in a circle screaming. They screamed for the time when their flesh would overpower the will of the Ram, and they would have "it" to use against the Masters of the Wall. In their last attack, they had managed to infect the Ram with one of their members, his thoughts beginning to invade its mind. Their screaming would soon be over...
Background: Proteus was conceived (so to speak) in the late 1960's by the Progenitors in an attempt to create a creature whose every body cell was linked in a hive mind with every other. The Progenitors hoped to use their "Protean Flesh Idea" in order to allow instantaneous tissue regeneration and resculpture, by having the flesh take whatever form the host body (which would have dominance over the hive mind) willed it to. The flesh was designed to survive off of free floating quintessence and could grow when exposed to greater amounts.
In 1975, the first cell of Proteus was created. The Progenitors began experiments in manipulating the tissue. In 1978, Proteus filled a small warehouse. Despite Syndicate arguments about cost efficiency, Proteus was moved to the Umbra for further growth and study. In 1982, Proteus developed sentience, formed a mouth and spoke. The Technocracy didn't know what to do.
The Progenitors called in Iteration X (which had used the Protean Flesh Idea experiments as the inspiration for their HIT Mark VI) for some initial help. Since the Progenitors had already made a profitable deal with MECHA, trading clones and cyborg tissue coating for quintessence, the members of Iteration X were quick to help with containment/termination equipment that would work on Proteus. Also, the Void Engineers offered vast amounts of quintessence for Proteus, hoping to use Protean flesh to bioengineer life usable on other planets and in the void of space. Even though the Progenitors quickly managed to get a grasp of the situation, the New World Order and Syndicate were demanding that the project be put on hold. The Void Engineers, still recovering from the Challenger explosion, decided not to challenge the other Conventions and limited their aid to donations of quintessence. Proteus grew to an immense size in the Umbra and starting forming internal cavities large enough to house people.
The decisive moment came in the winter of 1982, when Proteus destroyed an entire group of Nephandi mages and a small horde of their creatures. When the Technocracy heard of the immense power of Proteus they relented, designating it as a "secret weapon" of sorts. While the Progenitors felt Proteus' loyalty secure, the Syndicate and the New World Order feared the power of this construction even more. While the Protean Flesh was a reality, it was discovered that the flesh was useless once detached from Proteus, ever since the creature had gained self awareness. Also, Proteus could not leave the Umbra without suffering Paradox.
However, the Syndicate made a discovery of their own. Proteus had become the largest battery of Quintessence in existence. While Proteus absorbed huge amounts of raw and free quintessence from MECHA and the Void Engineer donations, the Syndicate had discovered that the flesh could also be converted back into quintessence. The Syndicate has since been looking for a way to not only debunk Proteus (the new name for the Protean Flesh Idea), but also to secretly claim the thing so they can tap its power.
The New World Order has been called in to make sure the creature not only is kept firmly under Technocracy control, but also to make sure that no other mage faction can persuade it to defect. The New World Order was also responsible for maintaining the frame of mind of Proteus (while they claim to be studying and maintaining its mental health, they are also trying to brainwash Proteus into answering only to them), but haven't been able to ascertain the source of Proteus' recent minor mental aberrations (which they believe to be caused by the stress of their "reprogramming," an activity they will not cease).
Proteus is a Progenitor's dream come true. Proteus is able to mimic any sequence of DNA to which it is exposed, and it can (given sufficient information or inspiration) simulate the effect of any conceivable change to DNA code. Proteus has been exposed to every mundane creature found on Earth, including all members of the plant and animal kingdoms, as well as all mundane microorganisms. Proteus has been used by the Progenitors to develop cures for cancer, AIDS and many other diseases known to modern science. However, the Progenitors are extremely cautious about introducing "non terrestrial" life forms to Proteus, fearing what effect an Umbral creature or virus might have on it. Due to this fear, Proteus constantly rejects any attempt from unapproved organisms to invade its cellular structure. Proteus works with the Progenitors, helping them learn in leaps and bounds. This has created an intense master-pet bond between Proteus and its Progenitor "parents".
In fact, Proteus was deemed so valuable by the heads of the Progenitor Convention that they made sure Proteus wasn't as tightly controlled or restricted as experimental projects normally are. The leaders were interested in watching how Proteus would develop with (limited amounts of) self determination. However, the Progenitors have also developed a way to cause Proteus to dissolve should it defect from the Technocracy or be deemed too great a threat.
Two other parties have a vested interest in Proteus. A group of Marauders and a Technocracy Oracle. Both have realized an amazing feature of Proteus; since every cell in Proteus is self aware and linked to every other cell via a hive mind, Proteus alone may be able to define the reality of Earth. However, since Proteus exists in the Umbra (a place where reality is much more fluid), it cannot affect Earth's reality. Also, the Oracle and Marauders are keeping quiet. In the Oracle's case, she fears the repercussions this would have throughout the Technocracy as every Convention tried to seize control of it, leading to a civil war. The Marauders, on the other hand, intend to "infect" the hive mind of Proteus with their own minds, take it to Gaia and force reality to accept not only the chaos of the Marauders but also Proteus' influence.
While the Nephandi would like to corrupt Proteus, they either assume it is too indoctrinated into Technocracy beliefs (not true), or that it's constantly monitored by the Technocracy (quite true). However, some Nephandi have decided to try to corrupt Proteus, only to be attacked by Marauders almost as soon as they begin their operation.
Amalgams: Four amalgams are involved with Proteus. Psychological Diagnostics, Cellular Monitors and the Protean Research Group work on, in and with Proteus. The Representatives supervise all work related to Proteus and are ultimately responsible for it.
Psychological Diagnostics
Members: Harold Smith (NWO, Adept); Janice Smith (NWO, Master); Maxwell Brown (NWO, Master); Eric Thompson (Progenitor, Master)
The Psychological Diagnostic team is responsible for recording Proteus' mental development and counseling Proteus about what it should do. The members of Psychological Diagnostics (with the exception of Eric), are trying to secretly gain control over Proteus and steal it for the New World Order. Should Eric find out about this, he will immediately inform the other Progenitors, causing the New World Order mages to be expelled from the project (and creating intense conflict between the two Conventions).
Cellular Monitors
Members: Carlos Rodriguez (Progenitor, Master); Alison Hendricks (Progenitor, Adept); Ian (Progenitor, Adept)
The Cellular Monitors are one of two amalgams dedicated solely to the study of Protean Flesh and Proteus. They study the ability of Protean Flesh to be altered, are responsible for introducing cell samples for creatures new to Proteus and catalogue the unique cellular creations Proteus designs. The Cellular Monitors have found a few scattered cells that seem to be in the early stages of developing their own personality. The Progenitors and Proteus can't wait to see how these "buds" will turn out.
Protean Research Group
Members: Patricia Goldstein (Progenitor, Master); Benjamin Matthews (Progenitor, Master); Emily Campbell (Progenitor, Adept); Lucas Steed (Progenitor, Adept)
The Protean Research Group is responsible for trying to find a way to graft Protean Flesh onto other organisms while retaining its metamorphic properties. They are also trying to find a way to allow Proteus to separate into multiple parts, with each part staying alive and connected to the hive mind. So far, both projects have ended in failures, but with Proteus' ever eager assistance, they believe they are close to a breakthrough.
Representatives
Members: Dr. Kai (Progenitor, Master); Kyle Vandenburg (Progenitor, Master)
The Representatives are responsible for reporting to the other Conventions of the Technocracy and coordinating the amalgams working with Proteus. The Representatives area also in charge of persuading Proteus to do the bidding of the Technocracy, including commanding it to attack enemies' Horizon Realms. However, since Proteus has expressed a desire to abstain from violence, the Representatives have been forced to allow the New World Order to "reprogram" its mind into a more submissive state.
Environment
The technomancers working with Proteus, also work inside of Proteus. Proteus is a self sufficient realm of sorts. Proteus recycles oxygen by taking carbon dioxide and mimicking artificial plant cells. Water is recycled from fluid wastes and also brought by the Progenitors from Earth to test how various creations/modifications of Proteus' cell structure will react in an aqueous environment. The only thing residents need to supply is their own food.
Proteus can even mimic weather patterns within itself, including rain, hurricane strength winds and tornadoes, by forming various orifices and moving water form one location to another. Proteus cannot duplicate lightning or snow/hail, but is trying to develop means by which it can. Proteus provides light by synthesizing phosphorescent fungi across its interior, and other cellular creations of its own design.
Denizens
Besides the Technocrats, their attendant guards (mainly Dracoforms and Superiors) and various experimental organisms, Proteus is completely devoid of life. Occasionally a creature will wander towards Proteus, but it will quickly dispatch it (either by scaring it off, or killing it if the creature persists) in order to prevent "unauthorized alien cell explosion."
Magickal Ratings
Note: These listings show the extent of Proteus' abilities (in magickal terms). The changes in Spheres do not affect mages since Proteus isn't a true Horizon Realm. Proteus does not gain any paradox by using these effects.
- Correspondence: 0 (no changes)
- Entropy: 2 (Proteus is naturally "set" in such a way that it can control the randomness and entropy of its cellular structure)
- Forces: 0
- Life: 5 (Proteus can alter any life form with which it comes in contact, as well as itself, at will. Such changes are permanent, and can not be reversed except by Proteus)
- Matter: 0
- Mind: 2 (Proteus can mentally communicate with any organism that comes into contact with it. However, Proteus can only read surface thoughts and can do no alterations or readings of a person's memories.)
- Prime: 5 (Proteus can channel free Quintessence directly from its surroundings. This feat is known only to Dr. Hendricks. Even Proteus is unaware of this ability.)
- Spirit: 0
- Time: 0
Other Details
Proteus should be considered a huge quintessence battery. Each of its cells was formed from pure quintessence, and each can be turned back into quintessence. A pound of Protean Flesh holds 5 points of quintessence. Since Proteus was last estimated (in 1985) to weigh over 2000 tons, its current quintessence value is unknown. Only the Syndicate and the Technomancer Oracle known as Dr. Hendricks are aware of this.
Only the Marauders and Dr. Hendricks know of the potential Proteus holds for shaping reality. Both groups work to insure this remains unknown.
The most interesting feature of Proteus is the fact that it is not a true Horizon Realm. While Proteus is powered by quintessence, it is also self aware and able to mimic the effects of magickal Spheres. Since Proteus only allows itself to be altered according to the Progenitors' wishes and also changes itself at will (something the Progenitors have so far allowed as the alterations have been within reason), it has not been classified as a Horizon Realm. Debates rage among both the Progenitors and even the Void Engineers over this topic. Also of interest is Proteus' ability to channel free quintessence from the Umbra. Only Dr. Hendricks knows of this, and even she has no idea how it's accomplished. However, the Syndicate is beginning to suspect Proteus is capable of something like this.
Construct Description
Trying to describe Proteus is nearly impossible. Proteus can change shape at will, form any lifeform found on Gaia (or a part of any lifeform) anywhere on or in itself. However, Proteus is limited in that it has a certain amount of mass and density it must always possess, and it seems unable to completely mimic another lifeform like a chimera, or a Master of Life can.
Currently, Proteus has chosen to take the form of a giant sphere, roughly a mile in diameter, covered in purple and yellow fish scales. Proteus forms openings and accommodations for those who are permitted access or those it is told to admit by the Representatives. Proteus used to resemble a gray-white lump of tissue, but has since decided that it would much rather take a multitude of forms. It remains somewhat consistent for the technomancers' benefit.
Proteus' interior is a collection of corridors and rooms formed when it hollows them out to provide access for the Progenitors. Proteus has created multitudes of "testing rooms" mimicking every environment on Earth from oceans to deserts (tundras and colder climes are created with the aid of Iteration X technology, since Proteus cannot, at present, create cold). Progenitors bring lifeforms into Proteus for it to experiment upon, and to test how new organisms will adapt to their changes. Rooms also exist that the Technocracy uses as auditoriums, storage and dormitories. Most of the items inside Proteus are formed by it and connected to it as well, but some items (like technology, food and books, for example) have to be imported.
Chantry Inhabitants
Besides the mages who live there full-time, there are no other native life forms to be found. Various Progenitor guardians and experiments can be found living inside Proteus and occasionally assemblies of Progenitors will use Proteus as a meeting hall of sorts, a factor which has gained much prestige for the Construct. Also, Proteus has been used as a storage area for Superiors and other clones in times of need, but this is rare.
Internal Structure & Relations
All of the Progenitors answer to the Representatives, who in turn answer to the heads of the Progenitor convention and then the Technocracy (in that order). The members of the New World Order answer to the Representatives as well, but their true loyalties are with their own Convention. They would readily turn on their Progenitor allies if so ordered. Proteus is well liked by the Progenitors, who dote on it like a person would their favorite pet. The Progenitors have formed a strange, loving bond with their giant creation, a bond which Proteus has formed with them as well. The New World Order feign affection but see Proteus as only a tool. While the Progenitors are aware of this deception on the part of the NWO, they have yet to convince Proteus that anyone would only pretend to be its friend.
However, the heads of the Progenitors could, and would, demand Proteus' destruction, should it attempt to defect. Such an order would be obeyed by the Convention as a whole.
External Relations
The various mages that work with Proteus are isolated for the most part. The Representatives occasionally allow new members from the Progenitors to join them, and the other Conventions of the Technocracy are allowed to visit. The Syndicate is treated with apathy however, due to their continual demands that funding for Proteus be canceled, and the project disbanded. Non-Technocracy mages are seen as enemies and dispatched immediately.
Status & Reputation
Within the Progenitors, Proteus is the crown jewel. Being selected to work with Proteus is deemed as one of the highest honors that a Progenitor could receive. All other Conventions see Proteus as a respectable project (due to its use as a weapon), but not anything to get too excited about.
- Status: 3 (5 for Progenitors)
- Reputation: 2 (5 for Progenitors)
Policy Regarding Outsiders
The mages of the Proteus teams have orders to report any Technocracy members who try to approach Proteus to the Representatives, who will check their records and see if such a meeting is cleared in advance. As a result, the members of the Proteus teams know who to expect and who doesn't belong. Any unexpected visitors will be destroyed immediately.
Visiting Progenitors can expect the full tour, as the mages try to show off their giant assistant. All other Conventions can expect a cool reception, unless they express interest in Proteus as something more than a weapon. If a technomancer shows (real or feigned) interest in Proteus' biological applications he can also expect a full tour.
Allies & Enemies
The members of the Proteus teams could call on other Progenitors for assistance at any time. Also, the Progenitors have made several deals with MECHA and the Void Engineers. The Oracle, Dr. Hendricks, is secretly trying to turn Proteus into a more compassionate being. It was she who convinced Proteus not to indiscriminately destroy everyone the Technocracy targets.
The Syndicate would love nothing more than to drain Proteus of its vast quintessence reserves, and cut funding to a project which seems to hold no profit. An Umbrood known only as Appleseed has discovered Proteus and intends to kill it for reasons unknown. Currently, the largest threat towards Proteus is a large gathering of Marauders who have decided to "infect" the organism's hive mind with their own insane thought patterns and use Proteus to destroy the Technocracy's paradigm on Earth.
Research Capabilities
In the fields of life sciences, cellular biology, etc., the Technocracy has nothing better than Proteus, who can mimic cell patterns and organisms to which it's been exposed, and create new ones that are totally unknown. The New World Order also has advanced equipment and training dealing with "unusual" lifeforms, and their members are sent to Proteus to develop their skills in such techniques.
Nodes
Proteus is supplied by absorbing free quintessence from Void Engineer probes, and by steady quintessence supplies from MECHA. Beyond that, Proteus has no access to any other nodes. Even if MECHA were to cut off its supply to Proteus (unlikely, since the Progenitors of Proteus are responsible for MECHA's more biological needs), Proteus has found a way to tap into a quintessence source in the Deep Umbra. This source can be sensed but what it is is unknown.
Stories
Stories involving Proteus have different themes and moods, depending on who is involved. For Progenitors, the predominant theme is similar to a "parent-child" relationship. Proteus and the Progenitors work together with great compassion and even friendship. Whereas the Progenitors would have little compassion towards a test animal (or human), they make up for their cold heartedness towards Proteus. The mood for Progenitor stories is one of joy, where they make great breakthroughs together, and have developed a strong bond.
On the other hand, for the New World Order or Syndicate, the theme would revolve around both Conventions' desires to steal Proteus from the Progenitors without letting their allies learn of the deception. In short, plotted betrayal. The mood is cold, calculating and ruthless. Both the NWO and the Syndicate suspect the other's interest in Proteus, so they both move carefully and slowly, not wanting to tip their hand to the other.
Ideas
- A group of Tradition mages learn of the existence of Proteus from a renegade Progenitor who can only speak in awe of the "giant being." After having their interests sparked, most mages would be interested in seeing this giant pet of the Progenitors. Time for some recon...
- A group of Technocracy mages have been sent to Proteus to determine if the rumors of Dr. Hendricks' involvement are true. If so, the mages have been instructed to figure out why the Doctor expressed interest in the creature, and what she intends for Proteus.
Characters of Note
Dr. Kai
Essence: Pattern
Nature: Architect
Demeanor: Caregiver
STR 2, DEX 2, STA 3
CHA 4, MAN 5, APP 3
PER 4, INT 5, WIT 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Dodge 3, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Firearms 3, Meditation 3, Melee 2, Technology 5
Knowledges: Bureaucracy 5, Computers 3, Mage Lore 4, Occult 3, Science 5 (Genetics)
Willpower 10, Arete 7
Backgrounds: Arcane 5, Avatar 3, Contacts 2, Dream 1, Resources 2
Spheres: Corr. 3, Entropy 3, Life: 5, Matter 4, Prime 5, Spirit 4
Background: Dr. Kai is an enigma. He was appointed by the Progenitor heads as one of the two Representatives for Proteus after spending two decades serving the Progenitors faithfully. He has expressed deep interest in Proteus, and aids his fellow Progenitors in their research. Over all, Dr. Kai is a well respected member of the group, and Proteus always listens to what Dr. Kai has to say.
Dr. Kai has a secret. While he is a member of the Progenitors, it was the Syndicate that initially recruited him because of his successful opium dealings with the Golden Triangle. When the Syndicate discovered Dr. Kai's skill with drug designing and his knowledge of biochemistry, they manipulated events so that the Progenitors would notice the Doctor and take him in while he retained his ties to the Syndicate as a sleeper agent.
Dr. Kai has another secret. He's not going to turn Proteus over to the Syndicate. He's going to set Proteus free, and allow it to escape all the powerplays of the Technocracy and give it the freedom to choose its own path (something even the other Progenitors would frown on).
Image: Dr. Kai is an Asian man, who looks to be in his early fifties. He stands about five feet, eight inches tall, with an average frame. He typically dresses in white suits, wearing a white lab coat on top. He always seems to be controlled and calculating his next move, while at the same time presenting a caring figure towards his fellow scientists.
Role-Playing Notes: Proteus is impressive. Everybody wants it. No one cares what it wants. Except you. You care about the Technocracy, especially the Syndicate that found you, and the Progenitors who accepted you. Once you wouldn't have given a damn, but that was long ago, before you saw Proteus. Now you care about something more than yourself. You think of it as a second chance.
Dr. Hendricks, Oracle
Essence: Questing
Nature: Caregiver
Demeanor: Loner
STR 9, DEX 9, STA 9
CHA 6, MAN 6, APP 9
PER 7, INT 7, WIT 8
Talents: (all at 6 except for the following) Awareness 7, Intuition 7
Skills: (all at 6 except for the following) Meditation 7
Knowledges: (all at 6 except for the following) Science 9 (chemistry), Science 9 (genetics)
Willpower 10, Arete 10
Backgrounds: Avatar 10, Arcane 7, Contacts 3, Dream 5
Spheres: Corr. 4, Entropy 4, Forces 5, Life: 7, Matter 5, Mind 6, Prime 5, Spirit 5, Time 4
Background: Doctor Patricia Hendricks was a brilliant chemical engineer who was working on genetic alteration drugs. Her brilliance was soon noted by the Progenitors, who brought her in to the fold (stealing her from both the Sons of Ether and the Cult of Ecstasy, who had both been watching her for a while). Patricia soon rose in the ranks, and was instrumental in Proteus' creation. As Patricia watched Proteus grow, she began to gain a deeper understanding of the universe. When Proteus achieved sentience, Patricia was approached by the Oracles, and joined their ranks.
After her Ascension, Patricia continued to watch Proteus. While she felt like a mother towards it, she knew that others in her old Convention would not. She began to alter their feelings, making them grow attached to her "child." Someday she hopes that Proteus will realize its potential in shaping reality. In that moment, the Progenitors will win the Ascension War, and not the Technocracy. And she, with Proteus' help, will see that humanity is raised up from the masses and that they too will Ascend.
Image: A dazzling woman, even without magickal alterations, Dr. Hendricks stands at almost six feet in height. While her body is in good shape, she has used extensive magick to alter her attributes to extreme levels. Dr. Hendricks wears loose-fitting outfits with lots of pockets (to store equipment and other trinkets). She tends to keep her flame red hair up, and people tend to feel her nurturing warmth when around her.
Role-Playing Notes: Proteus is your child. If not in flesh, than in spirit. In fact, you owe a debt. It shined a path for you, that led you to Ascension. The others are trying to use it, but you won't let them. However, you fear what would happen to Proteus were you to reveal your presence, so you hide amongst the others as Emily Campbell, a member of the Protean Research Group.
Proteus
Nature: Child
Demeanor: Sycophant
STR 20, DEX 2, STA 24
CHA 4, MAN 0, APP 0
PER 2, INT 3, WIT 1
Talents: Alertness 2, Awareness 5, Brawl 2, Expression 4
Skills: Meditation 2, Technology 2
Knowledges: Mage Lore 5, Science 5 (genetics) (the Progenitors taught everything they know)
Willpower 5
Backgrounds: Allies 10 (the Progenitor Convention and Dr. Hendricks), Dream 2
Role-Playing Notes: You like your friends and don't ever want to leave them. Sometimes you wonder if they really like you or not, so you try all the harder to make them happy. Occasionally you wonder why the people in the black suits are only pretending to be your friend (as the Progenitors say), and why you keep hearing voices screaming when you let yourself sleep and dream.