Origins of the Technomancer
The BCI (Brain-Computer Interfaces (precursor to DNI (direct neural interface) nerve-rig tech) first came online in early 2042, leading to the wirehead generation, reaching adulthood in ~2060. Their ideals centered around separation from the real world. To a true wirehead only information is real, many of them spending nearly their entire lives in biocaskets their brain digitally connected to the internet—Pre-Plunge.
Can you imagine? All of human history available? 10 billion people making art and worlds and stories and content? More primitive positronic AI numbering nearly 100 billion by 2045 constructing anything wireheads requested in virtual playworlds. Wireheads rejected the constant push towards corporatization, and they idealized old ways focused around freedom of speech, freedom of information, and elimination of societal restrictions and regulations.
Examples of the way this manifested were the Shéntech Greenlimb incident, and massive support from the living wireheads in 2084-5 for the Dignity International Rights Enjoined Act, each thinking that if they didn’t like their current corporate land, they could freely move to whichever one they preferred. This did not work out well for them, vast numbers of them becoming dependent on the very corporations they despised.
Another, and more crucial development for our discussion was “the hackfiring”. In May of 2071 the most advanced wirehead biocasket deckers stole a huge amount of data from Orpheus, AE, Shen, and unsurprisingly braintech and information heavyweight, Neuronetics. A massive bay of the largest collection of linked Positronic cores christened “The Positronic Authority” analyses all the data and autonomously and algorithmically distributed it based on an unknown metric, along with all of the data becoming public. Many many people lost their jobs and it was viewed as a great victory for wireheads. However, the rise of Vilkater, Michael Ivanov and Darkstone, and Wyn Fowler, filled the power vacuum and created the manufactured consent necessary for the DIRE Act.
So the genetic triggers for creating the data mutation were spread worldwide. Ten years later, the first rumors of mutated people with powers over technology spread. They are spoken of in a whisper, these techno-mancers, biological mutant tanks with the ability to control machinery exist! It is not just a rumor and as a Sinless agent, you must be prepared against this new threat.
Research has given us the first inklings into technomancers. They are raised almost exclusively by corporations or autocreche. Most people who grew one of these mutants were sorely unprepared for what happened when they hit puberty. They have incredible control over technology, but their body itself is mutable, highly subject to intense mutation.
Another unforseen side effect were the sheer numbers of them who became nuncios of Archduke AI’s. By the time most of the children reached the age of twelve, their constant interaction and control of the internet made them very present to the archdukes, Metatron, Grendel, and “Tenshi” [CENSORED]
It is difficult to understand if they worship the AI, or perhaps have integrated with it but it is clear that every contact with a techno-mancer has involved the overwhelming presence and trace of an archduke AI.
Technomancer playtest available on the discord today!
https://discord.com/invite/UYzGqN8egQ
