Jaydn

"Jaydn" is the name of a hexapodal creature that has makes memorable but infrequent appearances in PT. This playful but partially obscure creature has only loose ties to native physical laws, allowing it to perform a limited range of anomalous behaviors. Of particular note is Jaydn's ability to reorganize itself into digital data, condensing its essence into a flow of electrons that conveys information across digital mediums. In this state, Jaydn can easily embed itself in files, disable system functionalities, or augment them with new characteristics. It is also thought to be responsible for most information relating to itself.
== History ==
Jaydn first made an appearance in the server on 09/25/2020 after an image of its likeness was shared. Unbeknownst to the sharer, the image (Jaydn 1) also contained the information of the creature itself, allowing it to easily exit and infiltrate the digital space within the server. On 10/07/2020, Jaydn was quarantined by The Voices (particularly Observer) and placed in server quarantine for nearly two years. Like most quarantined individuals, non-firstborn were unaware of the event of their capture and some were unaware they existed at all. 
On 8/5/2022, user IkWilVloeiendNederlandsSpreken#4965 posted a meme depicting Jaydn in the Juin Xok kombecture. Unbeknownst to the user, Jaydn used this image as a trojan horse to manifest beyond quarantine and escape into the namesake city. They do not appear to be affected by the town's signature pacifying signals, giving them free reign to do as they please and leaving others unable to stop them. 
Despite its suspicious tendencies and actions, Jaydn has no history of harming the PT server, whether by damage to The Hardware or the userbase. Realizing this, the moderator team concluded Jaydn was innocent of any real crimes and whitelisted it from quarantine. 
As a highly malleable anomaly native to PT, Jaydn is free to seamlessly transition between the discord server and the physical space it represents. He seems to retain an affinity for the server despite being imprisoned there, and may return multiple times in the future. 
== Appearance ==
Jaydn has a relatively simple appearance: a blind, 6 legged, and bright red slithery entity with sharp teeth. However, being partially unbound by physics allows it a modicum of change. It may alter its size, weight, length, and a slew of other minor characteristics including number of teeth or presence of opposable thumbs. These changes are often smooth and imperceptible in the moment, only really noticeable if one is paying attention or making direct comparisons between past and present appearances. 
When moving, Jaydn alternates between catlike grace and reptilian clumsiness. 
== Powers and Personality ==
While Jaydn has limited ability to change its form, this ability is not powerful or precise enough to be considered viable in the real world. There are thresholds to Jaydn's deformations: it can only become so long, so stubby, so large, or so small. Furthermore, these changes are much harder to perform if Jaydn is being watched, as they draw upon its tenuous connection to universal law and the attention of others more deeply anchors it in said law (this is a very common attribute among lesser anomalies, as detailed by the Dark Spaces entry). That being said, Jaydn occasionally makes use of this minor skill to give it an edge in certain circumstances. It may climb a ledge, for instance, by clambering halfway up and transferring its center of gravity up its body. For the most part, these abilities express themselves unconsciously in reflection with its mood, similar to how a cartoon character might transform in accordance with their emotional state.
Jaydn's greatest strength is, as mentioned, to seamlessly enter the digital realm. In this state it can freely interact with digital mediums and shed parts of itself to create cybernetic viral agents in order to sabotage programs, force their augmentation, or otherwise change their behaviors. In contrast with his physical form, digital Jaydn is a powerful force beyond the scope of even accomplished hackers. In addition to its powers of manipulation, digital Jaydn has greater freedom of range in changing its appearance and can become far more ghoulishly disproportionate. 
Despite its potential for destruction, Jaydn seems to be a playful (if often inscrutable) creature. While it does occasionally sabotage systems, these acts are usually temporary and relatively minor, with a focus on mischief rather than sadistic or malicious intent. It enjoys company and tends to "haunt" those it likes, demanding their attention through some form of coercion or distraction. Jaydn is able to speak, but has trouble communicating its intentions, or perhaps it is perfectly communicating slightly illogical intentions. Other behavioral tendencies can be found in Jaydn (1).
However it is important to note the bulk of this information is from content produced or encouraged by Jaydn itself.
== The "Jaydn Fallacy" ==
A major point of contention in the archiving of Jaydn's traits has to do with their source, namely the pictures, stories, and scenarios shared online that were likely created or influenced by him. This is especially true of Jaydn (1-4), which have no traceable origins. Particularly troublesome is his character overview in Jaydn (1), which states that a core component of his personality is the theme of "trying to present a front." This combined with his already unpredictable behavior could be some meta-jab on Jaydn's part, or possibly a taunt that something darker lies beneath its exterior persona. While the Jaydn Fallacy does not explicitly state the entity is evil or dangerous, it calls into question the validity of what others perceive it to be. 
In the absence of certainty, this page opts to relay the information that corroborates with anecdotal evidence of Jadyn's actions, though it admits these sources are as unreliable as they have always been.
== Trivia ==
* Jaydn's anatomy may have been loosely inspired by the site https://strangers.atrocityland.com/, and he enjoys the occasional visit to that domain.
* Jaydn's digital form is powered by his own essence. Shutting down a digital device while Jadyn is inside does not kill or immobilize him, but simply forces him to exit.
Category:Characters