Cyberspace Biome

## Overview

The existence of data daemons is well documented by the Adeptus Mechanicus. The vile scrap code, empowered by the Ruinous Powers, is a familiar and dangerous foe even to the most skilled of Techsorcist, and it is known that the Dark Mechanicus often courts the forces of chaos to imbue their heretekal creations with monstrous devils of malign math and corruptive code. It is also recognized that other forces that are largely considered hostile to the Imperium, such as the mighty Necrons, are able combatants in the field of electronic warfare.

It is no surprise, then, that Avernus- crucible of war and warriors that it is- has data-weaponry of its own devising. The existence of a Cyberspace-like domain permeating Avernite realspace has long been regarded as a fringe theory to explain frequent probing intrusion by unknown actors. Though most such attacks are accepted to have been caused by the hostile actions of subversive cultists, foreign spies and the odd wandering data daemon, it is now recognized that at least a substantial fraction can be attributed to the denizens of the so-called Noocosm.

Named for the Noosphere, the means by which Techpriests of the Adeptus Mechanicus can most easily interface with the plane, the Noocosm is a strange information landscape whose exact physical location is difficult- if not impossible- to isolate. Prevailing theories argue that the Noocosm is either colocated directly alongside realspace as a sort of all-permeating wave-existence or that it is roughly mappable to the surface and caverns of Avernus via some hitherto indecipherable mathematical relationship. Another school of thought is that the entire realm exists within extant computer networks as a sort of pseudo-ecosystem, though this does not explain why- in the wake of its discovery- it can be accessed in so many locations.

Whatever the case, the Noocosm is a bizarre and alien landscape comprised entirely of digital substance. Mathematics and programming are given shape in this strange subplane of Avernus, which is home to independent, roaming sequences of living cogitator-language. Unlike the pseudo-shapes and sensory input that most program architecture is typically abstracted as by the Noosphere, the Noocosm is distinct in that interpretation of its environs and inhabitants is largely uniform for any who have access to it. That is, while the interactions of particular magi with the Noosphere and its contents can be highly personal and individualized, those who have come in contact with the Noocosm or its inhabitants have all described particular objects in identical or nearly identical ways. It is thus believed that the Noocosm is somehow a concrete and semi-physical ‘space’ which, by use of the Noosphere or technopathic psykery, is accessible to appropriately trained and equipped personnel. Rather than simply animate and well-programmed sequences of code, the Noocosm’s inhabitants are more accurately described as Avernite lifeforms which specialize in and exist only within the digital plane (though as with all things Avernite, exceptions likely exist). Arguments within the Adeptus Mechanicus presently rage as to whether these entities should be classified as abominable intelligences, considered proof of the existence and potential of machine spirits or simply yet another example of bizarre Avernite fauna.

Human interaction with the Noocosm is presently limited. Only properly equipped techsorcists, magi specializing in network infrastructure and cogitator architecture, and skilled practitioners of technomancy are able to safely explore the plane, and all but the lattermost are unable to do so except by Noospheric proxy. A properly trained technomancer is, by routing themselves through a Djinn Skein and into the Noocosm, able to ‘physically’ exist within the digital world. Interactions between denizens of the Noocosm and ordinary Avernites is theoretically possible if such a technomancer introduces the creature into an active Djinn Skein environment, but only a handful of such tests have been conducted due to the risk involved.

Regardless, via expeditions performed by Noospheric proxy and technomancer insertion teams, certain properties and denizens of the Noocosm have been documented. A handful of such properties include

### Property 1

Ordinary weaponry is useless. Unless psychically enhanced, physical weaponry- even brought in via technomantic means- is unable to inflict harm on the cyber-ecology. Instead, technomancy or Noospheric program execution is required to invoke defensive and offensive countermeasures. A standard array of self-defence executables are presently being developed by the Adeptus Mechanicus for use in exploring the Noocosm.

### Property 2

Digital-matter cannot be extracted from the Noocosm. If you are a technopath and a predator is chasing you, fleeing through the nearest Djinn Skein back into realspace is a viable option if you have the time to do so. Objects acquired in the Noocosm are digital in substance and will not emerge with you into realspace. However, such artifacts have been noted to possess useful properties for study and may be useful in advancing our electronic warfare capabilities.

#### Corollary to Property 2

This, of course, does not apply if the predator chasing you is itself a skilled Technopath, or somehow has acquired powerful biomantic abilities (theoretically possible, but highly unlikely). If this is the case, then the predator may be able to manifest in realspace via the Djinn Skein. Please be cautious when entering unassigned Djinn Skeins during an emergency, as military forces may be using them as part of their training regimes. Unwanted digital intrusion may result in unnecessary loss of personnel and resources.

### Property 3

Specialized programs can be developed to interface in interesting ways within the Noocosm. Most executables are abstracted as causing some pseudo-physical effect on the surrounding Noocosmic environs when run, and trial and error has shown that certain programs can be very useful in traversing the plane. Before beginning an expedition, be sure to update your suite of available programs and familiarize yourself with both their ordinary function and their Noocosmic effects. Be warned that one may not necessarily map predictably to the other. It is yet unknown what may result if a Mindcatcher-based data-replica is uploaded into the Noocosm. Tests are planned, but finding an appropriate volunteer has proven difficult.

### Property 4

If you die in the Noocosm, you will probably die in realspace. Believed to be a result of the incredible data-density of the Noocosm, sufficient damage even to a Noospheric proxy can cause severe neural feedback and subsequent burnout of cortical and subcortical cerebral implants. Even advanced safeguard protocols are unable to prevent damage, and only the most advanced and meticulously layered protections are able to reliably prevent death. Technopaths who are slain in the Noocosm are not exempt from this. It is thus recommended that any Technopathic excursion team contain at least two skilled Technopaths for redundancy purposes.

## Inhabitants

Made up of ‘sequences,’ a term used to describe the lines of code that comprise a Noocosmic lifeform’s pseudo-physical ‘body,’ each Noocosmic lifeform contains a nuclear ‘kernel’ of information that only appears if the entity’s fundamental functions are critically impaired. This data-nucleus remains after the ‘death’ of a lifeform and can be harvested by predator species to absorb useful protocols that their prey may have developed. Care must be taken by most predator species, however-- it appears that they can eventually become ‘bogged down’ by trash-data if the protocols and programs they ingest are not regularly culled, combined and optimized. This hierarchical evolutionary structure generates a food-chain wherein the primary ‘prey’ species tend to mutate and multiply extremely rapidly, and predators grow more and more discerning about the quantity and quality of prey that they consume as they approach the apex. The end result is a series of extremely lethal data-entities at the highest tier, who are frequently capable of expressing modified versions of the abilities wielded by their prey in addition to their own living protocols.

It may be possible to isolate and retrieve these data-nuclei to improve our own anti-intrusion protocols. Experiments to that end are underway.

### Notice

With the exception of truly primitive data-forms and those otherwise noted, it is entirely possible for any of the example-creatures listed below to exhibit enough intelligence to communicate and enough cognitive function to be considered sapient and self-aware. The intellectual capacity of sufficiently complex data-forms should never be taken for granted. Also note that the following is a small cross-section of an incredibly diverse ecological landscape; many of the data-forms encountered in the Noocosm do not adhere to any of these specific classifications, and care must be taken when interacting with any unknown one might encounter.

### Adaptation Matrices

Small floating geometric shapes, they get smoother as they age. When attacked they will after a window of vulnerability become a near ideal counter to whatever is attacking them.

### Bug

Digital paraties, bugs infect other programs and begin replicating. Infection usausly results in slow downs but severe cases can cause death.

### Cybersprite

Small insect like programs with the ability to manipulate cyberspace. Typically found in swarms capable of pooling their efforts to make massive changes.

### Cyberworm

Massive megaworm sized predatory worms, their touch delivers lethally cursive attack code. Near unkillable due to imenasly potent regeneration, it needs a specialized digital toxin to saly.

### Data Trees

Strange trees whose bark and fruit can be almost anything. The branches and leaves are a source of digital food, whereas the fruit are often used as tools. Older trees are harder to eat but more nutritious.

### Devourer

A barbell shaped slime, Devourers are able to incorporate and refine abilities of prey they absorb. If allowed to fed they can become immensely dangerous, though anything that overcomes them and easts them will gain a portion of their strength.

### Dupli-cat

A small cat like dataform that hunts small vermin for substance. The cat is immensely dangerous as viewing it can infect a data form with a virus that forces it to spend ever more effort on making more Dupli-cats.

### Gap Squirrel

A small herbivore that is near uniquely able to exist as either data or an electromagnetic anomaly. This allows it to briefly exist within realspace to enter air gapped networks or move between physical close but italy distant systems.

### Info Wells

Possibly not a true creature, info wells seem to be pools of digital “water”. Data life seems to drink from it frequently, and benefit from doing so.

### Knight Reaper

Pseudo sapient knight-like dataforms, orders of knight reapers are known to defend any system that meets their orders requirements to the death. They are used to provide high end data security for many trust systems.

### Lightspeeders

Similar in appearance to horses, Lightspeeders leave a solid pseudo light wall in their wake. Their speed and ability makes them useful enough that many other data life forms will work with them.

### Mimic

Shape shifters able to copy the appearance of anything they have eaten. Once prey has been lured in they attack with deadly corrosive subroutines. Some Mimic are known to copy the abilities of their prey as well as their forms.

### Netspider

A deadly digital spider, Netspiders can exist in a state of quantum flux, creating illusionary doubles with the true spider alwaysing being the one most useful to the beast. Its venom works by converting the digital flesh of its prey into its own offspring. Most such spawnlings are devoured, with only a small number being given the chance to mature.

### Optimizer

A bizarre arrangement of floating shapes, Optimizers will twist any creature they can into one perfectly optimized for a chosen task. This process inevitably involves pruning away superfluous traits such as consciousness or emotions. They are typclly surrounded by a swarm of their creations that aid in hunting.

### Propagator

A flying plant, the propagators wing like leaves can fire dangerous blasts. The leaves are capable of operating when detached from the main body, up to and including growing into a new Propagator. This extends even to leaf fragments of sufficient size.

### Purger

Incredibly dangerous vast animated pool of a crystalline pseudo-liquid, purgers aggressively seek out and destroy anything that appears infected. Their definition of such is worryingly broad, and includes any sort of parasitic infection, mimetic infection, or symptoms of such infections like strong emotions or odd behavior.

### Runabout Tones

A data lifeform that seems to dwell primarily within realspace as a whirling mass of colorful lighting. They regularly possess common household appliances, often turning them off or on at odd times. Despite this, they are mostly harmless and notably increase the effectiveness of infected machinery.

### Scanner

Appearing as birds whose heads have been replaced by a single massive eye, scanners are mostly harmless. Passive observers, nothing hunts the creatures as harming them seems to provoke some unknown and immensely dangerous life form, most likely one in the direct employ of the Planet mind.

### Spike-Maws

A mass of spike like tendrils surrounding a maw, they possess a paralytic toxin subroutine able to incapacitate almost any data life known to exist. Spike-maws seem to grow without limit, with elder specimens covering entire landscapes.

### Tarpit Stalkers

Ambushing worms, Tarpit Stalkers are capable of claiming a domain around their burrows. Once prey enters their domain, they activate incapacitation subroutines crippling the processing speed and mobility of the interloper. Once their prey is incaptied the worm emerges to devour it. Oddly, the size of the domain is determine by how much prey the worm has devoured rather than its age.

### Turtle Nodes

Massive walking fortresses, turgle nodes often play landlord to other datalife. Taking payment in food or programs to grant creatures access to its secure inner datavault for a time. Within the vault, the Turgle node has near perfect control, allowing it to devour unruly guests.