The Caliber System

The Caliber System (or TCS) is a universal method of organizing entities into classes based on power, with lower numbers signifying increasing strength. The official TCS has 5 calibers, but some cultures accept 6 or even 7. The TCS was invented by an earth scientist named Lovehart, who went on to propose other useful generalizations regarding Calibers, including Strength Lock Theory and Lovehart's Analogy.

## Overview

The Caliber system uses a multitude of factors to determine where an organism lies on a scale of power, with 5 commonly regarded as the weakest class and 1 being the most powerful. In some cases, versions include the hypothetical Caliber 6 and Caliber 0 tiers. Each tier is exponentially stronger than the one before it, and a single higher tier being can take on multiple beings one tier lower.

## Caliber 6

Caliber 6 beings are not officially recognized by the creators of the TCS. They are, in effect, creatures so lowly and insignificant that they cannot affect the world around them in any way, nor could they harm or defend themselves from any other threat. Even considering a Caliber 6 being would be enough impact to elevate it to a Caliber 5, and as such, Caliber 6 beings are by default unknowable. No good examples are available, as they would not be Caliber 6's.

## Caliber 5

Caliber 5 beings are the lowest tier in the standard TCS system. They denote creatures largely adapted to their environment and at its mercy. Caliber 5 creatures on their own are largely insignificant, but not entirely so. Examples include earthworms, bacteria, plants, and other less complex animal life on earth and other planets.

## Caliber 4

Caliber 4 beings are distinguished by their ability to change the environment to suit their needs and triumph over Caliber 5 beings in physical confrontation, whether outright or through some form of planning. Caliber 4 creatures include humans and many other alien civilizations. The state of the civilization does not usually matter, only the raw abilities of a single member. Should a civilization get to a point where it can improve the minds and bodies of its citizens, they may progress to Caliber 3.

## Caliber 3

Caliber 3 beings are often thought of as superior Caliber 4 beings. These entities are powerful enough to approach demigod levels of ability and more freely shape the world around them to suit their needs. Many can also adapt to the environment should they desire. Caliber 3 entities include many of the high-level monsters of myth and legend such as liches, elder vampires, elder witches, and powerful ghosts. Lower level "supernatural" entities may not be powerful enough to rank as Caliber 3, especially if they could be killed by a prepared Caliber 4 entity (this includes fledgling vampires, common ghosts). Plasma Temple examples include Mr. Right Turn on Red, Mr. Illegal U-Turn, The Voices, The President, and more.

## Caliber 2

Caliber 2 entities are gods. Not only can they survive in and shape a majority of environments, but they have very little to fear from Caliber 3 entities and above. In fact, many Caliber 2 entities can freely create or destroy Caliber 3+ entities as they desire. Most Caliber 2 entities have a physical form only by choice, and if it is damaged, very little lasting harm is done to the being, making them all but impervious to Caliber 4 and higher. Many of Plasma Temple's godforms are caliber 2 beings, including Mr. Fractal, Crispy Green Dehydration Boye, Cotton Eye Joe, Sand, and O-S-C-A-R. Organizations such as Zoomspace may also qualify.

## Caliber 1

Caliber 1 entities are the highest provable tier of being, able to colonize an entire universe and shape it to that entity's will. Some have the power to reshape all aspects of a pre-existing universe, but others can easily create their own, including N Spider and the creator of Plasma Temple. At this point, Caliber 1 beings are measured in how many successive universes they can inhabit and maintain control over, as well as whether they would win or lose in a fight with another Caliber 1. There are few other surefire ways to measure power from such powerful, primordial entities.

## Caliber 0

Caliber 0 beings are as unprovable as Caliber 6 beings, for entirely opposite reasons. Such a hypothetical entity would have potentially infinite power at its disposal, able to reshape all aspects of reality across all aspects of space and time. While Caliber 1 beings can change the laws of reality within fixed domains (such as one or more universes), this requires effort and can be undone. A Caliber 0 would have limitless transformation potential and could conceivably remove a concept *entirely*, rendering all beings across all forms of existence unable to utilize it or recreate it for eternity. Because a Caliber 0 being as never been proven, and because such a being would render all else pointless, it is the dominion of rumors and nihilistic fiction.

## Strength Lock Theory

Strength Lock theory states that a sufficiently powerful being's only real concern is one of equal or greater power. This simple claim can be used to great effect in order to predict the behavior of higher tier creatures, as it can be assumed most intelligent ones will take steps to prevent this.

It is widely known that reproductive frequency lowers as one continues down the caliber line. Caliber 6's appear in potentially infinite quantity, while Caliber 5's and 4's are normally very prolific. Caliber 3's tend to be ascensions of the Caliber 4 form, and thus are naturally rarer apex versions with longer lifespans and less frequent rate of spread. Caliber 2's and 1's meanwhile, often take immensely long periods of time to consolidate power into another independent form that rivals their own. It is far easier to create a clone, puppet, or intelligent entity of weaker level.

However, Strength Lock theory *also* states that this reproduction is not only innate, it is consciously enforced. The theory proposes that a powerful being is given four options:

A - Consolidate power and improve the individual self

B - Spawn a clone/extension with embedded loyalty

C - Create an army of bodyguards or free agents composed of lesser tiers

D - Create an independent entity of equal power

In this scenario, Caliber 1's and 2's (and sometimes caliber 3's) will choose any option except D, which holds the possibility of betrayal and death in ways the others do not. It is the desire of such beings to surround themselves in weaker forms, or become "the strongest fish in the pond". This facet of Strength Lock theory would form the bud for Peter Pigeonhole's Power Postulate.

Lovehart has personally speculated that multiple Caliber 0's could potentially exist, but that they would all be aware of one another and their concerns would only ever involve each other, as a Caliber 0 is the only entity a Caliber 0 would fear. The principles of Strength Lock Theory would not apply to them, as they have no choice but to see and be seen by their equal rivals. Their time would be spent waging endless strategies against one another, with endless backup plans and contingencies to ensure no one entity gains an upper hand. This effectively cancels them out and renders lower level life supposedly safe.

## Lovehart's Analogy

Lovehart's analogy is widely regarded as the simplest, most effective analogy for determining Caliber levels. It states that you can determine the tier of an organism by how it could accomplish the simple task of retrieving an apple from a tall shelf.

A Caliber 6 entity could not complete this task (or any task) whatsoever. They could not even attempt the task.

A Caliber 5 entity could only complete the task if assisted by a higher entity or through instinct alone (as is the case with flies or fungal spores). It otherwise lacks the physical or cognitive ability to either get to the apple or know the apple is there (and recognize it as such).

A Caliber 4 entity would be able to retrieve the apple by climbing the shelf, stacking other furniture, or throwing something to dislodge the apple. They have a very low chance of failure but the task requires effort and planning.

A Caliber 3 entity could use telekinesis, stretch themselves upwards, or teleport the apple to their hand. The task is exceedingly easy for them but they are still required to bridge the gap between themselves and the apple to complete the task.

A Caliber 2 entity need not reach the apple at all. They could simply create another apple or turn any other material in the room into apples. They are no longer bound by the rules of the task.

A Caliber 1 entity could temporarily remove the concept of height, make it such that the apple was always in their grasp, or simply make themselves the concept of all fruits, eliminating the need for the task to have ever existed.

A Caliber 0 could not be tested. It would be pointless to do so.