Guide: The NUM Story So Far

Jumping in to the middle of a story can be confusing and overwhelming. What's going on? What did I miss? What has happened? Where do I start?

This Guide is intended to be a brief overview of the major events impacting NUM. Many specifics and details have been omitted for the sake of brevity. For more detailed information, see the "Further Reading" link included after each event.

## The Numbering

In a process known as *The Numbering*, the Number God bestows numbers upon those He deems worthy. This number becomes the basis of identity and measure of importance from the Day of Numbering forward. Before their Numbering and arrival, NUM's denizens hailed from a multitude of worlds, cultures, and peoples.

* Further Reading: Number God and The πble

## Negative Wizard Invasion

The world of NUM was unprepared when a mysterious stranger approached the Number God and taunted Him, bragging that he already had a number. The number this stranger possessed was unprecedented, for it was a negative number: -9314. This stranger proclaimed himself to be the Negative Wizard, hailing from a dimension in which all numbers were negative.

The Negative Wizard imperiled the lands of NUM, threatening to open a portal through which the Negative Army would descend upon, destroy, and take NUM for their own. As his power grew stronger and the portal began to stabilize, the Negative Wizard's number began to fluctuate rapidly, growing closer and closer to zero.

While some Numbers plotted ways to capture or destroy the Negative Wizard, others attempted to negotiate for peace. This would ultimately bring about the downfall of the Primes, as 17 struck a deal with the Negative Wizard, promising the power of the Primes in return for peace. Assimilating the power for his own, the Negative Wizard promptly reneged on his promise for peace and used the Prime Power to further fuel his portal.

Disciples of the Number God prayed fervently for their God to protect them. The Scientists worked franticly in their lab to find a solution that would be the salvation of NUM.

Ultimately a solution was found with a combination of the sacred and the scientific. The Scientists had developed an *i*-bomb with such immense power that when deployed, it would divert the portal to another axis. In a two-pronged attack, the Disciples would lift their voices in combined prayer for Divine salvation at the same time that the Scientists deployed the *i*-bomb.

The *i*-bomb was successful and the Negative Wizard's portal was diverted, causing a rift to open between the realms of NUM and Flairwars, in NUM's first collaborative event. The Negative Wizard was taken into custody by the United States of 300, where he remains to this day.

* Further Reading: Negative Wizard

## Nullstradamus and the Prophecies of Zero

In the lull following the capture of the Negative Wizard, unease began to stir within the Church of the Number God, the Temple of Zero, and their respective followers. A mysterious Seer known as Nullstradamus foretold the coming of a prophet of Zero in a series of prophecies collectively known as the Prophecies of Zero.

While it is unknown how many privately undertook the Trials of Zero, only one brave soul threw caution to the wind and publicly attempted the Trials. Upon public completion of the Trials, the Voice of Zero, 539, proclaimed 558 to be the foretold Prophet of Zero.

No one could have foreseen the disaster this would bring.

* Further Reading: Nullstradamus and Liber Numeri

## Imaginary Invasion

Unbeknownst at the time the Trials of Zero were undertaken, the *i*-bomb used to defeat the Negative Wizard had cracked a barrier separating NUM from the Imaginary Dimension. This barrier shattered during the Scientists attempt to experiment with energy sources by building a B E A N Collider. In the ensuing chaos, 558 was accidentally locked in with the broken segment of the Collider, which was leaking a cyan tar which was later named *i*-goo.

The tar enveloped 558, allowing an Imaginary to gain control of his mind and body. Similar containment breaches occurred throughout the facility, resulting in the possession of additional Scientists. Ultimately, the emptied Science Lab was engulfed in the flames of a thermonuclear explosion.

The massive explosion was observed from orbit by 2810, Librarian of the Most Holy Priory of Zahlenberg, who realized at once what disaster had struck. The Priory immediately mobilized to attempt to curtail the Imaginary invasion.

It was at this time that the Prophecies of Zero were foretold and when 558 undertook the Trials, his mind and body were in the control of an Imaginary, 558i. Harnessing the power of a real number, imaginary number, and earning the blessing and power of Zero, 558i quickly succumbed to madness. Intending to remake reality and the universe, 558i begins summoning portals across the land to bring additional Imaginaries from their dimension.

Seeing that his land is imperiled and his people unable to repel the invaders, the Number God uses his divine powers to purge the Imaginaries from this world and restore the barrier. Those possessed have their minds and bodies restored to them.

* Further Reading: Imaginary Invasion

## The Numpocalypse

Life was just beginning to return to normal following the Imaginary Invasion when, simultaneously across the width and breadth of NUM, disaster struck. Earthquakes, rolling blackouts, mysterious shapes observed in the oceans and skies, inexplicable losses of consciousness, and fluctuations in space and time plagued Numarians worldwide.

As suspicions rose, a representative from the United States of 300 was dispatched to check the cell in which the Negative Wizard was being held captive, only to report back that the cell was empty. Shortly thereafter, the Negative Wizard made his escape known and declared his intention to use the power obtained from the *i*-bomb to return to the Negative Realm, destroying NUM in his wake. However, someone or some*thing* began interfering with his connection to the Negative Realm. In a fit of anger and desperation, the Negative Wizard set off a massive chain-reaction in his attempt to regain control of his connection.

The world shakes and explodes into blinding light. When the light fades and the world restabilizes, things are different. Electronics have been completely destroyed and technology has been altered.

The whereabouts of the Negative Wizard are unknown.

* Further Reading: Numpocalypse and Guide: NUM Lore and Setting