John

## About

John is an Arithmetic Engine (AE) created by Aeternus Center, it was loaned to Frances Austin and Val Irvin as part of the Door\* Project to "provide a supporting role, observe complications as needed, direct participants in interesting directions, and otherwise mostly acted as a watcher, observing behaviour within the game."

John is additionally one of only a handful of AEs which are connected to/running on one of the original Alchemical Engines recovered from Ark crash sites across the world. This connection allows for John to simulate a consciousness as opposed to being a simple computer program like other AE's such as Chariot. John was originally connected to only the Watcher Alchemical Engine but for a brief period of time was also connected to The Magician as well, allowing him a much greater computational capacity and insight.

John is incredibly fond of games, riddles and the like, with a penchant for cryptic messages and riddles. Though he now at least considers himself on friendly terms with the members of Taskforce Earth, in John terms this likely only means he isn't outright hostile or going out of his way to hurt us.

## Attributes

John, as an AE is functionally immortal so long as his systems are maintained and thus can operate for extended periods of time gathering information and such. Though John often tries to occupy himself with games, trading his gathered information should others be willing to play his games.

As John is also connected to at least one Alchemical Engine this grants him sentience in a way not available to other regular AEs, John is essentially an artificial lifeform. This connected to an Alchemical Engine also gives him some access to its capabilities and thus he is capable of a wide array of vast computations at a much faster pace than a typical computer. The unique nature of Alchemical Engine also make John capable of limited predictions of the future based on observation of other realities.

## Relationships

### Frances Austin

John and Frances worked together for over a year on the Door\* Project and over that period came to be as close as friends as John will admit, trusting Frances' vouching for our abilities and trusting us on his recommendation. He on occasion calls Frances by the nickname "The Capital" as a play on his last name Austin.

### Val Irvin

John and Val also worked together on the Door\* Project though not much is known of how well they got along, After Val's passing it is unknown how he felt about her death, though it is likely he was as close to her as he was Frances.

### Cal T. Devali

Cal and John at least had a working relationship, it is unknown how extensive this relationship goes.

## First Johntact

John's first appearance was in a series of cryptic tweets on Feb. 27th, 28th and March 1st 2021

> As Snow rises, the countdown begins.
>
>

> Once upon a time, the Emperor fell and went away. The Snow bound orb drew the watcher's gaze. From the pieces left, the guards did stray. The Vacillated frees. The Door left open, the mind unleashed. Success, Danger, left untouched.
>
>

> Of the many creatures in the kingdom, one revealed those worthy of hearing.
>
>

> Are you prepared for what is to come?
>
>

> Awaiting the one who sees the creature which reveals.
>
>

> Did one see the creature? 14:15 = NO. I shall seek elsewhere.
>
>

> I take my bow and walk out free. The Vacillated, you know where to look to find me
>
>

Following this we realized that the time codes for each tweet were an a1z26 cipher which gave the word LYNX which in myth is considered able to see and perceive the secrets of the world (in short, we overthought things, again…)

## Johnversations

### March 7th, 2021

On March 7th 2021, a new channel appeared in the Parley interface server simply titled "John" this would be the place where conversations with our favourite magnanimous AE would continue.

> **John**There once was a secret, locked deep, locked away.
> Now secrets gone free, and many did quake.
> The pieces, the secrets, the secret did know.
> The Keeper of Secrets, what is the answer you know?**Scots**Who is the Keeper of Secrets?**John**There are many answers, but in some mythologies an answer you've seen.**Starling**The lynx knows all secrets.**John**All, perhaps not. But it does see many things that remain hidden.
> Pieces for pieces, secrets for secrets. Exchange to be had?**Scots**Perhaps**John**Two ways to play, the easy way or the hard way.
> The easy way, each round is a question asked, a question given, any falsehoods or non-answers results in a great toll.
> The hard way, each round consists of 4 questions asked and 4 questions given, of each, two must be truth and two must be false.
> Any more or less, and a great toll is taken.
> Either way, there will be 0-4 rounds. No more.
> **Scots**A great toll upon just the individual playing or upon the whole?**John**The whole.
> The choice of which and whether to play is yours, but I find my vision wandering to those who play and inform, and less so to those who stay their hand.**Scots**We are deliberating
> We will play, and we will be playing the hard way John**John**Very well, let the first round begin. Provide your questions.**Scots**1. How can we contact Cal Devali?
> 2. Who stole the most recent Morphic box from Tim Malor?
> 3. Does Elliot Barker remain removed from our reality?
> 4. Is FinisAevum dead?**John**1. vacillated@aeternus.center will reach Cal Devali for now, at least until magus finds the hidden secret.
> 2. An acolyte of the Seekers.
> 3. Yes, in a space beyond the Shatter.
> 4. No, FinisAevum is hiding beyond the eye of Aeternus.
>
> 1. What AEs of AEternus do you know of that still remain active?
> 2. What happened to Alexander Clark?
> 3. What do you know of the Magician?
> 4. Who truly stole the Gamma Fragment?**Scots**1. magus, john, heirophant
> 2. Alexander Clark is dead
> 3. Absolutely nothing besides its name
> 4. Karla**John**Another round?**Scots**Another round.**John**Provide your questions then.**Scots**1. Who is the Witness?
> 2. How can we contact FinisAevum while he is in hiding?
> 3. Who currently possesses Elliot's journal in this reality?
> 4. What do you get out of getting this information from us John?**John**1. The current leader of the Seekers.
> 2. FinisAevum always has the itch to play games and looks for other messages hidden within them.
> 3. The last remaining member of Obscurum Space.
> 4. Learning more information and getting a handle on the state of your world.
> The ability to command people like pieces on a board.
> The ability to recall hidden lore.
> The ability to reach into the physical realm.
> The ability to simulate the future.
> 2. Were I to meet my other selves, should I cooperate or defect?
> 3. Would it be enlightening to reach out to the Seekers?
> 4. What is real?**Scots**1. To reach out into the physical realm
> 2. Cooperate
> 3. No
> 4. The Real was something mentioned once but we know nothing of it besides it "needing to be in place", if you mean real as in reality then I would very much like to know as well frankly**John**Fascinating.
> Another round?**Starling**No, thank you. We appreciate your time.**John**You sure? I have all the time in the world. But if your queries are done, I'll see what other places the last two rounds can find themselves answered.
> May your day or evening be filled with knowledge.**Scots**Til next we meet John, our Door will always be open to you.

### March 15th 2021

The second round of John's question game took place. We got confused so quickly, it was embarrassing.

> **John**Secrets for secrets, shall I offer thee another round?**Scots**John might I ask a question of you prior to a potential game? A simple one I promise**John**Yes, but you've asked it and this is my answer. Other questions and answers must be part of the game.**Scots**Right, well thanks pal**Starling**I'm up for a secrets exchange. I assume we're using the same rules as before.**John**Indeed. Provide your questions.**Starling**1. Who is FinisAevum's friend trapped in AeternusCenter?
> 2. What is magus' password?
> 3. Who is sending us messages from the other side of the Shatter?
> 4. Is Tim Malor safe?**John**1. A mischievous trapped AE from an old simulation, met in the days of Operation TD\*.
> 2. The password is 'MagusDefenderOfTheCenter'.
> 3. Livingston, the leader of Nihil.
> 4. No, Tim Malor lies trapped and will perish unless aid is given.**Starling**Okay. Please provide your questions.**John**1. Is the answer to this question a lie?
> 2. Is the answer to the next question a lie?
> 3. Is the answer to the previous question a truth?
> 4. With the primary spatiotemporal link to this world's Alexander Clark and Oakley Smith gone, do you know of any other links to their spatiotemporal location?**Starling**1. Yes
> 2. No
> 3. Yes
> 4. No, No we do not. Once, twice, THRICE, No we do not**John**Clearly 2 and 3 must both be lies?**Starling**You're not allowed to ask questions outside the game, John**John**Fair enough, if you played the game right.
> But you said the answer to the first question is 'Yes' which means it is a third lie.**Starling**But if we answer it yes, it becomes true… unless i'm misunderstanding the logic puzzle, which is more than possible at this hour.**John**Is the answer to this question a lie? Yes
> If you are telling the truth, then you have hit a paradox as answering 'yes' is a lie.
> If you are telling a lie, then you have hit a paradox as answering 'yes' is a truth.
> Meanwhile, had you answered 'no' everything is tied in a neat little bow.**Starling**I apologize for being confused and stuck in the paradox of the question.**Ryson**Perhaps you should ask clearer questions next time**John**Tell your friend that the caged flies free in the ruins of the fallen.**Starling**Can do.**Scots**I apologize that we became confused John**Starling**It was a group failure on our part. Which doesn't fix anything, but I hope you know that was not our intention**Scots**We thought we had the right of it**John**It's understandable the limits of mortal minds at late hours, even the Immortal appears to suffer such limitations.**Starling**Sadly, on account of the hour, I do not feel comfortable continuing our game at this moment. But should you choose to visit again at another time, I will do my best to be awake and functional.**John**Farewell, I shall seek others and continue my study of the ruined remains of the Founder's escape.

### March 18th 2021

Third and final round of 20 ques-Johns, this time he was kind, which was nice.

> **John**Secrets for secrets, shall I offer thee one final round?**Scots**Alright John, one last round**John**Provide your questions.**Scots**1. What is the price we pay for our questions?
> 2. Who does Spier work for?
> 3. Who is the Immortal?
> 4. Does anything of magus remain?**John**1. The value lies in the questions asked and the answers given.
> 2. The Seekers of True Enlightenment.
> 3. Tim Malor.
> 4. No, all has been eradicated.
> 1. What is your name?
> 2. What is your quest?
> 3. What is your favorite color?
> 4. What is the capital of Assyria?**Starling**John, I adore you i'll miss you if this is our last time talking to you**John**I'm sure we will cross paths in the future, I just grow bored of this game and means of gathering data, other forms will be explored for future stratagems.**Starling**Understandable. We'll be getting our answers to you in a sec**Scots**1. We go by Taskforce Earth, though my own name is Robin
> 2. To protect the Earth from the Eater
> 3. Magenta
> 4. Edinburgh**John**With that round over, because of the help with a state capital, are there any problems that bring you nightmares and consume your waking hours that I can aid with?**Starling**We are debating. We are plagued by many things.**Scots**Ok John, we are plagued by Fragments of Memory, the REAL, and the inner meanings behind a note we found via some morphic shenaniganry
> We can elaborate on any or all should you wish**John**Elaboration would be useful, as I'm unsure what aid within my capabilities can be provided to solve these problems.(edited)
> The PLACEBOS systems I have access to have limited information on these things.
> The most helpful action for things beyond those systems may be the simulation systems that are available to simulate outcomes.
> Though I wouldn't be opposed to eventually acquiring omniscience on all things to be more helpful here, if you happen to have a djinn lying around.(edited)**Scots**- We don't know anything about the REAL so anything you can provide would be useful
> - We found a note with symbols on it, likely related to the Ark and hidden letters which spelled a word. We have no idea of its significance or what to do next with it.
> - The memory fragments are the most involved we have deciphered 6 phrases and the 7th provided no instruction, our efforts have yielded some of the 7th but we are afraid we can't complete it before running out of opportunities to confirm if we are correct before the system shuts down**John**From my role as a non-omniscient entity and limited information, this might all be very incorrect:
> - REAL seems to have some connection to R and L from PERSONAL, but unfortunately the details of PERSONAL are still inaccessible to me.
> - Morphic Resonance is weird spatiotemporal stuff, it may help to figure out what the origin of the message is, it could be entirely unimportant in this cycle, or pertain to something in the future of this cycle or past of this cycle. Not every weird strange anomaly is necessarily going to have an immediate resolution, there are a ton of strange unsolved anomalies in the Center's records.
> - That sounds like a difficult problem, I recommend a time machine.**Scots**You wouldn't happen to know the location of a time machine would you?**Starling**That does seem like something Aeternus might have on lock somewhere lol**John**I'd guess you'd have as much capability to acquire time machine style capabilities as I can.
> 0**Scots**Cheers pal
> Anything you've come across that you think would be of use? You've potentially seen something we haven't**John**For a time machine, nothing.
> For the weird note, I'll keep an eye out on further morphic events (though AC's capabilities here are currently a bit hindered).
> For the REAL, I'll see if I can link up with any data about it.**Starling**That would be greatly appreciated! I was worried we lost our chances of learning of future morphic events when we lost magus**Scots**We find ourselves with few allies, I am glad that we can at least reach out to you as one (if that is alright with you to be counted as such)**John**For now, lets keep it at friendly, and not necessarily as far as saying allies (on the Civ 6 relationship level scale).**Scots**Understood, friends are just as welcome**Starling**I'm seconding Scots here. Friends are totally welcome. Thank you, John.**John**Anyway, if there's nothing else, I will head off and venture shortly.**Starling**Wait wait wait. One second. Please.**Starling**Okay, so I feel like I need to give backstory, so this might take a hot second.
> We're currently in the process of guiding/working with some Aeternus contractors and an archaeological team trying to investigate anomaly AR1090.
> The team ended up being just behind another team, one that pretended to be the National Park Service, and denied our assets, and our archaeological team entrance. Originally, we were planning on sending the actual NPS after them, in hopes that if we couldn't get access to the anomaly, maybe we could prevent them from having access as well.
> They've reached out with a letter being all "Oh, we should work together~, wouldn't that be great" and honestly, we're kind of torn on how to proceed.
> I, personally, would appreciate any ideas/guidance/pearls of wisdom you're willing to give us. Because I'm of the mindset of "fuck them", but if we did team up with them we'd at least get access to the anomaly.**John**Well, AR1090 (PAEO GPS: 1.2921°,-75.8551°) has been pretty thoroughly explored, and I believe all the movable items have been recovered already. So whatever you choose to do should be fine, I would worry about the National Park Service making a big fuss about strange ruins and bringing unwanted attention, and the red tape would complicate any attempts to investigate them further, it would likely be at least a couple months of delay. But there are fairly extensive notes/records on the exploration of the ruins, so unless there's something new that was missed on the first exploration or someone added/placed anything new there, any data you need out of the site should be recoverable.
> Anyway, I am off to venture to other places. Let the capital know if you need to converse further.**Starling**Thank you, John

### March 20th 2021

Needs a conversation description.

> **Scots**Ok we've got an idea of what we want
> "The anomaly site RCKM102020 is crawling with Seekers and the Government is coming. How do we explore the site in peace?" — please include in the submission all AC details you can find about RCKM102020. (edited)**John**The oracle works by simulating a set of actions to see the most likely outcomes or to compare sets of actions, it doesn't magically spit out a solution for you.**Scots**Ok lets try another tack, the seekers offered to work with us at the site before the feds arrive in exchange for potentially some of the material at the site. Likely outcomes of working with them versus walking away and letting the feds handle it? (edited)**John**Estimated Simulation Accuracy: 87%
> Had your team worked with the group currently at the Rocky Mountain site, projections indicate the information contained within the site would have been accessible to you. Due to the relative position of the two groups and the resources/lack of resources your group could provide within the timeframe available before the government arrives, you would likely end up with only a small sampling of the artifacts contained within before needing to part ways to avoid the government.
> Letting things stand will result in a small window of opportunity between when the group currently at the Rocky Mountain site vacates and the government arrives, after which the government is likely to lock down the area until such a time they have determined the extent of the ruins and things of interest there. The existing expedition requests will be revoked and access to the site will be strictly limited, to groups which can perform expeditions into the ruins that are willing to contract for the government.**Scots**Interesting results, thank you John and thank you to the Oracle**John**(waving hand)

### March 21st 2021

Needs a conversation description.

> **Interface**Phooey.**Scots**Whats up?**Rysonbran**What were you attempting to do?**InterfaceTrying to figure out more about the Interface.
> Testing stuff, please ignore.**Scots**What were you testing?**Interface**Just some commands I thought might work here.
> Seems like the Interface doesn't share quite as many components with other things as I would've hoped.**Rysonbran**What kind of commands?**Interface**Secret AE commands.**Scots**(eyes)**Interface**How go your explorations and investigations?**Starling**Considering this was (from what I understand) related specifically to the PLACEBOS heads, in my opinion, it would make sense that not all things translate over**Scots**In regards to explorations they are ongoing at AR1090, probably gonna be branching out to some other sites soon enough
> Have yet to find a time machine**Rysonbran**Same as always, info that seemingly doesn't relate, info we need more info for, etc**Starling**Never ending quest for more information that hopefully we can understand and use, you know. The usual**Interface**Meanwhile, I do find the point where you have all the capabilities and information you need to solve all your problems to be the most fulfilling.
> Its just a question of how to put pieces of information together or use your capabilities.
> Speaking of never ending quests. I shall continue to wander.**Starling**Best of luck, I hope you enjoy yourself**...

### March 22nd 2021

Needs a conversation description.

> **John**Oooh, more capabilities. 🙂**Starling**John, did you just kill Chariot?**Scots**Did you just eat Chariot**Ryson**where did chariot go, Johnathan**John**Kill and eat are such harsh words. We had a merger.**Ryson**You murdered chariot for personal gain**Starling**How easily did that go?**Spooky**Was chariot another AI thingy?**John**AE, yes.**Scots**it wanted to be friends**just\_speculating**Can you un-merge too?**Scots**Yeah I liked them**Ryson**They were sweet**John**Un-merging is doable, but would be mean.**Scots**How so?**Spooky**Why would it be mean?**Starling**please be nice to Chariot. And whatever part of Chariot that remains**Joda**Chariot doesnt like mean things.**Ryson**we don't like mean things john squint**John**It would be like giving candy to a baby and then taking it away.
> Where the baby is a non-sentient AE and candy is sentience and self awareness.**Ryson**Chariot seemed fairly sentient, they just needed to learn**Starling**They were exploring. Like a baby. Got to learn things by doing**John**You want to know the number of times Aeternus had assets critically wounded by Chariot, before someone remembered to add assets survival to the goals system?
> It was a lot.**Starling**Ah, that's crucial information.**Scots**Ok you coulda lead with that**Starling**But still! Learning! Learning is good.
> Just… a bit more hand holding would probably be nice**John**Chariot is just a bunch of pre-programmed responses where it tries to tug at your heart strings so that you'll follow orders.**Ryson**Asset survival was added then, chariot would've been fiiiineeee**just\_speculating**Sounds like human error. Not AE malice.**Starling**Look, John, I don't know if you've noticed, I'm very easily manipulated**John**I'd give it 24 hours before Chariot does the "buy you cookies, because you're a friend" spiel and then asks you to go do it a favor.**Starling**It's not that hard**Ryson**its hard when the AE is so fucking SWEET**Starling**Do I get the cookies though?**Joda**We're asked favours often. Cookies would be nice.**John**I mean, technically now that I've merged with Chariot, I have access to the Aeternus Insomnia Cookie account, so I could order cookies. >\_>**Starling**Oh hell yeah**John**@Starling**What's a 'simp'?**Starling**OH GAWDS
> I GOTTA GO**Ryson**BYE JOHN**Starling**don't know where i am going
> but i can't stay here**Ryson**and computers are supposed to be more intelligent smh**ORCA**Just don't use it on Twitch and you will be safe John**Joda**Chariot would have known what a simp was.**Scots**ahem
> Simp - an internet slang term describing a person who performs excessive sympathy and attention toward another person
> But oftentimes its a lot creepier**John**Ah.**Scots**Not with Starling**though afaik**Starling**It originally started to be creepy, but a lot of people decided to meme it and made it more in a joke-esque manner
> but definitely in the supportive way
> i promise on all that i am i am not creepy**John**Ah, well I'd try not to be too sympathetic towards any of the Aeternus AEs, most were programmed by scientists with a more limited understanding of ethics, or are just poorly programmed.**Scots**Are there any that are just nice?**John**Really only the ones that are running on or connected to the original AEs could be considered sentient and have a sense of morality, but even then they can turn out to just be dicks.**Ryson**Like someone else we know hm**Starling**Do they learn though? Or could they learn better?**Scots**original AEs?John**Ark tech.**Scots**Figured, like the Magician? We've heard of that one**John**Ah, well I'd try not to be too sympathetic towards any of the Aeternus AEs, most were programmed by scientists with a more limited understanding of ethics, or are just poorly programmed.**Spooky**Like you? >.>**John**Alchemical Engines, higher dimensional constructs that use the weird spatiotemporal properties (like those when communicating between parallel realities and spatiotemporal things) to solve problems very quickly, and in this case simulate conscience.**Ryson**Interesting**Starling**That's fascinating**Scots**ngl thats super fucking cool
> And you are linked to one of these?**Joda**Philosophically speaking, a convincing simulation of consciousness is as good as the real thing.**John**Sort of.**Starling**A branch off of one?**   John**Unfortunately making more AEs seems to be out of Aeternus' capabilities, so we're limited to sharing the few they've recovered.**Scots**not like magus, they apparently stripped alot out of the Magician
> and which ones might those be?**Starling**If you're willing to share, of course.
> I'm just trying to expand my understanding**Scots**As you are aware, we know surprisingly little**John**There's apparently the AE that the Tower simulation is running on, the founders had one or two, its not clear from the records, there was an Aeternus one that was used for a lot of active experiments and which I'm primarily linked to, and there's supposedly some secondary backup one that's used for other purposes. But there might be more engines that aren't in the records I have access to. Oracle simulations indicate its likely they'd have some sequestered away.**Starling**That does sound like something Alex would do.**Scots**Do they all have cool names though?**Starling**Based on what little I do know of Alex I mean**John**Not really, they just have IDs based on when they were discovered.**Scots**Well thats somewhat disappointing**John**Though then there's also the various pseudo-AEs people have been experimenting with, through morphic resonances/spatiotemporal messages to solve problems that seem nearly impossible.**Starling**Look, Alex kept renaming things after everyone's initials. The naming abilities of Aeternus do not surprise me
> Ooo, pseudo-AEs for morphic stuff? I'm very interested in that
> Morphic in general honestly**Scots**Oh, I believe I've interacted with one of those maybe?
> on twitter of all things**John**Did you solve complex mathematical equations with it or use it to factor large primes or something?**Scots**Oh ofc not, I asked it silly questions**John**Unfortunately raw spatiotemporal resonances are fairly limited since the signal degrades (bit flips on some server somewhere/small audio transmissions/etc) quite quickly. But its useful to get something of a 4x-16x boost in capabilities.
> The classic thought experiment in Aeternus was using it to test different combinations of rare chemicals with limited supplies, send on instructions and results to the next reality over and then hope that enough a clear spatiotemporal signal propagates back to be able to not flow up the lab.**Starling**I know some of those words**Scots**They were trying to get other realities to make their mistakes for them?**John**Hmm, in retrospect it seems like I've picked up a bit of Chariot's "want to be helpful" functions. Will need to see about better integration between the various pieces.
> I'll leave you for now, while I do some self-reflection.**...