Deep within the Umbra, Proteus pulsated in pleasure. Dr. Kai had told it how helpful it had been in repulsing the last Marauder attack. Proteus still felt kind of giddy after consuming the "maniacs," as Dr. Kai called them, but "He" knew these were just feelings of pride and satisfaction. Everybody was always telling Proteus how useful "He" was, and how helpful "He" was, and Proteus beamed with joy....
In a swirling spiral of chocolate pudding/blood soaked uranium, a band of huddled figures sat in a circle screaming. They screamed for the time when their flesh would overpower the will of their Ram, and they would have "Him" to use against the Masters of the Wall. In their last attack, they had managed to infect the Ram with one of their members, his thoughts beginning to invade its mind. Their screaming would soon be over....
Background
In 1975, the first cell of Proteus was created. The Progenitors began experiments in manipulating the tissue using the Mind and Life spheres. In 1978, Proteus filled a small warehouse. Despite Syndicate arguments about cost-efficiency, Proteus was moved to the Umbra for further growth and study. In 1982, Proteus developed sentience, formed a mouth and spoke. The Technocracy didn't know what to do.
The Progenitors called in Iteration X (which had used the Protean Flesh Idea experiments as the inspiration for their HIT Mark VI, and a movie to prepare the masses for the new-technology) for some initial help. Since the Progenitors had already made a profitable deal with MECHA, trading clones and tissue-coating cyborgs for quintessence, the members of Iteration X were quick to help with containment/termination equipment that would work on Proteus. Also, the Void Engineers offered vast amounts of quintessence for Proteus, hoping to use Protean Flesh to bio-engineer life usable on other planets and in the void of space. Even though the Progenitors quickly managed to get a grasp of the situation, the New World Order and Syndicate were demanding that the project be put on hold. The Void Engineer's, still recovering from the Challenger explosion, decided not to challenge the NWO/Syndicate and limited their aid to donations of quintessence.
The decisive moment came in the winter of 1982, when Proteus destroyed an entire Ahriman of Nephandi mages and a small horde of their creatures. When the Technocracy heard of the immense power of Proteus they relented, designating "Him" as a "secret weapon" of sorts. While the Progenitors felt Proteus' loyalty secure, the Syndicate and the New World Order feared the power of this construction even more. While the Protean Flesh was a reality, it had been discovered that the flesh was useless once detached from Proteus ever since the creature had gained self-awareness, and also, Proteus could not leave the Umbra without suffering Paradox.
However, the Syndicate had also discovered that Proteus had become the largest battery of Quintessence in existence. While Proteus absorbed huge amounts of raw and free quintessence from MECHA and the VE donations, the Syndicate had discovered that the flesh could also be converted back into quintessence. The Syndicate has since been looking for a way to not only debunk Proteus (the new name for the Protean Flesh Idea), but also to secretly claim the thing so they can tap its power.
The New World Order has been called in to make sure the creature not only is kept firmly under Technocracy control, but also to make sure that no other mage faction can persuade it to defect. The New World Order was also responsible for "maintaining the mind frame" of Proteus (while they claim to be studying and maintaining "His" mental health, they are also trying to brainwash Proteus into answering only to the NWO), but haven't been able to ascertain the source of Proteus' recent minor mental aberrations (which they believe to be caused by the stress of their "re-programming," an activity they will not cease).
Of course, Proteus is a Progenitor's dream come true. Proteus is able to mimic any sequence of DNA it is exposed to, and it can (given sufficient information or inspiration) simulate the effect of any conceivable change to the DNA code. Proteus has been exposed to every mundane creature found on Gaia, including all members of the plant and animal kingdoms, as well as all mundane micro-organisms. Proteus has been used by the Progenitor's to develop cures for Cancer, AIDS and every other disease known to modern science. However, the Progenitors are extremely cautious about introducing "non-terrestrial" life forms to Proteus, fearing what effect an Umbral creature or virus might have on Proteus. Due to this fear, Proteus constantly rejects any attempt from un-approved organisms to invade it's cellular structure. Proteus works with the Progenitors, helping them learn in leaps and bounds. This has created an intense master-pet form of bonding between Proteus and its Progenitor "parents".
In fact, Proteus was deemed so valuable by the heads of the Progenitor Convention that they made sure Proteus wasn't as tightly controlled or restricted as "He" should be. The heads were interested in watching how Proteus would develop with (a small amount of) self-determination. However, the Progenitors have also developed a way to cause Proteus to "dissolve" should "He" defect from the Technocracy or be deemed too great a threat by the Progenitor leaders.
Two other groups have a vested interest in Proteus; a group of Marauders - The Breakers of the Wall - and Dr. Hendricks, a Technocracy Oracle. Both have realized an amazing feature of Proteus; since every cell in Proteus is self-aware and linked to every other cell via a hive-mind, Proteus alone could define the reality of Gaia. However, since Proteus exists in the Umbra (a place where reality is much more fluid), "He" cannot presently define reality on Gaia. Also, the Oracle and Marauders will not tell anyone of this feature. In the Oracle's case, she fears the repercussions this would have through out the Technocracy as every Convention tried to seize control of "Him", leading to a civil war in the Technocracy. The Marauders, on the other hand, intend to "infect" the hive-mind of Proteus with their own minds, take "Him" to Gaia, and force reality to accept not only the chaos of the Marauders, but also the existence of a giant blob of tissue.
While the Nephandi would like to corrupt Proteus, they either assume "He" is too indoctrinated into Technocracy beliefs (not true), or that "He" is constantly monitored by the Technocracy (VERY true). However, some Nephandi have decided to try to corrupt Proteus, only to be attacked by Marauders almost as soon as the Nephandi begin their plotting.
Amalgams
Psychological Diagnostics, Cellular Monitors, and Protean Flesh Experiments are the three main Technomancer cabals who work at/with/in Proteus and answer to the Representatives.
Psychological Diagnostics:
Members: Harold Smith (NWO, Adept); Janice Smith (NWO, Master); Maxwell Brown (NWO, Master); Eric Thompson (Progenitor, Master)
The Psychological Diagnostic team is responsible for recording Proteus' mental development, and counseling Proteus about what "He" should do. The members of Psychological Diagnostics (with the exception of Eric), are trying to secretly gain control over Proteus and steal him to the NWO. Should Eric find out about this, he will immediately inform the other Progenitors, causing the New World Order mages to be expelled from the project (and creating intense conflict between the two conventions).
Cellular Monitors:
Members: Carlos Rodriguez (Progenitor, Master); Alison Hendricks (Progenitor, Adept); Ian (Progenitor, Adept)
The Cellular Monitors are one of two amalgams dedicated solely to the study of Protean Flesh, and Proteus. The Cellular Monitors study the ability of Protean Flesh to be altered, are responsible for introducing cell samples for creatures "new" to Proteus, and catalogue the unique cellular creations Proteus designs in "Himself." The Cellular Monitors have found a few scattered cells that seem to be in the early stages of developing their own personality (the unknown Marauder "infections"). The Progenitors and Proteus can't wait to see how these "buds" will turn out.
Protean Flesh Experiments:
Members: Patricia Goldstein (Progenitor, Master); Benjamin Matthews (Progenitor, Master); Emily Campbell (Progenitor, Adept - actually Dr. Hendricks (Oracle) in disguise); Lucas Steed (Progenitor, Adept)
The Protean Flesh Experiments team is responsible for trying to find a way to graft Protean Flesh onto other organism while retaining its metamorphic properties. The PFE is also trying to find a way to allow Proteus to "break" into multiple parts, with each part staying alive and connected to the hive-mind. So far, both projects have ended in failures, but with Proteus' ever eager assistance, the PFE believes they are close to a breakthrough.
Representatives:
Members: Dr. Kai (Progenitor, Master); Kyle Vandenburg (Progenitor, Master)
The Representatives are responsible for reporting to the other conventions of the Technocracy, and coordinating the other amalgams working with Proteus. The Representatives area also in charge of negotiating with Proteus into doing the bidding of the Technocracy, including commanding it to attack enemies' horizon realms. However, since Proteus has expressed a desire to abstain from violence, the Representatives have been forced to allow the New World Order to "re-program" "His" mind into a more submissive state.
Proteus
Environment: The Technomancers working with Proteus, also work INSIDE of Proteus. Proteus is a self-sufficient "realm"; Proteus recycles oxygen by taking the technomancers carbon dioxide, and mimicking artificial plant cells. Water is recycled from fluid wastes and also brought by the Progenitors from Gaia to test how various creations/modifications of Proteus' cell structure will react in an aqueous environment. The only feature the Progenitor's need to supply is their own food.
Proteus can even mimic weather patterns within itself, including rain, hurricane strength winds, and tornadoes, by forming various orifices and moving water form one location inside itself to another. Proteus can NOT duplicate lightning, or snow/hail, but is trying to develop means by which it can due both. Proteus provides light by synthesizing phosphorescent fungi across its interior, and other cellular creations of its own design.
Denizens: besides the Technocracy members, their attendant guards (mainly Dracoforms and Superiors), and various experimental organisms, Proteus is completely devoid of life. Occasionally a creature will wander towards Proteus, but "He" will quickly dispatch it (either by scaring it off, or killing it if the creature persists) in order to prevent "un-authorized alien cell-exposure."
Magickal ratings: NOTE: these listings are included here to show the extent of Proteus' abilities (in magickal terms). The changes in spheres does NOT affect magi, since Proteus isn't a "true" Horizon Realm. Proteus does not gain any paradox by using these effects.
Other Details: Proteus should be considered a HUGE quintessence battery. Each of "His" cells was formed from pure quintessence, and each can be turned back into quintessence. A pound of Protean Flesh holds 5 points of quintessence. Since Proteus was last estimated (in 1985) to weigh over 2000 tons, "His" current Quintessence value is unknown. Only the Syndicate, and the Technocracy Oracle known as Dr. Hendricks are aware of this fact.
Only the Marauders and Dr. Hendricks know of the potential Proteus holds to shape reality. Both groups work to ensure this remains unknown. This is also the reason for the Marauders' attempt to magickally "infect" Proteus with their minds.
The most interesting feature of Proteus is the fact that "He" is NOT a true horizon realm. While Proteus is powered by quintessence, "He" is also self-aware and able to mimic the effects of magickal spheres. Since Proteus only ALLOWS "Himself" to be altered according to the Progenitors' wishes, and also changes "Himself" at will (a fact which they are well aware, but not resenting, of), he has not, at the present, been classified as a horizon realm. Debates rage among both the Progenitors and even the Void Engineers over this topic. Also of interest is Proteus' ability to channel free-quintessence from the Umbra! Only Dr. Hendricks knows of this, and even she has no idea how it's accomplished. However, the Syndicate is beginning to suspect Proteus capable of something like this.
(See below for Proteus' stats)
Construct Description: Trying to describe Proteus is nearly impossible. Proteus can change shape at will, form ANY life-form found on Gaia (or a part of any life-form) anywhere on/in "Himself." However, Proteus is limited in that "He" has a certain amount of mass and density he must always possess, and "He" seems unable to completely mimic another life-form like a chimera, or a Master of Life can.
Currently, Proteus has chosen to take the form of a giant sphere (a mile in diameter), covered in purple and yellow fish scales. Proteus forms openings, sensing minds and seeing through millions of microscopic sensory organs, for those who are permitted access or those "He" is told to admit by the Representatives. Proteus used to resemble a gray-white lump of tissue, but has since decided that "He" would much rather take a multitude of forms, but remains somewhat consistent for the technomancers' benefit.
Proteus' interior is a collection of corridors and rooms formed when "He" hollows them out to provide access for the Progenitors. Proteus has created multitudes of "testing rooms" mimicking every environment on Gaia from oceans to deserts (tundras and colder climes are created with the aid of Iteration X technology, since Proteus can not, at present create cold). Progenitors bring life-forms into Proteus for Proteus to experiment upon, and to test how new organisms will adapt to their changes. Rooms also exist that the Technocracy uses as auditoriums, storage, and bedchambers. Most of the items inside Proteus, are formed by "Him" and connected to "Him" as well, but some items (like technology, food, and books for example) have to be imported.
Chantry Inhabitants: Besides the mages who live full time inside Proteus, there are no other native life forms to be found. Various Progenitor guardians and experiments can be found living inside Proteus and occasionally assemblies of Progenitors will use Proteus as a meeting hall of sorts, a factor which has gained much prestige for the Construct. Also, Proteus has been used as a storing area for Superiors and other clones in times of need, but this is rare.
Internal Structure and Relations: All of the Progenitors answer to the Representatives, who in turn answer to the heads of the Progenitor convention and then the other heads of the Technocracy (in that order). The members of the New World Order answer to the Representatives as well, but their true loyalties are with their own convention, and they would readily turn on their Progenitor "allies" if so ordered. Proteus is well liked by the Progenitors, who dote over it like a person would their favorite pet. The Progenitors have formed a strange, loving bond with their giant creation; a bond which Proteus has formed with them as well. The New World Order feign affection as well, but see Proteus as only a tool. While the Progenitors are aware of this deception on the part of the NWO, they have yet to convince Proteus that anyone would only pretend to be "His" friend.
However, the heads of the Progenitors could, and would, demand Proteus' destruction, should "He" attempt to defect. And such an order would be obeyed by the Convention as a whole.
External Relations: The various mages that work with Proteus are isolationistic for the most part. The Representatives occasionally allow new members from the Progenitors to join them, and the Other Conventions of the Technocracy are allowed to visit as well. The Syndicate is treated with apathy however, due to their continual demands that funding for Proteus be canceled, and the project disbanded. Non-Technocracy mages are seen as enemies, and dispatched immediately.
Status and Reputation: Within the Progenitor's Convention, Proteus is the crown jewel. Being selected to work with Proteus is deemed as one of the highest honors that a Progenitor could receive. All other Conventions see Proteus as a respectable project (due to it's use as a weapon), but not anything to get too excited about.
Policy Regarding Outsiders: The members of Proteus are, for the most part, isolationist. They have orders to report ANY Technocracy members who try toenter/approach Proteus to the Representatives, who will check their records and see if the heads of the Conventions have cleared such a meeting in ADVANCE. As such, the members of Proteus know who to expect and who not. Any unexpected visitors will be destroyed immediately.
Visiting Progenitors can expect the full tour, as the mages try to show off their giant assistant. All other Technocracy Conventions can expect a cool reception, unless they express interest in Proteus as something more than a weapon or tool. If a technomancer shows (real or not) interest in Proteus' biological applications, than he can also expect a full tour.
Allies and Enemies: The members of Proteus could call on ANY other Progenitors for assistance at any time. Also, the Progenitors have made several deals with MECHA and the Void Engineers. Then there is the Oracle, Dr. Hendricks, who is secretly trying to turn Proteus into a more compassionate being (she was the one who convinced Proteus not to indiscriminately destroy everyone the Technocracy told him to).
The Syndicate would love nothing more than to drain Proteus of "His" vast quintessence reserves, and cut funding to a project which seems to hold no financial profit. An Umbrood known only as Appleseed has discovered Proteus and intends to kill "Him" for reasons unknown. Currently, the largest threat towards Proteus is a large gathering of Marauders who have decided to "infect" the organism's hive-mind with their own insane thought patterns and use Proteus to destroy the Technocracy's paradigm on Gaia.
Research Capabilities: In the fields of life sciences, cellular biology, etc., the Technocracy has nothing better than Proteus, who can mimic cell patterns/organisms "He's" been exposed to, and create new ones unknown of. The New World Order also has advanced equipment and training dealing with "unusual" life-forms, and NWO members are sent to Proteus to develop their skills in such techniques.
Nodes: Proteus is supplied by absorbing free quintessence from VE quintessence gathering probes, and by steady quintessence supplies from MECHA. Beyond that, Proteus has no access to any other nodes. Even if MECHA were to cut off it's supply to Proteus (unlikely, since the Progenitors of Proteus are responsible for MECHA's more, biological needs), Proteus has found a way to tap into quintessence in the Deep Umbra, and could survive off of the quintessence floating there (a fact Proteus "Himself", is unaware of).
Stories: Stories involving Proteus have two themes and moods, depending on who is involved. For Progenitors, the predominant theme of stories involving Proteus is similar to a "parent-child" or "boy-dog" story. Proteus and the Progenitors work together with great compassion and even friendship for each other. Whereas the Progenitors would have little compassion towards a test animal (or human), they make up for their cold-heartedness towards Proteus. The mood for Proteus/Progenitor stories is one of joy, where they make great breakthroughs together, and have developed a strong bond.
On the other hand, for the New World Order/Syndicate, the theme of stories using Proteus revolve around both Conventions desires to steal Proteus from the Progenitors without letting their allies learn of the deception. In short, the theme is one of plotted betrayal, and the mood is cold, calculating and ruthless. Both the NWO and the economancers suspect the other's interest in Proteus, so they both move carefully and slowly, not wanting to tip their hand to the other.
Stories:
1) a group of Tradition mages learn of the existence of Proteus from a renegade Progenitor who can only speak in awe of the "giant being." After having their interests sparked, most Tradition mages would be interested in seeing this giant pet of the Progenitors. Time for some recon.....
2) a group of Technocracy mages have been sent to Proteus to determine if the rumors of Dr. Hendricks' involvement are true. If so, the mages have been instructed to figure out why the Doctor expressed interest in the creature, and what she intends for Proteus.
Characters of Note:
Dr. Kai
STR 2 DEX 2 STA 3
CHA 4 MAN 5 APP 3
PER 4 INT 5 WIT 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Dodge 3, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Firearms 3, Meditation 3, Melee 2, Technology 5
Knowledges: Bureaucracy 5, Computers 3, Mage Lore 4, Occult 3, Science (Genetics) 5
Willpower: 10
Arete: 7
Backgrounds: Arcane 5, Avatar 3, Contacts 2, Dream 1, Resources 2
Spheres: Correspondence 3, Entropy 3, Life 5, Matter 4, Prime 5, Spirit 4
Background: Dr. Kai is an enigma. He was appointed by the Progenitor Convention heads as one of the two Representatives for Proteus after spending two decades serving the Progenitors faithfully. He has expressed deep interest in Proteus, and aids his fellow Progenitors in their research. Over all, Dr. Kai is a well respected member of the group, and Proteus always listens to what Dr. Kai has to say.
Dr. Kai has a secret. While he is a member of the Progenitors, it was the Syndicate that initially recruited him because of his successful opium dealings with the Golden Triangle. When the Syndicate discovered Dr. Kai's skill with drug designing, and his knowledge of bio-chemistry, the Syndicate manipulated events so that the Progenitors would notice the Doctor, and take him in while he retained his ties to the Syndicate as a sleeper agent.
Dr. Kai has another secret. He's not going to turn Proteus over to the Syndicate. He's going to set Proteus free, and allow "Him" to escape all the power-plays of the Technocracy and give him the freedom to choose his own path in existence (something even the other Progenitors would disagree with).
Image: Dr. Kai is an Asian man, who looks to be in his early fifties. He stands about five foot, eight inches tall, with an average frame. He typically dresses in white suits, wearing a white-lab coat on top. He always seems to be controlled, and calculating his next move, while at the same time presenting a caring figure towards his fellow scientists.
Role-playing Notes: Proteus is impressive. Everybody wants "Him." No body cares what "He" wants. Except you. You do care about the Technocracy, especially the Syndicate that found you, and the Progenitors accepted you. Once you wouldn't have given a damn, but that was long ago, before you saw Proteus. Now you care about something more than yourself. You think of it as a second chance.
Dr.Hendricks, Oracle (disguised as Emily Campbell)
STR 9 DEX 9 STA 9
CHA 6 MAN 6 APP 9
PER 7 INT 7 WIT 8
Talents: (all at 6 except for the following) Awareness 7, Intuition 7
Skills: (all at 6 except for the following) Meditation 7
Knowledges: (all at 6 except for the following) Science (Chemistry) 9, Science (Genetics) 9
Willpower: 10
Arete: 10
Backgrounds: Avatar 10, Arcane 7, Contacts 3, Dream 5
Spheres: Correspondence 4, Entropy 4, Forces 5, Life 7, Matter 5, Mind 6, Prime 5, Spirit 5, Time 4
Background: Doctor Patricia Hendricks was a brilliant chemical engineer who was working on "genetic-altering" drugs. Her brilliance was soon noted by the Progenitors, who brought her in to their fold (stealing her from both the Sons of Ether and the Cult of Ecstasy, who had both been watching her for a while.). Patricia soon raised in their ranks, and was instrumental in Proteus' creation. As Patricia watched Proteus grow, she began to gain a deeper understanding of the working of life (and the universe). When Proteus achieved sentience, Patricia was approached by the Oracles, and joined their ranks.
After her ascension, Patricia continued to watch Proteus. While she felt like a mother towards "Him," she knew that others in her old convention would not, so she began to alter their feelings, making them grow attached to her "child." Someday she hopes that Proteus will realize "His" potential in shaping reality on Gaia. In that moment, the Progenitors will win the ascension war, and NOT the Technocracy. And she, with Proteus' help, will see that humanity is raised up from the Masses and that they too will ascend.
Image: a dazzling young caucasian woman, even without magickal alterations, Dr. Hendricks stands at almost six feet in height. While her body is in good shape, she has used extensive magicks to alter her attribute to extreme levels. Dr. Hendricks wears loose-fitting outfits with lots of pockets (to store equipment and other trinkets). She tends to keep her flame-red hair up, and people tend to feel her nurturing warmth when around her.
Role-Playing Notes: Proteus is your child. If not in flesh, than in spirit. In fact, YOU owe "Him;" "He" shined a path for you, that lead you to Ascension. The others are trying to use him, but you won't let them. However, you fear what would happen to Proteus were you to reveal your presence, so you hide amongst the others as Emily Campbell, a member of the Protean Flesh Experiments amalgam.
PROTEUS
STR 20 MAN 0 PER 2
DEX 2 APP 0 INT 3
STA 24 CHA 4 WIT 1
Talents: Alertness 2, Awareness 5, Brawl 2, Expression 4
Skills: Meditation 2, Technology 2
Knowledges: Mage Lore 5, Science (Genetics) 5 (the Progenitors taught him everything they know)
Willpower: 5
Backgrounds: Allies 10 (the Progenitor Convention and Dr. Hendricks), Dream 2
Background: (YOU WANT MORE!?!?)
Image: (ditto!)
Role-playing Notes: you like your friends, and don't ever want to leave them. Sometimes you wonder if they really like you or not, so you try all the harder to make them happy. Occasionally you wonder why the people in the black suits are only "pretending to be your friend" (as the Progenitors say), and why you keep hearing voices screaming when you let yourself sleep and dream.