Worldstream
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The Worldstream[1][2] is the existence of physical worlds, as explained by humans. It is one side of the universe, with the other side being the Breach[1], and encompasses worlds such as Earth, Sudra, Kiengir, and the Emergence. Those native to the Worldstream cannot typically enter the Breach safely[3][4], but those from the Breach have been able to inhabit the Worldstream.[5]
Several descriptions and analogies have been made to describe it, ranging from computer algorithms described by Trace, and a tree described by the Sagiga. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe locations on the Worldstream, such as being closer to an origin or further from it.[6][7][8] Both analogies explained describe the same universe, just in two different ways. Both revolve around an origin, which is the world A'ansur.
Tree Analogy
The Sagiga described the Worldstream as a tree, with individual worlds being the fruit on the outskirts of the tree[9], with a single connecting trunk holding everything together. As such, a world higher up the stream (such as higher up on a tree's branch) being destroyed would cause those downstream to be destroyed and be essentially wiped from existence. If the trunk of the tree were to be destroyed, the tree would die and all the worlds, or fruits, would cease to exist.
Computer Algorithm Analogy
Trace Eschenbrenner, with the help of Elizabeth Hammond, described in his paper The Axiom the existence of other worlds akin to algorithms being run by a computer. The full paper isn't seen in-game, except for a small fragment.
"(a) All algorithms are universal and valid, regardless of whether they are executed.
(b) Cognition is a sub algorithm whose behavior is to perceive properties of the parent algorithm describing it.
(c) Any algorithm giving rise to cognitive entities will be perceived as reality by the entities described." -Axiom 1
Line A describes the possible infinity of worlds, that any world could exist, whether or not it does currently, or is rather not currently expressed by the computer. Line B describes that a being's cognition is programmed by the algorithm it exists in. As such, the laws of physics in one world may not work the same in another, and a being's perception of a world may differ from those of another world. Line C describes that a being's algorithm is perceived as reality by the aforementioned being.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "There are two sides to universe- Worldstream and Breach." -Elsenova, Cutscene 0011, AV1
- ↑ Sagiga on the Worldstream (Note)
- ↑ Before obtaining Mushhus, Indra takes damage from Breach portals.
- ↑ See: Proto-Xedur
- ↑ "The Udug come from beneath the waves of a great flood, their powers allowing them to enter our world through storms of fire that appear in the sky." -Storm Bomb
- ↑ "We are going upstream - to the Filter, or whatever lies beyond - for answers." -Trace, Faded Note
- ↑ "You must enter an upstream port." -Cutscene 0025, AV2
- ↑ "[...] the filters themselves are also worlds in the tree, downstream of even more filters, recursively." -Trace, Letter from Trace
- ↑ "They reference the multiple worlds as being the fruit of a tree." -Hammond, Sagiga on the Worldstream