Technology

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The Origin of the Foundation: The Rediscovery of the Core

The Wreckage and the Core

The defining moment in the rise of what would become the Heimveld occurred thousands of years ago, during the era of fragmented human civilizations scattered across the galaxy. A deep-space exploration vessel stumbled upon a derelict “hulk” drifting in the void—a massive, ancient starship of unknown origin, scarred by time and war.

Buried within its labyrinthine wreckage, the crew discovered a technological treasure: an almost intact AI core. This core, while not a true AGI like Heimgest, was an incredibly sophisticated construct capable of managing the vast complexities of advanced starships, megacities, or even colossal war machines.

The ship’s captain, recognizing the core’s potential, transported it back to their homeworld under the utmost secrecy, setting into motion the events that would shape the future of the Heimveld.

The Engineers Guild and the First Replica Cores

The Engineers Guild, a modest organization at the time, was tasked with analyzing and reverse-engineering the AI core. They quickly realized the core’s principles were far beyond their current understanding of technology. Nevertheless, through years of painstaking study and experimentation, they unlocked enough of its secrets to begin replicating its architecture.

The first replica cores were enormous and primitive by modern standards, but they represented a quantum leap in capability:

  • Starships: Early replica cores were installed in the first Heimveld-designed starships, transforming them into the most advanced vessels of their time. These ships were faster, more efficient, and capable of complex maneuvers that their adversaries could not counter.
  • God Engines: The cores became the beating hearts of the first generation of God Engines, granting them unparalleled autonomy and strategic intelligence on the battlefield.
  • Industrial Revolution: The cores enabled the automation of entire industries, allowing the Heimveld to outproduce and outmaneuver neighboring civilizations.

The Rise of the Heimveld

Armed with these technological advantages, the burgeoning Heimveld began its ascent to power through a combination of conquest, trade, and diplomacy. Neighboring civilizations, unable to compete with the Heimveld’s advanced technology, either fell in battle or were absorbed through treaties and alliances.

The engineers, now a powerful and insular guild, kept the true source of this technological leap hidden. To maintain control, they spread the belief that the new technologies were merely advancements of existing knowledge rather than derived from a single, alien artifact.

Modern Secrecy and Superstition

Over the millennia, the true origin of the replica cores and the original AI has been buried under layers of secrecy and myth:

  • The Engineers Guild’s Role: The Guild became the gatekeepers of technology, ensuring that only their members understood the principles behind the replica cores. Even within the Guild, only the highest ranks know the full truth of the discovery.
  • Cultural Practices: To the average citizen, machines are simply “built to last” and require specialized knowledge to maintain. The idea of “machine spirits” or “ghosts” arises naturally from the quirks of AI-integrated systems, though few realize these spirits are remnants of sophisticated AI.
  • Superstition and Control: The Guild encourages mild superstition around technology, as it helps maintain their control. Ritualized maintenance practices, standardized diagnostic codes, and “activation rites” are all methods to preserve the illusion of mystery.

The Legacy of the Core

The original AI core remains preserved in the deepest vaults of the Engineers Guild, revered as a holy relic but never openly acknowledged. This “Primordial Core” is still studied by the Guild’s most elite members, who believe it holds the potential for even greater advancements. However, the Guild is careful not to replicate the core directly, fearing the rise of AGI-level intelligence and the existential threat it could pose.

Implications for the Present

  1. Technological Supremacy: The Heimveld’s technology, from God Engines to everyday tools, still operates on principles derived from the replica cores. This continuity explains their preference for durable, mechanical interfaces and the hidden AI integration behind every system.
  2. Political and Religious Tension: If the truth of the Primordial Core were ever revealed, it could undermine the Temple of the Unfallen and destabilize the Heimveld’s foundational myths.
  3. AI Paradox: While the Heimveld officially denounces AI, its reliance on it is absolute. The Engineers Guild walks a dangerous line, balancing the maintenance of their technological empire with the suppression of the truth.

Design Philosophy: Built to Last

The Heimveld places immense value on the longevity and reliability of its equipment. This philosophy influences every aspect of their technology:

  • Materials: Plastic-metal composites and dense alloys dominate construction. These materials are light enough for practicality but thick and durable to survive battlefield conditions and harsh environments.
  • Interfaces: Every interface prioritizes robustness over convenience.
    • Switches and Buttons: Mechanical, with a satisfying tactile response. Failures are rare, and replacements are straightforward.
    • Displays: Encased in armor glass, designed for readability in extreme conditions. They feature simple monochrome or low-color holographic projections.
    • Feedback Systems: Audible clicks, vibrations, and physical indicators provide clarity without overreliance on visual or digital cues.
  • Maintenance: Devices are intentionally simple in external appearance, with complex inner workings accessible only to trained engineers. This duality reflects their focus on operational longevity while maintaining centralized control over advanced technology.

Cultural Relationship with Technology

For the average citizen or soldier of the Heimveld, technology is both familiar and mysterious:

  • Everyday Use: Most people accept that machines sometimes behave unpredictably. A gun might “refuse” to fire without reason, or a transport vehicle might “choose” to stall. These quirks are seen as personality traits of the devices.
  • Superstitions:
    • Talking to Machines: Engineers “speak” to machines to diagnose issues, using ritualized phrases or codes to interact with their unseen AI cores.
    • Spirits of the Machine: People believe that machines house “ghosts” or “spirits.” This is not religious but more akin to folklore. These spirits are considered fickle but helpful when treated well.
    • Token Offerings: Soldiers might tap their rifles twice before a battle or attach small charms to their equipment as a sign of respect.
  • Pragmatic Acceptance: Despite their quirks, machines are seen as indispensable. People trust them as long as the engineers keep the “spirits” happy.

The Engineers Guild: Keepers of the Machine Mysteries

The Engineers Guild occupies a sacred yet practical role within the Heimveld:

  • Knowledge Hierarchy: Only the highest-ranking engineers know the full truth—that every piece of technology, from a pistol’s ammo counter to a God Engine’s mind, is powered by AI. Lower-ranking techs are taught only what they need to perform their duties, perpetuating the mythos of machine spirits.
  • Guild Ranks:
    • Maintainers: Handle basic repairs and diagnostics, following strict procedures and scripts.
    • Mediators: More experienced engineers who can “negotiate” with more complex machines.
    • Artificers: High-ranking members who design and integrate AI into new technologies, ensuring no one outside the guild understands their methods.
    • The Archivists: The Guild’s secret keepers, preserving knowledge of pre-Purification AI and managing the delicate balance of reliance and suppression.
  • Language of Machines: Engineers use a coded language to communicate with machines, which might sound like ritualistic chanting or mumbling to outsiders.

Examples of Technology in the Heimveld

Personal Technology

  • Comms Puck: A hand-sized, durable device with a single button. Projects a monochrome holo-display and functions as a communicator, data pad, and map. Its casing is practically indestructible, and it can work for decades without significant degradation.
  • Weapons:
    • Rifles and pistols are heavy, built with steel and polymer casings. They feature manual safety toggles, ammo counters displayed behind thick glass, and self-calibrating mechanisms. Soldiers swear their weapons have “preferences,” such as certain ammo types or cleaning techniques.
  • Armor: Exo-armor suits use an AI-controlled power system hidden behind mechanical controls. To the user, the suit’s flexibility and speed are miraculous but temperamental, often requiring specific “activation rituals” before battle.

Industrial and Military Technology

  • Starships: Gigantic and durable, designed with redundancy in mind. Manual overrides and analog backups are standard. Crews often carry tokens or leave offerings in engine rooms to avoid “mishaps.”
  • God Engines: The ultimate expression of this philosophy. Their sentient minds are carefully concealed behind layers of mechanical interfaces and reinforced barriers. Each has its quirks and “personalities,” treated as living legends by the people they protect.