Worldstream

A Sagiga interpretation of the Worldstream

Description

The Worldstream is the existence of physical worlds, as explained by humans. It is one side of the universe, with the other side being the Breach, and encompasses worlds such as Earth, Sudra, Kiengir, and the Emergence. Those native to the Worldstream cannot typically enter the Breach safely, but those from the Breach have been able to inhabit the Worldstream.

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. 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, 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.

Structure

Regardless of analogy, the Worldstream is said to have a certain structure. There is an origin world, at which point everything diverges from. This world is called A'ansur, or the A'ansur. It's described as having advanced technology beyond anything the other worlds bear, such as machines that can heal any wound, and means to prevent any war, famine, or death. From A'ansur, worlds begin to branch out in a downward fashion, addressed as being downstream.

Between each level is a filter, a sort of midpoint between worlds when going downstream. To go up or down the stream, you must pass through a filter when changing levels. Only one of these filters is seen, and its connecting worlds aren't seen, although there are several pathways that are blocked off and are inaccessible.

Relation with Breach

The Worldstream and the Breach are two very different things, with the Breach like an other side to the coin, or like a storm that surrounds the empty space in the universe. It doesn't inherently surround worlds, as shown by the Sudrans attracting it to surround their planet, but can be moreso explained like being on the other side of a lattice that makes up the universe.

In some spots, this universal lattice seems to fail, break, or grow large enough to allow that in the Breach to enter the Worldstream, which has proven detrimental to those inhabiting the Worldstream. The creatures in the Breach- named Udug by the Sagiga- seem to take no harm from the change in worlds, and may not realize the harm it does to the other side.