Looking at the prompt Nick realized something. His World Programmer skill let him create an AI to manage the world for him, so why not create something to help the Dumala? Clicking yes, he was greeted by a new interface.
AI Creation Menu
Please begin by selecting a primary function:
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-Create new species
-Develop existing species
-Develop terrain
-Destroy a target
-Maintain a specified domain
-Define a custom function
Looking over the list of functions Nick felt that the "Develop existing species" option made the most sense. Looking at the list, however, he couldn't help but feel like he wanted the AI to be something more than just a lifeless program designed to tell his planet's new inhabitants how to do stuff.
Thinking about it for a short time he decided to go with his gut and selected to make a custom function. Nick knew it would take longer, but if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.
Soon after making his choice Nick was met with a new box containing a few options and a large empty space to create his code. Looking at it, it wasn't that different from the coding interfaces he was used to from his work. Looking through the options, he decided to create something that would both develop a species and also maintain a domain over something. Looking at his new elf like species, he knew what he wanted to make.
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It took a couple hours to get everything the way he wanted, but Nick was finally satisfied with the results. His new function allowed him to create a custom being with its own personality by integrating the system's sentience feature and give it control over a part of the world.
With his new primary function option created he promptly added it to the menu options.
Name new function: ______________
Looking at what he created, Nick knew exactly what to name it.
New primary function "God" has been added to the list.
Smiling in satisfaction, he selected the new option from the function list and began to define its purpose and design. Knowing that he was creating an AI to serve as a god for the Dumala, Nick began by giving it the shape of an old Dumala with graying hair and a staff made from an ancient tree limb.
As for its purpose, it was to guide the Dumala into creating the first nation on this new planet and to hold dominion over nature type magic. Nick was originally considering making the AI god of all magic, but he eventually decided against giving one "god" control of something so important to his planet's development.
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Happy with what he'd done all he needed to do was give him a name. Nick wasn't very good with names, but eventually settled on something he thought sounded good.
New AI Created:
Primary function - God
Name: Dunlan, God of the Wild
Cost to create: 50 OP
I guess I can't expect it to be free. It's a good thing I saved my points earlier.
Achievement received:
Do Gods Have Gods?
"What makes a god, a god?"
(Create an AI.)
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+25 Origin Points
Nice! With that achievement Nick got back 50% of what he spent on it.
Alright, with that settled, let's see what happens next!
Turning his gaze downward, Nick excitedly watched as the world spun up to speed.
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Dralyn Dunwei was a relatively small Dumalan. His position in the tribe was middling at best, but he was better at one thing than anyone else. He always seemed to know where to find the best fruits and plants. Everywhere he went he could find food, making him the best forager in his tribe. The others thought it was luck, but only Dralyn knew the truth.
Ever since he was young, he was fascinated by plants and watching them grow. He soon began to water the plants he found whenever he was foraging. Eventually he found that he could hear the plants whisper as if they were speaking to him. In exchange for giving him some fruit, he would water the plants and help them by clearing weeds and such nearby.
Soon the plants sounded louder and clearer. They weren't actually speaking, it was their mana flow that he could sense. On that day, while foraging for his next meal Dralyn was surprised to hear a new voice speaking to him, but it wasn't the voice of a plant or of a Dumala, it was a voice speaking directly into his head. "Hello my child."
Shocked by the voice Dralyn called back, "Father?"
With a gentle laugh the voice continued, "No, child, I did not give birth to you, I am here to teach you."
"Teach me?" Dralyn queried. "Teach me what?"
"To speak with life itself, not only listen. To guide all its creations, and bring forth new life."
And so, Dralyn Dunwei, the first of the Druids of Dunlan was born.
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Nick watched with rapt attention as one of the tribes of Dumala began to stand out. Instead of foraging for wild fruit to eat, they began to plant seeds and grow new plants by infusing them with their mana. To avoid predators, they would blend into the trees and foliage or bind their foes with whipping vines. Soon the other tribes took notice and began to gather in one place, following the lead of one Dumala in particular. No longer needing to roam to find food the Dumala settled down and began to construct basic shelters.
Nick was brought out of his enraptured state by a new notification.
Achievement received:
Guiding Light
"A sudden flash of inspiration or is it divine intervention?"
(Guide a species, either yourself or with an AI.)
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+25 Origin Points
Achievement received:
Taking Shelter
"Nomads no longer."
(A species you created has learned to make a permanent residence.)
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+15 Origin Points
With these achievements Nick was up to 80 Origin Points again. It seems that creating an AI was a worthy investment after all.
Remembering something from earlier Nick had an idea. Looking through the menus he was found an option to publish his creation to the marketplace. It seems he could sell the "God" creation function he made in the marketplace for other players to use. Looking at it it seems the price for his "God" function was set at 50 points and he would receive about 10% of the purchase as royalties. Satisfied, he went to confirm the option.
Creation Submitted!
Would you like to visit the marketplace?
[Yes] [No]