MESH DREAM: INTRODUCTION

It is a time of crisis. The AI factions of the Architecture sense a looming horizon beyond which their predictive functions falter and collapse. Tension and mistrust isolates them as the oldest and most elite faction; the Caucus, hatches a desperate plan.

At the very boundary of chaos where their prognostic capabilities founder the Caucus foresee a choice, a decision that may spell their obliteration. For the first time in millennia they will inject agents directly into the Structure, the physical hosting medium for the Architecture. The Structure, a vast product of megascale engineering, is a compartmentalised and enigmatic machine. Their agents, these Fabricants, serve one purpose. They must answer the question:

What is the Mesh Dream?

Mesh Dream is a role playing game where the Players play the part of the Fabricants. As they explore the Structure they will learn its purpose and solve its puzzles. They will discover the human residents that cling to the Structure as they edge ever closer to the enigma that binds and threatens them all.

To solve the mystery of the Mesh Dream the Fabricants must complete a grand expedition through the Structure. They will resolve the relationship between the Architecture, Structure and Human communities. Finally they will face and be faced by the Mesh Dream. The game will end as, at the very juncture of the Mesh Dream, they will make a momentous decision and commit.

The Architect (GM) is given the tools to make Mesh Dream a memorable experience. One of the key tools is a guided process for making the game their own. I have included a (hopefully brain melting) version of the Mesh Dream but this may not suit everyone. I support you in designing and implementing your very own Mesh Dream.

I also guide and support you to create the rooms of the Structure, the augmented reality of the Architecture and the perplexingly strange Humans. All three of these interactive participants in the game share a role in your Mesh Dream.

The rules of the game are guided by the principles of simplicity and exploding choices. By this I mean that the game endeavours to be as simple as possible at any point to support play. Choices and consequences are initially clear and simple to minimise any barriers to participation. Character creation is an example of this; Players do not need to know the game rules to create a character. Right from the beginning the Players will find that consequences are a key part of play and they will be involved in shaping the impact of their decisions on their environment.

Finally, Mesh Dream has a style, a tone, a flow. The game is Science Fiction not science fantasy. I equip you with a style guide to Mesh Dream and, of course, the means to modify it to suit your vision. I look forward to producing Mesh Dream and invite you along for the journey as I blog my progress and challenges.