Vector

Vector is a substance that appears in the Unityverse and Twelve Thousand. It is not well understood alone, however the effects it has on multiple worlds is something that has been observed enough to catch the interest of researchers.

Overview

Vector commonly manifests as a flat glass-like or crystal-like substance, through which different facets of reality are often visible. The matter is actually present throughout the physical world, but can usually only be interacted with by physical beings when vector and atomic matter "brush against" one-another, the reaction creating the crystal-like form.

Vector is best understood as "area-based" rather than "point-based" like the particles that make up atoms. It is unknown what kinds of configurations vector must make to manifest different kinds of matter — ie. different substances, textures, or even cellular structures, if vector-based beings even have them.

Vector is mostly explored in Twelve Thousand, as it is the matter that the daemons and The Tower are comprised of. The name vector was proposed by Nikora Aster of Timaeus as reference to being a medium — a vector through which daemons exist.

When characters use the Daemon App to transform into their other selves, the app causes vibrations in the surrounding air to create a reaction with the vector, allowing interaction with the client user's daemon to essentially pull it forward for their mind to inhabit, while their atomic matter is seemingly stored on their device.

Arin using Corroding Fire, creating the vector effect.

In Witness to Unity, vector shards can be seen when characters use Unity Skills to summon the power of allies from across long-distances.

In Exitesen of Unity, vector shards begin to appear as a timeline breaks down under the pressure of the new history.

Development

Vector was created to serve as an "indivisible" foreign form of matter through which daemons exist, where in the model of cartesian dualism, there is no way to further divide your existence beyond them. In practice, daemons can still be "divided" — you can still cut your hair or lose a limb, for example. The area-based nature is ultimately one that's admittedly fuzzier more than literal.

The "vector" name comes from being a reference to computing — like daemon.