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Author Topic:   Alien monoliths and artifacts?

Thue posted 03-19-99 02:12 PM ET
Is it just me or doesn't the game give the answer to where these came from?
And don't tell me the Planet created them in the last fungal bloom before it "died", becourse I doubt planet know about monopole magnets (and other techs you get from the artifacts)
Lee Johnson posted 03-19-99 02:44 PM ET
And just how DID they hide whole cities in those 'goody huts' in Civ and Civ 2? Suspend your disbelief, and visualise the Cosmic All... :-)
DerekM posted 03-19-99 02:53 PM ET
Actually, I want to know the answer to that question, too. Brian and co. have been pretty good at rationalizing everything. They even FINALLY came up for a reason why one person could run an empire for hundreds of years without dying or retiring.
Here is my theory:
Humans are not the first group of colonists to land on Planet. For whatever reason, the minds of the previous aliens were not able to connect with Planet the way human minds are able to, so they were destroyed by the periodic fungus explosion (the same thing that whacks planet's intelligence every once in a while).
They were bright enough to know that they were screwed, however, so they did two things. First, they created data archives that would preserve their technology. Unfortunately, over time, these archives degrade to the point that only a little bit of information can be recovered with each one found.
Second, they created their own attempt at a "Voice of Planet" type project, but they just weren't up to the task. The monoliths are the remains of this attempt. They provide a unit with a special type of psychic link with planet that allows that unit to become a bit more aware of its surroundings by tapping into Planet's subconscious, enhancing its performance. This link also has a soothing effect, which makes it easier for a unit to recover from the psychological trauma and confusion resulting from combat.
What do you think?
Lee Johnson posted 03-19-99 02:59 PM ET
Sounds good to me.
Milamber posted 03-19-99 03:00 PM ET
That is one good logical idea, however I would still like an official answer.
agoraphobe posted 03-19-99 03:02 PM ET
Well, you still have to explain that fact that Monu-Mats, er, I mean monuments, vanish after an excess of military unit "laundering"
DerekM posted 03-19-99 03:09 PM ET
That's easy.
There are two reasons why the monuments degrade.
1) They are OLD. Some fail just because they are fragile with age, so excessive use is more likely to break them.
2) They were created for a final, last ditch attempt at saving the alien species. The power source was meant to be expended all in one large rush, similar to the human's use of "every generator on planet." It is a finite supply. Tapping into that power the way humans do it uses much less of it then if the project had ever been completed, but it still exhausts it after a time.
jedijon posted 03-19-99 06:16 PM ET
I think the Alien Race that built the Monoliths and Artifacs should re-appear in SMAC 2... Maybe with friends...
TBox posted 03-19-99 06:26 PM ET
So what about the Borehole Cluster? The new interludes give me lotsa chills. And the Universal Translator project movie makes ya wonder...no pun intended.
MoSe posted 03-22-99 06:58 AM ET
makes you wonder, ha! WONDERful pun, anyway
tOFfGI posted 03-22-99 07:13 AM ET
Good theory, DM. I don't see any obvious flaws with it. I think the Aliens are supposed to remain a mystery, though...
DerekM posted 03-22-99 09:03 AM ET
The borehole cluster interlude seems to support this idea. Aliens came from far away, settled and got wiped. It even talks about them possibly succumbing to Planet's growth spurt.
I was thinking about the resources you get from a monolith (2-2-2), and I realized that there was no explanation as to WHY you should get resources from a monolith if their purpose is part of an ancient secret project. My thought is that the resources aren't actually produced in the square. They just represent the boost in productivity you get from being near the monolith. Admittedly, this is kind of a rationalization.
I think that the movie for the Universal Translator project is apocryphal. Otherwise, the Believer's would get a BIG boost after it was built.
Thue posted 03-22-99 01:04 PM ET
Yes, I just read the borehole cluster interlude, and it clearly hints at an unsuccesfull alien colonization, destroyed by planet.
The 3.0 patch wasn't out when I posted this thread, so I have an excuse for not noticing earlier
DerekM posted 03-22-99 01:08 PM ET
I hadn't read the 3.0 interlude before I posted, so I get credit for being prescient!
Giant Squid posted 03-22-99 01:54 PM ET
I can't get 3.0
What does the borehole interlude say, and how does it appear?
Giant Squid
<-:-)-K
"Eternity lies ahead of us, and behind. Have you drunk your fill?"
Thue posted 03-22-99 03:29 PM ET
Curious? you must just have patience... nah

#INTERLUDE21
#xs 500
#caption The Borehole Cluster
^ "What is it? Report!" You bark the orders with all the patience of
one who's days have become an endless stream of budgets, battlefield
analyses, and supply requisitions.
^ "We've completed our investigation of the Borehole Cluster, $TITLE0."
^ "Ah, very good!" You've been looking forward to this. "Give me the
highlights."
^ The young engineer's eyes are shining as he hands over the datapad.
"It's an amazing feat of engineering, $TITLE0. A shaft has been drilled
all the way through the planet's crust, right down to the magma. The
mineral resources are right there for the taking, and the energy tap
from the heat could be enough to power our largest turbine plant!"
^ "Excellent. Have you discovered how they protect against meltdown,
and how they extract the minerals?"
^ "It's all in the report, $TITLE0." The young man looks proud, but
then his face changes. "There is one disturbing thing, $TITLE0."
^ "Yes?" You're already thinking of how this technology can be
incorporated into your plans for Planetary domination; "disturbing"
is not a word you wanted to hear.
^ "Well, $TITLE0, our dating techniques show it to be only slightly
newer than the nearby monoliths and artifacts. And the construction
materials used in the borehole perimeter can't be duplicated."
^ Your eyes narrow. "Why?"
^ He gulps. "Well, $TITLE0, the metals used are not native to
Planet. Their composition includes many elements not found anywhere,
at least so far, in Planet's crust."
^ You struggle to maintain your composure in the presence of the
young engineer, astounded at the implications: The race that left
behind these monoliths, these artifacts ... they must have come
from the stars, just as humanity did. Were they defeated by
Planet's biological defenses? Did they leave? And if they
left ... might they ever come back?

The interlude is sligthly different if you allready have borehole tech
Julian posted 03-22-99 08:15 PM ET
Hi all,
One question from an occaisonal player, who probably won't see it in a game for a while: Where is the borehole cluster?
I updated my installation with the 3.0 patch, but it doesn't modify the plant maps. So I presume the game adds the cluster to the game map when you start the game? (I tried to get the whole map revealed by making Centauri Ecology reveal the whole map, but it didn't work for some reason, so I don't know where the cluster is.)
Also, if anyone has played on a random map, can you tell me if the landmarks are randomly placed on a random map? (If so, and my above hunch is right, I guess the game just uses part of that code to stick in the cluster on start up.)
Thanks,
--Julian
cousLee posted 03-23-99 05:49 AM ET
Once upon a time there was a race of aliens that lived in harmony with the fungus on planet. They slowly moved around Planet's surface living off the nutrient's in the fungus and leaving the much needed nitrates for the fungus behind. When one would get ill, it would restore it's health on the soothing gases emitting from within the Monoliths it created to capture the gases from beneath the planet's crust. occasionally one would collapse into the mantel shaft, but the Aliens could construct another in it's place.
This race used to persue knowledge, but evolved and now it's only desire is harmony with the life giving fungus that grows around it.
"Now that know the truth about the alien race. That the seemingly harmless act of attaching one to our Network Nodes, was actually a excruciating extraction of information from their minds, resulting in a painfull death.
"Knowledge increase is a fortunate side effect as we must include the Artifactians in our quest to rid Planet's surface of Evil."
Sister Miriam
Science Convention of 2299
DerekM posted 03-23-99 05:47 PM ET
I like mine better.
DerekM posted 03-23-99 05:47 PM ET
I like mine better.
McGeorge posted 03-24-99 02:28 PM ET
I had been thinking along similar lines to DM except I was thinking of a native species that had evolved between fungal explosions. In light of the Borehole Cluster, I agree that alien colonization seems more likely.
The effect of the interlude was reduced for me by the fact that it showed up without any sign of the Cluster in my territory. I have now conquered/explored about 1/4 of the Planet (random map) and gotten maps in trade for about half of what's left and I STILL don't see the Cluster anywhere. Oh well.
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Author	Topic: Alien monoliths and artifacts?
Thue	posted 03-19-99 02:12 PM ET Is it just me or doesn't the game give the answer to where these came from? And don't tell me the Planet created them in the last fungal bloom before it "died", becourse I doubt planet know about monopole magnets (and other techs you get from the artifacts)
Lee Johnson	posted 03-19-99 02:44 PM ET And just how DID they hide whole cities in those 'goody huts' in Civ and Civ 2? Suspend your disbelief, and visualise the Cosmic All... :-)
DerekM	posted 03-19-99 02:53 PM ET Actually, I want to know the answer to that question, too. Brian and co. have been pretty good at rationalizing everything. They even FINALLY came up for a reason why one person could run an empire for hundreds of years without dying or retiring. Here is my theory: Humans are not the first group of colonists to land on Planet. For whatever reason, the minds of the previous aliens were not able to connect with Planet the way human minds are able to, so they were destroyed by the periodic fungus explosion (the same thing that whacks planet's intelligence every once in a while). They were bright enough to know that they were screwed, however, so they did two things. First, they created data archives that would preserve their technology. Unfortunately, over time, these archives degrade to the point that only a little bit of information can be recovered with each one found. Second, they created their own attempt at a "Voice of Planet" type project, but they just weren't up to the task. The monoliths are the remains of this attempt. They provide a unit with a special type of psychic link with planet that allows that unit to become a bit more aware of its surroundings by tapping into Planet's subconscious, enhancing its performance. This link also has a soothing effect, which makes it easier for a unit to recover from the psychological trauma and confusion resulting from combat. What do you think?
Lee Johnson	posted 03-19-99 02:59 PM ET Sounds good to me.
Milamber	posted 03-19-99 03:00 PM ET That is one good logical idea, however I would still like an official answer.
agoraphobe	posted 03-19-99 03:02 PM ET Well, you still have to explain that fact that Monu-Mats, er, I mean monuments, vanish after an excess of military unit "laundering"
DerekM	posted 03-19-99 03:09 PM ET That's easy. There are two reasons why the monuments degrade. 1) They are OLD. Some fail just because they are fragile with age, so excessive use is more likely to break them. 2) They were created for a final, last ditch attempt at saving the alien species. The power source was meant to be expended all in one large rush, similar to the human's use of "every generator on planet." It is a finite supply. Tapping into that power the way humans do it uses much less of it then if the project had ever been completed, but it still exhausts it after a time.
jedijon	posted 03-19-99 06:16 PM ET I think the Alien Race that built the Monoliths and Artifacs should re-appear in SMAC 2... Maybe with friends...
TBox	posted 03-19-99 06:26 PM ET So what about the Borehole Cluster? The new interludes give me lotsa chills. And the Universal Translator project movie makes ya wonder...no pun intended.
MoSe	posted 03-22-99 06:58 AM ET makes you wonder, ha! WONDERful pun, anyway
tOFfGI	posted 03-22-99 07:13 AM ET Good theory, DM. I don't see any obvious flaws with it. I think the Aliens are supposed to remain a mystery, though...
DerekM	posted 03-22-99 09:03 AM ET The borehole cluster interlude seems to support this idea. Aliens came from far away, settled and got wiped. It even talks about them possibly succumbing to Planet's growth spurt. I was thinking about the resources you get from a monolith (2-2-2), and I realized that there was no explanation as to WHY you should get resources from a monolith if their purpose is part of an ancient secret project. My thought is that the resources aren't actually produced in the square. They just represent the boost in productivity you get from being near the monolith. Admittedly, this is kind of a rationalization. I think that the movie for the Universal Translator project is apocryphal. Otherwise, the Believer's would get a BIG boost after it was built.
Thue	posted 03-22-99 01:04 PM ET Yes, I just read the borehole cluster interlude, and it clearly hints at an unsuccesfull alien colonization, destroyed by planet. The 3.0 patch wasn't out when I posted this thread, so I have an excuse for not noticing earlier
DerekM	posted 03-22-99 01:08 PM ET I hadn't read the 3.0 interlude before I posted, so I get credit for being prescient!
Giant Squid	posted 03-22-99 01:54 PM ET I can't get 3.0 What does the borehole interlude say, and how does it appear? Giant Squid <-:-)-K "Eternity lies ahead of us, and behind. Have you drunk your fill?"
Thue	posted 03-22-99 03:29 PM ET Curious? you must just have patience... nah #INTERLUDE21 #xs 500 #caption The Borehole Cluster ^ "What is it? Report!" You bark the orders with all the patience of one who's days have become an endless stream of budgets, battlefield analyses, and supply requisitions. ^ "We've completed our investigation of the Borehole Cluster, $TITLE0." ^ "Ah, very good!" You've been looking forward to this. "Give me the highlights." ^ The young engineer's eyes are shining as he hands over the datapad. "It's an amazing feat of engineering, $TITLE0. A shaft has been drilled all the way through the planet's crust, right down to the magma. The mineral resources are right there for the taking, and the energy tap from the heat could be enough to power our largest turbine plant!" ^ "Excellent. Have you discovered how they protect against meltdown, and how they extract the minerals?" ^ "It's all in the report, $TITLE0." The young man looks proud, but then his face changes. "There is one disturbing thing, $TITLE0." ^ "Yes?" You're already thinking of how this technology can be incorporated into your plans for Planetary domination; "disturbing" is not a word you wanted to hear. ^ "Well, $TITLE0, our dating techniques show it to be only slightly newer than the nearby monoliths and artifacts. And the construction materials used in the borehole perimeter can't be duplicated." ^ Your eyes narrow. "Why?" ^ He gulps. "Well, $TITLE0, the metals used are not native to Planet. Their composition includes many elements not found anywhere, at least so far, in Planet's crust." ^ You struggle to maintain your composure in the presence of the young engineer, astounded at the implications: The race that left behind these monoliths, these artifacts ... they must have come from the stars, just as humanity did. Were they defeated by Planet's biological defenses? Did they leave? And if they left ... might they ever come back? The interlude is sligthly different if you allready have borehole tech
Julian	posted 03-22-99 08:15 PM ET Hi all, One question from an occaisonal player, who probably won't see it in a game for a while: Where is the borehole cluster? I updated my installation with the 3.0 patch, but it doesn't modify the plant maps. So I presume the game adds the cluster to the game map when you start the game? (I tried to get the whole map revealed by making Centauri Ecology reveal the whole map, but it didn't work for some reason, so I don't know where the cluster is.) Also, if anyone has played on a random map, can you tell me if the landmarks are randomly placed on a random map? (If so, and my above hunch is right, I guess the game just uses part of that code to stick in the cluster on start up.) Thanks, --Julian
cousLee	posted 03-23-99 05:49 AM ET Once upon a time there was a race of aliens that lived in harmony with the fungus on planet. They slowly moved around Planet's surface living off the nutrient's in the fungus and leaving the much needed nitrates for the fungus behind. When one would get ill, it would restore it's health on the soothing gases emitting from within the Monoliths it created to capture the gases from beneath the planet's crust. occasionally one would collapse into the mantel shaft, but the Aliens could construct another in it's place. This race used to persue knowledge, but evolved and now it's only desire is harmony with the life giving fungus that grows around it. "Now that know the truth about the alien race. That the seemingly harmless act of attaching one to our Network Nodes, was actually a excruciating extraction of information from their minds, resulting in a painfull death. "Knowledge increase is a fortunate side effect as we must include the Artifactians in our quest to rid Planet's surface of Evil." Sister Miriam Science Convention of 2299
DerekM	posted 03-23-99 05:47 PM ET I like mine better.
DerekM	posted 03-23-99 05:47 PM ET I like mine better.
McGeorge	posted 03-24-99 02:28 PM ET I had been thinking along similar lines to DM except I was thinking of a native species that had evolved between fungal explosions. In light of the Borehole Cluster, I agree that alien colonization seems more likely. The effect of the interlude was reduced for me by the fact that it showed up without any sign of the Cluster in my territory. I have now conquered/explored about 1/4 of the Planet (random map) and gotten maps in trade for about half of what's left and I STILL don't see the Cluster anywhere. Oh well.