:p:u:z:z:l:e:b:o:x: wiki: Artifacts/Switches

Switches

In appearance, Switches are much like what they sound like - large, usually red toggles, up and down. Or, in some cases, a button, which clicks in, then back out again. They are attached to suction cups, usually, though other methods are available.

They're a Duality?, a positive or negative, a one or a zero. Switches enforce one state or another, especially in this application, and allow one to switch between them. These switches enforce Duality over Normality (which in the Mess is Consensual Reality), on whatever they're attached to. When detached, Normality instantly asserts itself again.

Known Examples So Far

On/Off Switch - When attached to anything, its literally an On/Off switch, much the same as one would find on a computer. Attached to a tank, for instance, flicking it will turn it off, and pushing it back will turn it on again. When attached to an individual, flicking it will turn them 'off'. They'll become lifeless, not just asleep, but technically dead, or at least inert. When flicked back, they'll be alive again, just where they left off, roughly. Technically, this could be attached to a dead individual to flick them back to life, but only so long as the switch remains on them. On Puzzlebox, this might be a moot point anyhow, however.

Command Switch - When attached to a person, the on position forces the individual to respond to anything requested of them by doing it. It doesn't remove freedom of will, and leaves them with free action — except when asked or commanded to perform an action. It may be frustrating to them all the same, but they cannot form the words to protest, nor do other than the command, no matter how furvently they wish otherwise. In a simple term — the individual can't *not* do what someone asks of them, within their ability. For Example — Asking them to 'enjoy' something will ensure that if they're capable of enjoying it, the action will be. If it were so contrary, though, that they could not find a thing enjoyable about it, then its the same as asking them to do something impossible.

Light Switch - A relatively simple switch, placed on anything, it makes them either positively luminescent or utterly a void of light. One can be exceptionally vibrant, or not reflect a thing, depending on the positioning.

Killswitch - When attached to a person, the on position instantly sends that person in to a homocidal fervor, eager, ready, and willing to kill lots and lots of people for no really understandable reason. The off position does the opposite, making it impossible for that person to do violence to others. Precisely who developed this nasty thing, and why, remains unclear.

D/S Switch - Making the jargon literal, just because.

Manic/Depressive Switch - Acquires its name from the psychological condition, though the effects are both less severe and less psychologically damaging. In the "up" position, the switch increases serotonin and adrenaline levels, leading to increased energy, a general sense of happiness and well-being, and increased sex drive. In the "down" position, it induces a state of quiet calm and lethargy, and increases the person's suggestability.

Uncertainty Switch - Prevents the wearer from determining both the precise position and precise location in space of others. In one position, makes it impossible for the person to see anyone; in the other, makes it impossible for them to see anything but other people.

Zorro Switch - Named after the drug. Depending on the switch's position, the wearer becomes either a swashbuckling hero or a mustache-twirling villain right out of an old serial melodrama. Either way, the wearer sees the world exclusively in black and white.

Not that this doesn't already happen in-muck, but what about a gender switch? This wouldn't be a simple on-off flip, but a slider. "Yesterday I was stuck in 98% female, and my tits started to grow out. Now the switch is all the way down to 75% male, and I'm starting to like my new tool. I think tomorrow I'll try it somewhere just in the middle."

Please, feel free to add new switches, no need to roleplay them first or the like! New concepts would be wonderfully welcomed! And feel free to add to the History of interesting events surrounding these Switches!

History:

Lysette came up with and used the first switch on Untitled, a Light Switch, while hanging out in the Dropsocket Lounge. Then, Misha's curiosity brought her to try an On/Off switch, and then try it on Lysette. A joke was played on the space hyena, though, the whole room rearranged while she was off - she and Untitled fooled her into thinking, for a time, that months had passed, that there was an Upwarp Virus, that the Big Active was now missing three floors, and more! And, in turn, Lysette played a joke back, installing the first Command Switch onto Misha's back, along with an On/Off switch on a single suction cup. But, these are just the first switches.. what else will come to fruition in the fertile minds of the Mess, now that these dualities might be explored?