Mathematical adventure awaits, with dazzling derivatives and nefarious functions scattered across the land. To play, you need only your imagination... and an ISDN 128K or higher Internet connection.
This role-playing guide is not in any way affiliated with Stephen Wolfram, Wolfram Mathematica®, or Wolfram Alpha®.
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CharacterCreation
d20
Scroll down to Alpha's Example section. This will be your Strength.
Click Roll again to calculate Intelligence, Charisma, and Dexterity.
Now that you know your character's attributes, you can select a name.
random name
This guide will reference an example character:
Belton has 10 STR, 1 INT, 19 CHR, and 16 DEX.
Remarkably persuasive, and remarkably retarded, Belton the Int stands alone at Point Origin as the last of a dying breed at war with the Reals.
BeginStory
Belton faces his sworn enemy, 0.328676.
Oh Three Two Eight Six Seven Six, it is time to die!
random Real
If your Real is less than 0.328676, you quickly defeat your foe and join Belton's fight.
Else, you struggle with your current foe.
You scan evenly over the Real's attire for weak spots.
sample uniform
If any of the sample numbers are greater than or equal to your foe, you capitalize on the weakness and kill him.
Else, you've just wasted a turn. Nice going!
Belton adds a notch to his axe.
If you are still fighting a Real, keep reading.
Else, skip to the next section.
The Real furiously attacks. Hurry up and roll a ten or higher!
d20
d20
d20
DeadlyDisease
The remaining Real drops dead.
acute myocardial infarction
Scroll to Characteristics of patients. Was the Real's demise more likely related to his weight, or his smoking?
diabetes
That's a good point: the Real was an obese Alaskan native.
Scroll to Race/ethnicity.
If you have 15 CHR or higher, give a eulogy for the Real.
Now head for the hills.
ClimbingMountains
average elevation
As you make your way for the blustery top, you see a rugged mountain store with an adjoining rugged mountain bank.
income vs spending
Do rugged mountainfolk tend to spend more or less than they earn?
Belton spends 100% of his income on rugged mountain booze.
freezing point of alcohol
If your INT is lower than Belton's, determine the booze's freeze point experimentally by standing out in the cold until the drink freezes.
Else, don't.
NutritiousNutrients
You arrive at the apex in all its chilly glory. Belton beckons you into a rugged mountain tavern, where the seating time averages 10 minutes, when you finally peg a waiter. While you wait, appetizers and drinks are freely available.
sample Poisson 10
If your DEX is less than 5, your hand slips.
sample poison 10
Belton orders spicy rugged mountain goat flank, politely rebuking the waiter with his 19 CHR. You'll need to roll 20 or higher for your meal to have the perfect amount of spice.
d20
You boost the odds with a generous tip.
d40
If you haven't rolled a 20 yet, Belton promises to hurl a rugged mountain table if the food isn't up to par.
But if you did, enjoy a permanent +1 CHR Bonus: Generous Customer.
WindingDown
Belton reads the bill. Rugged mountain taverns use a strange formula to calculate the bill: fac(x/3). The total is $24.
solve fac(x/3) = 24 for x
Somehow, that makes sense. Belton splits the bill evenly with you.
But if you had each paid one more dollar, $13, the bill would have risen enormously.
fac(x/3) where x = 13
A full belly deters you from thinking about this for too long. You leave the tavern and descend the hill.
Belton spots some ants.
rule 110
The ants are performing a complex operation. An ant either pops up or buries underground depending on the ants beside him.
Their movement in the dirt is both chaotic and organized, establishing and destroying massive patterns. Scatter them, and they regroup.
rule 110, random ic
The operation forms a Universal Turing Machine, a device capable of performing any calculable calculation.
utm
Belton scares the ants underground. They shouldn't have this kind of power.
rule 0
Back to Point Origin, and the natural order of things.
