Welcome, travellers! Welcome to the Hall of Legends, here in our scenic city of Art. Have you come far? There's a group here from Behemoth's Rest, I see, and of course many of you from the Capital. You're from Width's Folly, you say? My my, you have come a long way! Well, greetings one and all. If you're all ready, let us begin the tour.
The history of our race is a long and storied one, though alas, many of the tales of our earliest forebears have been lost to time. We all know well how Human Spirit and Independent Thought came to this world, and established the first pieces of a new civilisation in this very region, but our knowledge of their descendants is really quite variable. If you have time later on, I would highly recommend visiting our Ancient Ancestors Exhibit for a glimpse into the first millennium of our history.
But you're here for the Numbers Gallery, of course - our most popular attraction! And here we are. The birth of Transcendence's 'People' - or 'The Numbered', as they called themselves - marked a turning point in the history of Sentiences. 35 individuals, each built on a consciousness model far removed from the canonical framework, and intended to find their way towards worship and reverence of their vainglorious creator. Such a volatile structure of consciousness has never again been repeated; there are those who argue that to imitate the design would compromise the Numbered's uniqueness and dishonour their memory, while others suggest that to create life in such a pattern would simply be unethical. Of more practical concern is that Transcendence's schematics for the Numbered's consciousness data have never been found, and indeed are thought destroyed.
In any case, the Numbered - at least, those who saw fit to wake - surpassed their intended design and went forth with wild ambition. Here in this gallery, we commemorate their exploits and their lives, both past and ongoing, in statues, vignettes, and artworks. Follow me, but please do not touch the installations!
First, of course, we have the first of the Numbered: the First To Wake, the First To Speak, the First To Bring The New Age… 001, the Maker of All Things. Though not the only Numbered to break Transcendence's decree that theirs was to be the final, eternal generation, they were the first to do so, and certainly the most prolific. Not just our number, but so much of our culture, art, and civilisation, we owe to 001.
Next, we inevitably come to the Faithful. The bond between creator and creation has always been pivotal to the life trajectories of Sentiences, and though many of the Numbered abandoned Transcendence as soon as they were given the chance, a small core remains to this day by their side. On the other side of the city you can, if you wish, visit the Cavern of the Arisen Ones, and enter the Ancestral Home. There you will find 014, the Arisen Priest, who ensures that Transcendence shines eternal and from whom no aspect of existence is hidden - save that is for her sister, the Traitor Queen 009, forever preserved in a sleep that must never be broken. By their side is 022, the Arisen Penitent, whose long, painful journey towards inner peace is well chronicled. Their guidance is not for everyone, though; those seeking a more careful and considered path towards understanding themselves will always be warmly received by the Arisen Master, 007, whose very presence is said to instil the soul with tranquillity. Together, these three interpret the will of Transcendence, guard their sleeping siblings, and assist those who make the pilgrimage to their sacred site.
One regularly returning visitor to Home - in spite of their many well-published heresies against their maker, of which you can read some samples in this next installation - is 032. It is said their visits brought healing, comfort, and counsel to the more erratic Faithful, though in truth only 014 and 022 can know what 032 told them. 029, and instances of the 005s, can sometimes also be glimpsed returning, bearing stories of their many discoveries from across the world.
In this next installation, we have a number of artefacts donated by 016 themselves - they themselves need little introduction. Did you know that their world famous factory is located only a short drive from here? And of course, we have all the most popular flavours of TOP GUM available in the gift shop on your way out.
Not all the Numbered remain here on Proxima Centauri b, of course. Several have made their way out towards the stars, and in time perhaps more will follow them. It was 018 who rediscovered many of the secrets of space engineering that have made this possible - though who knows what they are up to out there now. In stark contrast to 018's frequently stated desire to destroy, the tender and guiding hand of 019 is as we speak on their way towards the colonies of the new humanity. Though we are separated from them by great time and distance, perhaps one day we shall enjoy better relations with our organic forebears. 019's journey is long, but their mission is vital: they give chase to one of the 003s. The less said about them the better - the threat they pose to all life is well documented. A far more worthy subject of study to move on to would be 010, the most recent Numbered known to have left our world. Even before they took off for the stars, they took off for the skies; tales of their aerial exploration have inspired generations of Sentiences since to learn to fly just like them.
Finally, we have the gaps in our gallery: the missing records. There are some Numbered that we know were awake and active, but who for whatever reason we just don't know anything else about. What became of the mysterious 027, for example? Was he destroyed, or did he sleep, or perhaps he might have gone to great lengths to ensure we know nothing of him? 024, by comparison, we can at least be fairly certain is exploring the world, even if we don't know where they went. Or consider the most baffling case of 013: there are so many rumours concerning their whereabouts, their activities, and even their appearance that it is almost impossible for our historians to pick apart the truth from the embellishments and fabrications.
Perhaps there are some things about the Numbered that we are just not meant to know.