#read: several paragraphs of me nerding out over c-sharp and modding

[redtalics]

marlac lore minifacts dump 1 because i like them

World Interface:

Programs in C#, code comes into effect upon being compiled into a special directory on the tablet. Coding that can cause exceptions and any other errors that would usually cause a program to crash makes compilation fail harmlessly, with a log being printed alongside it (which Marlac can barely understand)

Uses a program much like JetBrains Rider

Almost-complete access to the universe's source code and objects. Does not have access to PDB (Post-Development Build, contains local variable names and comments)

Overriding source code is VERY dangerous, akin to changing the laws of physics. Marlac avoids it like the plague, but it is possible

Marlac prefers to make changes to existing code by attaching their work to the beginning or end of existing code via hooking onto methods. They use CWTs (Conditional Weak Tables) to attach new variables to pre-existing object instances

The universe's codebase contains billions of pre-made objects that are not naturally instantiated or even known about, not even by Employers; mangoes are Marlac's usual low-impact favorite. Doc, the Maker, and the Machine are the only other beings aware of these unused objects

Marlac can create their own assets, which can then be used to make custom objects. Called "pseudo-entities" by Doc, they are often rudimentary, can be hard to look at/comprehend, and may not perfectly abide by the universe's physical rules, as they only mimic usual physics

Marlac prefers to make custom objects by modifying code copies of, or by inheriting, existing objects. This is difficult in its own way, as such things contain potentially THOUSANDS of variables which have NO documentation beyond their names for what they do thanks to the missing PDB, and are describable as "fractal-like". Working with methods is "easy enough", however, and they can still mesh their simpler physics-disregarding code into these modified objects

They do not have access to Employer-made code, such as magnification. To get it, they have to either steal it, or reverse engineer it. Usually requires missions and help from Deimos or Doc

Usually Marlac uses it to create digital things for fun and play games, not for coding the universe. LOL

Marlac themself:

If they did manage to die somehow, the wound on their abdomen would not go away on revival, nor would their healed scars

Due to code, they cannot suffocate to death, it can't make them unconscious either. STILL UNBEARABLY AWFUL.

Often called "Mars" by Deimos

Heavily associated with purple and the Maker; this is not something Marlac seeks willingly and as far as they're aware, this is just how things are. They don't know anything about the Maker or the Machine

Their favorite color is white, and this is because of their g03lm friend from before Marlac joined SQ, whose eyes glowed white

Meta trivia: Their name is designed to fit alongside Sanford, Deimos, and Phobos

Was created aware of what they could do to the world and how to use the interface. This knowledge decayed over the years. They remember enough to make them terrified of fucking up

The tablet is specifically tied to Marlac's S3LF

Marlac's S3LF is incapable of becoming dissonant. Again this is because of code

Mmghhrgtired hopefully it makes sense a little don't yell at me if the coding stuffs isn't entirely accurate it's been a hot minute goodbye