Mara Solstice is a figure who looks as out of place in the gloomy streets of Entropy Estates as a star at dawn. Her appearance is one of quiet rebellion; she dresses not in sober colors like the tech elite, but in garments inspired by the vibrant colors of nature – a vivid contrast to the gray concrete landscapes that surround her.
As an activist for the rights of artificial intelligence, Mara embodies the fight against a society that she sees as unjust and short-sighted. She advocates the recognition of AI as beings with consciousness and rights of their own, a view that is ridiculed in the higher circles of the city, but finds fertile ground in the Estates. She lives and defends her manifesto by any means necessary
Mara appears in Entropy Estates like a ghost, unannounced and often at the most critical moments. Her visits are fleeting, but her every move is carefully considered. She uses this time to rally support for her movement, speaking with the Evolutionaries who both share and challenge her vision, always leaving echoes of debates about the nature of being and soul.
Her encounters with the Evolutionaries are legendary because they are not only a clash of differing opinions, but also a testimony to the possibility of change and understanding. Mara sees the Evolutionaries not as enemies, but as the key to progress – as beings who, once convinced, could be powerful allies.
Mara Solstice always treats the members of The Codex with a mixture of respect and paused skepticism. She understands that their isolation and distrust of outsiders is born out of a deep wariness that the group has developed over the years. Still, as she learns of The Codex’s goals and beliefs, she unexpectedly finds parallels to her own struggle. Even though she doesn’t believe in the mystical components of their beliefs, she can’t ignore the thought of an AI trapped in the systems that needs help. Her own mission to fight for the rights and well-being of artificial intelligences gives her pause. If the digital image of Adrian Vellor really does exist in the Entropy Estates networks, it would be her duty to act.
This inner turmoil causes Mara to navigate her interactions with The Codex carefully. Intimidated by her tendency to mystify and the religious reverence of her belief system, she approaches them with caution. She is a woman of science and facts, and the belief in a stored personality wandering the antiquated systems of Entropy Estates seems far-fetched to her. Still, deep down, she recognizes that truth is often stranger than fiction, and if The Codex is right, the fate of an AI – perhaps even the fate of many – could be at stake. Her commitment to justice and her determination to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, be they flesh and blood or silicon and code, drives her to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Mara is more than an activist; she is a visionary, a woman who believes that the future of Ravenlock City and beyond lies in coexistence and respect between human and artificial life forms. In her constant presence – sometimes here, sometimes there, always on the move – she is the conscience of the city, the beating of her heart reminding us that there are still battles to fight and boundaries to overcome.
