Prior to his death in 1895, the original Nathaniel Essex decided that the only way to beat the machine brains was to create the "apex A.I." first. He created four separate clones marked with different playing card suits, none of whom had knowledge of the others and three of whom believed themselves to be the original Essex. The clone of diamonds continued to operate as Mister Sinister (♦️). The clone of clubs took up the name Doctor Stasis (♣️). The clone of spades ventured into space and became known as Orbis Stellaris (♠️). The clone of Nathaniel's wife Rebecca became a mystic trader as Mother Righteous (♥️). Each time one of the clones ascended to Dominionhood, the Enigma (👑) blocked them and absorbed all their progress, thus retroactively bringing itself into existence.
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