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pattern-integrity
The essential continuity of a being's identity or consciousness, which if lost cannot be restored even by powerful beings.
1 chapter across 1 book
A Fire Upon the Deep (2002)Vernor Vinge
Chapter 1417
This chapter fragment reflects on the concept of 'superpacks'—large groupings of Tines that briefly formed during a dimming of the sun, touching the Transcend, a higher state of consciousness or existence. It also touches on the loss of a character's pattern integrity, indicating that even powerful entities cannot recover a pattern once it is destroyed. The notes suggest editorial decisions about including or excluding certain elements like superpacks and characters such as Greenstalk.