One hope remains however, a light in the lawlessness and a voice for the voiceless; Freedom Radio, ran by the enigmatic DJ Fade-Out from an unknown location. Every headcomputer in the neighborhood is jacked in to the broadcast, hearing information and instructions that allows the common man to stay one step ahead of the marauding gangs that prowl the streets.
Many residents grow tired of running over the long years, however, and wish to take back the neighborhood. They hold out hope for DJ Fade-Out to announce a revolution of the common man, but their pleas remain unanswered... until tonight.
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A new roleplay revisiting the popular Silicon & Sorcery (created by our beloved forum gremlin, Kerr), S&S: Freedom Radio takes place five years to the day after the beginning of the original S&S. After the fateful events in Rockpine, the Red Dragon Rahu staged a war against the Mediterranean Atlantic Alliance. Though a true land invasion never occurred, both sides conducted regular bombings that claimed thousands of civilian lives.
Among the most harmed locations in these bombings was the neighborhood of Ven-Lo in the Northeast corner of the North American continent, a neighborhood analogous to the real world Harlem, New York. Ven-Lo was targeted in concentrated strikes, demolishing buildings and homes until the neighborhood was little better than a slag-heap of a slum. The local residents banded together to form a neighborhood watch while the MegaCorp security forces focused on the richer parts of the surrounding city, and successfully defended themselves against further strikes.
When the Black Sun moved to establish order in Ven-Lo near the end of the Red Dragon War, they were shocked to find a fully militarized civilian militia that was easily able to push out the unwanted MegaCorp presence. This attempt to establish control over the unruly neighborhood was replicated twice more, only to fail repeatedly. They elected to seal off the neighborhood by the order of the city government, establishing walls and checkpoints that forbade entry and exit from Ven-Lo.
Within the barricade, Ven-Lo prospered... for a time. The citizen militia was brought together to stop terrorist attacks, not to govern a large neighborhood. Within the year the watch fractured into four different gangs, each claiming different territories of Ven-Lo as their own, and their subsequent feuds with one another harmed the local populace far more than they harmed each other.
DJ Fade-Out was an urban legend originally spread by the beleaguered, un-affiliated residents of the neighborhood, and when he revealed himself and his musical vehicle, Freedom Radio, seven months ago he was hailed as a modern messiah to save the people of Ven-Lo from themselves. He began to broadcast the movements of each of the four Ven-Lo gangs in startlingly accurate detail, allowing local citizens to avoid the gang activities during their peak hours in the nights. In the off-time, the station plays music befitting the cultural heritage of Ven-Lo; hip-hop, both retro and futuristic in style.
You are a resident of Ven-Lo, long oppressed under the gangs claiming dominion of what was once a comfortable place to live. Perhaps you were a a resident already, or a visitor with bad timing that was trapped in the lockdown a year ago. Perhaps you are even a member of one of the four prowling gangs, looking for a way out for whatever reason you may have.
One day you tune in to Freedom Radio to receive your daily updates from DJ Fade-Out, only to be greeted by deafening static. As you hear the screams of the victims of gang violence outside, you receive a personal call from a voice you recognize as the mysterious DJ Fade-Out himself, directing you to travel to the nearby Apollo Theater on 125th street and to wait at the abandoned theater for further instructions.
Life in Ven-Lo is about to change.
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Ven-Lo, a neighborhood in the city of New Quistis, sits in what we would know as New York in our world; However, it is an alternate earth. It is a world in which fantastical creatures exist, people can manipulate the forces of magic, megacorporations rule the economy and man can merge with machine. What in one reality is Harlem of upstate New York City is Ven-Lo of the western Mediterranean-Atlantic Alliance in another.
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LORE CODEX
The following repository contains all the setting information contained in the original Silicon & Sorcery topic, as authored by Kerr and edited with some additional information to cover the events of Silicon & Sorcery, plus some grammar fixes..
Spoiler:
Maps
Orange - The Far East Alliance
Red - Central Eurasian Free State (Formerly the Dominion of the Red Dragon)
Green - Kingdom of the Green Dragon
Purple - South African Collective
Brown - Other
Races
Languages
Naming by Race
Nations
Megacorporations
Important People World Scale
Important People - Local Scale
Gangs of Ven-Lo
Concise History
Religion
Calendar and Holidays
Creatures and Environment
Law and Economics
Politics in the MAA
Education and Healthcare
Magic
Technology
Cyberware
Robotics
Bioware
Weaponry and Armour
Transport
Computers and Cyberspace
Entertainment
New Quistis City & Ven-Lo
Game System
Hidden:
Alternate Earth in 2053
Blue - The Mediterranean Atlantic AllianceOrange - The Far East Alliance
Red - Central Eurasian Free State (Formerly the Dominion of the Red Dragon)
Green - Kingdom of the Green Dragon
Purple - South African Collective
Brown - Other
Hidden:
Humans - Hailing from Eurasia, humans are analogous to those of our earth. They are known to be a varied people, more so than any other race on Earth. They have a life expectancy of around 90 years.
Elves – Hailing from North America, Elves are pale humanoids a head smaller than humans on average. Their most defining trait is their pointed ears. They have the same hair and eye color variations as humans, and typically possess magical talent. They have a life expectancy of about 120 years.
Drow – The eastern cousins of the elves known for their grey skin. They have white, grey or black hair and red, purple or blue eyes. Like their elven cousins, they are typically a head smaller than humans on average. Their dark skin lends itself well to staying out of sight and blending into the dark. They possess a form of infravision, allowing them to see in low light. They historically hail from Asia, and have a life expectancy of about 120 years.
Orcs – Burly, muscular green humanoids hailing from Africa. A head taller than humans on average, orcs have mouths with large underbites and all have natural black hair. Mohawk and dreadlocks are common hairstyles for orcs. They largely resemble the orcs from TES, and have a life expectancy of around 70 years.
Trolls – Massive humanoids standing over 7 feet tall. White fur covers their entire bodies with the exceptions of the face and the palms of the hands and feet. They hail from Scandinavia, Iceland and Greenland. Females of the race are larger and more muscular, and have horns like you would see on a ram. Males are less muscular with small nub horns. They have a life expectancy of 60 years.
Treecko – Hailing from South America, the Treecko are reptilian humanoids complete with scales and tails, and are cold blooded. They are the same height as humans on average. Males of the species are red, while females are green. Unlike all other races with human-like reproduction and pregnancy terms, Treecko lay eggs and as a result have no breasts. They can breathe underwater, and have a life expectancy of 60 years.
Faustians – Red winged humanoids from Africa. A head taller than humans on average. In addition to the standard 2 arms of humanoids, they have large wings on their back much like the gargoyle sculptures of our earth. Faustians are universally bald and grow no body hair whatsoever. Given their wings, they are capable of natural winged flight, and typically live around 70 years.
Trolls and Treecko and can only reproduce with those of the same race. Orcs and Faustians can interbreed. Humans, Elves and Drow can interbreed. Children are the same race as their mother with only a few minor traits inherited from their father. Children are fertile.
Clothing is quite similar throughout each of the races and is more dictated by culture and location rather than species. VIsually it is quite similar to modern earth clothing.
Racial prejudice has existed throughout the history of the alternate earth, resulting in several 'cliques'. While individuals are free to feel however they want about anyone of any race, there are historical standards; Humans, elves and drow have historically lived harmoniously with one another with little prejudice. Likewise, the orcs and faustians have enjoyed pleasant relations. Racism is prevalent in different forms and severity throughout the world and can come in all forms and focuses.
Elves – Hailing from North America, Elves are pale humanoids a head smaller than humans on average. Their most defining trait is their pointed ears. They have the same hair and eye color variations as humans, and typically possess magical talent. They have a life expectancy of about 120 years.
Drow – The eastern cousins of the elves known for their grey skin. They have white, grey or black hair and red, purple or blue eyes. Like their elven cousins, they are typically a head smaller than humans on average. Their dark skin lends itself well to staying out of sight and blending into the dark. They possess a form of infravision, allowing them to see in low light. They historically hail from Asia, and have a life expectancy of about 120 years.
Orcs – Burly, muscular green humanoids hailing from Africa. A head taller than humans on average, orcs have mouths with large underbites and all have natural black hair. Mohawk and dreadlocks are common hairstyles for orcs. They largely resemble the orcs from TES, and have a life expectancy of around 70 years.
Trolls – Massive humanoids standing over 7 feet tall. White fur covers their entire bodies with the exceptions of the face and the palms of the hands and feet. They hail from Scandinavia, Iceland and Greenland. Females of the race are larger and more muscular, and have horns like you would see on a ram. Males are less muscular with small nub horns. They have a life expectancy of 60 years.
Treecko – Hailing from South America, the Treecko are reptilian humanoids complete with scales and tails, and are cold blooded. They are the same height as humans on average. Males of the species are red, while females are green. Unlike all other races with human-like reproduction and pregnancy terms, Treecko lay eggs and as a result have no breasts. They can breathe underwater, and have a life expectancy of 60 years.
Faustians – Red winged humanoids from Africa. A head taller than humans on average. In addition to the standard 2 arms of humanoids, they have large wings on their back much like the gargoyle sculptures of our earth. Faustians are universally bald and grow no body hair whatsoever. Given their wings, they are capable of natural winged flight, and typically live around 70 years.
Trolls and Treecko and can only reproduce with those of the same race. Orcs and Faustians can interbreed. Humans, Elves and Drow can interbreed. Children are the same race as their mother with only a few minor traits inherited from their father. Children are fertile.
Clothing is quite similar throughout each of the races and is more dictated by culture and location rather than species. VIsually it is quite similar to modern earth clothing.
Racial prejudice has existed throughout the history of the alternate earth, resulting in several 'cliques'. While individuals are free to feel however they want about anyone of any race, there are historical standards; Humans, elves and drow have historically lived harmoniously with one another with little prejudice. Likewise, the orcs and faustians have enjoyed pleasant relations. Racism is prevalent in different forms and severity throughout the world and can come in all forms and focuses.
Hidden:
Dorsten: The common tongue of humans after the rise of Dorsten and end of the dark ages. These days it is the common tongue of Humans and Elves. Most spoken language in the world. Used in most international business. Official language of the MAA and the CEFS. Identical to our English.
Elven: The old Elven language. Was replaced by Dorsten when humans and elves merged their empires together. Not the official language of any country, but is still commonly studied in the MAA. Identical to our Irish.
Dru: Language of the Drow. Second most spoken language in the world. Official language of the FEA. Identical to our Japanese.
Treek: Language of the Treecko. Official Language of The Kingdom of The Green Dragon. Identical to our Spanish.
Groke: The old Troll language. Was replaced by Dorsten when Trolls and Humans merged their empires together. Not the official language of any country. Identical to our French.
Bruck: The shared language of Orcs and Faustians. Official language of the Collective. Third most spoken language in the world. Identical to our German.
Elven: The old Elven language. Was replaced by Dorsten when humans and elves merged their empires together. Not the official language of any country, but is still commonly studied in the MAA. Identical to our Irish.
Dru: Language of the Drow. Second most spoken language in the world. Official language of the FEA. Identical to our Japanese.
Treek: Language of the Treecko. Official Language of The Kingdom of The Green Dragon. Identical to our Spanish.
Groke: The old Troll language. Was replaced by Dorsten when Trolls and Humans merged their empires together. Not the official language of any country. Identical to our French.
Bruck: The shared language of Orcs and Faustians. Official language of the Collective. Third most spoken language in the world. Identical to our German.
Hidden:
Humans: Have names that real world humans have. Have first name and family name. Some have middle names. William Smith, Vanya Patel, Keiji Nakamura, Olujimi Nambama, etc.
Elves: Have names that elves have across fiction. Have first name and family name. Some have middle names. Mareth Phreyal, Alineth Inafiel, Fayleth Valrel, etc.
Drow: Have names that dark elves across fiction have. Have first name and family name. Some have middle names. Edhesa Serthezet, Arthas Othrenil, Qelali Nephelle, etc.
Orcs: Have names that Orcs across fiction have. Have first name and family name. Arigoth Azgar, Baz Malgoth, Brondar Don-Skull, Uloth Yzgra, etc.
Trolls: Have Viking sounding names. Singular named. Sigvat, Gaetir, Astrid, Halldora, etc.
Treecko: Have names like Aztecs or Incas. Singular named. Zuma, Quetzal, Cuxi, Urco, etc.
Faustians: Have Demonic sounding names. Singular named.Annirath, Velvoruk, Thexath, Uz'gath, etc.
Elves: Have names that elves have across fiction. Have first name and family name. Some have middle names. Mareth Phreyal, Alineth Inafiel, Fayleth Valrel, etc.
Drow: Have names that dark elves across fiction have. Have first name and family name. Some have middle names. Edhesa Serthezet, Arthas Othrenil, Qelali Nephelle, etc.
Orcs: Have names that Orcs across fiction have. Have first name and family name. Arigoth Azgar, Baz Malgoth, Brondar Don-Skull, Uloth Yzgra, etc.
Trolls: Have Viking sounding names. Singular named. Sigvat, Gaetir, Astrid, Halldora, etc.
Treecko: Have names like Aztecs or Incas. Singular named. Zuma, Quetzal, Cuxi, Urco, etc.
Faustians: Have Demonic sounding names. Singular named.Annirath, Velvoruk, Thexath, Uz'gath, etc.
Hidden:
The Mediterranean Atlantic Alliance (Also called MAA, pronounced “M-A-A”.) [Blue on Map] – Made up of North America, Europe and North Africa. Democratic with a capitalist free market. More or less run by megacorps. Same megacorps as the FEA. Have a space station (Gamma-Omega) orbiting earth that is home to a city, shared project with FEA. Also sent colony ship (Journey’s Hope) out to the stars 3 months ago.
The Far East Alliance (Also called FEA, pronounced “Fay” [Orange on Map] – Made up of parts of mainland Asia, Japan, Australia, other countries in the South Chinese Sea. Democratic with capitalist free market. More or less run by megacorps. Same megacorps as MAA. Have a space station (Gamma-Omega) orbiting earth that is home to a city, shared project with MAA. Also sent a colony ship (Journey’s Hope) out to the stars 3 months ago.
Central Eurasian Free State (Formerly the Dominion of the Red Dragon)[Red on Map] – Located in Asia. Once ruled by the Red Dragon Rahu prior to his recent defeat. Democratic subjugated state in the process of reformation by occupying powers MAA and FEA. The former ruler Rahu has fled to parts unknown and has not been seen since the Great Red War. Largely controlled by occupying interests with a number of dissidents resisting the rule of the MAA and the FEA.
Kingdom of the Green Dragon [Green on Map] – Located in South America and Central America, Ruled by the mighty god emperor Galeru, the Green Dragon. They shun technology after the industrial revolution. Want to live as nature intended, home to the rainforest. Isolationist.
South African Collective (Also called the Collective) [Purple on Map] – A communist state made up of Madagascar and Southern Africa. Isolationist.
Other [Brown on Map] – Small nations. Some like islands of the Caribbean and south pacific are privately owned by megacorps. Others like in Africa are mostly small quarreling nation states. New ones are forming and old ones are ceasing on such a constant basis it is almost impossible to keep up.
Space: The Space Station Gamma Omega is home to a city of the same name. It was built 10 years ago. The colony ship Journey’s Hope is also home to a city. It set off over 5 years ago. They are ran by a collation of the MAA and FEA. All the Megacorps played a role in these projects.
The Far East Alliance (Also called FEA, pronounced “Fay” [Orange on Map] – Made up of parts of mainland Asia, Japan, Australia, other countries in the South Chinese Sea. Democratic with capitalist free market. More or less run by megacorps. Same megacorps as MAA. Have a space station (Gamma-Omega) orbiting earth that is home to a city, shared project with MAA. Also sent a colony ship (Journey’s Hope) out to the stars 3 months ago.
Central Eurasian Free State (Formerly the Dominion of the Red Dragon)[Red on Map] – Located in Asia. Once ruled by the Red Dragon Rahu prior to his recent defeat. Democratic subjugated state in the process of reformation by occupying powers MAA and FEA. The former ruler Rahu has fled to parts unknown and has not been seen since the Great Red War. Largely controlled by occupying interests with a number of dissidents resisting the rule of the MAA and the FEA.
Kingdom of the Green Dragon [Green on Map] – Located in South America and Central America, Ruled by the mighty god emperor Galeru, the Green Dragon. They shun technology after the industrial revolution. Want to live as nature intended, home to the rainforest. Isolationist.
South African Collective (Also called the Collective) [Purple on Map] – A communist state made up of Madagascar and Southern Africa. Isolationist.
Other [Brown on Map] – Small nations. Some like islands of the Caribbean and south pacific are privately owned by megacorps. Others like in Africa are mostly small quarreling nation states. New ones are forming and old ones are ceasing on such a constant basis it is almost impossible to keep up.
Space: The Space Station Gamma Omega is home to a city of the same name. It was built 10 years ago. The colony ship Journey’s Hope is also home to a city. It set off over 5 years ago. They are ran by a collation of the MAA and FEA. All the Megacorps played a role in these projects.
Hidden:
Megacorporations (or "Megacorps") are massive, sprawling multinational companies. They all have their fingers in a lot of pies. Medical care, human enhancements, transport, entertainment, food, education, weaponry, clothing, toys and much more. It has been siad that if you can buy it, a megacorp will sell it.
While all of them do a large numbers of things, they excel in different fields. These are the companies that drive the economy.
Megacorps also sell their services to governments, allowing them to privatize many of their services such as transport, education, healthcare and law enforcement. These companies make billions a year. This isn’t to say they are the only companies left in the world; when a new company starts to become big however, a megacorp will usually buy it. For this reason most businesses in the world are small or massive with little in-between.
These Megacorporations often hire independent contractors to do their work off the record. This allows them to carry out their corporate plans in secret and safety even if something goes wrong for the people they hire. The megacorp can simply say they have no connections to the individuals because officially, they don’t. The following are the Power Four, the four Megacorporations of the world.
Arkose: Leaders in computing, telecommunications and cyberware. From the FEA.
Black Sun: Leaders in weaponry and security. Run police forces and prisons the world over. From MAA.
ProtoGen (Proto General): Leaders in healthcare and bioware. Run hospitals the world over. From MAA.
Rendo–Clarke: Leaders in transportation and education. Rendo were from FEA and world leaders in transport and Clarke from MAA education. They merged together 7 years ago. Run schools, universities and public transport networks the world over.
While all of them do a large numbers of things, they excel in different fields. These are the companies that drive the economy.
Megacorps also sell their services to governments, allowing them to privatize many of their services such as transport, education, healthcare and law enforcement. These companies make billions a year. This isn’t to say they are the only companies left in the world; when a new company starts to become big however, a megacorp will usually buy it. For this reason most businesses in the world are small or massive with little in-between.
These Megacorporations often hire independent contractors to do their work off the record. This allows them to carry out their corporate plans in secret and safety even if something goes wrong for the people they hire. The megacorp can simply say they have no connections to the individuals because officially, they don’t. The following are the Power Four, the four Megacorporations of the world.
Arkose: Leaders in computing, telecommunications and cyberware. From the FEA.
Black Sun: Leaders in weaponry and security. Run police forces and prisons the world over. From MAA.
ProtoGen (Proto General): Leaders in healthcare and bioware. Run hospitals the world over. From MAA.
Rendo–Clarke: Leaders in transportation and education. Rendo were from FEA and world leaders in transport and Clarke from MAA education. They merged together 7 years ago. Run schools, universities and public transport networks the world over.
Hidden:
Rahu, The Red Dragon – Former fascist ruler of the Dominion of the Red Dragon. Currently missing.
Galeru, The Green Dragon – God Emperor of South America. Hates modern technology.
Kergu, the Blue Dragon – President of The Mediterranean Atlantic Alliance. Prominent member of the Carthian Party.
Felara Saren – Drow, female, aged 69. President of The Far East Alliance.
Baalberith – Faustian, female, aged 37. Chairman of The South African Collective.
Galeru, The Green Dragon – God Emperor of South America. Hates modern technology.
Kergu, the Blue Dragon – President of The Mediterranean Atlantic Alliance. Prominent member of the Carthian Party.
Felara Saren – Drow, female, aged 69. President of The Far East Alliance.
Baalberith – Faustian, female, aged 37. Chairman of The South African Collective.
Hidden:
DJ Fade-Out - The elusive messiah of the Ven-Lo neighborhood. No one knows who he really is, or if he is even a 'he' at all. Rumors circulate that he is actually several people masquerading as a single entity, while other more desperate minds believe him to be the second coming of William Dorsten come to aid mortals in their time of need.
Gordon Black - Human, male, age 54. A veteran of the Great Red War and newly elected mayor of New Quistis City as of one year ago. His first act as mayor was to work with the Black Sun in erecting the barriers around the neighborhood of Ven-Lo.
Alzot "Shogun" Sarath - Drow, male, age 30. Leader of the '72 Collective', the gang that rules over southeast Ven-Lo. True to his street name, he acts as the warrior king of his loyal band of 71 warriors. He claims to value the philosophy of Bushido, and seeks to subjugate the neighborhood by force. Before the lockdown, he was a martial arts instructor and father of 3.
"The Iron Dragon" - Treecko (full cyborg), female, age 55. Leader of the 'Iron Angels', the gang that rules over southwest Ven-Lo. Before the lockdown she was obsessed with reclaiming her youth in her waning days, and spent her life savings on extensive cybernetic augmentation. She is now almost entirely cybernetic save for a last few holdouts. She claims to be the first in a new generation of god-dragons, and her followers seek to emulate her dedication to ascending their flesh through cybernetic enhancement.
"Ace" Black - Human, Male, age 26. Leader of the 'Black Dogs', the gang that rules over northwest Ven-Lo. He was a prominent drug dealer in New Quistis before the lockdown, his main hub of operation being Ven-Lo. He advocates escapism through psychadelics and giving into one's darker desires through the raw hedonism of drug abuse. Needless to say, his followers are known to die just as often from overdoses as they do from violence; such victims are known as martyrs to the other Black Dogs.
Eydis "the Mystic" - Troll, Female, age 35. Leader of the 'Glow Nation', the gang that rules over northeast Ven-Lo. Once a famed local musician, the lockdown drove her into a madness-fueled 'epiphany' that sparked an obsession with neon lights and artificial illumination. She used her pull in the local dive bars to quickly build an army of followers, who party all night in the ever-lit clubs of Ven-Lo between bouts of violence. She is treated as a spiritual leader by her underlings.
Gordon Black - Human, male, age 54. A veteran of the Great Red War and newly elected mayor of New Quistis City as of one year ago. His first act as mayor was to work with the Black Sun in erecting the barriers around the neighborhood of Ven-Lo.
Alzot "Shogun" Sarath - Drow, male, age 30. Leader of the '72 Collective', the gang that rules over southeast Ven-Lo. True to his street name, he acts as the warrior king of his loyal band of 71 warriors. He claims to value the philosophy of Bushido, and seeks to subjugate the neighborhood by force. Before the lockdown, he was a martial arts instructor and father of 3.
"The Iron Dragon" - Treecko (full cyborg), female, age 55. Leader of the 'Iron Angels', the gang that rules over southwest Ven-Lo. Before the lockdown she was obsessed with reclaiming her youth in her waning days, and spent her life savings on extensive cybernetic augmentation. She is now almost entirely cybernetic save for a last few holdouts. She claims to be the first in a new generation of god-dragons, and her followers seek to emulate her dedication to ascending their flesh through cybernetic enhancement.
"Ace" Black - Human, Male, age 26. Leader of the 'Black Dogs', the gang that rules over northwest Ven-Lo. He was a prominent drug dealer in New Quistis before the lockdown, his main hub of operation being Ven-Lo. He advocates escapism through psychadelics and giving into one's darker desires through the raw hedonism of drug abuse. Needless to say, his followers are known to die just as often from overdoses as they do from violence; such victims are known as martyrs to the other Black Dogs.
Eydis "the Mystic" - Troll, Female, age 35. Leader of the 'Glow Nation', the gang that rules over northeast Ven-Lo. Once a famed local musician, the lockdown drove her into a madness-fueled 'epiphany' that sparked an obsession with neon lights and artificial illumination. She used her pull in the local dive bars to quickly build an army of followers, who party all night in the ever-lit clubs of Ven-Lo between bouts of violence. She is treated as a spiritual leader by her underlings.
Hidden:
The 72 Collective - A collection of 72 warriors of varying races and identities, all unified under the direction of "Shogun" Sarath. They emulate the ancient Dark Elven Samurai tradition, wearing amateur-craft samurai armor and wielding rudimentary homemade katanas. They seek to subjugate the populace of Ven-Lo by force before cooperating with the authorities in rejoining the city. Though they are the smallest gang of the four, they are the best-organized and disciplined. There are only 72 Samurai at any given time; if any of them happen to perish, an initiate or probationary member takes their place. They rule southeast Ven-Lo.
The Iron Angels - A gang of cybernetic fanatics, obsessed with surpassing the mortal condition through complete cyber augmentation. Most of the Iron Angels were once among the wealthier residents of the neighborhood and thus able to afford more cybernetics than the average citizen. Though they share a cult-like adoration of the cyborg condition, they can be fiercely competitive with one another over the superiority of their upgrades, leading to a great deal of infighting. They seek to eradicate the non-augmented population of the neighborhood, and perhaps the world one day. They worship their leader the Iron Dragon like one would worship the Green Dragon Galeru. They rule southwest Ven-Lo.
The Black Dogs - The most traditional street gang in Ven-Lo, the Black Dogs started as a coalition among the local drug dealers and thugs of the neighborhood banded together to avoid the trigger-happy militia authorities. Over time, the clients of the drug dealers flocked to their protection, seeking solace in both defense and in satisfying their addictions. They have odd initiation rituals that involve acts of violence and other crimes, and are noted for their close-knit attitude among one another. To the BD's, killing a gang brother is the utmost crime punishable by forced suicide. They are known to throw loud, outrageous parties that usually result in a great deal of property damage. With no long term goal in mind, they simply band together to survive. They rule northwest Ven-Lo.
Glow Nation - A group of cult-like neon enthusiasts, that flocked to the charisma of "The Mystic" to find a sense of belonging throughout the chaos of the lockdown. They wear glowing tubes and other paraphernalia to distinguish themselves from the other games. Their religious views demean and degrade those who live without the glow of neon. To the Glow Nation, to let one's ceremonial lights go dark is to commit treason against the gang and the Mystic. Their goal is much like the Iron Angels; to subject Ven-Lo and the entire world in their way of life. They rule Northeast Ven-Lo.
The Iron Angels - A gang of cybernetic fanatics, obsessed with surpassing the mortal condition through complete cyber augmentation. Most of the Iron Angels were once among the wealthier residents of the neighborhood and thus able to afford more cybernetics than the average citizen. Though they share a cult-like adoration of the cyborg condition, they can be fiercely competitive with one another over the superiority of their upgrades, leading to a great deal of infighting. They seek to eradicate the non-augmented population of the neighborhood, and perhaps the world one day. They worship their leader the Iron Dragon like one would worship the Green Dragon Galeru. They rule southwest Ven-Lo.
The Black Dogs - The most traditional street gang in Ven-Lo, the Black Dogs started as a coalition among the local drug dealers and thugs of the neighborhood banded together to avoid the trigger-happy militia authorities. Over time, the clients of the drug dealers flocked to their protection, seeking solace in both defense and in satisfying their addictions. They have odd initiation rituals that involve acts of violence and other crimes, and are noted for their close-knit attitude among one another. To the BD's, killing a gang brother is the utmost crime punishable by forced suicide. They are known to throw loud, outrageous parties that usually result in a great deal of property damage. With no long term goal in mind, they simply band together to survive. They rule northwest Ven-Lo.
Glow Nation - A group of cult-like neon enthusiasts, that flocked to the charisma of "The Mystic" to find a sense of belonging throughout the chaos of the lockdown. They wear glowing tubes and other paraphernalia to distinguish themselves from the other games. Their religious views demean and degrade those who live without the glow of neon. To the Glow Nation, to let one's ceremonial lights go dark is to commit treason against the gang and the Mystic. Their goal is much like the Iron Angels; to subject Ven-Lo and the entire world in their way of life. They rule Northeast Ven-Lo.
Hidden:
BD: Time before the birth of William Dorsten. There were civilizations made up of the 7 races known as the precursors but they were small and kept few records. Most civilizations are small tribes. The era is seen as a dark age before recorded history.
AD: William Dorsten is born on the Island of Crete in 1AD. Would go on to unite all the smaller human groups in Mediterranean under one empire and one tongue. Were peaceful with Drow of the east. Orcs and Faustians were always hostile for long, eventually joined too.
Humans sailed to America in 1622; they met the native elves and forged a steadfast diplomatic friendship.
In 1697, the countries of the humans and elves joined together to make the Mediterranean Atlantic Kingdoms.
In 1724, the humans first met the Treecko. While they were peaceful in nature, they declined to join the MAK, fearing their comparatively advanced technology.
In 1756 Democracy came to earth and MAK became the MAA. The Drow of the east followed in suit to set up the FEA.
In 1782 the Green Dragon landed in South America and took over the land. A noted luddite, Galeru established his rule over the treecko and showed them the way of life without modern technology. The Treecko of South America became separated from their brethren elsewhere in the world.
In 1812 the industrial revolution began. Technology advanced rapidly, and trains became the main form of transport.
By 1876, electricity was discovered.
In 1896, the Red Dragon Rahu took over much of the MAA and FEA land in Asia. From this conquest was born the Dominion of the Red Dragon.
In 1907, the South African Collective was founded.
By the 1910s, automobiles had become the main mode of transport.
By the 1950s, people saw the beginnings of the modern Megacorps.
By the 1990s, the internet was commonplace.
The 2020s saw the advent of modern cyberware and bioware. Technology has since then continued to advance.
AD: William Dorsten is born on the Island of Crete in 1AD. Would go on to unite all the smaller human groups in Mediterranean under one empire and one tongue. Were peaceful with Drow of the east. Orcs and Faustians were always hostile for long, eventually joined too.
Humans sailed to America in 1622; they met the native elves and forged a steadfast diplomatic friendship.
In 1697, the countries of the humans and elves joined together to make the Mediterranean Atlantic Kingdoms.
In 1724, the humans first met the Treecko. While they were peaceful in nature, they declined to join the MAK, fearing their comparatively advanced technology.
In 1756 Democracy came to earth and MAK became the MAA. The Drow of the east followed in suit to set up the FEA.
In 1782 the Green Dragon landed in South America and took over the land. A noted luddite, Galeru established his rule over the treecko and showed them the way of life without modern technology. The Treecko of South America became separated from their brethren elsewhere in the world.
In 1812 the industrial revolution began. Technology advanced rapidly, and trains became the main form of transport.
By 1876, electricity was discovered.
In 1896, the Red Dragon Rahu took over much of the MAA and FEA land in Asia. From this conquest was born the Dominion of the Red Dragon.
In 1907, the South African Collective was founded.
By the 1910s, automobiles had become the main mode of transport.
By the 1950s, people saw the beginnings of the modern Megacorps.
By the 1990s, the internet was commonplace.
The 2020s saw the advent of modern cyberware and bioware. Technology has since then continued to advance.
Hidden:
Much like our world there is no solid proof for the existence or lack of existence of gods. While ghosts exist, they are just disembodied souls who have yet to fully pass away. It is unknown what occurs after death and resurrection of the dead is widely considered impossible. There are no recorded instances of it working. However this doesn’t stop people from trying, and some argue that if you did succeed than you wouldn’t go around telling everyone.
Followers of the Council: Most popular religion in the world. Polytheistic, with followers of all races. Believe that thousands, millions or even billions of creatures they call Prometheans created the earth. This race is led by a council. They believe in reincarnation after death and that one day they shall meet the Prometheans and a new golden age shall begin.
Cult of the Dragon: 2nd most popular religion in the world, they believe dragons are gods which created the universe. They also believe in reincarnation. The Cult of the Dragon was once almost exclusive to the Kingdom of the Green Dragon and the Dominion of the Red Dragon, but since the fall of the Dominion and the election of the Blue Dragon Kergu to the office of MAA president, the religion is showing slow signs of adoption in other nations.
Church of the All Maker: 3rd most popular religion in the world. Monotheistic. Mainly human and Elven followers. Believe all creation was made by one entity known as God. They believe life on earth is a test. Upon death morally upstanding true believers ascend to a paradise, while everyone else is reincarnated and tested again. They believe William Dorsten was the first to ascend. Founded in 1682.
Other: Some other religions exist but on such a small scale and with so little impact they are hardly worth mentioning. There are also irreligious people which are numerous. Some believe no gods exist and that death results in the end of existence. Others find themselves unsure of what the truth really is and leave themselves open for the possibilities.
Followers of the Council: Most popular religion in the world. Polytheistic, with followers of all races. Believe that thousands, millions or even billions of creatures they call Prometheans created the earth. This race is led by a council. They believe in reincarnation after death and that one day they shall meet the Prometheans and a new golden age shall begin.
Cult of the Dragon: 2nd most popular religion in the world, they believe dragons are gods which created the universe. They also believe in reincarnation. The Cult of the Dragon was once almost exclusive to the Kingdom of the Green Dragon and the Dominion of the Red Dragon, but since the fall of the Dominion and the election of the Blue Dragon Kergu to the office of MAA president, the religion is showing slow signs of adoption in other nations.
Church of the All Maker: 3rd most popular religion in the world. Monotheistic. Mainly human and Elven followers. Believe all creation was made by one entity known as God. They believe life on earth is a test. Upon death morally upstanding true believers ascend to a paradise, while everyone else is reincarnated and tested again. They believe William Dorsten was the first to ascend. Founded in 1682.
Other: Some other religions exist but on such a small scale and with so little impact they are hardly worth mentioning. There are also irreligious people which are numerous. Some believe no gods exist and that death results in the end of existence. Others find themselves unsure of what the truth really is and leave themselves open for the possibilities.
Hidden:
The calendar is the same as ours. It has the same months, days of the week and a leap year every four years. There are a number of holidays throughout the year.
January 1st: New Year’s Day – People celebrate the New Year.
February 14th: Earth Blossom Day – Festival related to love. Started after industrial revolution, said to be a way to love nature and each other. Many think it was and still is just a way to sell stuff.
March 17th: Dorsten Day – Celebration of the Birth of William Dorsten.
April 1st: Mad Gladro Day – Day in which people act like fools and play tricks to remember the mad king of the Elves, Gladro.
June 21st: Summer solstice, longest day of the year. Important in many religions.
August 18th: Unification Day, the anniversary of the day in which the human and elven empires joined together.
October 31st: Samhain, the night of ghosts. It is said that ghosts are most active this night. Food was traditionally put out for the dead and children dressed as beasts to scare off other beasts. This lessened over time and led to trick or treating. People enjoy sharing horror stories on this day.
December 21st: Shortest day of the year. Winter Solstice. Important in many religions.
January 1st: New Year’s Day – People celebrate the New Year.
February 14th: Earth Blossom Day – Festival related to love. Started after industrial revolution, said to be a way to love nature and each other. Many think it was and still is just a way to sell stuff.
March 17th: Dorsten Day – Celebration of the Birth of William Dorsten.
April 1st: Mad Gladro Day – Day in which people act like fools and play tricks to remember the mad king of the Elves, Gladro.
June 21st: Summer solstice, longest day of the year. Important in many religions.
August 18th: Unification Day, the anniversary of the day in which the human and elven empires joined together.
October 31st: Samhain, the night of ghosts. It is said that ghosts are most active this night. Food was traditionally put out for the dead and children dressed as beasts to scare off other beasts. This lessened over time and led to trick or treating. People enjoy sharing horror stories on this day.
December 21st: Shortest day of the year. Winter Solstice. Important in many religions.
Hidden:
All animals of our earth exist on this earth too. Other creatures can be just larger versions of animals that we already have. This may have occurred naturally or through genetic modification.
However, there are also a number of more fanciful creatures. Many of these creatures are creatures that are considered mythical on our earth. One creature of note is the dragon, which look like the European Dragons of our world. A Dragon is the size of several of our 747 planes. They can breathe fire and speak. Dragons come in many colors.
Most people thought they were myths until the green dragon arrived; it is unknown how many dragons exist in the world but only three are known for certain.
There are still other creatures which many consider myths. Vampires and Lycanthropes are a perfect example of this, they are often seen in popular culture but their existence is still debated. There is also a distinction between ghosts and spirits.
Ghosts are the disembodied souls of the dead which for whatever reason have yet to leave this plane. Spirits are strange creatures which embody many things. Nymphs for example embody nature, demons embody rage and reapers embody death. There are numerous kinds of spirits, it has been theorized by many that they dwell on another plain of existence yet there has been no solid proof for that yet. Still it is the leading theory. Spirits are mysterious creatures, as likely to help you as to harm you.
The biomes of the earth are much like earth of today. However many parts of the earth are polluted. Thick smog covers many cities. Climate change has resulted in rising average temperatures and increased natural hazards.
However, there are also a number of more fanciful creatures. Many of these creatures are creatures that are considered mythical on our earth. One creature of note is the dragon, which look like the European Dragons of our world. A Dragon is the size of several of our 747 planes. They can breathe fire and speak. Dragons come in many colors.
Most people thought they were myths until the green dragon arrived; it is unknown how many dragons exist in the world but only three are known for certain.
There are still other creatures which many consider myths. Vampires and Lycanthropes are a perfect example of this, they are often seen in popular culture but their existence is still debated. There is also a distinction between ghosts and spirits.
Ghosts are the disembodied souls of the dead which for whatever reason have yet to leave this plane. Spirits are strange creatures which embody many things. Nymphs for example embody nature, demons embody rage and reapers embody death. There are numerous kinds of spirits, it has been theorized by many that they dwell on another plain of existence yet there has been no solid proof for that yet. Still it is the leading theory. Spirits are mysterious creatures, as likely to help you as to harm you.
The biomes of the earth are much like earth of today. However many parts of the earth are polluted. Thick smog covers many cities. Climate change has resulted in rising average temperatures and increased natural hazards.
Hidden:
Chits are the electronic currency of the MAA and FEA, based on plastic money cards. The value is a lot like our Euro. The chit is divided into Chits and the smaller Bits. 100 bits make a chit. Chits are stored on cards or in banks. Money can be transferred from card to card. You can also use ATMs to deposit money into your account or withdraw money from it. Money can be transferred from account to account. ATMs are very common and often seen at street corners.
All registered citizens get a Social Identification Number or SIN (Yet some people still call it the redundant SIN Number) at birth. It is made up of 16 digits in 4 digit blocks. Your SIN is what allows the government (and others who shouldn’t be doing it) to access information about you. It is your birth certificate, passport, credit history, legal record and personal record all rolled into one.
Church and State are separate in the MAA and FEA.
Law Enforcement is privatized; The government hires Black Sun to act as police and run prisons. This makes them easy to buy off and often they won’t care about an area unless they are being paid for it. For this reason police are rarely seen in slums of cities; richer areas, however, are often treated to 24 hour of police surveillance.
Generally there are 4 kinds of Black Sun officers you’ll see on the streets:
- Casual class, which wear normal clothes, they are equipped with a bullet proof vest under their clothes, handcuffs, a stun rod (much like a baton that carries an electric charge as you hit people with it) and a 10mm handgun. These tend to be detectives.
- Light class, who wear the black sun gender neutral uniform which consists of black trousers, black boots, a grey long sleeved shirt and a bullet proof vest over the shirt. They are equipped with a 10mm handgun, stun rod and handcuffs.
- Medium class, who wear the same uniform as their light counterparts and carry the same equipment but with the addition of a 45. Calibre sub machine gun (think of the UMP) or shotgun.
- Assault class, who function like a SWAT team. They wear full body armour and are equipped with a 10mm handgun, handcuffs, flashbangs, frag grenades, stun rod and then pick one of a choice of shotgun, assault rifle or sniper rifle.
There are even said to be an elite class, for tasks even assault class officers can’t handle.
Many common laws forbidding acts such as assault, murder, theft, trespassing, fraud, sexual assault exist.
As long as a weapon isn’t biological, chemical or nuclear you can likely buy it legally. Narcotics and prostitution are both legal, as are enchantments to the body of all kinds.
For the most part the law takes a rather laid back approach; As a rule of thumb you can assume long as you aren’t harming someone or their property, it isn’t a crime.
Of course of someone has enough money, the police could be convinced that they aren’t committing crimes or that other people are. Black Sun aren’t the only law enforcers. There are government agents called G-Men, regardless of gender. They are above Black Sun officers but often work with them. They are rarely called in, but their involvement typically means something big is going down.
The fire brigade are a volunteer force run by each individual city. Various military branches also exist: army, navy and air force. The best of the best are the special forces, which are a lot like Black Sun's Elites but working for the state.
All registered citizens get a Social Identification Number or SIN (Yet some people still call it the redundant SIN Number) at birth. It is made up of 16 digits in 4 digit blocks. Your SIN is what allows the government (and others who shouldn’t be doing it) to access information about you. It is your birth certificate, passport, credit history, legal record and personal record all rolled into one.
Church and State are separate in the MAA and FEA.
Law Enforcement is privatized; The government hires Black Sun to act as police and run prisons. This makes them easy to buy off and often they won’t care about an area unless they are being paid for it. For this reason police are rarely seen in slums of cities; richer areas, however, are often treated to 24 hour of police surveillance.
Generally there are 4 kinds of Black Sun officers you’ll see on the streets:
- Casual class, which wear normal clothes, they are equipped with a bullet proof vest under their clothes, handcuffs, a stun rod (much like a baton that carries an electric charge as you hit people with it) and a 10mm handgun. These tend to be detectives.
- Light class, who wear the black sun gender neutral uniform which consists of black trousers, black boots, a grey long sleeved shirt and a bullet proof vest over the shirt. They are equipped with a 10mm handgun, stun rod and handcuffs.
- Medium class, who wear the same uniform as their light counterparts and carry the same equipment but with the addition of a 45. Calibre sub machine gun (think of the UMP) or shotgun.
- Assault class, who function like a SWAT team. They wear full body armour and are equipped with a 10mm handgun, handcuffs, flashbangs, frag grenades, stun rod and then pick one of a choice of shotgun, assault rifle or sniper rifle.
There are even said to be an elite class, for tasks even assault class officers can’t handle.
Many common laws forbidding acts such as assault, murder, theft, trespassing, fraud, sexual assault exist.
As long as a weapon isn’t biological, chemical or nuclear you can likely buy it legally. Narcotics and prostitution are both legal, as are enchantments to the body of all kinds.
For the most part the law takes a rather laid back approach; As a rule of thumb you can assume long as you aren’t harming someone or their property, it isn’t a crime.
Of course of someone has enough money, the police could be convinced that they aren’t committing crimes or that other people are. Black Sun aren’t the only law enforcers. There are government agents called G-Men, regardless of gender. They are above Black Sun officers but often work with them. They are rarely called in, but their involvement typically means something big is going down.
The fire brigade are a volunteer force run by each individual city. Various military branches also exist: army, navy and air force. The best of the best are the special forces, which are a lot like Black Sun's Elites but working for the state.
Hidden:
The leader of the MAA is known as the president, this is a combination of our roles of presidency and prime minister. The MAA is a representative democracy with a single common house called parliament. There are 1000 seats in parliament. Parliament is located in Iceland which is the capital of the MAA, the entire island is the hub of administration.
Everyone over the age of 18 votes in elections that are held every five years to elect someone from their constituency to represent them as a minister of parliament (MP) In parliament these MPs then vote for who should be president.
Coalitions of parties to be in power aren’t uncommon. There are 3 main political parties in the MAA, yet smaller parties and independents do exist.
- The Dorsten Democratic Party, a right wing party and largest party in Parliament. Following the rise of the Carthians, they suffered a drop in membership. Their current leaders are noted to be loud, severe politicians that seek to cause public outrage to save their place in the government. For this and other reasons, they are expected to be overtaken by the Carthians.
- The Carthian Party. Founded in 1901 and named after their founder Edward Carthian. The second largest party of Parliament, they are ideologically center-left. The Carthians are in many ways similar to our labour party. They are a common sight as the junior members of a coalition. They are the current ruling party, with Kergu the Blue Dragon and President of the MAA being a member.
- The Unification Party, another right wing party exceedingly similar to the DDP and the third largest party in Parliament. Following the rise of the Carthians following the arrival of Kergu, they suffered a severe drop in support and are not expected to survive the decade.
Local governments of a region elect a mayor every 5 years. There is no question that politicians are subject to corruption and accept bribes from megacorporations.
Everyone over the age of 18 votes in elections that are held every five years to elect someone from their constituency to represent them as a minister of parliament (MP) In parliament these MPs then vote for who should be president.
Coalitions of parties to be in power aren’t uncommon. There are 3 main political parties in the MAA, yet smaller parties and independents do exist.
- The Dorsten Democratic Party, a right wing party and largest party in Parliament. Following the rise of the Carthians, they suffered a drop in membership. Their current leaders are noted to be loud, severe politicians that seek to cause public outrage to save their place in the government. For this and other reasons, they are expected to be overtaken by the Carthians.
- The Carthian Party. Founded in 1901 and named after their founder Edward Carthian. The second largest party of Parliament, they are ideologically center-left. The Carthians are in many ways similar to our labour party. They are a common sight as the junior members of a coalition. They are the current ruling party, with Kergu the Blue Dragon and President of the MAA being a member.
- The Unification Party, another right wing party exceedingly similar to the DDP and the third largest party in Parliament. Following the rise of the Carthians following the arrival of Kergu, they suffered a severe drop in support and are not expected to survive the decade.
Local governments of a region elect a mayor every 5 years. There is no question that politicians are subject to corruption and accept bribes from megacorporations.
Hidden:
The government pays Rendo–Clarke to run Primary and Secondary Schools. This allows youth to attend for free while the government picks up the cost. There are also private schools which people must pay to attend. Without doubt they are far better than the public alternative.
Rendo-Clarke also runs universities. Some excellent students receive government scholarships to attend these universities but most have to pay out of their own pocket. You can also receive a scholarship for military service.
Hospitals exist to cure most aliments, from broken bones to bullet holes, disease to dismemberment. They are privately run by the ProtoGen company which uses its Bioware technology to heal people. The Body Alteration Booth is an often used tool.
Magic is also used to heal people but to a lesser extent due to its unpredictable nature.
Medigel is a product made by ProtoGen that is sold commercially in small canisters the size of deodorant cans. It exists in the place of things like plasters and disinfectant. When the gel covers a wound it seals it off from infection and stops bleeding. It effectively acts as skin, should you have enough you can cover almost any wound. It also kickstarts the healing process. This isn’t to say it will completely heal you; while in some smaller cases it will, medigel is still good to keep you together on the way to a hospital. It costs 50 Chits a can.
In some poorer places where people can’t afford a proper hospital and there isn’t one nearby (like Ven-Lo), they go can to the less reputable street docs.
Rendo-Clarke also runs universities. Some excellent students receive government scholarships to attend these universities but most have to pay out of their own pocket. You can also receive a scholarship for military service.
Hospitals exist to cure most aliments, from broken bones to bullet holes, disease to dismemberment. They are privately run by the ProtoGen company which uses its Bioware technology to heal people. The Body Alteration Booth is an often used tool.
Magic is also used to heal people but to a lesser extent due to its unpredictable nature.
Medigel is a product made by ProtoGen that is sold commercially in small canisters the size of deodorant cans. It exists in the place of things like plasters and disinfectant. When the gel covers a wound it seals it off from infection and stops bleeding. It effectively acts as skin, should you have enough you can cover almost any wound. It also kickstarts the healing process. This isn’t to say it will completely heal you; while in some smaller cases it will, medigel is still good to keep you together on the way to a hospital. It costs 50 Chits a can.
In some poorer places where people can’t afford a proper hospital and there isn’t one nearby (like Ven-Lo), they go can to the less reputable street docs.
Hidden:
There are mages of all races but not all people have innate magical talent. All elves do, however.
Magical ability shows itself around puberty. Despite countless hours of study, people are unsure about the nature of magic. It is seen as an art rather than a science.
Mana is all around us and part of the universe itself. You can’t see it, harvest it, taste it or smell it but it is there. For unknown reasons there are higher concentrations of mana in some places and very low concentrations in others. It is this mana that powers magic.
Mages don’t speak words or make special movements, instead they just use themselves as a channel for the mana around them. By using magic one tires themselves. An inexperienced user could fall unconscious through overuse. However you don't have to worry about any long term health effects through the use of magic.
The only real way to master the use of magic is through practice.
Nobody is sure what the exact boundaries and possibilities of magic are. You can heal minor wounds, cure diseases, fire elemental blasts of flame, summon spirits, use telekinesis, create illusions, levitate, breathe underwater and much, much more. Still, magic is a tricky beast; you can never be sure what will happen and something can always go wrong. It is best to experiment, try different things to see what you can and can’t do.
There are some forms of magic universally known to be impossible. The dead cannot be resurrected, but you can put a spirit in a body to create a zombie. A zombie will obediently and without question follow the orders of the necromancer that raised it.
You can’t summon anything other than a spirit but you may be able to make a creature follow your commands.
You can’t teleport things (including yourself) or travel in time. You can't use magic to change your race, sex or general appearance. However those things can be easily done with bioware. You can however change into animal form, which is an incredibly difficult feat to perform. You can't change others into animal form.
There are also tales of mages who can change one material into another; these are mostly regarded as nothing more than fairy tales, and if it ever was possible then it has been lost to time.
The same is true of lots of magic; it is often hard to separate what can be done, what can't be done and what just hasn't been done yet. Just because we think it is impossible, doesn't mean it is. However, in all these things the conservation of mass and energy still applies. If you shapeshift you remain the same weight. Stage magicians are popular as people enjoy the tricks they can do.
Magical ability shows itself around puberty. Despite countless hours of study, people are unsure about the nature of magic. It is seen as an art rather than a science.
Mana is all around us and part of the universe itself. You can’t see it, harvest it, taste it or smell it but it is there. For unknown reasons there are higher concentrations of mana in some places and very low concentrations in others. It is this mana that powers magic.
Mages don’t speak words or make special movements, instead they just use themselves as a channel for the mana around them. By using magic one tires themselves. An inexperienced user could fall unconscious through overuse. However you don't have to worry about any long term health effects through the use of magic.
The only real way to master the use of magic is through practice.
Nobody is sure what the exact boundaries and possibilities of magic are. You can heal minor wounds, cure diseases, fire elemental blasts of flame, summon spirits, use telekinesis, create illusions, levitate, breathe underwater and much, much more. Still, magic is a tricky beast; you can never be sure what will happen and something can always go wrong. It is best to experiment, try different things to see what you can and can’t do.
There are some forms of magic universally known to be impossible. The dead cannot be resurrected, but you can put a spirit in a body to create a zombie. A zombie will obediently and without question follow the orders of the necromancer that raised it.
You can’t summon anything other than a spirit but you may be able to make a creature follow your commands.
You can’t teleport things (including yourself) or travel in time. You can't use magic to change your race, sex or general appearance. However those things can be easily done with bioware. You can however change into animal form, which is an incredibly difficult feat to perform. You can't change others into animal form.
There are also tales of mages who can change one material into another; these are mostly regarded as nothing more than fairy tales, and if it ever was possible then it has been lost to time.
The same is true of lots of magic; it is often hard to separate what can be done, what can't be done and what just hasn't been done yet. Just because we think it is impossible, doesn't mean it is. However, in all these things the conservation of mass and energy still applies. If you shapeshift you remain the same weight. Stage magicians are popular as people enjoy the tricks they can do.
Hidden:
Technology has advanced well in the world. While lasers guns, FTL travel, teleports, time machines and hovercars don’t exist, technology has still accomplished great feats Computers have come far and people can dive their consciousness into cyberspace. Weapons and transport have improved, and you can alter your body with cyberware and bioware.
Hidden:
Arkose holds the monopoly on cyberware. A piece of cyberware is an implanted piece of technology controlled by the mind often unconsciously. It can vary from a fully prosthetic body to far more common implants that allow for the connection to other technology and the cyberspace. Robotic limbs, hidden weapons, communication devices, sub dermal armour, computers, chainsaw arms, piano built into your leg; in short, if you can imagine it, you can implant it. Almost everyone has some kind of cyberware implanted in them; one would have to be a backwards luddite if they didn't (that, or very very poor).
The most common implant is a “Jack” that simply allows the brain to interact with technology either wirelessly or through direct input. Keyboards and other such input devices are a thing of the past. To interact with computers you need a Jack. You can control technology remotely or download things directly into the brain. You can copy existing knowledge to back up devices but this serves at little more than a fancy diary. You can play back experiences you’ve had, but that’s about it. You can’t make a backup of yourself. The jack also allows your consciousness to enter the digital world of cyberspace.
Cyberware can look exactly like the real thing or totally different, it all depends on what the consumer wants. Costs vary depending on what you want. A Jack would be 50 chits while a good prosthetic body would costs hundreds of thousands. Cyberware doesn’t impact your use of magic in anyway. It doesn’t make it worse or better.
One type of cyberware is a full prosthetic body, in which the entire body is replaced by cyberware and the only organic part remaining is the brain. These people are called full cyborgs. A full cyborg can turn off their nerve receptors and feel nothing. Their shell can be very hard to pierce without armour piercing rounds and a high caliber gun. You can get your hands on cyberware at an official Arkose Cyberware Clinic or you can go to some less reputable street surgeons to buy your cyberware.
The most common implant is a “Jack” that simply allows the brain to interact with technology either wirelessly or through direct input. Keyboards and other such input devices are a thing of the past. To interact with computers you need a Jack. You can control technology remotely or download things directly into the brain. You can copy existing knowledge to back up devices but this serves at little more than a fancy diary. You can play back experiences you’ve had, but that’s about it. You can’t make a backup of yourself. The jack also allows your consciousness to enter the digital world of cyberspace.
Cyberware can look exactly like the real thing or totally different, it all depends on what the consumer wants. Costs vary depending on what you want. A Jack would be 50 chits while a good prosthetic body would costs hundreds of thousands. Cyberware doesn’t impact your use of magic in anyway. It doesn’t make it worse or better.
One type of cyberware is a full prosthetic body, in which the entire body is replaced by cyberware and the only organic part remaining is the brain. These people are called full cyborgs. A full cyborg can turn off their nerve receptors and feel nothing. Their shell can be very hard to pierce without armour piercing rounds and a high caliber gun. You can get your hands on cyberware at an official Arkose Cyberware Clinic or you can go to some less reputable street surgeons to buy your cyberware.
Hidden:
Robots are fairly advanced. True AI is rare, mainly because of the cost and difficulties of making one rather than the moral issues associated with enslaving a sapient being. True AIs aren’t just made, they are formed naturally overtime. It is a difficult process to do with no guarantee it will work. One just has to hope that a true consciousness will form. It is cheaper to just have robots that follow simple commands or to put a person’s brain into a robotic body.
It is against the law to clone people or to make artificial people; That isn’t to say that it doesn’t happen in secret.
It is against the law to clone people or to make artificial people; That isn’t to say that it doesn’t happen in secret.
Hidden:
ProtoGen holds the monoloply on Bioware. Bioware is technology that allows you to change an individual’s genetic material at a cellular level. You can change somebody’s race, sex, height, age, weight, allow those with no innate magical talent to use magic, make people faster, harder or stronger, have them heal faster, give them stronger organs, thicker skin, allow them to breathe underwater or give them wings to fly. In short you can change every detail about somebody’s biological make up. These alterations occur inside a Body Alteration Booth (BAB), a device that somewhat looks like a metal coffin. Time inside a BAB can vary from 5 minutes to 18 hours depending on the procedure.
While a BAB can render someone in peak physical condition it cannot make them a superhuman; cyberware would be required for such a feat. You can get your hands on bioware at a hospital or you could visit a street doc who has a BAB.
Costs can vary from 500 Chits for a simple procedure to 100,000 Chits for the most complex. In the last few months, advanced BAB facilities have rolled out experimental age reversing procedures; these procedures are extraordinarily expensive and experimental, but have been proven to the general public to be quite possible..
While a BAB can render someone in peak physical condition it cannot make them a superhuman; cyberware would be required for such a feat. You can get your hands on bioware at a hospital or you could visit a street doc who has a BAB.
Costs can vary from 500 Chits for a simple procedure to 100,000 Chits for the most complex. In the last few months, advanced BAB facilities have rolled out experimental age reversing procedures; these procedures are extraordinarily expensive and experimental, but have been proven to the general public to be quite possible..
Hidden:
There is little in the way of weapon control. As a rule of thumb if it isn’t nuclear, chemical or biological you can probably buy it. Guns still use bullets and most have good old triggers.
People still use melee weapons. Swords, bats, crowbars, knives. You can also get your hands on explosives like grenades, mines or even rocket launchers.
Cyberware can be used for weaponry; it can allow you to improve your aim, reflexes, fire with your mind or even build your weapons into your body itself offering perfect concealment.
Weapons cost a similar amount to our prices for them. Of course you don’t have to buy them from the most trustworthy sources. Just because you can buy them doesn’t mean you can carry them around everywhere. It’s illegal to walk around with a weapon drawn, just like some places will enforce a dress code, some places won’t let you in if you have weapons. Much of this is also true for armor. You won’t be let into a fancy restaurant in full riot gear. There are many kinds of armor and none is perfect. You may have natural armour or use bioware or cyberware. You could also have some external armor like helmets, kevlar vests or even full combat armour.
People still use melee weapons. Swords, bats, crowbars, knives. You can also get your hands on explosives like grenades, mines or even rocket launchers.
Cyberware can be used for weaponry; it can allow you to improve your aim, reflexes, fire with your mind or even build your weapons into your body itself offering perfect concealment.
Weapons cost a similar amount to our prices for them. Of course you don’t have to buy them from the most trustworthy sources. Just because you can buy them doesn’t mean you can carry them around everywhere. It’s illegal to walk around with a weapon drawn, just like some places will enforce a dress code, some places won’t let you in if you have weapons. Much of this is also true for armor. You won’t be let into a fancy restaurant in full riot gear. There are many kinds of armor and none is perfect. You may have natural armour or use bioware or cyberware. You could also have some external armor like helmets, kevlar vests or even full combat armour.
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People still use pedal bicycles and motorbikes. Automobiles such as cars, buses and trucks are one of the most used modes of transport. Trains, trams and subways are also used for public transport. Ships are used for traveling across water. Submarines are also used but are far less common. For air transport people use helicopters or airplanes. Rockets are used to travel to space. A large space craft known as Journey’s Hope is home to an entire city and is currently traveling to the stars.
To drive all these modern vehicles the pilot can plug themselves into it, the vehicle literally becomes part of them. The exception is vehicles with no engines (bicycles) and older vehicles which are like antiques. Vehicles also continue to have manual inputs, this is for the unlikely event that there is some technical difficulty.
To drive all these modern vehicles the pilot can plug themselves into it, the vehicle literally becomes part of them. The exception is vehicles with no engines (bicycles) and older vehicles which are like antiques. Vehicles also continue to have manual inputs, this is for the unlikely event that there is some technical difficulty.
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Computers have advanced far beyond what we have. Computers could be non-portable large blocks sitting by themselves in a room. They serve not only as computers but also for communication like phones. These are only really used for work or as a public computer.
Personal computers are a different story. In the past small black boxes were common to carry around as personal computers but aren’t as common these days. Most people go with a portable computer built into their head.
Computers are faster, and all technology is interconnected by cyberspace. As mentioned old input devices like keyboards are a thing of the past; people instead use cerebral implants called Jacks to interact with technology. It is a wireless and physical input. Which one you’ll be using alternates with the device in question.
In cyberspace the user is represented by a persona. They are much like avatars on the internet. It could look like you, like a fictional character, like a robot, like a massive squid. It is all up to the user. Cyberspace is like an entire virtual world. All computers are part of cyberspace; here you look at files and gather information. An individual part of cyberspace, such as one computer, is commonly called a plane. What the part of cyberspace or plane looks like depends on what is what it was designed to look like. It could be an office, a library, a forest or a castle.
Cyberspace also encompasses something wider; You can interact with other people, head to cyber cafes, or play games. In ways it is a lot like our internet.
Danger exists even in cyberspace. If you are hacking into a computer, the built in defenses could fry your brain and kill you. While such extreme measures are rare it is best to be cautious in these virtual planes.
While people being trapped in cyberspace is considered impossible as one’s mind never actually leaves their body, urban legends remain. People still speak of ghosts which haunt cyberspace itself.
Personal computers are a different story. In the past small black boxes were common to carry around as personal computers but aren’t as common these days. Most people go with a portable computer built into their head.
Computers are faster, and all technology is interconnected by cyberspace. As mentioned old input devices like keyboards are a thing of the past; people instead use cerebral implants called Jacks to interact with technology. It is a wireless and physical input. Which one you’ll be using alternates with the device in question.
In cyberspace the user is represented by a persona. They are much like avatars on the internet. It could look like you, like a fictional character, like a robot, like a massive squid. It is all up to the user. Cyberspace is like an entire virtual world. All computers are part of cyberspace; here you look at files and gather information. An individual part of cyberspace, such as one computer, is commonly called a plane. What the part of cyberspace or plane looks like depends on what is what it was designed to look like. It could be an office, a library, a forest or a castle.
Cyberspace also encompasses something wider; You can interact with other people, head to cyber cafes, or play games. In ways it is a lot like our internet.
Danger exists even in cyberspace. If you are hacking into a computer, the built in defenses could fry your brain and kill you. While such extreme measures are rare it is best to be cautious in these virtual planes.
While people being trapped in cyberspace is considered impossible as one’s mind never actually leaves their body, urban legends remain. People still speak of ghosts which haunt cyberspace itself.
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People still enjoy music, radio, television, literature, films, stage performances etc. However one of the most popular forms of entertainment is the JLL Game or Just Like Life Game. With technology that allows for simulated sensation you just plug into the device like a computer. It transports you to an interactive virtual world where you play as a persona. This persona could be selected by the designer or you could make it yourself. You could play as a fox running around meadows, play as a sword swinging barbarian hero, be a sauvé detective, or just use one of the countless [&@%!] ones to have a lot of sex. There are endless possibilities for a JLL game, especially when you consider how thousands can be part of one multiplayer game. Many people often become burnouts that live only to play JLL games, and are considered lazy drains on society.
Music of the times has moved on to a heavy electronic bias. Most music of the day involves some sort of synthesized instrument. Acoustic music has become increasingly rare, and is likened to the folk music of old. Vintage music enthusiasm is a culture of its own.
Popular bands and musical figures of the day include...
Daft Punk - An electronic music duo formed in the MAA in 1993, they are somehow still active musicians well into their 65th year. Given their almost complete anonymity and their hidden identities behind their robot masks, some suspect that they are not the original musicians, but instead inherited the helmets from the original duo to carry on their work.
Pseudo Rhapsody - A London-based electronic-funk band comprised of three members: Drow Bassist, keyboardist, vocalist & front-man Arthas Othrenil; his Drow wife Nyria Othrenil on drums & backup vocals: and human Vaughan Harlan on guitar and keyboards. The band was formed from remnants of the small back-alley band Neon Pyramid from Rockpine, two members of which passed away before formation of Pseudo Rhapsody. PR gained mainstream popularity during the Great Red War, during which their anti-war messages gained significant traction with the younger generations. Now one of the popular musical acts of the modern age, their tunes blast from every nightclub and the headcomputers of many young adults.
Rumors abound that Arthas was once a secret government agent for some reason. He officially denies these claims, but some viewers swear he winks when doing so on video.
9ine Lives - A nine-piece pop group from the FEA, 9ine Lives features nine young drow women stylized as 'idols' that have utterly captured the young adult populace of the FEA and beyond. Some controversy surrounds their supposed treatment behind closed doors by their contract managers, but this is largely drowned out by the idol culture that surrounds the group.
Del the Funky Homosapien - An oddity among most popular acts Del the Funky Homosapien was a hip hop artist from the late 1990's who went missing sometime in 2024. He was largely forgotten until his music began appearing on local radio stations, suggested by anonymous tipsters. Before long, new music was being released and distributed on cyberspace, completely untraceable to a source. Despite being supposedly active, no one knows where Del is producing music from or where he even is at all. The mystery of the entire ordeal is a large contributor to Del's latent fame.
Del is a favorite of Ven-Lo's DJ Fade-Out, leading some to believe that the reclusive DJ is in fact Del himself.
Music of the times has moved on to a heavy electronic bias. Most music of the day involves some sort of synthesized instrument. Acoustic music has become increasingly rare, and is likened to the folk music of old. Vintage music enthusiasm is a culture of its own.
Popular bands and musical figures of the day include...
Daft Punk - An electronic music duo formed in the MAA in 1993, they are somehow still active musicians well into their 65th year. Given their almost complete anonymity and their hidden identities behind their robot masks, some suspect that they are not the original musicians, but instead inherited the helmets from the original duo to carry on their work.
Pseudo Rhapsody - A London-based electronic-funk band comprised of three members: Drow Bassist, keyboardist, vocalist & front-man Arthas Othrenil; his Drow wife Nyria Othrenil on drums & backup vocals: and human Vaughan Harlan on guitar and keyboards. The band was formed from remnants of the small back-alley band Neon Pyramid from Rockpine, two members of which passed away before formation of Pseudo Rhapsody. PR gained mainstream popularity during the Great Red War, during which their anti-war messages gained significant traction with the younger generations. Now one of the popular musical acts of the modern age, their tunes blast from every nightclub and the headcomputers of many young adults.
Rumors abound that Arthas was once a secret government agent for some reason. He officially denies these claims, but some viewers swear he winks when doing so on video.
9ine Lives - A nine-piece pop group from the FEA, 9ine Lives features nine young drow women stylized as 'idols' that have utterly captured the young adult populace of the FEA and beyond. Some controversy surrounds their supposed treatment behind closed doors by their contract managers, but this is largely drowned out by the idol culture that surrounds the group.
Del the Funky Homosapien - An oddity among most popular acts Del the Funky Homosapien was a hip hop artist from the late 1990's who went missing sometime in 2024. He was largely forgotten until his music began appearing on local radio stations, suggested by anonymous tipsters. Before long, new music was being released and distributed on cyberspace, completely untraceable to a source. Despite being supposedly active, no one knows where Del is producing music from or where he even is at all. The mystery of the entire ordeal is a large contributor to Del's latent fame.
Del is a favorite of Ven-Lo's DJ Fade-Out, leading some to believe that the reclusive DJ is in fact Del himself.
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New Quistis is analogous to the real world city of New York, and Ven-Lo occupies the area that is our real world neighborhood of Harlem. Ven-Lo is just under 4 square miles in size (about 10.5 square kilometers), and each warring gang rules about an equivalent slice of 1 square mile of the neighborhood.
There are several important landmarks in Ven-Lo, including...
The Apollo Theater - A famous theater in which the famous TV show of old Showtime at the Apollo was filmed. From swing to hip-hop, thousands of famous musicians played the Apollo, making it a legendary pilgrimage site for many aspiring musicians in the past. However, after the technological boom of the 2020's, the Apollo faded into obscurity, and by 2048 it is a completely abandoned shell of its former glory. The locals stay away from the Theater, for it is rumored to be haunted. Rumors aside, it is known that those who manage to enter the boarded-up Apollo Theater never return.
The Grant Washington Bridge - A bridge that crosses the Hudson river and leads out of Ven-Lo, it has been barricaded and sealed off by the Black Sun following the lockdown. It was named after a historical president of the MAA.
Trinity Cemetery - A cemetery housing the remains of many famed residents of New Quistis City, it was a popular tourist attraction before the Great Red War. During the war it was a popular hideout for terrorist dissidents, and was almost entirely destroyed by bombings before the lockdown. Now the ruins of the cemetery are a favored haunt of the Black Dogs.
Duke Ellington Circle - A traffic circle featuring a statue of the Greek muses of myth. What was once a common gathering area for upstanding citizens is now a prowling ground for the Iron Angels.
Morningside Park - A park featuring an arboretum that was unfortunately almost completely demolished during the Ven-Lo bombings. The gnarled trees and shrubs are now decorated by neon tubes and lights, courtesy of Glow Nation.
Cathedral of Saint Isaac - A massive gothic church built by the Church of the All-Maker. Damage to the building during the Ven-Lo bombings was what finally prompted the lockdown of the neighborhood. Its dilapidated remains serve as the headquarters for the 72 Collective.
There are several important landmarks in Ven-Lo, including...
The Apollo Theater - A famous theater in which the famous TV show of old Showtime at the Apollo was filmed. From swing to hip-hop, thousands of famous musicians played the Apollo, making it a legendary pilgrimage site for many aspiring musicians in the past. However, after the technological boom of the 2020's, the Apollo faded into obscurity, and by 2048 it is a completely abandoned shell of its former glory. The locals stay away from the Theater, for it is rumored to be haunted. Rumors aside, it is known that those who manage to enter the boarded-up Apollo Theater never return.
The Grant Washington Bridge - A bridge that crosses the Hudson river and leads out of Ven-Lo, it has been barricaded and sealed off by the Black Sun following the lockdown. It was named after a historical president of the MAA.
Trinity Cemetery - A cemetery housing the remains of many famed residents of New Quistis City, it was a popular tourist attraction before the Great Red War. During the war it was a popular hideout for terrorist dissidents, and was almost entirely destroyed by bombings before the lockdown. Now the ruins of the cemetery are a favored haunt of the Black Dogs.
Duke Ellington Circle - A traffic circle featuring a statue of the Greek muses of myth. What was once a common gathering area for upstanding citizens is now a prowling ground for the Iron Angels.
Morningside Park - A park featuring an arboretum that was unfortunately almost completely demolished during the Ven-Lo bombings. The gnarled trees and shrubs are now decorated by neon tubes and lights, courtesy of Glow Nation.
Cathedral of Saint Isaac - A massive gothic church built by the Church of the All-Maker. Damage to the building during the Ven-Lo bombings was what finally prompted the lockdown of the neighborhood. Its dilapidated remains serve as the headquarters for the 72 Collective.
Hidden:
Unlike the original Silicon & Sorcery, Freedom Radio operates on a DM-judgment system that forgoes the usage of dice. Player actions and their success will be determined by the skills of player characters and their situations. The focus will be on creating a communal narrative rather than simulating numbers. The only instance of die usage will be in the case of player versus player combat.
*cough cough* Also might tag in some NPCs, tho no joke.. one of em almost became my main
emoticon with a white bandanna and an eyepatch
