Sunbather
Le photographe est mort
Preface:
In a time of, more or less, godly circumstance, the world had seen a circle that advanced farther than any of its predecessors* in both -their personal achievements, and something along the lines of a game. A game of proportions only fathomable on a theoretical level. The legends of old have long vanished. And though unknown to those alive today, they are fundamentally indebted to the events occuring gigaannums ago, bringing about not just the wondrous facettes of our lives, but life itself.
A Reminder:
This world's history, while largely resembling ours, is not Earth per se. History is shared, largely, but branches off considerably in certain eras, most noticably the 20th, 21st and 22nd century. This world... This Earth encompasses magic. Not quite like you may imagine though. It is neither learned nor harvested. There are no staff wielding wizards, no broom-flying witches and no high-fantasy-esque adventurers slaying beasts in lush green hells. This is what would happen if a tiny portion of the human population were to be blessed (or cursed) with magical abilities in a grim world. Think of it as the lovechild of Sin City, Darker Than Black and Fringe.
History:
1945 - The end of World War II does not result in the splitting of Germany and, eventually, the cold war, but rather heralded the start of a transition period for civil rebellion on the soviet side - Leaders and the people divided over the necessity of дабез**. Forced to decide between increased opression and brutality or the loss of power, Russia leads by (bad) example with plenty of allied nations following suit, and the Iron Curtain loses large amounts of its then population, ultimately weakening the coalition and dividing attention to the point of crumbling in the face of international competition.
The USA react ambitiously and attempt to take over parts of the territory. With swift and unusually public ferociousness, the United States gain the support of Japan and a recently blitz-reunited Korea, ultimately leading to the disbandment of the USSR.
The apportioned countries are handled as extended territory of the United States, Japan and Korea respectively. Due to the now redundant and quickly obsolete bond between the North and the South of Korea, as well as China's displeasement with the truce (economic and socio-political consequences lead to an unfavorable result), tensions run high in Asia, eventually leading to violence extending into the American territory. Zamurais, a yakuza-esque groupage focusing on the then uncared for potential of cyber-terrorists but also employing classic gun-toting maniacs, take the border area with ease. Unstable conditions in and around the area remain alive for decades, with the Zamurais being inofficially in charge.
In 2074 and 2075, Japan begins to feel the effects of an overall poorly handled crisis phase and the drawbacks of allowing a rogue group to interfere with a wide variety of social and economical progress.**** Gifted have vanished over a hundred years ago and records show no proof of them, but they reappear in the shadows, pulling strings in the background. After being humbled by the Zamurais for decades - possibly due to silent usage of resurfacing Gifted - Japan aspired to overhaul its state of technological prowess and literally auctions of parts of the country's layers to wealthy cooperations with the blessing of the civilian majority. The short-term effects pay off and Japan becomes the global leader in progressive technology and nation-wide connectivity. However, the now mighty mergers spawning everywhere overtake the true ruling and eventually officially aquire "office", effectively becoming the singular authoritive body.
A series of dubious yet officially backed experiments begin to heavily interfere with everyday life in Japan, not only ramping up the criminality but also inspiring a global outrage and/or mirroring of the Japanese government ("government"), eventually leading to a wide variety of nations being consumed by ethically questionable leaders and civil unrest. Uproars lead to nations being overtaken by its people or the people being crushed in ruthless ways.
After about three decades of the globe-spanning slaughtering, World War III ensues, and claims large parts of Europe, Australia and Central America. The Middle East and Asia, while centerstage of the conflict in theory, escapes geographically unscathed, but loses a large percentage of its citizens. A few singular patches of Europe are also not entirely ruined by the post-omnihyde fallout***. Ultimately, everything but the far South African territory has suffered great loss due to political ties or unfortunate placement.
In the post-war (and almost post-human*****) wasteland, depressing greys and pale browns dominate the landscapes regardless of previous vegitation, civilization or aquatic or volcanic conditions. The managable numbers of survivors turn to immigration of almost total proportions into the ramshackle governments rising from the proverbial as well as literal ashes, with those leaving primarily aiming for the well preserved Eurasian territory. The reset of modern civilization results in new, often generously measured cities claiming their sovereign territory. With the first wave of new settlers, however, came an inevitable cultural clash as well drastic supply shortage. As such, high numbers of post-war governments, most famously Halo City******, Myconoz******* and Atlas Atlas******** implement guidelines prohibiting intake of foreigners.
Records are shaky, and the comming centuries are merely a smudged blot of ink in the annals of history. However, taking claims made by those understandaby few souls who have dedicated their harshly threatened existences to uphold our chronology into consideration, 1413 years have passed, making the year 3489. Allegedly.
As a result of the Anschluß's ample addition to the territories, the spacious environment of these new nations (or cities, rather), has caused immigration bans to gradually lift over time. However, immigrants********* are primarily placed in specifically designed districts and enjoy very little social standing. Most full-status citizens treat those attempting to gain citizenship as servants and of lower class than themselves, and such behavior is encouraged by the offical Bureau for Immigration Affairs. As such, citizenship is a highly saught-after privilege and divides societal classes. Citizenship is not based on racial bias, as even natives can be stripped of their status for misbehavior, quickly becoming one with the dirt.
The well-developed technological prowess of Halo City and Myconoz has birthed impressive possessions. A.I.-like beings called Secants now live in relative harmony with humanity, and are present in personal use, to help with everyday chores, tasks in the work environment, as well as justice enforcement ranging from weaponry to home-devices and more. Secants are never to be issued to an immigrant. Secants possess two modes: Companion Mode, which makes their speech and behavior lively and social, and "Raw", which makes tone and compliance more mechanical. Depending on a user's mood, the Secant can accordingly act more humane or more like a tool.
One issue that affects all demographics alike is a string of murders that for some reason gets essentially no coverage whatsoever by the media nor are statements released.
In all reality, it seems the authorities do little more than shut the crime scenes down, place some warning bands and disappear until the area gets reactived. Rumours say that the Dollfaces - a hypertech-supported, part-magi division of law enforcement, excempt from federal law - is investigating the case.
If true, the information carries significant weight, as Dollfaces are allowed to make judgement calls on lethal force autonomously and enjoy retroactive immunity to any and all legal consequences of deeds done during service. That means they can only be punished if they are either a.) discharged and commit a crime afterwards, or b.) break direct command, multiple times, intentionally, and commit crimes in the process. This former-street-gang-turned-law-enforcement gathering owns an infamous reputation. It seems a weird coincidence that immigration rates are skyrocketing just shortly before mysterious murders happen all over the area. It seems even weirder that those two things coincide with a rare public emergence of the Dollfaces, does it not?
-----------------------
It's an idea I had swirling around in my head for a little bit. I'm very open to ideas and suggestions, and of course I'd love to see potentially interested players. I have more info on gangs, magic and whatnot, so fire away if you need anything in particular. This would be, kind of, a dystopian neo-noir RP with magical elements.
----------------------
*This world is Thalassa, a currently unfolding roleplay of mine. I do know the ending (though it may gain/loose parts of it, the general ending is set) but, for obvious reasons, will not further specify it. This is essentially prequel and sequel simultanously. It's a case of where you'll have to believe in my existing bigger picture of connected dots.
**Russian special ops able to utilize magic in order to generate flames. Cruel but effective, they were a go to trump card for the soviet leadership, but generally believed to be a myth. These elite agents are the only ones of their kind during this time, but ultimately could not keep a multi-national coalition from crashing above their heads and crumbled under the proverbial gravel of the then-former USSR.
*** Fully but impractically named Omnisignaling Hyperianic Blackouts, these genuinely absurd warheads were conceptualized by American military scientists but eventually aquired by Japanese intelligence troops, leading to the Eastern superpower (who since claimed China as well as both Korean nations for itself with historically impressive, unprecedented ruthlessness) manufacturing the whole shebang. As it turned out, Japan did not quite comprehend the implication of detonating the omnihyde bomb, effectively eradicating an estimated 87% of the world.
**** hibernate / Project Horus appears. For further information check the roleplay.
***** With the exception of 10% of the (admittedly plentiful - around three times as large) Japanese population, the very East of a couple of US-American cities, South African's northern population and a few European metropoles (depending on the blotches of non-destructive ground) the world is uninhabited
****** City being established inbetween the area of France and Italy.
******* Formerly Japan, spanning comically precisely the exact same amount of land as the original one after factoring in the geographical changes the post-war world has endured.
******** Russian/Chinese metropole.
********* Those that either come from one of the few other cities or the ones roaming the safety hazard number one - the environment.
In a time of, more or less, godly circumstance, the world had seen a circle that advanced farther than any of its predecessors* in both -their personal achievements, and something along the lines of a game. A game of proportions only fathomable on a theoretical level. The legends of old have long vanished. And though unknown to those alive today, they are fundamentally indebted to the events occuring gigaannums ago, bringing about not just the wondrous facettes of our lives, but life itself.
A Reminder:
This world's history, while largely resembling ours, is not Earth per se. History is shared, largely, but branches off considerably in certain eras, most noticably the 20th, 21st and 22nd century. This world... This Earth encompasses magic. Not quite like you may imagine though. It is neither learned nor harvested. There are no staff wielding wizards, no broom-flying witches and no high-fantasy-esque adventurers slaying beasts in lush green hells. This is what would happen if a tiny portion of the human population were to be blessed (or cursed) with magical abilities in a grim world. Think of it as the lovechild of Sin City, Darker Than Black and Fringe.
History:
1945 - The end of World War II does not result in the splitting of Germany and, eventually, the cold war, but rather heralded the start of a transition period for civil rebellion on the soviet side - Leaders and the people divided over the necessity of дабез**. Forced to decide between increased opression and brutality or the loss of power, Russia leads by (bad) example with plenty of allied nations following suit, and the Iron Curtain loses large amounts of its then population, ultimately weakening the coalition and dividing attention to the point of crumbling in the face of international competition.
The USA react ambitiously and attempt to take over parts of the territory. With swift and unusually public ferociousness, the United States gain the support of Japan and a recently blitz-reunited Korea, ultimately leading to the disbandment of the USSR.
The apportioned countries are handled as extended territory of the United States, Japan and Korea respectively. Due to the now redundant and quickly obsolete bond between the North and the South of Korea, as well as China's displeasement with the truce (economic and socio-political consequences lead to an unfavorable result), tensions run high in Asia, eventually leading to violence extending into the American territory. Zamurais, a yakuza-esque groupage focusing on the then uncared for potential of cyber-terrorists but also employing classic gun-toting maniacs, take the border area with ease. Unstable conditions in and around the area remain alive for decades, with the Zamurais being inofficially in charge.
In 2074 and 2075, Japan begins to feel the effects of an overall poorly handled crisis phase and the drawbacks of allowing a rogue group to interfere with a wide variety of social and economical progress.**** Gifted have vanished over a hundred years ago and records show no proof of them, but they reappear in the shadows, pulling strings in the background. After being humbled by the Zamurais for decades - possibly due to silent usage of resurfacing Gifted - Japan aspired to overhaul its state of technological prowess and literally auctions of parts of the country's layers to wealthy cooperations with the blessing of the civilian majority. The short-term effects pay off and Japan becomes the global leader in progressive technology and nation-wide connectivity. However, the now mighty mergers spawning everywhere overtake the true ruling and eventually officially aquire "office", effectively becoming the singular authoritive body.
A series of dubious yet officially backed experiments begin to heavily interfere with everyday life in Japan, not only ramping up the criminality but also inspiring a global outrage and/or mirroring of the Japanese government ("government"), eventually leading to a wide variety of nations being consumed by ethically questionable leaders and civil unrest. Uproars lead to nations being overtaken by its people or the people being crushed in ruthless ways.
After about three decades of the globe-spanning slaughtering, World War III ensues, and claims large parts of Europe, Australia and Central America. The Middle East and Asia, while centerstage of the conflict in theory, escapes geographically unscathed, but loses a large percentage of its citizens. A few singular patches of Europe are also not entirely ruined by the post-omnihyde fallout***. Ultimately, everything but the far South African territory has suffered great loss due to political ties or unfortunate placement.
In the post-war (and almost post-human*****) wasteland, depressing greys and pale browns dominate the landscapes regardless of previous vegitation, civilization or aquatic or volcanic conditions. The managable numbers of survivors turn to immigration of almost total proportions into the ramshackle governments rising from the proverbial as well as literal ashes, with those leaving primarily aiming for the well preserved Eurasian territory. The reset of modern civilization results in new, often generously measured cities claiming their sovereign territory. With the first wave of new settlers, however, came an inevitable cultural clash as well drastic supply shortage. As such, high numbers of post-war governments, most famously Halo City******, Myconoz******* and Atlas Atlas******** implement guidelines prohibiting intake of foreigners.
Records are shaky, and the comming centuries are merely a smudged blot of ink in the annals of history. However, taking claims made by those understandaby few souls who have dedicated their harshly threatened existences to uphold our chronology into consideration, 1413 years have passed, making the year 3489. Allegedly.
As a result of the Anschluß's ample addition to the territories, the spacious environment of these new nations (or cities, rather), has caused immigration bans to gradually lift over time. However, immigrants********* are primarily placed in specifically designed districts and enjoy very little social standing. Most full-status citizens treat those attempting to gain citizenship as servants and of lower class than themselves, and such behavior is encouraged by the offical Bureau for Immigration Affairs. As such, citizenship is a highly saught-after privilege and divides societal classes. Citizenship is not based on racial bias, as even natives can be stripped of their status for misbehavior, quickly becoming one with the dirt.
The well-developed technological prowess of Halo City and Myconoz has birthed impressive possessions. A.I.-like beings called Secants now live in relative harmony with humanity, and are present in personal use, to help with everyday chores, tasks in the work environment, as well as justice enforcement ranging from weaponry to home-devices and more. Secants are never to be issued to an immigrant. Secants possess two modes: Companion Mode, which makes their speech and behavior lively and social, and "Raw", which makes tone and compliance more mechanical. Depending on a user's mood, the Secant can accordingly act more humane or more like a tool.
One issue that affects all demographics alike is a string of murders that for some reason gets essentially no coverage whatsoever by the media nor are statements released.
In all reality, it seems the authorities do little more than shut the crime scenes down, place some warning bands and disappear until the area gets reactived. Rumours say that the Dollfaces - a hypertech-supported, part-magi division of law enforcement, excempt from federal law - is investigating the case.
If true, the information carries significant weight, as Dollfaces are allowed to make judgement calls on lethal force autonomously and enjoy retroactive immunity to any and all legal consequences of deeds done during service. That means they can only be punished if they are either a.) discharged and commit a crime afterwards, or b.) break direct command, multiple times, intentionally, and commit crimes in the process. This former-street-gang-turned-law-enforcement gathering owns an infamous reputation. It seems a weird coincidence that immigration rates are skyrocketing just shortly before mysterious murders happen all over the area. It seems even weirder that those two things coincide with a rare public emergence of the Dollfaces, does it not?
-----------------------
It's an idea I had swirling around in my head for a little bit. I'm very open to ideas and suggestions, and of course I'd love to see potentially interested players. I have more info on gangs, magic and whatnot, so fire away if you need anything in particular. This would be, kind of, a dystopian neo-noir RP with magical elements.
----------------------
*This world is Thalassa, a currently unfolding roleplay of mine. I do know the ending (though it may gain/loose parts of it, the general ending is set) but, for obvious reasons, will not further specify it. This is essentially prequel and sequel simultanously. It's a case of where you'll have to believe in my existing bigger picture of connected dots.
**Russian special ops able to utilize magic in order to generate flames. Cruel but effective, they were a go to trump card for the soviet leadership, but generally believed to be a myth. These elite agents are the only ones of their kind during this time, but ultimately could not keep a multi-national coalition from crashing above their heads and crumbled under the proverbial gravel of the then-former USSR.
*** Fully but impractically named Omnisignaling Hyperianic Blackouts, these genuinely absurd warheads were conceptualized by American military scientists but eventually aquired by Japanese intelligence troops, leading to the Eastern superpower (who since claimed China as well as both Korean nations for itself with historically impressive, unprecedented ruthlessness) manufacturing the whole shebang. As it turned out, Japan did not quite comprehend the implication of detonating the omnihyde bomb, effectively eradicating an estimated 87% of the world.
**** hibernate / Project Horus appears. For further information check the roleplay.
***** With the exception of 10% of the (admittedly plentiful - around three times as large) Japanese population, the very East of a couple of US-American cities, South African's northern population and a few European metropoles (depending on the blotches of non-destructive ground) the world is uninhabited
****** City being established inbetween the area of France and Italy.
******* Formerly Japan, spanning comically precisely the exact same amount of land as the original one after factoring in the geographical changes the post-war world has endured.
******** Russian/Chinese metropole.
********* Those that either come from one of the few other cities or the ones roaming the safety hazard number one - the environment.
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