Also, I totally deleted my other message that I wrote with the tag. Lmao!
So, I have been in DMs with some people. For character interaction, we have options:
- Scotti and Selene are in the ancient ducts of Dominion that are hooked up to the Grey market in Khia. They could definitely run into Johnathan "The Rat Man".
- Scotti and Selene could end up not running into the Rat Man and they could end up running into Pilka and Kara.
- Pilka and Kara could also possibly run into the Rat man.
Since all of these characters are in Khia, around Khia, connected to the tunnels, old sewers, etc...
I can always put up an anonymous vote to see what route we want to go with interactions for this period. Plus, we do not have to continue with those routes above. They are optional.
For you, @Expendable, is there any particular route that you would like to go? If not, we can continue Kit going through government harassment or having Kit possibly meet with other NPCs/etc... I doubt he would be wandering the tunnels/Khia District/etc...
For you, @Expendable, is there any particular route that you would like to go? If not, we can continue Kit going through government harassment or having Kit possibly meet with other NPCs/etc... I doubt he would be wandering the tunnels/Khia District/etc...
Kit varies his routes home most days, but today I think he'll really push it. But I'm not sure what the government would be harassing him for? After all, he looks perfectly normal, aside from the injection port and his subdermal health display - and it's not out of place for this kind of implant, although he's younger than most.
I could see them following him, who knows where Kit might choose to go if he feels he's being followed. Who knows how many friends he might have in low places?
Kit varies his routes home most days, but today I think he'll really push it. But I'm not sure what the government would be harassing him for? After all, he looks perfectly normal, aside from the injection port and his subdermal health display - and it's not out of place for this kind of implant, although he's younger than most.
I could see them following him, who knows where Kit might choose to go if he feels he's being followed. Who knows how many friends he might have in low places?
There are a ton of people with implants (some shape or fashion) be that "regulars" or dwellers or possibly even burrowers. I was more joking because I don't think they will come and bother him again though they will be weary of Gator though Gator is not classified as someone to be criminalized just by category, for now, thankfully.
That is true. We could definitely have Officer Klay and Lupton follow him to see what his usual route is or what he is doing. They are a little suspicious of him (and they are honestly trying to target people that they think might be linked to the support of the groups that caused the riots and so on) and he has rumors about him not being "human" so they are really overstepping though he's probably not the only one that had a "surveyor" pop up at their door asking odd survey questions.
There are a ton of people with implants (some shape or fashion) be that "regulars" or dwellers or possibly even burrowers. I was more joking because I don't think they will come and bother him again though they will be weary of Gator though Gator is not classified as someone to be criminalized just by category, for now, thankfully.
That is true. We could definitely have Officer Klay and Lupton follow him to see what his usual route is or what he is doing. They are a little suspicious of him (and they are honestly trying to target people that they think might be linked to the support of the groups that caused the riots and so on) and he has rumors about him not being "human" so they are really overstepping though he's probably not the only one that had a "surveyor" pop up at their door asking odd survey questions.
Really, I'm just wondering when we'll all meet and what causes us to go to explore the supposedly uninhabitable surface. Most of us are used to living in a cavern, so an open sky may unhinge some of us.
Really, I'm just wondering when we'll all meet and what causes us to go to explore the supposedly uninhabitable surface. Most of us are used to living in a cavern, so an open sky may unhinge some of us.
An open sky might honestly blind some of the players, literally. I have a few plans on how it will encourage players to adventure up or question more though it all depends on the players. I do not believe everyone would want to go up and that is fine. They can stay down. You never know what will happen or if the surface is even possible.
Dominion = comfort
Going against Dominion Rule = stuck out in the caverns with the beasts and the cult of darkness.
Most people would turn a blind eye for comfort which is understandable. If there is nothing at the surface, then they know they are doomed to the caverns or low parts of society and that thought alone isn't worth it.
@The Savant - Perhaps there's something that the Dominion needs, that may have survived out there.
Perhaps they've grown too much? What if they need to make a new city? Only the machine they used to make all the cities was abandoned up there?
The thing currently is that no one, at least no one that is known of, has been to the surface. All the ancient vaulted doors are stuck closed or people do not know how to open them because it's lost technology or they don't have enough time to figure it out because of scavenger groups, wildlife, etc...
Currently, Dominion is overpopulated like any city is for the actual capacity. Necessities like food, freshwater, and similar things are highly farmed and processed (probably to a negatively impactful point) and the government is very strict. They do not want people wandering outside of the walls, not really, so if you do go outside (you are sneaking or you are such a low rank in society that they don't care to keep track of you).
Pretty much, societal ranking is:
Wealthy are idolized for their luxuries. Middle class is comfortable and most people strive to be this or better. Working class is bearable and most are fine with such a life Poverty is... similar to how people see unwanted animals.
For example, let's say a wealthy person murdered a family in Khia, the majority of wealthy people's reactions would be "It's similar to accidentally running a dog over. It's sad, you wouldn't mean to do it, especially not a second time but you cannot let it ruin your life!"
Dwellers are the acceptable version of burrowers. Not understood very well but they tend to be "human" enough that no one pays them mind from poverty to middle class.
Burrowers are criminalized and outcast to the point that if they enter the city, they could be arrested, and put to death. Burrowers are viewed as subhuman and not actual capable of citizenship.
These explanations kind of show government and people who are comfortable/in control of power wanting to keep Dominion inside the walls of Dominion. Not wanting change because change could mean the loss of power and so on.
...These explanations kind of show government and people who are comfortable/in control of power wanting to keep Dominion inside the walls of Dominion. Not wanting change because change could mean the loss of power and so on.
@The Savant - I'm assuming there's a group behind the people who got caught trying to get outside. But there's a mole, and it told the council that the overworld group is looking for a few people that has the means or connections to get them topside. And that's where our characters come in.
I'm also watching Paradise on Hulu, so wondering if outside the gates might be waiting the skeletons of all the people who got locked out - and something the Council might be embarrassed about.
@The Savant - I'm assuming there's a group behind the people who got caught trying to get outside. But there's a mole, and it told the council that the overworld group is looking for a few people that has the means or connections to get them topside. And that's where our characters come in.
I'm also watching Paradise on Hulu, so wondering if outside the gates might be waiting the skeletons of all the people who got locked out - and something the Council might be embarrassed about.
There are groups/rebellious individuals who all work towards "exposing" the government and their lies about the surface. The majority of the population would see them as how we see people with area 51 groups. Like, the majority go "oh you are crazy..." or the "I believe it but I don't think aliens are there," type of deal.
That's the thing, they do let a lot of people out (scientists, officials, etc...) and they know people can slip out through cracks in the walls, little areas in between buildings, and primarily on the edges of the cities especially Khia.
People who do get locked out, usually, can find refuge somewhere in the outer towns/little villages. There are regular humans outside because they thought it would be better than living in Dominion walls (which depending on morals and so on, it is).
But yes, there is a lot of situations that the council could be embarrassed about. However, there is no definite statement of how or why the characters are going to look for the surface or want to discover it instead of living in Dominion though with the increase in riots and police physical force, that could be enough for people to start going "something is fishy and what if the group is telling the truth?"
Once tomorrow hits, I will check the poll (probably around the 24 hour mark) and consider the outcomes then. Currently, it looks like Scotti and Selene will be running into the Ratman. Do not hold to that plan yet since it could change.
@Expendable Also, would you like to make Gator an official NPC? Would Gator know Pilka as well? I was thinking about that just now.
Once tomorrow hits, I will check the poll (probably around the 24 hour mark) and consider the outcomes then. Currently, it looks like Scotti and Selene will be running into the Ratman. Do not hold to that plan yet since it could change.
@Expendable Also, would you like to make Gator an official NPC? Would Gator know Pilka as well? I was thinking about that just now.
I'll do up a sheet for Gator as an official NPC. I'm certain Gator knows Pilka
Age Late 50s, possibly early 60s Height/Weight 6'0 / 170
Roach Vexler is a man that most come to if they need a bounty hunter or hitman. Someone that is going to operate like a ghost, move through the shadows, and keep eyes on the people he's paid to keep eyes on. One of his strongest business bonds is with the Syn family to keep an eye on their daughter, Selene, and he has been doing this since Selene was born, give or take. He has other clientele so he cannot always focus on Selene though he listens when her family calls.
People in Khia or other dark spaces of Dominion know him as Viper because they say he speaks with a venomous tongue and he is a fast striker when it comes to being in battles. Getting into a fight with him wouldn't do most good since he has been in this line of business - bodyguard, bounty hunting, private detective, and similar work - since he was in his late 20s. Taking up the profession after he got out of military service for the Dominion government.
Addition:
I will be adding implants/upgrades into Roach's bio. I just have to figure out what he has.
Second addition:
Resolution & Imaging > High Resolution (4k+) > Night vision (thermal) > Zoom capabilities > Augmented reality overlay
Sensory Enhancement > X-ray simulation > Motion tracking > People and object recognition > Enhanced contrast for low-light environments
Connectivity & Processing > Wireless data transmission > Cloud storage for memory recording & recall > Direct neural interface for brain-integration > AI-assisted visual processing
Power and durability > Shockproof & waterproof features > Bio-energy charged > Adaptive brightness for eye strain reduction
Programs and features > Built-in AR for navigation, notifications, and entertainment > Target tracking & threat assessment > Augmented HUD for real-time data analysis > Live streaming & recording > Motion detection alerts > Auto-focus and zoom on moving objects > Facial recognition
It has been 24 hours! Our voting results look to be:
Scotti and Selene run into the Ratman 37.5%
Someone/group runs into cult of darkness 25%
Scotti and Selene run into Pilka and Kara 12.5%
Someone/group runs into cavern beast 12.5%
Someone/group runs into unruly scavenger group (with ratman intervention) 12.5%
Pilka and Kara run into Ratman 0%
After I get back from work today, I will DM you, @Qia and @Eviledd1984, a google document that will have the start of our collaboration going because Scotti and Selene running into the Ratman was the most voted for.
I have plenty of ideas for moving the story forward in this Monday post and I do have quite a few things written up for it already. Be those things used or not, I always edit before making the major post. However, I want to see what people want to focus on for this upcoming post and if people want it to be a semi-influential or a large continuation post.
Here is the poll that I have created for it. Once Sunday night hits, I will review the results then get to work.
There have been a few people to ask or question the history of Dominion so I sat down this week and formulated a historic time line with rough years and era names. I hope this helps everyone to kind of understand that Dominion is a newer city in the timeline and what led up to this point in the roleplay!
CHRONICLES OF DOMINION
There is no understanding of why people went underground though people can speculate that an unnatural disaster happens, and the most common thing brought up in Dominion history is nuclear warfare. However, there is emphasis that it could have been any unnatural or natural phenomenon that was threatening to end humanity and going underground was the only way to avoid extinction.
In the beginning of the descent, there is no knowledge or official history of those times, and everything that is to do with the beginning is called “The Lost Age” because there is no hardcore evidence or facts. After this period everything begins to unravel the centuries of history that the people have gone through to get to where they are in modern Dominion.
The only thing that Dominion society has of that day was the reliance of oral tradition and ancient scribbles on the stone of cave walls. Being able to decipher the language was difficult at first though it translates to something along the lines of “The Sky Turned,” which doesn’t give anyone much of anything to go off from. These engraves on cave walls are ancient and no one in Dominion was alive when there was access to these ancient sites.
There is an assumption that there was about 150 years between coming from the surface and when records of people started living but there is no certainty. An era that lasted almost 300 years has been referenced as the “Suffering Era” because of all the evidence that shows mass death from the people that came from the surface. During these three hundred years, light sources were sacred and only leaders had access to something called glowmoss and other bioluminescent fungi.
Groups were beginning to focus on the fauna and flora underground and began agricultural techniques to keep these items abundant in their supplies.
However, the beginnings of fully understanding the circumstances were slow and most people seemed to die out because of famine, disease, and chaos.
During the next step into history, this was when people grouped up and began to go their own ways to what they thought was best. This period is referred to as the “Fragmentation Era” because there seemed to be a lot of disputes and issues during this time that caused people to go their separate ways.
Amongst the fragmentation of society in that day, there are known to be 15 official groups that spanned out underground to do their own thing with 3 major groups participating in trade with the rest. All these groups seemed to develop unique technology, techniques, and culture – from evidence it appears that some focused-on steam, others harnessed geothermal energy or went with domesticating glowing fauna and flora. What is considered a dead language today was used up until these points and there is evidence to show how language emerged today – the different groups were slowly losing the language of the surface and began to merge into a strange dialect in each ancient society.
A handful of decades after the range of the Fragmentation Era the city of Stone began to be documented, and it was a subterranean city state that was ruled by dynasties. Another major point was the flourishing writings about religion that showed “The Above” which is to reference the surface became a realm of demons and angels while “The Below” was a sacred and nurturing place – something safe.
During this time, ancient machinery was found amongst other things, and the referencing of “First Worlders” was used heavily and questions of people from the surface or the above started to show a twisted reality of being sky gods.
Exploration was beginning a giant thing in society and people were venturing deeper into the ground where vast caverns, fossilized forests, and other findings were successful steps into the future.
It is unknown how long this city lasted though it is believed that the City of Stone was functionally running for roughly 500 years before the rebellion happened.
There was a 45-year rebellion that was heavily documented in a variety of perspectives and the majority of what is known is that the rebellion was called “Illumination” and the people of this group focused on bringing light to the people in the city and knowledge. Opposing the dynasties rule.
Near the end of the rebellion, the City of Stone fell, and democratic communities briefly rose and a common phrase began to show up in a lot of educational documents to personal journals – ”We must remember forward.”
Sometime after the rebellion, there wasn’t much documentation for about 60 years, and the first major documentation after this period of silence was talking about an unexplainable geological event known as the Stone-quake which caused a ton of networks to collapse and be lost forever.
There was a lot of loss, knowledge, technology, people, fauna, flora, and more. This was the beginning of a second dark age referred to as the Silence Age. There is a variety of personal journal entries that can be found over the next 100 years which is believed to be how long the Silent Age lasted.
A new era came to place called the “Rebirth of Below” and it showed that survivors of the Stone-quake were reclaiming lost knowledge and resources. Steam engines became a very common thing during this time. Different trade routes were discovered and created. A talk about mole caravans (gigantic digging creatures) and cave-skimmers (machines) were used to reclaim trade routes.
Languages continued to morph and a main language that looks like Modern day Dominion was created and used vastly though modern-day individuals have no idea what it says unless translated.
The surface began to be a large topic during this time, questions of whether it was cursed or okay to go up, and plenty of other discussions about going higher or lower for the sake of society were done during this time.
During this time, a hidden library of stone which is referred to as “The Vault of Dawn” was uncovered. There were plenty of professional and private writings, packaged seeds (known and unknown), full skeletons of creatures that were unknown (some small to others being as big as whales), maps of caverns, and plenty of other resources to help society to move forward.
Religion began to appear again, groups were worshiping “The Above” again. This influenced expeditions to the surface though there was never an uncovering of the surface. However, plenty of other things were found such as man-made tunnels (sewers), shafts with chains and squishy wires (elevators), and fossilized creatures.
There were reports of people seeing some type of light coming from cracks in the ceiling. Others referenced this as a hallucination and a sickness called “Sky madness”. People who had seen these “lights” were being treated negatively.
The period of undesirable tension began and individuals who were content with life were beginning to find tension between the cults that worshiped the surface. These individuals were called “Children of the rift” and influenced expeditions to the surface where man made home-like things (vaults) were discovered. Some of these things had writing on the wall in a variety of substances (coal, blood, ink) that said ”This is not a test,” and “Please help!” or plenty of other phrases that struck fear into the people of this time. This caused uproars and most of society moved deeper into the earth. Societal influence caused people to be ashamed of thinking about going to the surface. People were referencing “Sky Madness” again and institutions opened to help people with over reactive fantasies about the surface.
And during this time, the first documented mention of “The Cult of Darkness” started though there is not much written except quick statements – some good, some bad, and most neutral. People referred to this cult as an “over correction” because of the surface cults. Another breakthrough was the discovery of “other humans” and how the majority of these “other humans” looked similar though they were able to do things normal humans could not. These tribes/groups were starting to be studied during this time.
Dominion was a city that was created after a large population went deeper into the surface after another terrible occurrence though this was not a natural phenomenon but references of “giant” creatures that were long and terrifying began to disrupt the known cities of the time. This was about 300 years old. There aren’t any other cities that are known to be functioning though no major expeditions continued after a continuation of running into these gigantic worm-like things called “tunnelers”.
People began to focus on Dominion which was called “Junction” at the time and started out as a resource harvesting establishment before growing into a foundational city which is now known as Khia. About 70 years after Khia began and it being upgraded, Qona was discovered, and with the discovery of Qona – advancements started to speed up – which is where Slia began to be established about 20 years later. All of these “cities” were being continuously upgraded and improved which allowed the creation of Esille to come into play about 50 years later.
During these times, “Emperors” and “Empresses” were the leaders of Dominion. A single emperor ruled with an empress until about 100 years ago. The last to rule under this governmental foundation was Empress Heavalyn who was murdered, and nothing came out of the investigations. This caused the government of Dominion to change into a council because people feared what could happen if they stepped up to rule. Too many threats and not enough societal support allowed the council to continue into what is known today. There was about 20 years of “false leadership” that happened and once a council was officially established laws were becoming formed to protect people in society and to protect Dominion as a whole. One of the first strict laws happened about 30 years ago when Burrowers were officially not categorized as “people” and moved into a class of “subhuman” and were kicked out of society.
