Brennam
Welcome, Otherworlders. My name is Minister Brennam Tyrgen. I greet you today as a representative of the sovereign of Magisteria.
First of all, you should know that yours is not the first group of Otherworlders we've played host to. You've been arriving in our world for millennia now, and from all across the cosmos, no less. But your group is different from the others that have come before in one important respect.
You may have noticed it on your body as you exited the Infinity Corridor. Maybe it's even in the shape of something you find inspiring or meaningful or artistic. I speak of course of your new tattoo.
Turns out, it's not just decorative. That tattoo is your connection to Bios, the energy within your body and within all living things. Moreover, you Otherworlders are capable of engaging in Synthesis, mutually cooperative acts which can generate massive amounts of excess Bios. You can research Bios and Synthesis, as well as anything else, on your aXess Link devices.
Each of you should currently have enough funds in your virtual wallet to live for about four months at Evergreen Terrace Apartments. After that, you will need to finance your own way. But don't worry. The apartments host learnshops and there will be ample opportunities to pursue vocational training and diverse careers within High Rise Village.
I do encourage each of you to be prepared to pursue the study of magic or technology. Two or more of you can integrate your abilities across disciplines, but each one of you can only specialize in one or the other. You'll soon come to understand why. You can pursue other opportunities as well, but the Order of Mysterium and the Council for Technological Advancement have always provided the best paths of upward mobility for Otherworlders.
I must be returning to my work now. If you're at the station, you should soon encounter Seraphine Nova.
My final advice to each and all of you is that you keep your eyes and ears open. Watch, listen, and pay attention. Trust that your questions will have answers in time, but remember: sometimes you must find them yourselves.
First of all, you should know that yours is not the first group of Otherworlders we've played host to. You've been arriving in our world for millennia now, and from all across the cosmos, no less. But your group is different from the others that have come before in one important respect.
You may have noticed it on your body as you exited the Infinity Corridor. Maybe it's even in the shape of something you find inspiring or meaningful or artistic. I speak of course of your new tattoo.
Turns out, it's not just decorative. That tattoo is your connection to Bios, the energy within your body and within all living things. Moreover, you Otherworlders are capable of engaging in Synthesis, mutually cooperative acts which can generate massive amounts of excess Bios. You can research Bios and Synthesis, as well as anything else, on your aXess Link devices.
Each of you should currently have enough funds in your virtual wallet to live for about four months at Evergreen Terrace Apartments. After that, you will need to finance your own way. But don't worry. The apartments host learnshops and there will be ample opportunities to pursue vocational training and diverse careers within High Rise Village.
I do encourage each of you to be prepared to pursue the study of magic or technology. Two or more of you can integrate your abilities across disciplines, but each one of you can only specialize in one or the other. You'll soon come to understand why. You can pursue other opportunities as well, but the Order of Mysterium and the Council for Technological Advancement have always provided the best paths of upward mobility for Otherworlders.
I must be returning to my work now. If you're at the station, you should soon encounter Seraphine Nova.
My final advice to each and all of you is that you keep your eyes and ears open. Watch, listen, and pay attention. Trust that your questions will have answers in time, but remember: sometimes you must find them yourselves.
Tech path
Setting the Stage for the Tech Path Conflict
The event -- first, figuring out a name, lol
An event in the Central Business District: tentatively calling it "High Rise Expo"
ChatGPT proposed a few other names, but I think they sort of suck:
High-Tech Nexus Expo (eh), The Nexus Convergence (over "Nexus" being in everything, ChatGPT, smh), The Convergence Gala (2fancy), The Convergence Expo (actually, this might be a possibility, but)
"The Techno Convergence
The Mystical Convergence
The Enigmatic Convergence
The Cyber Convergence
The Magical Convergence
The Futuristic Convergence
The Arcane Convergence
The Otherworldly Convergence"
BLEH. Not really feeling any of these.
So I am tentatively calling it "High Rise Expo" for now. But I'm also open to ideas here.
High Rise Expo: Details for the Game Event
Description: "[High Rise Expo] serves as a showcase of the city's cutting-edge technology, magic, and vocational opportunities. The event is held in a massive, futuristic expo hall, with holographic displays and towering glass skyscrapers as the backdrop. Attendees can explore various vocational opportunities, with booths offering training in magic and futuristic technology. Each booth represents a different district of Magisteria, showcasing their unique skills and offerings."
Couple of things:
1) I haven't decided how often "High Rise Expo" happens. ChatGPT suggested annually, which is fine, but seeing as how a big purpose is helping to connect Otherworlders with vocational opportunities, it might be a special occasion when a big batch of Otherworlders arrives or something. So, again, details to work out.
2) I also haven't decided yet whether it's a tech-exclusive event or whether it does indeed include both magic and tech sides. This depends on how we end up structuring the game, whether we want to lean into having some tech-specific and some magic-specific events. At this time, I am inclining towards "High Rise Expo" involving both sides and events in general being split with some magic and tech prompts, as opposed to rotating magic and tech focuses. But this hasn't really been settled yet. For now, I'm going to assume the Expo to feature both magic and tech.
And the part about each booth representing a different district: not sure about that part either. Though it could be fun.
Cybercrime Alert
So, again, not sure exactly how this part is going to be set up, but:
A hacker group has been causing problems for Magisteria prior to the arrival of these recent Otherworlders. The group's enigmatic leader goes by the alias "Arachnid" in virtual spaces.
The group, The Silver Web Syndicate, is the tech path antagonist group.
At High Rise Expo, law enforcement and cybersecurity types will be in attendance in case the hacker group tries to start some shit. I was even thinking the Expo might serve a dual function as a chance for the higher-ups to try to gain intel on the hackers and ferret them out, should they indeed get up to some shit.
The Players
Enforcers
That's what I am tentatively calling these samurai-esque figures. The "Enforcers" of Magisteria, secretive figures who fight cybercriminals... in every sense of the word, as it were. They answer only to the authority of the Government, specifically Queen Aste, and the CTA.
Some possibilities, via ChatGPT -- also, coincidentally, it gave me four, and their genders even correspond:
Commander Kyra Bladeheart: A formidable leader with a strong sense of justice. Kyra is known for her exceptional combat skills and dedication to preserving the balance in Magisteria
Techronin Kaito Cipher: A skilled technomancer-samurai specializing in cybersecurity. Kaito is responsible for tracking and neutralizing cyber threats, and he is adept at both physical and digital combat.
Synth-Warden Rei Nova: An expert in utilizing synthetic enhancements, Rei Nova serves as the Enforcers' chief strategist. Her cybernetic enhancements grant her unparalleled analytical abilities.
Quantum Sentinel Yuki Shadowstrike: A master of quantum technology, Yuki excels in countering advanced cyber threats. Her ability to manipulate quantum states gives her a unique advantage in the digital realm.
I am not sure how I feel about every character having such obviously fantastic sounding last names. I incline towards her name being "Kyra" and then last name Whatever, but she goes by Bladeheart as an alias: Commander Bladeheart, aka "Heart of Blades." The bottom picture is her. And I do want her to be a formidable figure, befitting such a name.
The Silver Web Syndicate
Keiden Sterling ("Arachnid") and his partner, Lenora Graves