Sempiternal: The Path to Immortality (Interest thread-Scifi)

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:52 pm

Sempiternal
The Path to Immortality

Overview

Humanity has reached its next stage on the evolutionary tree. We have isolated the human personality, what makes you you, and have found ways to copy it, and replace it into other bodies. Now it does not matter if your body dies. Because your soul can outlive your body.

Death is a thing of the past. Mankind has become sempiternal.

But eternal life is yet imperfect.

To have your personality copied is not very cheap. And the machines used for copying are (almost) all controlled by the innumerable megacorporations that rule this world. But the biggest problem is that your copied personality is not quite you. Well, it is the "you" at the time you had yourself copied. However, any further experiences, memories, and knowledge gained will not be transferred to that "you". Therefore, if you want yourself to most properly live on after the death of your body, you better get yourself copied often. Which requires even more money...

Money is the lord of Earth. The governments that once brought peace and justice to the world are now little more than bloated, useless bureaucracies, riddled with corruption. Their armies are underfunded, their armament outdated, their ranks thin. They are mere shells of the glorious superpowers they once were. Some few governments are still trying to regain control over their old territories, but to little avail.

In their place have risen the megacorporations (MCs). These vast, efficient, well-established factions have their own declared territories, wherein they hold complete control. Everything from selling toothpaste and food, creating and maintaining transportation services, and delivering Criminal Justice and Military Security, is done by the MCs. But when money is supreme...

Justice in most parts of the world is a meaningless word. Unless you can dole out the requisite cash. But because of the nature of the MCs, there is a massive gap between the wealthy and the poor, and the middle class is made up almost exclusively of MC-contracted mercenaries, bounty hunters, and assassins (all of which are paid handsomely for their services). Because of this, the poor (which make up the majority of persons) must seek justice on their own whilst being crushed under the thumb of the MCs.

PPsyD (Personal Psyche Data)

The Personal Psyche Data (PPsyD) lies at the soul of transhumanity. This is what makes you you. It is the core of your personality, your will, your thought, your desires, your memories, it is you. Without this, you no longer exist.

A century and a half ago, scientists were able to isolate the PPsyD of a single individual. But more importantly they made a virtual copy of the PPsyD, creating the first Personal Psyche Copy (PPsyC). This was the greatest scientific revolution of all time, for now your "soul" could survive the death of your body. For the first time ever, mankind could conceivably reach immortality.

This new technological advancement spread like wildfire, it seemed that everyone wished to get their hands on it, and innumerable innovations of this science were made rapidly. First, the PPsyC was able to be transferred into robots or other machines, giving the transhuman soul the ability to live on in a new body. Soon after, the PPsyC could be transferred into organic bodies, whose brains had their PPsyDs wiped at birth. And this innovation was the most controversial of all, causing riots in its wake. People claimed such technology was murder, for it was the destruction of their souls, leaving dead husks behind for new souls to inhabit. It was morally outrageous, the height of evil.

But this technology was oh so lucrative. The MCs quickly gained control of it, virtually monopolizing its usage. They created Psy-Banks, places where you could pay to have have a PPsyC operation, and then have your soul stored in the bank for later when you wish to inhabit a new physical body. Soon, Body Factories were raised up, where various types of bodies, be they genetically modified, "original" human, various animal bodies...all for the express purpose of being sold to the various transhuman buyers wishing to find a new resting place for their PPsyCs.

There were many new moral issues that sprung up in their wake. Questions about whether empty bodies (bodies without PPsyDs) should have any rights, what to do with their usage and/or disposal, how far they can be genetically modified, what actually constitutes personhood...Things of that nature. And in spite of the great controversy, it seems that this technology is here to stay. And most societies have (often begrudgingly) accepted its usage.

World Factions

Operation Reliquiae:

Based: Global
Membership: several thousand

Initially the European Union's response to the growing threat posed by the exponential growth of the MCs, Operation Reliquiae was a highly-classified mission by a select group of operatives and handlers whose duty it was to infiltrate the MCs and ensure that the EU retained control of Europe. They failed in that mission, the European member states becoming little more than MC puppets. Despite this, Operation Reliquiae has not been formally cancelled. Sticklers to protocol, these agents continue their covert mission to bring about change.

It has been years since the operation was put in to place, so many in fact that the majority of the agents were not there for its inception. Having grown into an international organisation, Reliquiae is a shadow state, tangible only on a piece of paper. Its members are recruited from across a vast spectrum of backgrounds, even from the Megacorporations themselves. They siphon the finances they need from governments and companies at will, trading company secrets in a perpetual battle to remove the stranglehold of money from across the planet's throat.

With the introduction of new technologies, the old arts of murder and assassination have become obsolete, nothing more than a non-solution. Instead, murder takes place at a computer screen, assassination by a timer. Piggy-backing on extremists and rebel movements, the Reliquiae members attempt to manipulate affairs in the half-dream of making a difference.

Human Justice:

Based: China
Membership: several million

Arising first in Beijing before spreading like wildfire across the Pacific, this movement is warmly welcomed by the downtrodden lower classes and all those who feel they have been treated unjustly at the hand of the MCs or corrupted governments. Not even requiring to spend much time on recruitment, each day hundreds find themselves joining the Human Justice movement.

Organized by the contemporary Huo Inoue, Human Justice openly portrays itself as the opposition to the Mega corporations in their bid to recreate Asia. Taking for their flag the plum blossom on white shield, Human Justice has also declared itself an enemy of the Chinese Communist Party of China, Huo Inoue considering it to be a traitorous organisation which preyed upon the People and sold them out for a few marks. Given their humble social rank, the movement's members do not have a uniform, aside from a preference of white - to represent the purity of their beliefs - and a complete shunning of red.

Armed by external organisations and looted weapon stores, the Human Justice prefer suicide bombings and ambushes to full-scale conflict, however on the occasions where Huo is forced to commit her loyal followers, the HJ deploy overwhelming force and overrun the enemy in short order, before they can call in serious armored and air support.

Knights of the Scale

Based: Global
Membership: 3 million, with 20,000 Knights

Commonly considered a terrorist group, vigilantes or simply maniacs, the Knights of the Scale are a worldwide group dedicated to dishing out what they call “True Justice”. In a world where Justice has become a bad joke, the Knights of the Scale intend to right wrongs and stand up for the downtrodden and the ignored deaths. Those that commit injustices, regardless of whom they are, the Knights will fight to see justice is dealt to them. Regardless of whether you're a corporate CEO or a small time thug, the Knights promise they will balance the scales. Far from a disorganized group, the Knights have a code and they hold their members to their very letter. Traitors are killed with no exceptions.

The laws of the Knights are similar to those of the earth before. But the Knights of the Scales have no trials, no lawyers. Rather, the Knights act as Prosecutor, Judge, Jury, and Executioner.

Knights are highly trained and bound to a code of honour. They are the elite core of the group, and their prowess is often the stuff of legend. Though more often the Knights employ Neophytes (lowest ranking members) or Squires (Knights in training) to dispense most justice.

The Knights call this movement a “Crusade”. It is almost a holy war, though in the name of an ideology rather than a faith. They are beholden to no one but themselves and are relentless in their pursuit of justice.

Typically they use guns and medieval weaponry outfitted with either a plasma blade, able to cut through most anything, a hypersonic blade, able to cut through even the highest grade of personal armor, or mere composite combat blades which have just a little more cutting power than the swords of old. A knight is outfitted with Bulletproof Crusader armor, though it can be overcome by weapons such as high powered railguns and plasma weapons. Often the Crusader pattern armor is upgraded with certain modules, which can increase their effectiveness on the battlefield. However due to the expense of the armor, the circle of knights is surprisingly small for an organisation so large.

By far, the two most impressive pieces of equipment unique to the knight are the eidolon AI systems and the Bulkwald Shield. The former is able to co-ordinate groups of knights regardless of distance, by sending individual instructions to Knights through their helmets, helping them gain a tactical advantage. And the Bulkwald Shield is less of a shield and more of a ring that uses kinetic technology to allow it’s user to project forcefields. It’s a signature weapon and can be used to deadly effect.

In the organization as a whole, there are variations from region to region. For example the Knight core of Japan are split between a sub ordo which believes in stealth and gurilla tactics and another which prefers a Samurai esque code of honour. As long as the main tenants of the order are upheld, variations are irrelevant. And the looks of their armor can vary wildly as well.

The Knights are by no means omnipotent. They are often unable to dispense justice when a MC has enough determination to stop them. And although they are near impossible to eradicate, the Knights are stretched rather thin, and need something to boost both funds and numbers. Knights are by no means invincible either, and too many knight deaths can set the organisation back by a lot.

Codes of Justice:

Truth, I shall not lie for personal gain
Virtue, I shall provide an example for which the people and other knights be led.
Impartiality, I shall be impartial in execution of the law, regardless of victim or perpetrator.
Loyalty, I shall not betray my brothers or sisters, through action or inaction.
Service, I shall fight crime for as long as I draw breath, in any way I can.
Humility, I shall see that the crusade is higher than I, and I must work to it’s benefit, not attempt to make it work to mine.

The Knights vow:

With my brothers and sisters as witness, I hereby vow to forever forsake vice, cruelty and criminality. I vow to rid the world of corruption, to cleanse this earth in the blood of the criminals and bring safety and Justice back to the people.

I vow to forever protect the innocent, to show selfless dedication to the shielding of the public. I vow to never fall to fear, despair or greed.

I will become an avatar of impartial justice. I will judge and execute punishment.

Should I go back on my vow, then I would gladly sacrifice my life to become a penitent.

The Mujahideen for the Unification of the Islamic State:

Based: Middle East
Membership: 420,000

In the war-torn nations of the Middle-East, Western capitalism has never been offered without the previous deployment of the "civilized sword". As such, the hold of Mega corporations on these states has been tenuous at best. Following the infidel's complete lack of respect for Allah and His wishes for humanity, many of the warring factions of Islamic extremism have united for a Jihad unseen by modern political leaders: a Jihad with overwhelming local support.

The MuFUnIS have been brought under the umbrella of Muhammad Tlas's control, a man whose forward-thinking beliefs on the Middle-East's future has seen the more conservative fighters turn away from his movement. His vision is of a land of lush farmland and orderly cities, the people ruled only by Allah. With charm and an endless well of empathy, Tlas has won the hearts and minds of every man, woman and child he has spoken with.

Arming themselves from their own arms factories, the Mufunis are one of the best armed forces from the Middle-East, leagues ahead of the government forces in quality and miles ahead of the PMCs in faith.

Christ's Liberation Army:

Based: Global
Membership: 3 Million

Devout Christians every one (albeit on the fringe of the Christian world), these men and woman have taken it upon themselves to rid the Earth of the devil-cursed Ultra-Capitalism which threatens the very concepts of freedom. Armed with looted weaponry and private transactions, this growing gathering of God-fearing freedom fighters are wholly out of their depth in open war. So they have most often resorted to acts of terrorism, such as suicide bombings, assassinations, and sabotage.

The most morale boosting of these is suicide bombings. And each such act only fires up the spirits of many within the radical fringes of Christendom, with thousands more fanatics rising up at the sight of mutilated corpses of their brethren.

There are several branches of the CLA throughout the world: the Liberation Army of Christ; Legions of Christ; Christ's Legions of Angels; Heaven's Hosts; The Lord's Army. Each one is comprised of devoted volunteers and fanatics, men and women who consider death a fitting end in this Crusade for the very fate of humanity.

New Proletariat

Based: Latin America, Eastern Europe
Membership: 7 Million

The New Proletariat is a far-left group that wishes to remove power from the MCs, and create a self-sufficient communist state free of all private business and influence. Worldwide they boast about 4 million members/supporters; almost entirely in Eastern Europe and Latin America.

The leader of the New Proletariat, a Cuban man named Lazaro Novik, orchestrates all of the Proletariat's actions. Common actions include rioting, destruction of MC owned properties, and even assassination of MC executives. They currently have two main bases of operation; one in Cuba and the other in Belarus.

The New Proletariat also has their own website, which is adorned with a red background decorated with hammer & sickles, and pictures of Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and Vladimir Lenin. The website is primarily to take donations from supporters, to further the Proletariat's power and influence. Although, they also use it to send members kits containing all the necessary items to conceal their identities and where to find black market weaponry to arm themselves.

When it comes to controversies about PPsyCs, they maintain that it should only be in the hands of the state.

Russian Corporate Federation
Based: Russia
Membership/Population: 115 Million, 5 Million armed, 2 Million Law Enforcement Officers

The Russian Federation entered the new era of megacorporations in an uncertain position: subject to NATO and EU embargoes, suffering from a long-term population decline and the near depletion of it's natural resources, many experts had predicted that the Russian government would collapse within the next decade.

As Russia stands as the most intact, overt and powerful non-corporate entity, this obviously didn't happen, and the reason for that is surprisingly simple: they beat the system. Shortly after the discovery of the PPsyC, the Russians almost immediately latched into it as a possible means to keep their nation stable. The entire Russian government and civil service, along with their families, were forcibly uploaded into a secret Psy-Bank in the Metro-2 beneath Moscow, with their bodies placed in cryo-storage.

Already a dictatorial regime, the uploading made them nigh-untouchable, with the new 'Presidential Mainframe', as the Bank became known, issuing near-constant instructions to government assets that needed to remain un-Banked to continue operation.

The slow growth to dominance of the MCs was not something that caught Russia off-guard; ever since the 2000s, Russia had been dealing with a series of dominant congolmerates with heavy government involvement, and unlike other nations who tried to fight the rise of the MCs, or indeed simply ignored it, Russia actively embraced it. The government fused with the MCs, combining the wealth, power and efficiency of the Russian MCs with the vast military of the Russian government to create a working arrangement for all parties. The new 'corporate state' of Russia fixed the issues that had dogged the civilian government with efficiency and brutality. Robots were used to mitigate the worst effects of the labor shortage, the military was used to brutally crush any opposition to the new state, and with a proper army, one motivated by both patriotism and money, not just the latter, the new Russian Corporate Federation or RCF was able to invade and hold large tracts of undeveloped countries as it's own neo-colonies, using them for resources, while the military would slowly develop into one of the largest PMCs in existence, loyal to the RCF first, money second.

Constellis Inc.
Based: North America (US, Canada)
Membership: 17 Million, 4 Million armed, 1.5 Million Law Enforcement Officers

Constellis Inc. is the ruling MC of North America, lording over the old territories of Canada and the US. It is the primary peacekeeper, law enforcement/lawgiver, security force, and military power in North America. As an MC, it also maintains a stranglehold on the entire economy, being the sole source of all legal goods, from foodstuffs and clothing to PPsyCs and Body Banks.

Unlike many other MCs, Constellis Inc. is well known for permitting its ~~citizens~~ customers to buy personal firearms (handguns) and use them in self-defense situations. This privilege only extends to upstanding customers, and is revoked if you either speak out against Constellis or commit some otherwise felonious crime against it or its affiliates. However, in a world where most cannot keep any kind of personal firearm legally, this is quite a step up. Or a step down, depending on how you look at it.

Constellis PMC is among the greatest military forces in the world, having ground, air, sea, and space forces. Their mercenaries are well armed and paid, utilizing the best weaponry and technology that money can provide.

Their space program is also very well funded and established, making them one of the world's leaders in the space race. Currently they maintain a sizable fleet of spacecraft, and also control two colonies on the Moon, and one on Mars. Also, a good portion of their ships are well armed, making them quite secure against assault.

Democratic National Guard of the United States of America:

Based: United States of America
Membership: ~425,000

Often referred simply as the "National Guard", this militia force has evolved from the illustrious "first line of defense" of America into one of its last lines of defense. With the military of America being completely underfunded and undermanned, the "National Guard" has become, in many ways, the only semi-capable fighting force available to the American government. Or rather, her people.

Divided in to state-specific "regiments", the DNG are commanded by former regular army officers and are comprised in main by the "military families" - families in which almost every generation sees a child joining the army. They are divided in to two different types of battalion, one which operates on a daily basis as a regular military - the "Patriot battalions" - and the other which requires its members attend only a single meeting each month - the "Democracy battalions". The size of these regiments varies wildly in each state, and member attendance fluctuates drastically. During times of natural disaster, the regiments can see their numbers double for brief periods.

With the "regular" battalions acting as their member's primary job, the men and women consider themselves career soldiers, patriots and sometimes, nationalists. Selling themselves out in the same vein as their "foe", the DNG provide security for government officials as well as local celebrities and corporate dignitaries. In addition to their mercenary contracts, they also run several charities in the name of local community issues, such as cheap housing, unemployment, fostering and dozens of others. It is the earnings from these charities which helps to subsidize member equipment, allowing even the most impoverished members to buy a good set of combat fatigues and rifle.

In recent memory, the New York DNG regiment's staged a military-style march following the passing of legislature which would supposedly allow PMCs operating under corporation authority to arrest possible threats to the state without providing prior evidence. The march was welcomed by many of the population, who turned out to support it. However, the march was used to divert attention away from a corporate administrative building, which members of the regiments 1st Company, Patriot Battalion stormed under the guise of radicals and deployed an explosive device.

While this ploy has not been knowingly replicated, the DNG have begun to earn a reputation as a militant movement against the corporations, with many hundreds of members being arrested or killed on terror charges.

Free Spirits

Based: Global
Membership: Unknown

The Free Spirits are a small group of hackers, discontent with society. It is their belief that PPsyD's have broken the human spirit, by breeding conformity and control by the rich and powerful. These hackers have been known to even attack major Psy-Banks, sometimes with a little success, and often make other cyber assaults on MCs in an attempt to end this "heinous technology, which will be the downfall of man."

They are considered a highly dangerous terrorist organization, and many countries and MCs have arrested people just for mentioning the Free Spirit. Free Spirits use highly advanced systems to disguise their identities, and steal away vast amounts of digital memory. Who they are, and how many of them exist, is currently unknown.

Petrobas Inc.

Based: Central and South America
Membership: 5 Million, 750,000 Armed, 1 Million Law Enforcement

Originally an Energy corporation, Petrobras expanded greatly in the last several hundred years, coming to monopolize the entire economies of Central and South America.

Technology-wise, Petrobras is not a forerunner in the world, and its military and police forces are not so well-funded or armed. MCs like Helvetica and Constellis are much more advanced, and have far more finances to draw from. However, the one thing that Petrobras has which keeps it on the world stage is access to vast natural resources, like timber, gold, and petroleum. That and top-notch negotiators. As a result, they have quite a bargaining chip to use when dealing with other factions.

Overall, their rule is rather relaxed compared to most other MCs. And even if they did try to clamp down on crime or activities they don't approve of, their under-funded police force would not be too difficult to evade.

Sinopec

Based: Southern and Eastern Asia
Membership: 23 Million, 7 Million armed, 9 Million Law Enforcement Officers

Sinopec is the largest of all MCs, and controls the largest, and possibly the most advanced, fighting force in the world. Its researchers are at the fore-front of technological advancements, propelling Sinopec forward economically and militarily.

Of all MCs, it is the most dictatorial. ~~Citizens~~ customers are ruled with an iron fist, slaving under often draconian laws enforced by the world's most advanced and near omnipresent police force. However, employees of Sinopec, if they prove themselves loyal and worthy, have the opportunity to rise through the ranks, becoming some of the most powerful persons in the world. Moreover, their soldiery is the most well-equipped and well-paid in the entire world.

Their space program is also the most advanced, having a powerful space navy, and controlling the largest colonies on the Moon and Mars.

Black Market

The Black Market can trace it's history back to the so-called 'Deep Web' of the early 2000s, the dawn of the 'Information Age'. The Market was still primitive then; the names of the sites used had to be shared personally, and then a computer used to access them and their vast array of illegal wares.

That system continued and even flourished, and the introduction of PPsyCs barely made a wave in the system. What put an end to the system were the megacorporations. It became more lucrative to sell the names of the sites and their locations, their hard servers, their owners, to the MCs. Competitors sold each other out, and within two years the 'Deep Web' was an empty realm, with the MCs that controlled internet access maintaining a strict hold over the creation of new 'Deep Web' sites.

But it wasn't long before the Market resurfaced in two distinct forms; the so-called 'Old' and 'New' Markets. The Old Markets evaded the MCs by confusing them; who in their right mind would meet in person to buy illegal goods, in this age of interconnectedness? It would be simply too inconvenient for anyone, right?

The Old Markets are well-hidden markets in the style of old rural markets; places where those plying illegal trades meet to sell their wares. They can take many forms, from a few scrap shacks in part of a sewer, to an elaborate array of front stores scattered across a metropolis. Any shop, any corrupt worker's house, any long-abandoned building can be a Old Market, or part of one.

The New Markets, meanwhile, went even further than the Deep Web; using highly experimental and occasionally lethal technology, the New Markets are, in effect, modified PPsyC-Banks connected to specific terminals across the world. Buyers upload themselves into the Bank to communicate with Sellers, and then download themselves back into their original bodies after finishing. Due to the temperamental nature of the New Market's PPsyC-Banks, transactions can prove lethal to the involved PPsyCs, and it has indeed become an assassination technique to lure someone into a New Market known for a dodgy upload process. However, the New Markets are far more secure and offer more convenience than the Old Markets, so a slight chance of death is normally risked, especially since death is the standard punishment for buying in a Market without permission from an MC.

In both markets, you can find innumerable illegal goods and services. From PPsyCs and body-banks, to weaponry and illicit drugs, even foodstuffs, someone in the the Black Market is bound to have it in stock. And these goods and services are often much cheaper than similar ones bought from MCs. Thus the Market is a favorite of the poor and criminals of society.

Introduction

Hello fellow RPers! Lith here, and I have come back from my long hiatus from NS. Life can be crazy sometimes...

I would love to bring to you a vast and open world. You all shall have freedom to craft your adventures, create your own stories, and mold the future of this world.

At the moment, this world still has much fleshing out to be done, and what I have above is only a small taste of what I have in mind. I am going to be working with certain awesome people who have offered me help with this rather massive job (Thanks Soni, Sun, and Tophat!). And once I get written out the things I most need help figuring out, I hope that we will be putting in some good work on building this world for you all.

In the meantime, I am hoping to start building some hype. You know how this works, build hype, make you guys get crazy excited, grab your loyalties, and then pull you in when the RP comes out. All that jazz.

Also I am hoping to perhaps gain a few more volunteers to help share the workload of worldbuilding. Myself and the three who are working on this can do this on our own, but I don't want this to overburden any of us. So if we could get a little more help, that would be quite awesome.

Finally, I am placing this here for some feedback from you all. I am very much open to hearing you guys bounce ideas around to me, and I'll be paying close attention to what ya'll ask and say. I do value suggestions and thoughts from all of you.

So, I hope to create an awesome RP for you all, and that ultimately we will have a wonderful time creating our story together.

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:54 pm

On Weaponry, and all things Warfare

Ye Olde Guns. For almost a thousand years now, firearms have remained the weapon of choice for soldiers, civilians, and criminals everywhere. In this era, these firearms are the cheapest weapons to create, utilizing smokeless cartridges to fling all kinds of projectiles at a target. Moreover, they are the most versatile, and varied weapons. Nevertheless, they are some of the weakest weapons one can use (in a sense), for many armors have been created which can withstand their assault, and many weapons deal out far more damage, and can pierce armors far better.

Shotguns, assault rifles, handguns, sniper rifles, there are tons of types to choose from, each with their pros and cons.
Railguns have two, parallel conductive rails, which utilize a magnetic field and electric current which launch projectiles at extremely high speeds. Of all the handheld weapons, these pack the biggest punch, and have the greatest armor piercing potential. However, they are extremely expensive weapons, and are normally only available to the most well-armed forces.

Railguns come in various shapes and sizes, however they all fall into two primary categories: that is the sniper railgun, and the assault weapon. Because of the technology required for these weapons, there are exceedingly few railguns smaller than the assault size, and if one has a railgun pistol, you are one of the luckiest persons on the planet.
Plasma weapons fire plasma (i.e. extremely hot and excited matter) at targets, causing burns, evaporation, or melting of targets. These weapons are the most expensive to create for personal use, and are exceedingly difficult to find outside of military usage. They have quite a powerful effect, melting through most armors, and burning holes in the persons inside. However, plasma weapons can sometimes be unstable, and do not have the same range or accuracy as railguns.

Plasma weapons come in just about as many shapes and sizes as conventional firearms. There are handguns, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and many more.
Ah, laser weapons. Every good futuristic sci-fi has them. Or so it seems.

These weapons fire highly directed energy toward their targets, causing burns, and/or penetration. They work against many different armors, although there are armors which make lasers completely null. Moreover, they are dead-on accurate, and often utilize very little energy to fire, so they are often the favorite weapon of assassins and snipers.

Laser weapons also come in various shapes and forms, just as many as conventional weapons. But they are not nearly as versatile.

Mechs are large machines/robots distinguished by their humanoid appearance, and are controlled by PPsyCs, remote, or by physical humans housed inside the machine. They most often act as scouts, light armor, or urban armor for PMCs. However, in their overall role as armor, they are not quite as capable as more conventional armored vehicles (not being able to carry as many weapons or be as heavily armored), and are more expensive to make and maintain. Nevertheless, in urban warfare they are especially useful, being more maneuverable and agile than conventional armor.

The size and shapes of mechs vary. But they all have a humanoid form, and most of them range in size from nine to twenty feet in height, with a few as tall as twenty-five and even thirty feet tall. However, the larger mechs present a rather easy target, and thus are rarely found.

These machines can be outfitted with innumerable types of weaponry, from gatling cannons and flamethrowers to SAM and rocket launchers. And because of their appearances, customizability, agility, and rarity, mechs are a favorite of lone wolf soldiers and others who wish to make the biggest name for themselves on the battlefield.

Swords, knives, spears...These weapons have been around for pretty much as long as armies have existed. And with the advancement of technology these weapons have become more and more advanced.

Today, these weapons are actually still in use. Of course, most military personnel do not utilize swords or spears (they aren't exactly the most useful weapons in the post-firearm age), and most often have knives if they have any blades, but lone wolves, criminals, assassins, spies, and the more "heroic" fighters, often may use swords or spears for their aesthetic value and close-combat effectiveness.

There is a massive variety of bladed weapons, like swords, knives, spears, throwing blades, and such. And they also can use different styles of blades, such as plasma or more conventional blades.

Cyborgs, Androids, and other Robotics

Following the creation of the PPsyD technology and the capability of immortality, AI and robotics technology had only a few major jumps before. Almost sentient robots were around the corner until the PPsyD changed the world arguably for either the better or the worst. Security robots and AI before were clunky, hard to produce easily, very fragile and could not distinguish friend from foe easily if at all. Mostly because whoever they were protecting were easily replaceable such as normal workers who were just shot on sight by these machines if the building was under attack. But these were not cheap, and only a few could inhabit a building at a time because of it. And it wouldn't be until the PPsyD that they would become a much more viable option.

General purpose robots such as those that work on Assembly lines, to just self driving cars, were extremely advanced even before the PPsyD. When the PPsyD was introduced, the assembly robot arms still stayed the same as they were before but everything else from those self driving cars to Janitors were revolutionized. Humanoid robots had been perfected so the PPsyD could be used with them and the new, much more advanced AI as well. They now had the possibility to become more than just robots, to become people. With the jump forward on human immortality came the jump forward in Robotics and AI with that. Before people knew it, Humans were outnumbered by their Robotic counterparts. For every 10 humans there were 20 robots. Soon people began to upload themselves to these robotic bodies, either to live longer than they normally would, or to gain skills or strength that their organic bodies could not provide. Bounty Hunters or Assassins who "wore" these robotic suits were quick, deadly and effective, and were all but unstoppable.

Humans quickly adapted to this, as they always do. Many took advantage of this to live longer, others wouldn't because of moral reasons. The middle class took advantage of the technology to assist them in their jobs if they could afford it. And they often invested in these robotic bodies to get a return later. The lower class who very largely couldn't afford it just dealt with it, as they had done for thousands of years. It had become the norm, but with all revolutions there were people that stood against the already changed world.

Specific Robotics and AI

CAIT:

CAIT stood for Companion AI Technology. CAITs were a sort of universal term for a short while. Before the PPsyDs, it had meant Humanoid robots that followed rich people, either to be an entourage of sorts, or a show of someone's wealth. But soon the Middle Class changed this. Now it meant an AI that was a universal helping hand during combat. The "Pet" definition the rich used was quickly destroyed. From electronic warfare, Medical help or even an extra gun, these CAITs could do just about anything. Their shapes and sizes varied, some had Humanoid looking ones with them while others used spheres for more support roles.

CAITs could also have a personality given to them. And once the PPsyD revolution came, they now could even have human emotions. They could speak and even in some cases fall in love with their owners or with other Robots. These were expensive yes, but we're also worth it with their capabilities. Other CAITs were less intelligent, so to speak. They carried out their task wordlessly, and in some cases were more capable at certain jobs than the much smarter, more expensive CAITs.

All Things Space

Space. This is the only place mankind has not yet fully conquered. In fact, transhumanity can barely exit their own solar system, which means they have only physically explored...let's just say a most infinitesimally tiny portion of the universe.

But there is great work being put into space exploration and colonization, although humankind is still in a relatively infant stage with its space technology.

Nevertheless, technology has increased exponentially, allowing for decent human space traffic between Earth and the rest of the solar system.

However, most space travel is conducted only by the well-funded MCs, and if you wish to enter space you will need to sign aboard one of their trade or colony ships, or join the Armed Space Forces. Spacecraft are extremely expensive, and it is...unlikely that even an extremely rich person would be able to afford one for his/her/themselves.

That isn't to say that some groups have not been making space travel more accessible. The Final Frontier Foundation (F3), and similar nonprofits, have begun to open it up to all classes. But the lack of funding and governmental red tape has made it a more selective escape. Some people spend upwards of ten years to join a flight to the stars, if you aren't denied immediately. But if you manage to get chosen to join a flight, the whole of ~~space~~ ~~the solar system~~ the colonies on the Moon and Mars are yours to explore.

Obviously, it's still a long way before we see a truly open star system.

Currently, the only planet that is being successfully colonized (and in small-scale) is Mars, and the Moon is also being decently colonized. There is also a very, very small colony on Pluto controlled by Constellis Inc., which is hanging on by a thread.

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:54 pm

Chems and Stims

Chems and stims are the newest generation of illicit drugs. The term 'Chem' covers a wide spectrum of various drugs which alter the chemicals found in the body and the mind, which can produce a range of effects starting from anti-depressants to producing psychedelic reactions and hallucinations. Stimulants, or "stims", alter how the body works physically, such as enhancing reflexes or making users able to ignore pain for short periods of time. However, they all have side effects attached to the short term positives.

Regarding the laws around using chems and stims, they are often heavy regulated depending on the chemicals they use, although multiple MCs have adapted certain of them as legal highs. A list of chems and stims most popular in the underground is given below.

Chems

Salamander:
Average cost per hit: 15 credits
Addictiveness: Moderate

One of the most popular chems within the underworld, Salamander dominates the street corners with its incredibly immersive hallucinogenic properties. Users can often report a whole six hours of constant visual stimulation consisting of vibrant colours, the ability to feel vibrations around you and become one with your mind. However as many do, a bad trip spins the user into a trip into hell itself, their worst nightmares manifested into their own perceptions of reality, heightening their insecurities and their paranoia and twisting their senses into phantom pain. Bad trips however don't put many users off, suicides by people during bad trips is a common sight on the news. Salamander is injected into the veins to provide the euphoric feeling many users desire, else it can be smoked if not boiled up.
C-112 (Ignis):
Average cost per hit: 65 credits street (often impure), 150 credits (pure)
Addictiveness: Impure ranges from not addictive to highly addictive, pure is low addictiveness.

Ignis is one of the less common drugs in use, whilst it is unique in that it provides consumers with the feelings of both a chem and a stimulant, the chemicals it uses are hard to come by and very regulated. It is also considered by doctors as much safer than the other drugs, giving the users a much less chance of a bad trip whilst still giving them the energy to take their mind off their horrible existence. However due to it's legendary properties, many faked versions of the chem can be found in the back alleys, these knock offs lack the restraints C-112 provides and is a big killer on the streets. The most common way for a user to consume it is through pills that are swallowed or crushed up and snorted.
Khronos:
Average cost per hit: 25
Addictiveness: Moderate

Made out of toxic waste, and highly volatile, Khronos is named after the god of time, because its primary effect was to make people feel like time is randomly speeding up and slowing down. Cheap and relatively easy to access, it is one of the more common chems in circulation. It is most often sold as small cubes, and is grey, and has a clay like texture. People take Krono by either sniffing it, or chewing. Because of the incredibly toxic nature of the chem, a user's body will quickly deteriorate, leading ultimately to their death if they cannot kick their addiction.

The materials used to create the chem are also rather explosive, making them a common explosive weapon in the underworld. To use this way, the user will place a couple cubes of Khrono in some kind of small container or another, often a glass bottle, place a fuse into it, then throw it at their target once the fuse is lit. The resulting explosion can do quite a good amount of damage to unarmored targets, and may otherwise stun armored opponents.

Stims

Tiger:
Average cost per hit: 75
Addictiveness: High

A stimulant that is considered one of the more expensive and harder to find drugs, providing its users with a sudden rush of energy and loss of any inhibitions. Multiple high profile uses of the drug would include the "SmithTowers Incident", which consisted of a drug fuelled rampage at a celebrities party, resulting in the death of thirty party goers in a brutal fashion as fights broke out on the dance floor. SInce then, the drug has been much more regulated by the police, anyone caught selling the stim will assuredly be locked away for a long time. Tiger can be used in a variety of ways, snorted, injected, smoked and taken as a pill.

Religion

Lumiarism:

Based: Global
Membership: 1,660,000

Lumiarism is a fundamentalist, extremist religion comprising almost 1,660,000 people around the world. They believe in two deities who preside over all of existence; Harena, God of creation, and Gobura, Goddess of destruction. Their religious text is a 2,000 page book called the Codex.

Most interpret the Codex in the most conservative way possible, viewing many things as immoral or iniquitous, the technology of artificial immortality included. They believe that in order to wipe immorality from the world, they need to use violence. Hence, there have been many cases of violence either instigated or sustained by the Lumiarists.

The religion is headed by a council of four Grand Priests, the highest position attainable in the structure of the Lumiarist clergy. While all who are on the council are Grand Priests, not all Grand Priests within the religion are members of the four man council. These council members relay orders to the Lesser Priests, who, in turn, give these orders to the lay. The orders can include a wide variety of different acts, for example, destroying a research building, or staging protests and riots.
Christianity:
Based: Global
Membership: 1.4 Billion

The mainstream of this religion within the Western hemisphere accepts the new technologies, as they have just about everything else. And most fall more or less in line with their fellow transhumans with regards to moral concerns and their individual lives. However, there are radical sects of the religion who are waging culture wars, and physical wars, against the MCs and the PPsyCs.

The largest Christian resistance movement is Christ's Liberation Army, which strongly opposes not only PPsyCs - abominations in the sight of God and the reason for the coming Armageddon - but also the corporations who have sucked the life out of man and country alike.

There are many other smaller Christian resistance movements worldwide. And these are generally decently organised and equipped, and their radical faith grants them high morale and cohesion among their ranks.
Islam
Based: Global
Membership: 2.1 Billion

With the Sunni/Shia division remaining as inflammatory a subject as ever, Islam, despite its preeminent position as the largest single organised religion in the world, has only fractured further with the advancement in technologies. The Westernized Muslims have accepted the technology with various levels of conservatism, only a few taking the plunge at the expense of being cast out by their religious communities. Most of the militant opposition to the technologies are focused in the Asia and Africa, areas of land where capitalism has never delivered the benefits of money and wealth to the people.

A few radical sects consider this technology to be akin to being able to converse with Allah himself, seeing the moments between bodies as Allah guiding them and passing on some of his boundless knowledge. They are collectively known as "heretics" by the larger body of the Islamic community.
Based: Asia
Membership: 25 million

Transhuman Buddhism started out as a fringe organization mixing Buddhist, cyborg feminism and Transhumanist thought, but has now fully overtaken orthodox Buddhism. It teaches that the only way to achieve Nirvana, and break the cycle of reincarnation, is to transfer one's spirit to the machine. This would allow one to connect organic (humanity) with the inorganic (nature), and become the cyborg, the ultimate being.

The only thing hampering the continued expansion of this new religion is the expensiveness of PPsyCs. However, it sees major popularity with the upper middle class.

The primary outgrowth of Transhuman Buddhism, known as Immaterial Buddhism, holds that the rich corrupt their PPsyDs, regressing further into depravity. Thus, only the poor can break off into a pure body. But because PPsyCs are so expensive, Immaterial Buddhists have resorted to violence in the past in order to gain control of PPsyC technology, and thus is considered a terrorist group.
Based:globally
Population: unknown

Convergists believe that PPsyC technology provides the best way to "converge into a perfect being, pure, rational, devoid of deviancy." They believe that the God of creation, "Homos," created humanity, as an attempt to save his dying spirit. His body fractured into millions of imperfect beings, all representing pieces of himself. These are known as "Minutiae," which makes up the human soul. And it is their goal to use PPsyC's to create a "hive mind," a collection of all the minds of humankind, allowing Homos to be recreated.

They are considered a cult, due to their utmost secrecy and radical beliefs. Initiates often leave their families, friends, and coworkers behind to join. And little else is known about them.

by **Jordkloden** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:56 pm

This is awesome.

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:57 pm

Jordkloden wrote:This is awesome.

Thanks.

by **Empire of Donner land** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:06 pm

"I give this a NEAT/10."-Don

And since I'm bored and can't sleep. Need any further world building help?

by **Charmera** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:10 pm

*Inhale*

*Cough Cough*
Yeah... Um... Tag

by **Charmera** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:11 pm

Also, I'd love to help out with the worldbuilding. ^^

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:16 pm

Empire of Donner land wrote:"I give this a NEAT/10."-Don

And since I'm bored and can't sleep. Need any further world building help?

Thanks!

Yeah, I'll need help. But right now I'm more trying to compile a list of things I need help working on (I like lists sometimes), and I don't know if I'll finish it tonight. But I'll send it to ya once I finish it.

Charmera wrote:Also, I'd love to help out with the worldbuilding. ^^

Awesome! I'll definitely send ya'll a TG once I get my list compiled. And know there's a lot I'll need help with. So you'll have plenty of things to choose from, I think.

by **Plzen** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:18 pm

I am so, so in. Count me in for worldbuilding contributions also.

EDIT: Also, reserve me IKEA?

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:20 pm

Plzen wrote:I am so, so in. Count me in for worldbuilding contributions also.

Awesome! And thanks!

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:21 pm

Plzen wrote:EDIT: Also, reserve me IKEA?

Sure.

by **Empire of Donner land** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:23 pm

Isle of Lithonia wrote:
Empire of Donner land wrote:"I give this a NEAT/10."-Don

And since I'm bored and can't sleep. Need any further world building help?

Thanks!

Yeah, I'll need help. But right now I'm more trying to compile a list of things I need help working on (I like lists sometimes), and I don't know if I'll finish it tonight. But I'll send it to ya once I finish it.

Charmera wrote:Also, I'd love to help out with the worldbuilding. ^^

Awesome! I'll definitely send ya'll a TG once I get my list compiled. And know there's a lot I'll need help with. So you'll have plenty of things to choose from, I think.

Well I'll need to think of a new original character considering this will be my first Lith RP. I'll await the list of things needed in the mean time.

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:26 pm

Empire of Donner land wrote:Well I'll need to think of a new original character considering this will be my first Lith RP. I'll await the list of things needed in the mean time.

Sounds good.

by **The Tophat Empire** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:28 am

Reporting ready to help

by **Sonitusia** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 1:37 am

Tactical Airburst Grenade.

by **Shyluz** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 3:47 am

I'd just like to say... UFUFUFUFUFUFUFU!

by **Mirakai** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 4:44 am

Nee-sama!

*glomps*

by **Isle of Lithonia** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:40 am

Thanks guys!

by **Charlia** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:46 am

*wearily tags*

get more stuff to do

get distracted

be happy? ish?

must categorize statement into logical argument and syllogisms

If I have more stuff to do then I will be distracted
If I am distracted then I will be unable to focus on depressing things and thus will be happy(ish)
Therefore if I get more stuff to do I will be happy(ish)

...seems valid but truth value is questionable

must seek answer

exterminate

by **Telintar** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:47 am

I show interest.

by **Kaidou** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:05 am

Perhaps I can help in designing some anti-immortality radical groups?

by **Sonitusia** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:17 am

Kaidou wrote:Perhaps I can help in designing some anti-immortality radical groups?

That would be great mate.

by **Charlia** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:22 am

Empire of Donner land wrote:
Isle of Lithonia wrote:Thanks!

Yeah, I'll need help. But right now I'm more trying to compile a list of things I need help working on (I like lists sometimes), and I don't know if I'll finish it tonight. But I'll send it to ya once I finish it.

Awesome! I'll definitely send ya'll a TG once I get my list compiled. And know there's a lot I'll need help with. So you'll have plenty of things to choose from, I think.

Well I'll need to think of a new original character considering this will be my first Lith RP. I'll await the list of things needed in the mean time.

original characters are overrated

most things are overrated

mornings are overrated

weekends are overrated

having no responsibilities is overrated

freedom is overrated

overrated things are overrated

being overrated is overrated

everything is overrated

by **Doughertania** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:59 am

I feel like this could turn into something very, very cool. And if you still need people to help world build, I'm willing to help out. Tophat can vouch for me. Just let me know what I can do.

Sempiternal: The Path to Immortality (Interest thread-Scifi)

Sempiternal: The Path to Immortality (Interest thread-Scifi)

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