Society

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Discuss Terrapyre Society here. Or start your own concise topic here in the Terrapyre section.

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Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:56 pm

Erik Egan wrote:

We talked some about the Neroian Nights in the universe section. I'm interested in exploring a post-Prime Time period when Terrapyres (specifically, not Christians) are forced "underground." Why might this happen? How extreme a threat would the Celestials (or someone/something else) have to be to force Terrapyres into hiding? I'm thinking about 2275 AD, btw.

Any Terrapyre writers interested in brainstorming with me? Sha? Brianne? Abbie? Launa?

Erik

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Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:28 pm

papa nurgle wrote:

While I know I am not an 'official' writer, if you would like my help I would be happy to assist.

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Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:13 pm

Brianne wrote:

I am totally up for brainstorming. =]

How extreme would the threat have to be? I think, for most Terrapyres, past extreme. I know that, for my Key character (Jade), she is physically drawn to the Grail. She has to move. She *has* to go to the Grail. I love the idea of her in this time.

My point is, this would have to be a big enough threat that it would keep these Terrapyres (are we talking all Terrapyres, or just a group?) from coming up at the Neutral Hour, to do exactly what they are drawn to and made to do.

There are many threats that I can think of, but most of them I just see the Terrapyres staying, and fighting. As with the Neroian Nights, I don't see them going underground. They aren't hiding because Christians are being attacked and killed.

So here's my idea: Terrapyres are being slaughtered. Not only individuals, but families. Someone (celestial, or otherwise) has hacked into a terrapyre information data base. They (the group of *whatevers*) are hunting terrapyres down.

Okay, so, I'll be the first to admit that I'm still pretty new to SF. I've been reading, a lot, but I don't know the details of how this would work. I do, however, feel really strongly that the threat would be such that they *couldn't* (at least immediately) fight it. Fight back. Hiding underground would be a necesity.

So, what do you think about this, Erik? And, anybody else want to input anything?

Brianne

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Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:19 pm

papa nurgle wrote:

What if the Celestials who earlier were subject to genetic alteration had a bug within their system that was caustic to Terrapyres. While I know that Terrapyres are resistant to disease, poisons and the like, would this also be true of something created specifically to eliminate them? Certainly some Celestials have used their Assimiliation Arrays to take genetic samples of the Terrapyres.
Perhaps they have found something encoded within that they could exploit. Maybe the Celestials can unlock a Terrapyres powers until the affected Terrapyre can not control it. Think of the overwhelming migraine a Terrapyre with the Key skill skill would have if that ability was turned up beyond thier ability to handle it. Think of Terrapyres bursting into flames with self immolation or other abilities now gone haywire. This combined with the Neroian Nights going on among them might lead very many of the Terrapyres to go underground or live insular lives, never coming into contact with others.
Perhaps a brave band of Terrapyres come together to overcome the mysterious affliction and in doing so find some ways to also assist humanity in its first steps out of thier cruel depravity. Maybe something along the lines of a combined human/Terrapyre team find the genetic reversal and in doing so allow those human partners to see that they too can stand against the horrors of their fellow man.

On the other hand, what if the Terrapyres and the Celestials are being rounded up and destroyed by bands of 'Inquisitors' from humanity's forces of the Neroian Nights. This could be a time of personal fear, any neighbor could be a spy for the Inquisitors. Families could be rounded up just like those minority groups in WWII, but instead of the Gypsies and the Jewish families, it is the Christian (or maybe any groups with religious intent are rounded up in the name of scientific enlightenment). If this is happening and some Immortals were captured, those in charge of such purgings would certainly have specific groups created to deal with the 'supernatural' threat. Let's face it humanity can find its lotiest ideals in the devine, but it can also debase itself it the most horrific of travisties. I really think that for all of the calm superiority of the Celestials and the devotion of the Terrapyres, both sets of Immortals realize that humanity, should it be directed to do so, would be a far worse opponent than each other...

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Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:46 am

Cris wrote:

I think that Matt is onto something here, Erik. I personally, would recommend a retrovirus that is Terrapyre specific. Further, I think that targeting specific Skills with specific symptoms would have some interesting outcomes.

For example, if *everyone* with Key was experiencing the same symptoms, at first it would not be clear to the Terrapyres whether or not the Celestials had created this. There woudl be some question about whether or not Celestials even were infected. How might Terrapyres find out? Capture and interrogate? INfiltrate and trade information? Lots of possibilities there.

What if 3D Celestials were affected in some way? Take the Key Skill, for example, what if affected Celestials had Key in their genetic makeup? One or both of their parents had Key. Figuring this out, making this connection woudl take some time, but could make for a very exciting mystery.

What if, as Matt proposes, it's not the Celestials, but a group of Humans. What if infecting Celestials was just a random side-effect, nto planned at all. The original target was Terrapyres and it's a form of religious persecution. Or a form or racial "purification." You have a lot of leeway here, Erik, to create something really interesting.

Brianne, I don't think that there would be a "database" per say, that woudl exist only because there is a certain need for secrecy that could easily be compromised by that kind of informaiton being stored in one place. However, say there was a group of Terrapyre doctors who were researching Terrapyre-specific maladies and had created a database of their patients. If *this* were hacked, one could create a retrovirus based on some of the common illnesses that strike only Terrapyres. . .

I hope this is food for thought ...

Cris

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Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:52 am

EJ wrote:

WWTD?

What Would Terrapyres Do?

*gentle smile*

EJ

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Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:21 am

EJ wrote:

Erik, I know that you and I have spoken specifically about the importance of not letting governments know about immortals (thus turning MG3K into a completely different animal) so I'll assume you don't want to go with anything blatant. There are a lot of good ideas here for you to mull over. Now here's my two cents too

What if (see Universe section) there is a back lash against genetic altered (read: enhanced) Humans that leads to them being "deconstructed" and because Terrapyres (with their natural enhancements) could so easily e mistaken for genetically engineered, the are forced to hide. Especially if the Human task force was being very, very aggressive at tracking down people who performed in extraordinary manners.

EJ

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Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:48 pm

MG wrote:

I like the idea of Terrapyres being persecuted not for what they are, but for what they are believed to be. It would both put them on the defensive without having to be responsible for what they are being chased for ('cause it wasn't their fault).

Also I think it puts them in a rare, vulnerable position: those who are legitimately being chased, the genetically altered humans, might find a solace and a new hope in Terrapyres. Hard times seem to drive everyone together, even if they are being chased for different reasons. Could of course make for some awesome on-the-run romance and adventure and DRAMAAAA. And we know Terrapyres love drama.

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Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:44 pm

Cris wrote:

I see some pros and cons here, Abbie.

I think that Humans (genetically altered) finding unexpected allies in the Terrapyres would be a good thing, but I see some intrinsic problems with it that we should work out first.

1. If I were a Terrapyre, I would be on a "wanted" lislt, but the truth of the matter is that I am not genetically enhanced. So while I may inspire solace and/or hope, I am not likely to want to bond with someone who is enhanced. Why? Because I'm an Immortal. A completely different kind of animal and I might be worried that should one of these enhanced Humans come to discover my "secret," I would be in more danger, rather than less.

I think I would be more likely to stick to my own kind--it's not as if everyone will be living in underground bunkers--but I wouldn't avoid helping an enhanced Human should the need arise. As history shows us, a persecuted people are just as likely to turn on each other and some are more than willing to do whatever it takes to be allowed to go free. And while this might make for some interesting stories, they would inevitably be very dark.

I would like to hear others thoughts on this...

2. I am extremely reluctant to sanction anything persecution related that might descend into martyrdom and drama for the sake of drama. However, each piece of fiction has its own merits and I don't want to discourage this idea, merely point out some pitfalls to avoid.

Cris

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Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:46 pm

Cris wrote:

"EJ Angel wrote:
What if (see Universe section) there is a back lash against genetic altered (read: enhanced) Humans that leads to them being "deconstructed" and because Terrapyres (with their natural enhancements) could so easily e mistaken for genetically engineered, the are forced to hide. Especially if the Human task force was being very, very aggressive at tracking down people who performed in extraordinary manners.

EJ"


I think this idea would work very nicely, coupled with some of the ideas from Abbie's post. Erik I am very curious to read your story!

Cris

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Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:32 am

MG wrote:

Drama for the sake of drama is pointless...but drama that comes out of a legitimate situation merely makes for interesting reading. That's what I meant.

I'm not saying this should be a huge widespread thing - the entire world vs. genetically enhanced humans...but consider this scenario...I'll use Milwaukee WI as an example:

Milwaukee is one of the largest centers of genetic rehabilitation and enhancement. The clinics are well-known and trusted, and the genetic enhancements produced from these centers are the most sought-after.

A man who has had genetic implants suddenly begins to use his newfound power to see perfectly for miles as a tool to spy on people through their own windows. Though no one can prove it is him, everyone around him is suspect of his genetic enhancements. Angry that none of the people in his life trust him, let alone care for him, he begins to stalk teenagers. Young men or women, it didn't matter who they were or what they looked like, he would decide on it and stalk them from distances. Once he got close enough to them, he would often beat them senseless or kill them. Though he was caught by the police and sentenced to several life sentences, the fear remained: were there others like him?

This man becomes the spearhead of a fear against enhanced human beings. Though clearly already disturbed, considering his actions, many fear that the changing of his body has somehow changed his mind and morals (or lack thereof) also. Societies spring up, HAEL (Humans Against Enhanced Living) and others, those who petitioned to have it stopped.

Because human enhancement is legal, the police stay out of the matter as much as they are able. They limit their involvement to breaking up fights between regular and enhanced humans, particularly at schools. But a growing distrust of enhanced humans begins to form in the police force. While they are to serve and protect, they are not immune to bias, and many would suspect an enhanced human being before they would point to the ordinary one.

Essentially, it became a mess. In this situation came the HAEL Task Force. HAEL put out a bulletin for retired military and police who agreed with their cause to come join. Added to a healthy salary from an anonymous wealthy donor, this offer became coveted among ex-military and -police. Eventually ten well-trained personnel were chosen for this Task Force in the Milwaukee area.

Without official government or police sanction, HAEL's army began picking out any enhanced humans who had been accused or convicted of committing a crime and, using a machine built by some of the engineers of genetic alteration, "un-doing" their enhancements. It was thought that eradicating enhancements, they could solve the problem of the so-called "brain scrambling" that had happened in a few test subjects and it was assumed had happened with this enhanced killer.

The screams of pain echoing from dark alleyways and under bridges kept even the police away. They didn't want to be subjected to the machine's painful process, even though they remained ordinary.

Milwaukee suddenly became a very fearful place to live. Within the course of weeks, the Task Force had brutally removed the enhancements of several citizens, leaving two of them in comas. The police force finally broke its silence and called in the federal government. Much of Milwaukee was evacuated, and the National Guard finally broke through into the HAEL center. By arresting fifty people and shutting down the operation, HAEL was finally silenced. Fear was still there, and many enhanced humans moved to other states or countries, where they could escape their horrible memories.

This process might only happen over the period of six months or a year, and really be a localized thing; naturally some HAEL-like groups would pop up in other places, but essentially, the US Government had quelled the worst of it. The fear, however, would continue; Terrapyres would perhaps be forced to move away from their homes in certain areas to avoid suspicion of enhancement by those who would do them harm or traumatize those in their Lair.

Overall, though, it would be a period which would be turbulent and frightening, part of the change from our present society to a new one, filled with genetic enhancements as well as scientific advancements. After about five or six years, the terrible fear would have subsided and life would go on as normal (though different because of this event, people would still think of life as normal).

This of course is just an idea; a speculation of how I might see things happening. Anyone's tweaks or new ideas are certainly welcome.

[Admin]

Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:43 pm

JenDiMarco wrote:

Not to break the flow of the conversation (oh my gracious, fascinating!) but, in light of the fact that Christmas arrives in just a few short hours (God's time) and just a few minutes (man's time), I was wondering about Terrapyre holidays. I believe it is widely accepted that the first Christian church co-oped the pagan/naturalist religions and aligned their holy dates to the exist celebrations of pre-Christian peoples. Also common knowledge, I assume, is that we all understand that there was no way Mary and Joseph (and everyone else) were asked to come to be counted at the end of December. So... would Terrapyres celebrate the *true* birth date of Christ? They would certainly know it, yes?

Jennifer

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Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:40 am

Brianne wrote:

Oh . . . wow. Hm.

It makes sense that they would celebrate His birth on His actual birthday, which they would know through nonlinear memory. I think, though, that they might also celebrate Christmas . . . Not as the birth of Christ, but as a cultural holiday. Obviously this would depend on the Terrapyre and the culture that they come from, and what holidays that particular culture celebrates.

So . . . this would bring us to Easter, also, yes?

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Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:33 pm

Cris wrote:

I think that in order to answer this, more information is needed. For example, is Christmas as a holiday still celebrated as a celebrations of Christ's birth or has it become a mere excuse to indulge in rampant consumerism?

If this were the case--and judging from the advertising and behavior I witnessed this year, I have no doubt that it will continue to become more and more commercialized. That being the case, I think it would make perfect sense for the Terrapyres to withdraw their support of this so-called Christian holiday. Couple that with the fact that they know the actual birthday, I think that it would make more sense for Terrapyres to celebrate Christ's birth on the actual day.

But how would they celebrate it? Certainly not by buying stuff for each other....

What December 25 might become for Terrapyres is a day to gather with family and friends. Whether to celebrate the year coming to a close, the turning of the year (as in the Solstice) and the return of the sun, or whatever. It might evolve into a kind of Terrapyre thanksgiving... Or perhaps it woudl be a day dedicated to good works done in Christ's name, works done for the benefit of others.

Thoughts?