Welcome to Gaia! ::

HISTORY:
As time moved on, resources on the planet Earth ran out and forced the humans to return to a period where both men and women were needed to build every machine and building required. I remember even a time where resources got so scarce that wars broke out to retrieve them, killing far more humans in the proces than one could ever imagine... ironicly, it all seemed futile as the war had depleted so much resources that there was barely any left to fuel even the smallest of tools.

As was to be expected, the adaptable human learned from its situation. The humans developed new means and a new source of power called Ahma - a source similar in behaviour as electricity, but with as much power as a nuclear reactor. In other words, humans started to create small Ahma power cells to fuel their machines and tools, quickly bringing them back in business. But was was surprising, was that humans even had learned from their evolution at the time: rather than to return to an industrial revolution, a capitalistic world and an overpopulation, they remained in the 'Steam Era'... these days called 'Ahma Era'.

In the process of a new evolution and the rise of Ahma, several old cities have been repopulated. Even before the humans were restored to their former glory, a strange event occured: a dimensional gate opened.

While today there are two dimension gates in existance - one offering much exploration, adventure and dangers; the other offering a nearly psychedelic experience - these two are, to a certain extend, known. But recently, a third one has opened, and this one doesn't bring much good news for the humans of Earth.

AHMA
Ahma is the new power source used for many machines. People are still unsure weather it is a living organism or not. In fact, there isn't much known on Ahma as still many tests and analyzes are running. Despite any possible danger, many are using Ahma already as a replacement for oil and electricity-fueled machinery.

Ahma is similar in behaviour as electricity. It can be conduit through copper and many other metals, and travels quite fast through them. In water, however, it doesn't seem to do anything at all. Ahma also seems to have a great potential to influence compasses, radars and anything that functions on magnetic fields.

TECHNOMANCY
Ahma isn't without danger though. While it might not be too lethal up front like lightning would be, it does damage a body. In fact, experiments are running to see what the effect and influence is on Humans. These experiments are called Technomancers - because so far it seems that a Human is able to channel Ahma through its body to create certain effects nearly similar to 'magic spells' from stories.
Ahma consumes the body it is attached with, slowly destroying the nervous system of its host - a possible side-effect of its electric like behaviour. The first group of Technomancers all seem to suffer from a weaker constitution, slower reflexes, irregular heart beats and uncontrolled spasms, among many other similar illnesses.

Known uses of Ahma to a Technomancer:
- manipulating the environment's magnetic field, creating an effect similar to 'telekinesis' on everything holding metal.
- throwing small rays or bolts of elecricity; a rather painful offensive ability.
- overloading/hacking certain computers... if you know your way around stuff like that.
- refueling an empty Ahma battery at a 1:1 ratio. Might be useful to get machinery started... like your car in the mid of an escape.
- 'reviving' people in a similar way like using a defibrillator.
- ... and who knows whatever you can come up with in this line of things.

ENVIRONMENT:
The Earth is thrown in a post-apocalyptic environment. While nature has reclaimed quite a lot of the ruins - wild animals roam and guard the ruins and its secrets - people have learned to turn most scrap into new tools and weapons. While many citizen stick to simple weapons like spears, makeshift shields and armour, poles and other basic weaponry, a technomancer might be able to replace a gun's bullets by Ahma or add that shocking effect to their weapons.
With the loss of so many cultural knowledge, many people try to relive the older days. Hand-crafted items, dresses of all eras and 'antiques' of all sorts are highly valued and respected in these harsh times.

POPULATION:
Most humans and hibrides live in Chicago, Moskov and Cairo. These three metropolis help each other to a certain extend and are spending a lot of time and energy in developping Ahma and its uses. There are still many small settlements, even towns, scattered all over Earth and its ruins.

While humans quite accept Hybrids, they still have a rough life not being 'pure' or merely being different. They have a hard time being accepted at school or getting/holding a job.

HIGH SOCIETY:
High society is mainly ruled by a gathering of scolars, scientists money-lenders and other influencial people. There is rarely a single ruler, which causes high society often to be a bunch of political back-stabbers as much as they bribe and charm their opponents into following them. While groups similar to clans and noble houses do exist, they rarely stay united long enough to have any actual influence.

DIMENSION GATES:
1. The gate near Chicago leads to Skogran. This Gate is guarded by small tribes of 10-20 Totemic on both sides, offering minor trade on meat and fruits from Skogran in return for knowledge on language, society and the like.

2. The gate in Siberia, which is closest to Moskov, leads to the Umbral. This Gate is unguarded, though random groups of 1-30 Nightmares come out to assault Moskov relentlessly.

3. The gate near Cairo leads to Elysia. It is unguarded, but without wings or an airship, exploration is impossible in Elysia.

MOSKOV
Located in the cold wastes of Earth lies Moskov, a barren city with more empty buildings than filled ones. The people aren't too warm either, but they make determined warriors and scientists - so dedicated that the Moskovians are sacrificing their own body to know the extend and effects of Ahma on humans.

Moskov, thanks to their great scientists and many geniuses were the first to use Ahma as a weapon; the very first Technomancers. Even today, many technomancers origin from Moskov and have a far better understanding on what and how of Ahma than technomancers from other cities. Their knowledge and expert technomancers are often traded in for machinery from Chicago and Ahma batteries from Cairo.

Due to a recently opened Dimension Gate in Siberia, Moskov has come under attack and infiltration of citizen coming from the Umbral. While the humans are trying to fight off the invasions of Nightmares, the more political-minded Accursed are trying to find both an ally and influencial power in Moskov.

THE UMBRAL

History:
Much like Earth in its medieval age, the Umbral was once barely populated. While the rich only cared about a full stomach, riches and personal glory, the poor had to survive rather than to live. Yet, they made the best of it as time passsed by. In similar way, the Accursed grew to become the nobility of the Umbral even though they are far outnumbered. The Nightmares, on the other hand, made the general populace of the Umbral.

A first of problems occured when a Dimension Gate opened in the Umbral. Just like what happened with Earth, the Daikurian from Elysia tried to invade the Umbral and claim it as theirs. Unprepared, the war for the Gate lasted decades before the Accursed were able to push back the Daikurian - a deep hatred for each other grew with every passing year.

Even after the Gate War, the Nightmares have always been considered inferior by the Accursed. They never really were opressed or mistreated, but the Nightmares beg to differ, and have taken justice into own hands: the Accursed have seen how all the Nightmares - as if it was planned on grand scale - suddenly rose up against their rulers. Many Accursed have died in the rebellion, and many others fled. Only but the strongest have succeeded in subdueing the rebellion in their domain and are now ruling it with an iron fist.

With the second Dimension Gate opening in the middle of the rebellion, the Nightmares now aim their vengeance and anger upon the citizens of Earth... but the Accursed aren't about to let this happen. Having send various emissaries, they hope to find an ally and influencial power with the Humans.

Environment:
The Umbral is a large wasteland. It's dull, greyblue and pretty dusty all over no matter where you look. Ocassional purple sparks and steam shoot out of the ground, causing burning wounds to those caught in them, while the air seems to be one huge cloud ranging with colours as red, purple, blue and even black.
Plants, similar to trees, grow here and there but lack the beauty of flowers and fruits. There are plenty of wild animals, but not many of those are actually used as a means to feed - they are edible, nonetheless.
For those not native to the Umbral, it feels as if the entire world is seen through the eyes of a drunk: the world seems to sway from left to right all the time and everything looks rather blurry.
All in all, the Umbral is a great way to get depressed rather than to offer you mental happiness - physical happiness can always be achieved by courting a Lust-caster Accursed.

Population:
The majority (80-85%) of the Umbral consists of Nightmares, while the remaining part are Accursed. Here and there, you will find a Macabra causing chaos and havoc, but as long as they don't band together they shouldn't be much of a treat.

The cities are very crowded, but the 'capital' of the Umbral depends on what city/Accursed currently has the most influence and prestige.

Dimension Gates:
One Gate leads to Elysia and lays, even today still, in a war zone.
The second Gate leads to Earth and is being used by Nightmares as an escape route.

KIA'ARPU
Home to one of the mightiest Pride Accursed (Ithlin Merwalk) of the Umbral, Kia'arpu has been the 'capital' for quite a few years now. Because of this, many Accursed have come to live there, considering it safer and more stable than most other cities. Kia'arpu was also the first to subdue the uprise of the Nightmares, as Ithlin has several strong Sloth Accursed by his side.

Kia'arpu lays deep within the Umbral, surrounded by a thick wall that's guarded day and night. To many outsiders, Kia'arpu feels more like a bastion and military state than a city, but their jealous outbursts don't let them know how close they really are from the truth.

MUKUDANTES
Ironicly, it's a Greed Accursed ruling the place. As a merchant, Nirmin Lakeyster grew up to be one of the richest and cunning merchants ever seen. He outgrew all other merchants up to the point that he was able to buy off a Pride Accursed's city for a large sum... and successful took his money back as he claimed that anything in this city is his now - including the money he just gave.

Mukudantes, located rather close to the Dimension Gate with Earth, is a great trading post. However, one should be seriously wicked to make any profit in there as the Greed Accursed ruling the place still tries to gather more riches than he already has.

HISTORY: There isn't much to declare on the history of Skogran. Before any Dimension Gates, the inhabitants lived their lives. If there were conflicts, they were solved through respected battles or in worst case by outright killing the tribe.

When the first Dimension Gate opened to the Elysia, the Daikurian tried to invade the place. However, they failed to do so as Skogran's wild and ferocious environment killed most of the troops even before they were able to reach any of the tribes. Ever since that failure, the Daikurian have left Skogran for what it was.

When the second Dimension Gate opened, which is the one to Earth, few Totemic have bothered to explore the new world similar like Humans explored theirs. Unlike the Daikurian, the Totemic and Humans came to accept each other and established minor trading routes. Exploration, however, is still at own peril.

ENVIRONMENT:
Skogran is one unmeasureable jungle. Filled with flowers and animals of all colours, all packed together, Skogran is a place as beautiful as it is dangerous where, inbetween, several tribes of the various races live in harmony with the environment. Skogran is filled with many small rivers and waterfalls, and at one place known as Fire-From-Skies it is possible to see the two big suns that keep Skogran warm and alive.

Also worth noting is that not all of Skogran bursts with life. There is contrast. There are places where death and decay reign; the places where Nergurian and Skargurian live. Yet, even there, harmony seems to be key.

POPULATION:
Totemic, Nergurian and Skargurian together make the largest group (80%) where each of them are rather equally divided in population. The Hexen then, follow with 15% while the last 5% of population are Tanuki.

SOCIETY:
Generally, Mythan Totemic and old Totemic guide the tribes with their insights and knowledge, but the words of a well-respected Totemic will not plainly be ignored. Respect, honour, wisdom; three ways to earn a good a reputation - and a good reputation leads to better rights when it comes to mating and guiding the tribes.

SPIRIT ANIMALS
Typical to Totemic magic, is the spirit animal. This creature is the spirit of an animal that has died one way or another and decided to hang around, willing to aid others in their life, rather than to leave the world. They are unable to be seen but by those it reveals itself too.
While some spirits will look up their host, others - mainly predators - will only come when the spirit deems the host worthy. These challenges could be of any kind, some dangerous enough for a Totemic to lose its life.

As time passes by, a Totemic and his spirit 'become one' in body and mind, growing stronger together. The Totemic earns the most respect if he ever succeeds in achieving the last stage of this journey: the Mythan stage.

DIMENSION GATES:
1. One Gate leads to Elysia, but is practically overgrown and abandoned. The Gate is useable, if a Totemic could fly.

2. Another Gate leads to Earth and is guarded by a small Totemic tribes of about 10-20 Totemic at both sides. There is minor trading: meat and fruits in exchange for information on language and society.

TOTEM'S FOUNTAIN

Translated to Earthen language. Totem Fountain is a small village, counting not more than 30 Totemic, that is often sought for its advice and wisdom on spirit animals. Many spirit animals gather there, waiting to find a host worthy of their presence - therefore, the Totemic of this village have come to be pretty good in giving quests and challenges to others looking for an animal companion.

Hidden deep in the jungle, reaching Totem's Fountain is quite a challenge on its own as various wild animals and dangerous plants will be crossed before even reaching it.