Miskaton

General Description

Miskaton is a sparsely populated yet diverse land of magic and high science, representing the cumulative and varied cultures, dreams and mythologies of past, present and future shadow Earth. It is a land of the Japanese Kami, Aboriginal dream walkers, European fairy folk, Indian nature spirits and much more. It is a world of dark forests where hidden creatures lurk, and high mountain ranges where Yeti roam in an endless search of a good game of chess. Miskaton is much as Earth would have been without man's encroachment, vast virgin forests and blue seas. The settlements of man are small and far flung upon this world, but where they exist they each seem to be a distillate of some culture representative of the geographical area. Whether Feudal Japan with lacquer armored warriors, Mayan cities with astronomical observatories, Austrian castles in the cloud wrapped mountains or the waterways of the Venetian city state, nearly every principle society from Earth's past and present is represented. At the center of each of these cultural enclaves is a highly technologically advanced settlement responsible for the care and protection of its people and the surrounding area. In this way is man kept in comfort and safety in a world where mystery walks beyond the undulating glow of the firelight. These settlements are simply regional extensions of the overall human society that governs Miskaton. Principally based within three orbital platforms, with a large portion of the human settlements and its governing body, it is a society that prizes ideas, art, cultural diversity and mutual respect of man, nature and the multiple creatures of Miskaton, as well as their respective places in its greater ecology. It is an idyllic world, rich with cultural heritage, mystery and wonder. In short, a world of dreams made real, man's aspirations given substance and form with which to express itself.

Entry into Miskaton

Entry and egress to and from Miskaton is traditionally only possible through its Nexus Gates, vaguely reminiscent of Stonehenge on the Isle of Britain. Consequently, Stonehenge anchors the other end of one of the shadow paths from Miskaton to Shadow Earth. Each remaining stone arch in the circle is a functional doorway, that when opened will provide a conduit between two specified realms. Passage to and from Miskaton is otherwise normally impossible, as is trump contact and travel.. Many of the Portals to Miskaton are shattered, a point of interest but not concern. It is theorized that Miskaton used to be closer to both Shadow Earth and other Realms, resulting in its expression throughout earth's culture, but has somehow become more removed since. The few remaining portals lead to various points throughout shadow that (ironically) interest Chadwick spanning from shadows near the Golden Circle to those near Chaos itself.

The Orbital Society

Three orbital platforms circumscribe the equatorial plane of planet Miskaton. They house the bulk of the Miskatoni, the human civilization of that world. It is a highly technologically advanced race with a substantial grasp of the workings of magic as well (although not as great as the other citizens or denizens of Miskaton such as the fairy folk). It is a free and open society, as described before, intent on the exploration and understanding of its world and universe. The three platforms are connected by small travel causeways, designed to transmit both information, power and large masses between them. The principle means of travel throughout the society though is by means of a form of matter translocation or teleportation. A small side benefit of the uncertainty principle that allows the minor manipulation of one's existence in space time, so long as any discrepancies in one's energy state are paid for (Chadwick still prefers speeder bikes though). In other words, a horrible abuse of a small loop hole in the laws of physics and nature that would make Einstein's hair turn white, fall out and take up a career as a non dairy creamer if given half the chance. The government is representational, and overlooked by the primary AI citizens of Miskaton as detailed below.

AIs in Miskaton

Artificial intelligences are common in Miskaton, but they vary greatly in scope when it comes to self awareness, autonomy and ability. For the most part, AI constructs within the shadow are not truly sentient, but only appear to be so due to their sophistication, ability to reason, anticipate probabilities and even guess. They have discernible personalities and manifest themselves to those who seek communication in the holographic form of attractive musses clothed in traditional Greek robes. These constructs generally lack the vital essence of self awareness though, and cannot be considered truly sentient. Along with their simpler brethren, they run the bulk of the automated systems that keep Miskaton functioning as a society. Traditionally, such AIs are represented as women. A second class of AIs represent truly sentient artificial intelligences, usually, but not always, organic in nature. They have all of the capabilities of their precursors and individual personalities as well. These personalities range from child like to mature and enigmatic in nature, but non have ever been belligerent (this is by design, mind you). Their manifestations are generally male when used and appropriate, but otherwise similar to their cousins. In most cases these AI's are recognized as and given the full rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Besides their manifestations, the AI's and computers of Miskaton interface with the Citizenry by means of small unobtrusive cybernetic implants. These implants relay information to and from the citizens and are passively monitored by the AI's. Privacy is respected as an inherent right of the individual, but requests for information, emergency assistance, vital signs and transportation commands are all recognized and acknowledged by an observer slave system, being then passed on to the AI's. If a health threat exists, or a citizen is in extreme danger, it doesn't go unnoticed or untended.

Each of the three orbital platforms has a dominant AI, used as a focal point for its lesser cousins and charged with the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the populace of Miskaton. These entities are of nearly incomprehensible sophistication and power with a seemingly endless expanse of capabilities at their disposal. Collectively referred to as the Eumenides and principal in the ruling body of Miskaton, they are as follows:

• Alecto of Pierides Orbital One - Roughly positioned in line with Europe
• Tisiphone of Aganippe Orbital Two - Roughly positioned in line with N America
• Megaera. of Macedon Orbital Three - Roughly positioned in line with East Asia

Other AIs of some importance (collectively known as the Mnemosyne) are:

• Calliope-Individual Citizen Archives and Records
• Clio-Historical Archives
• Euterpe-Science Archives - Terrestrial Sciences, Ecology, Etc.
• Melpomene-Planetary Defense and Security
• Polyhymnia-Communications and Information Acquisition
• Erato-Science Archives - Human Biology, Psychology, Medicine
• Terpsichore-Cultural Archives - Dance, Music, Literature
• Thalia-Political Archives and Law Enforcement
• Urania-Science Archives - Non Terrestrial, Physics, Etc.

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