[Worlds Apart] Vyker [Discussion/General Chat/World Info]

[Code: PIRULUK]

Hi all, and welcome to the first world in the Worlds Apart Project. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, look here. This thread will contain information regarding the World itself, as well as serve as a thread for general discussion and questions. I'm not going to include the "appendix/encyclopaedia" components yet, until I see how the reception for this is. If there's interest for it, I'll include it in the next world, or put up a new thread.

For the fiction thread, click here

For the Critique thread, click here

World Name: Vyker

World Genre: Cyberpunk

Background:

In the future, humanity has been united under the governance of an international governing body known as the Valhalla Triumvirate. Created with the purpose of uniting mankind's efforts towards a common future, the Triumvirate is composed of 3 bodies: the Affluent, the Academic and the Elect. The Triumvirate has 15 members at all times, 5 from each body. The Affluent are the 5 wealthiest individuals in the world. The Academic are the 5 most respected intellectuals of the age. The Elect are a group of 5 representatives, selected from a pool of nominees by popular vote. All decisions regarding the entirety of the human race must be approved by the Triumvirate; for approval, unanimous consent of the leader of each body must be present.

The Triumvirate is constructed based on the fact that good governance requires three key factors: influence, rationality and popular support. The Affluent provide the influence - financial backing. The Academic provide reason and rationality. The Elect provide the face of the Triumvirate through which public approval is accrued.

However, given that unanimous consent is required for a decision to be passed, naturally such a decision would be impossible for 3 different parties with differing agendas. Resultantly, bribes and blackmail form a significant part of the negotiation process.

Thus, hackers are in high demand in this world; the hackers are employed to steal secrets and destroy data, serving as the agents of the Triumvirate members' illicit means of negotiation and coercion. This is possible through Yggdrasil, the global network that connects all electronic platforms and serves as a global network with near-unlimited processing capacity. All the secrets and files of each faction are stored on a different branch of the Yggdrasil, each segment protected by a different dynamic security net.

Of course, given the extent of Yggdrasil's influence and importance, any kind of hacking is expressly prohibited; any individual proven to be a hacker will be executed, regardless of their employer.

Despite that, there are the few that still choose to be hackers, some for the money, others for the thrill of the game. All are extremely talented, and all live on the edge of danger, constantly flirting with discovery and inevitable death.

"Races":

Human - Just an ordinary human, nothing special. Has the widest range of variance for capabilities. In some ways the weakest "race", but also has the most potential. Able to perform all kinds of hacking, some may choose to specialise.

MenAug - A cyborg whose brain, but not body, has been augmented by cybernetics. Capable of higher processing speeds, higher memory capacity, and higher levels of logical reasoning. However, tends to be weak at lateral thinking, that is, unorthodox or even illogical trains of thought. Excels at Batter hacking, but lacks the creativity and unorthodoxy required for Construct hacking. Average at other types of hacks.

PhysAug - A cyborg who has had limbs or organs replaced by cybernetics. Higher physical capabilities than normal humans, and can go days without rest. However, once the energy supply is depleted, it must be recharged either through electric or solar power before an electronic component can function again. For this reason, tends to be a bad idea to get cybernetic replacements for vital organs. Excels at Stealth hacking due to massive stamina. Relatively proficient at Batter hacking. Incapable of Construct hacking due to inconsistent material composition of body.

Mod - a genetically modified human. Basically an enhanced human. Does everything a human can do, but better. However, Mods tend to be mentally or emotionally unstable, making them very hit-or-miss. If they freak out while hacking, it would instantly cause the hack to fail due to the break in concentration, while leaving a clear trail for the authorities to track.

AI - An AI module that has attained self-awareness. Excels at all forms of hacking, but can only interact with the physical world through the takeover or proxy units, such as androids or computer terminals. Only race susceptible to reprogramming and EMPs. Due to the nature of an AI hack, if an AI hack fails, the controlling AI will be deleted along with the hack.

Hack types:

Batter hacking: brute force. Using an innumerable number of codes and generated passwords to bombard the system, working off the process of probability and elimination. Has the potential to be the fastest method, based on the mental processing speed of the hacker and his ability to handle multiple variables simultaneously.

Stealth hacking: Using numerous negligible probes and small programs to find a way around the defences by identifying loopholes and vulnerabilities. Stealth hacking is much harder to identify and trace than other forms of hacking, but require extraordinary amounts of time and patience; many hacks require several hours of constant probing, making this method unfeasible for those lacking in both physical and mental stamina.

Construct hacking: a relatively new form of hacking, it entails using programmes to reconstruct Yggdrasil within the user's mind as a VR interface. Using various translation protocols, the system reconstructs the user's consciousness as data within the network. While in the network, all the hacker's intentions and ideas can be materialised as objects in the VR system. When using this method of hacking, the hacker experiences security protocols and other viruses as physical obstacle, and his intuitive method of countering the obstacle would be translated into a string of code to address the obstacle. For instance, the user would perceive a firewall code as a literal wall of fire, and could materialise a gust of wind to blow the fire apart. The system would translate the intent of this action into a string of code which opens a small hole in the firewall. Construct hacking is by far the most powerful form of hacking, but it is also one of the most risky for various reasons: First, it requires the user to have a creative mind; only by thinking of unique solutions can the system bypass the obstacle in unorthodox ways. Second, once inside the Construct and within a designated area of Yggdrasil - such as the branches used by the Triumvirate - it is impossible to exit the construct until returning to the main network. Third, if one's consciousness experiences death within the Construct, there is a high likelihood of the hacker becoming brain-dead.

Political Factions:

The Valhalla Triumvirate - Governing body, makes all decisions regarding the world of Vykal, tripartisan system.

The Academic - The 5 greatest intellectuals in Vyker. Live solely for the pursuit of knowledge and the creation of new technology. Shares a close, but wary, business relationship with the Affluent, who often seek to purchase rights to new discoveries.

Key Members:

Dr. Vor Brooks - 62 years old. A genius, holds phDs in 11 different fields including astrophysics, theoretical mathematics, chemical engineering and music. Created the Yggdrasil network. Had a wife who was kidnapped and killed by Ragnarok. Has a daughter, Fey, but her whereabouts are currently unknown after she ran away at the age of 14. A Workaholic. Leader of the Academic.

Prof. Kvasir Aksyonov - Male, 43 years old. phD in quantum physics and mechanical engineering. Pioneer in the field of assisted flight. Invented the personal jetpack and the gravitational train.

Lt. General Tyr Aksyonov - Male, 38 years old. Younger brother of Kvasir Aksyonov. First man to successfully weaponise the miniature black hole. Has a phD in Quantum Physics and Psychology.

Prof. Ran Ho Feng - Female, 42 years old. phD in linguistics and computer engineering. At age 13, created a universal programming language which served as the foundation for Yggdrasil.

Setsuyami Saga - Female, 29 years old. At age 16, wrote the novel "Better Halves", about a woman who fell in love with her alternate personality. Unanimously acclaimed as the greatest writer of the age. "Better Halves" went on to sell over 7 billion copies - more than 90 per cent of the global population. Fluent in 52 languages. Has a Master's in literature, and is often looked down upon as the only member of the Academic without a phD.

The Affluent - The 5 richest individuals. A diverse group with both philanthropists and misers. Work for the sake of profit and gain.

Key Members:

Freyja Milczarek - Female, 48 years old. The richest individual in Vyker. Major shareholder in 26% of all major businesses in Vyker. Made her initial fortune by marketing and selling consumer electronics, then branched out into weapons production, cyber security and banking. Leader of the Affluent.

Iounn Argyros - Female, 26 years old. Newest and youngest member of the Affluent. 3rd richest individual in Vyker, and the 2nd richest woman. Holds a monopoly on all cosmetic, hygiene and healthcare products. A ruthless businesswoman known for her somewhat questionable negotiation tactics and immense professionalism. Also a major leader in the prostitution trade, owning 63% of all brothels in Vyker. Over the years, she has gradually improved the living and working conditions of prostitutes working under her, to the point where it is now seen as a respectable trade.

Delling Marinos - Male, 34 years old. 2nd richest individual in Vyker. News/media mogul. A major shareholder in all media corporations, and sole owner of "Vyker Today" - the widest-read newspaper in Vyker - and Dawn Studios, the largest and most influential television studio in the world. Known for his creativity and daring when it comes to marketing and advertisement.

Mani Moresby - Male, 52 years old. 4th richest individual in Vyker. Real Estate King. Legally owns the moon. Known for making snap decisions and having amazing business intuition.

Thruer Song - Female, 38 years old. 5th richest individual, 3rd richest woman. Owns most banks and credit unions. Has known, but unproven connections with the black market and various loan shark rackets. Known for having an intimidating presence and a tenacious character.

The Elect - 5 elected representatives, all chosen by popular vote. Each manipulative in his or her own way, but all charismatic and capable of winning the hearts of others.

Key Members:

Baldr Fynn - Male, 32 years old. Formerly a world-class actor and heartthrob. Known for an incredibly charming personality and a friendly disposition. Has numerous fanclubs with innumerable members. When his name was raised as a candidate for the Elect, there were cheers, and he was elected with unanimous consent. He works towards policies which benefit the population as a whole or minimise the effects of income inequity. Leader of the Elect.

Eostre Engel - Female, 28 years old. Former model and singer. Lauded as "the most beautiful woman in the world". Eschews cosmetics, but acknowledges their appeal. She pursues policies which encourage the formation of a family unit, such as subsidies for childcare or welfare support for impoverished families with children.

Freyr Derosiers - Female, 24 years old. Youngest member of the Elect. Former prostitute. Known for her childlike innocence and gentle demeanor, despite her past. Was born in a brothel. People were initially opposed to someone of such unsavoury background holding a place in the Elect, but through her earnestness and likeable personality, she eventually garnered enough votes to be elected. She once went four days without sleep, food or shelter on a busy street, speaking to people and asking them to vote for her. She was unconscious for a week following that, but her approval ratings jumped by almost nine hundred per cent. She tries to implement policies which advocate gender equality.

Kazuo Vali - Male, 37 years old. Formerly a criminal gang leader, who left the underground world after his wife was shot dead in a fight. Put himself up for election thrice, after failing the first two times. Got no votes in his first attempt. Through community service and impassioned speeches about his dreams, he finally won the hearts and votes of the population, getting barely enough votes to take up position as one of the elite. He is very self-conscious about his image, but he is known for being gentle and kind. He pursues policies which aid the lower income groups and the less fortunate. He is also very dedicated to maintaining peace on the streets and ceasing the operations of criminal groups

Ullr Richardson - Male, 42 years old. Famous stage magician. At the peak of his life, the most popular performer in the world, with tickets to his performances being regularly sold out. At 39 years old, left the stage to put himself up for election to government. Won the hearts of the crowd by using his dramatic flair and blunt honesty to his advantage. Campaigns for free love and human rights.

R@GNAROK/Ragnarok - A terrorist group, seeking to bring about the collapse of the Valhalla Triumvirate and usher in an age of anarchy. Motivated by the belief that every human has the right to make his on decisions about his or her living environment, rather than entrusting it into the hands of the elite. Further believes that the elite should not be granted power, as they are blind to the sufferings of the common man. The measures employed by them include hacking into Yggdrasil to undermine key infrastructure, leaking classified information to the public to create unrest, and extralegal activities, such as assassinations and kidnappings.

Key Members:

Loki - A masked individual. No one knows who he is, or even if he is actually a person, but he serves as the face of Ragnarok, acting as a mouthpiece for the group. Some believe he is their leader.

The Fenrir Corporation - An organisation of mercenary hackers who will hack anything for the right price, operating under the front of a small-time network security company. Employment is by invitation only, and they do, in fact, do security work. They perform extra-legal activities only if their client is introduced to them by a previous client, for security purposes.

Heimdallr Merien - Male, 29 years old. The owner of the Fenrir Corporation. He makes the final decision on which jobs to take and which to refuse. A talented young hacker who has years of experience prying apart Yggdrasil. His net worth (including money obtained illegally) puts him in the top 100 of the world's richest.

The Fafnir Collective - A group of hobby hackers, who hack for the fun and the challenge. They have no physical base of operations, but instead meet on an anonymous message board run on servers isolated from the Yggdrasil network, protected by ridiculous levels of security.

Hel Kang (Net handle Hel8627) - Female. Age 23. MenAug. The owner of the Fafnir Collective's message board, and creator of the Collective. Currently studying a postgraduate course in psychology, but she is a genius hacker who managed to crash Yggdrasil for an hour when she was 16. Lives on-campus in Vyker Joint College.

Valkyrie - A global joint police/military force. Maintains order within Vyker and monitors the actions of Ragnarok. Mostly autonomous, but will follow the directives of the Valhalla Triumvirate.

BRYNHILDR - Assigned Female. Age 2. AI. BRYNHILDR is the AI which serves as the intelligence network of the Valkyrie. She has access to all information provided to Valkyrie for the purpose of law enforcement and has the task of organising and analysing this information. Over the years, she has become increasingly self-aware, to the point where she is now capable of hesitating before following orders. As a result, there is discussion about either wiping or replacing her.

Skuld Regina - Female, Age 38. Leader of the Valkyrie. Joined the Valkyrie at the minimum age of 18, both her parents were members of the force. Expert in cyber counter-terrorism and well-versed in multiple forms of close combat, including Kali and Krav Maga. Best shooter on the force. Has a strong sense of justice and morality, and is a bit of a loner due to her intense personality. BRYNHILDR is one of the few close friends she has, and she trusts the AI more than any other human.

Vyker:

Vyker is a world of concrete and metal, with close to no greenery on it. It is characterised by a large emphasis on technological progress and interconnectivity, with the whole planet being a single city. Gravitational trains allow for quick travel between regions, with top speeds of Mach 5, while the invention of affordable aircars makes traffic congestion slightly less of an issue. The most identifiable aspect of Vyker is Yggdrasil. This gargantuan information network links everything on Vyker to everything else, allowing for fast exchange of information and a great evolution of the way we communicate. Located in Geneva is the Triumvirate Seat, a large spire where the Valhalla Triumvirate meets and debates. Any two of the three factions may call a Triumvirate meeting, at which attendance is mandatory for members of the Triumvirate. Places which had once been countries were now simply regions, parts of the larger city: Vyker.

[Notus]

Wow. Great work Aqcuie, this is actually remembering me a lot of Ghost in the Shell (which is awesome). How should we go about using the characters you provided, and how much can we impact the world itself?

[Code: PIRULUK]

Anything you want, as much as you want You're creating the stories; I only created the world.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

*risks looking like a scrub by asking potentially obvious question*

We should post the reference sheets (the usual "name, race, age, etc." thing) here?

[Code: PIRULUK]

Nope. This isn't an RP; it's just a creative writing thingum. If you want, you can collab with other writers, but for the most part it's just to let you flex your creative muscles. Do what you want with the world, no need to intro your characters; just characterise them through your narrative

[Flux]

So much Nordic.

I like it. Hopefully I can find the time to write something up for this, as the world sounds very interesting. I already have so many ideas brewing... On a side note, It's too bad we couldn't run this as an actual RP, as it would be different and fun I think. I remember you brought up the idea before.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

So, for the duration of this project I will be posting an resource link thread to pin at the top of the forum, that way something of it can be seen for now. ((you can write it up if you want Miss Acquie, just point me to it then so I can pin it to the top.))

[Chevaleresse]

It'll be a while before I get something up, but get something up I will.

Anyone reminded a bit of Neuromancer?

[Sutoratosu]

with all the hacking and computer stuff, this reminds me a lot of the game "Watch Dogs"...

well... let's see what I can come up with.

[K_H]

I've decided: I'm going to make an RP using this World. Wish me Luck.

[Flux]

I've decided: I'm going to make an RP using this World. Wish me Luck.

May want to ask Acquie first, since she is the one who created it.

Edited September 18, 2014 by Flux

[Code: PIRULUK]

May want to ask Acquie first, since she is the one who created it.

I don't particularly mind, but please a) credit me for the world and refer interested parties to the Worlds Apart project.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Oh, Acquie, pinned the Resource Thread to the top so people can find all the threads for the Project easier. Just in case you didn't see it.

[Sutoratosu]

alright, I got a story up. what do you guys think?

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Thought I would try my hand at more world building type thing rather than a story. It is meant to be more factual then a story so it is structured as a report rather than a story. Feel free to use any characters that were mentioned in it.

[Notus]

Stratos and Hukuna, both your texts are great! I went in writing rampage an posted something up too, but honestly I'm too tired to have a clear view of the quality. XD

Still, I think there's one thing in common in all of them: we're all preparing the path for some more critical events in this world, and I'm very interested in seeing were this will end up going.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

Well, damn, boys.

I have so much to do atm so I can't write anything yet ;_; there's no deadline for this is there?

[Code: PIRULUK]

Well, damn, boys.

I have so much to do atm so I can't write anything yet ;_; there's no deadline for this is there?

Deadline is... Never XD I'll be posting up a new world in a couple of months, but that doesn't mean this will be shut down. It's not a competition, it's just something to do while waiting for RPs to progress and to improve your writing abilities

[Sutoratosu]

If you think about it, the Critique thread can also serve as a story by itself... like it actually is the Private message boards of the Fafnir Collective.

[K_H]

And the RP is up!

http://www.pokemonreborn.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9996

[Code: PIRULUK]

I wonder whether anyone will notice...?

[Chim]

Didn't you open up an interest check for this before? And if it didn't work out back then... Plus the timing isn't in his favor either.

I might get a post up for this, it's taking longer since I'm a bit busy at the moment. And since this world is far from what I'm used to, I want to take my time and not just post something for the sake of it.

[Code: PIRULUK]

Didn't you open up an interest check for this before? And if it didn't work out back then... Plus the timing isn't in his favor either.

I might get a post up for this, it's taking longer since I'm a bit busy at the moment. And since this world is far from what I'm used to, I want to take my time and not just post something for the sake of it.

That's not what I'm talking about this is a long term project, so slow posts don't really matter that much to me. I'm wondering whether anyone has noticed a little something else.

[SithBaker]

Fafnirchan is the actual roleplay. And a one with a very high potential at that.

[Notus]

Ain't that third tag there the name of that Iceland volcano?