Magical Realm Cyoa/Theriobach - Revision history

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1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach at 04:37, 5 January 2015

2015-01-05T04:37:55Z

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1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach at 04:14, 25 August 2014

2014-08-25T04:14:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 25 August 2014
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	Of course, the final product of the reconstruction process varies enormously from person to person based on individual aesthetic tastes. There are three main schools of thought regarding styles of augmentation: On one end of the spectrum, there are those who find beauty in the natural human form and believe that mechanical bodies should resemble as closely as possible an idealized version of the organic ones they replace. They seek to avoid any visible mechanical joints, and from a distance may be indistinguishable from particularly attractive human beings. This viewpoint is opposed by a small group at the opposite end of the spectrum who argue that mere mimicry of nature lacks creativity and that a far greater degree of artistry can be expressed through a purely artificial aesthetic. They tend to eschew synthetic skin in favor of engraved metal and seldom retain as much of their original internal anatomy as do others. The third and arguably most widespread viewpoint holds that the distinction between human and mechanical forms is immaterial, blurring together elements of the other two styles with a focus on ornamentation. These are the famed “living dolls” of Theriobach, elegant and unsettlingly beautiful examples of biomechanical splendor, immediately identifiable by their distinctive mechanical ball joints and the rich filigree patterns adorning their pale, lustrous forms.		Of course, the final product of the reconstruction process varies enormously from person to person based on individual aesthetic tastes. There are three main schools of thought regarding styles of augmentation: On one end of the spectrum, there are those who find beauty in the natural human form and believe that mechanical bodies should resemble as closely as possible an idealized version of the organic ones they replace. They seek to avoid any visible mechanical joints, and from a distance may be indistinguishable from particularly attractive human beings. This viewpoint is opposed by a small group at the opposite end of the spectrum who argue that mere mimicry of nature lacks creativity and that a far greater degree of artistry can be expressed through a purely artificial aesthetic. They tend to eschew synthetic skin in favor of engraved metal and seldom retain as much of their original internal anatomy as do others. The third and arguably most widespread viewpoint holds that the distinction between human and mechanical forms is immaterial, blurring together elements of the other two styles with a focus on ornamentation. These are the famed “living dolls” of Theriobach, elegant and unsettlingly beautiful examples of biomechanical splendor, immediately identifiable by their distinctive mechanical ball joints and the rich filigree patterns adorning their pale, lustrous forms.

			=== Magic ===

			For the most part, magic in Theriobach operates behind the scenes. It is woven into the very fabric of reality, subtly altering the laws of physics here and there to support the realm’s extraordinary technologies. Almost everything, from guns, to buildings, to the exotic meta-materials the people themselves are crafted from have some measure of this magic involved in their creation. Indeed, one could reverse-engineer a Theriobachi device and replicate every component in perfect detail, yet if it was not assembled within the realm, it would likely do nothing. The general populace is almost entirely unaware of the nature of this low-level background magic, and would see nothing out of the ordinary with a gadget requiring no power source or being made from materials found nowhere on the periodic table.

			Aside from the Prince himself, only a handful of Theriobachi citizens are capable of wielding magic directly and consciously. Scarcely one in ten thousand have any real magic talent, and fewer still openly display their powers. In fact, so rare is magic that in some cases magic users will present themselves in a quasi-religious light and attempt to attract followers from among the more superstitious elements of society.

	=== Death and Related Matters ===		=== Death and Related Matters ===
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	Given the perilous nature of life in the realm, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above. It is different enough in appearance that one is unlikely to mistake it for the world of the living (most notably lacking natural light or even a visible sky), and tends to locally adapt to suit the whims of the deceased in a manner that gives it a dream-like quality. Perhaps unusually for an afterlife, it contains no element of punishment for the sinful or reward for the virtuous, and the dead may conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life. It should however be emphasized that this is the exception rather than the rule, and whether out of an unwillingness to leave the underworld or an inability to muster the spiritual strength to do so, the majority of the dead end up remaining dead.		Given the perilous nature of life in the realm, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above. It is different enough in appearance that one is unlikely to mistake it for the world of the living (most notably lacking natural light or even a visible sky), and tends to locally adapt to suit the whims of the deceased in a manner that gives it a dream-like quality. Perhaps unusually for an afterlife, it contains no element of punishment for the sinful or reward for the virtuous, and the dead may conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life. It should however be emphasized that this is the exception rather than the rule, and whether out of an unwillingness to leave the underworld or an inability to muster the spiritual strength to do so, the majority of the dead end up remaining dead.

	As a cultural matter, the question of mortality is viewed rather lightly by the people of Theriobach. That is of course not to say that people do not care for their lives; they certainly do. Rather, the prevailing attitude towards death is one of studied apathy, playing into the overall aesthetic sensibilities of the people. It would, for lack of a better word, be seen as “unfashionable” for an individual to be overly preoccupied with avoiding death at the cost of other factors. A proper Theriobachi gentleman would never miss the debut performance of a new concerto merely because he suspected assassins might be lying in wait for him there, or refuse a challenge to a duel where a matter of personal honor was at stake. Perhaps it is due to widespread knowledge that the afterlife is real, or perhaps the absence of natural aging has created a certain contempt for longevity~~. In~~ any case, where the choice is between an interesting life and a long life, the former is generally favored over the latter.		As a cultural matter, the question of mortality is viewed rather lightly by the people of Theriobach. That is of course not to say that people do not care for their lives; they certainly do. Rather, the prevailing attitude towards death is one of studied apathy, playing into the overall aesthetic sensibilities of the people. It would, for lack of a better word, be seen as “unfashionable” for an individual to be overly preoccupied with avoiding death at the cost of other factors. For instance, a proper Theriobachi gentleman would never miss the debut performance of a new concerto merely because he suspected assassins might be lying in wait for him there, or refuse a challenge to a duel where a matter of personal honor was at stake. Perhaps it is due to widespread knowledge that the afterlife is real, or perhaps the absence of natural aging has created a certain contempt for longevity, but in any case, where the choice is between an interesting life and a long life, the former is generally favored over the latter.

	== Realm Wizard ==		== Realm Wizard ==

1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach at 02:44, 25 August 2014

2014-08-25T02:44:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:44, 25 August 2014
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	Given the perilous nature of life in the realm, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above. It is different enough in appearance that one is unlikely to mistake it for the world of the living (most notably lacking natural light or even a visible sky), and tends to locally adapt to suit the whims of the deceased in a manner that gives it a dream-like quality. Perhaps unusually for an afterlife, it contains no element of punishment for the sinful or reward for the virtuous, and the dead may conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life. It should however be emphasized that this is the exception rather than the rule, and whether out of an unwillingness to leave the underworld or an inability to muster the spiritual strength to do so, the majority of the dead end up remaining dead.		Given the perilous nature of life in the realm, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above. It is different enough in appearance that one is unlikely to mistake it for the world of the living (most notably lacking natural light or even a visible sky), and tends to locally adapt to suit the whims of the deceased in a manner that gives it a dream-like quality. Perhaps unusually for an afterlife, it contains no element of punishment for the sinful or reward for the virtuous, and the dead may conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life. It should however be emphasized that this is the exception rather than the rule, and whether out of an unwillingness to leave the underworld or an inability to muster the spiritual strength to do so, the majority of the dead end up remaining dead.

			As a cultural matter, the question of mortality is viewed rather lightly by the people of Theriobach. That is of course not to say that people do not care for their lives; they certainly do. Rather, the prevailing attitude towards death is one of studied apathy, playing into the overall aesthetic sensibilities of the people. It would, for lack of a better word, be seen as “unfashionable” for an individual to be overly preoccupied with avoiding death at the cost of other factors. A proper Theriobachi gentleman would never miss the debut performance of a new concerto merely because he suspected assassins might be lying in wait for him there, or refuse a challenge to a duel where a matter of personal honor was at stake. Perhaps it is due to widespread knowledge that the afterlife is real, or perhaps the absence of natural aging has created a certain contempt for longevity. In any case, where the choice is between an interesting life and a long life, the former is generally favored over the latter.

	== Realm Wizard ==		== Realm Wizard ==

1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach at 22:15, 24 August 2014

2014-08-24T22:15:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 24 August 2014
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	Of course, the final product of the reconstruction process varies enormously from person to person based on individual aesthetic tastes. There are three main schools of thought regarding styles of augmentation: On one end of the spectrum, there are those who find beauty in the natural human form and believe that mechanical bodies should resemble as closely as possible an idealized version of the organic ones they replace. They seek to avoid any visible mechanical joints, and from a distance may be indistinguishable from particularly attractive human beings. This viewpoint is opposed by a small group at the opposite end of the spectrum who argue that mere mimicry of nature lacks creativity and that a far greater degree of artistry can be expressed through a purely artificial aesthetic. They tend to eschew synthetic skin in favor of engraved metal and seldom retain as much of their original internal anatomy as do others. The third and arguably most widespread viewpoint holds that the distinction between human and mechanical forms is immaterial, blurring together elements of the other two styles with a focus on ornamentation. These are the famed “living dolls” of Theriobach, elegant and unsettlingly beautiful examples of biomechanical splendor, immediately identifiable by their distinctive mechanical ball joints and the rich filigree patterns adorning their pale, lustrous forms.		Of course, the final product of the reconstruction process varies enormously from person to person based on individual aesthetic tastes. There are three main schools of thought regarding styles of augmentation: On one end of the spectrum, there are those who find beauty in the natural human form and believe that mechanical bodies should resemble as closely as possible an idealized version of the organic ones they replace. They seek to avoid any visible mechanical joints, and from a distance may be indistinguishable from particularly attractive human beings. This viewpoint is opposed by a small group at the opposite end of the spectrum who argue that mere mimicry of nature lacks creativity and that a far greater degree of artistry can be expressed through a purely artificial aesthetic. They tend to eschew synthetic skin in favor of engraved metal and seldom retain as much of their original internal anatomy as do others. The third and arguably most widespread viewpoint holds that the distinction between human and mechanical forms is immaterial, blurring together elements of the other two styles with a focus on ornamentation. These are the famed “living dolls” of Theriobach, elegant and unsettlingly beautiful examples of biomechanical splendor, immediately identifiable by their distinctive mechanical ball joints and the rich filigree patterns adorning their pale, lustrous forms.

	=== Death and ~~Other Occult~~ Matters ===		=== Death and Related Matters ===

	~~[WIP]~~

	Given the rather perilous nature of the place, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above, that locally adapts to suit the whims of the deceased. There is neither punishment nor reward in this afterlife, and the dead are free to conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life.

			Given the perilous nature of life in the realm, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above. It is different enough in appearance that one is unlikely to mistake it for the world of the living (most notably lacking natural light or even a visible sky), and tends to locally adapt to suit the whims of the deceased in a manner that gives it a dream-like quality. Perhaps unusually for an afterlife, it contains no element of punishment for the sinful or reward for the virtuous, and the dead may conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life. It should however be emphasized that this is the exception rather than the rule, and whether out of an unwillingness to leave the underworld or an inability to muster the spiritual strength to do so, the majority of the dead end up remaining dead.

	== Realm Wizard ==		== Realm Wizard ==

1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach at 21:36, 24 August 2014

2014-08-24T21:36:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:36, 24 August 2014
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	The model of Theriobachi society is best described as a structured aristocracy organized around vaguely feudal lines. At the top, the Prince and Princess wield absolute executive authority over the realm and are themselves above questioning in every respect. Below them is the Royal Court, a sort of inner circle composed primarily of the highest ranks of the nobility as well as certain particularly important persons of the middling ranks. These powerful individuals control much of the land in the city along with its industrial operations, serving as the main arbiters of governmental control over those living within their respective spheres of influence. The other 99.5% of the population exists in a labyrinthine web of informal hierarchies, in which status is determined by the quality of one’s properties, by one’s social prominence, and of course by one’s title. Virtually all citizens have a title of some sort, carrying with it a sort of moral obligation to respect the higher ranks and a privilege to exert influence over lower ranks, thereby ensuring an orderly society. At least in theory.		The model of Theriobachi society is best described as a structured aristocracy organized around vaguely feudal lines. At the top, the Prince and Princess wield absolute executive authority over the realm and are themselves above questioning in every respect. Below them is the Royal Court, a sort of inner circle composed primarily of the highest ranks of the nobility as well as certain particularly important persons of the middling ranks. These powerful individuals control much of the land in the city along with its industrial operations, serving as the main arbiters of governmental control over those living within their respective spheres of influence. The other 99.5% of the population exists in a labyrinthine web of informal hierarchies, in which status is determined by the quality of one’s properties, by one’s social prominence, and of course by one’s title. Virtually all citizens have a title of some sort, carrying with it a sort of moral obligation to respect the higher ranks and a privilege to exert influence over lower ranks, thereby ensuring an orderly society. At least in theory.

	Practically speaking, Theriobach is nearer to anarchy than to this aristocratic ideal. Without any sort of independent governmental organizations or bureaucracies, there is very little rule of law beyond the walls of whatever room the Prince and the members of his Court happen to be occupying at the time. Encouraged by the climate of general lawlessness, political intrigues abound among the upper nobility, while even the general populace ~~care little for~~ the ~~Prince’s dictates~~. Indeed, assassination is a constant threat for the elite and efforts to enforce royal decrees are often met with armed resistance.		Practically speaking, Theriobach is nearer to anarchy than to this aristocratic ideal. Without any sort of independent governmental organizations or bureaucracies, there is very little rule of law beyond the walls of whatever room the Prince and the members of his Court happen to be occupying at the time. Encouraged by the climate of general lawlessness, political intrigues abound among the upper nobility, while even the general populace see the Prince more as a despot than a legitimate ruler. Indeed, assassination is a constant threat for the elite and efforts to enforce royal decrees are often met with armed resistance.

	This creates an odd paradox; in a realm devoid of political freedom, the citizenry arguably enjoy a greater degree of liberty than in any other. Amidst the uneasy calm between ruler and ruled, a man is generally free to do as he pleases without interference by the state. No goods are prohibited to the people, with weaponry and narcotics sold as freely as food or clothing. In the right parts of the city, most any vice can be satisfied ~~for the right price~~ without so much a moment’s hesitation as to the legality of it. Conduct that would constitute a crime elsewhere is either ignored altogether or left to be punished ad hoc through reprisals by the aggrieved party. This of course comes at the cost of diminished public safety, bringing with it a murder rate markedly above that of most economically developed nations, but the tradeoff well suits the cultural sensibilities of the Theriobachi people.		This creates an odd paradox; in a realm devoid of political freedom, the citizenry arguably enjoy a greater degree of liberty than in any other. Amidst the uneasy calm between ruler and ruled, a man is generally free to do as he pleases without interference by the state. No goods are prohibited to the people, with weaponry and narcotics sold as freely as food or clothing. In the right parts of the city, most any vice can be satisfied without so much a moment’s hesitation as to the legality of it. Conduct that would constitute a crime elsewhere is either ignored altogether or left to be punished ad hoc through reprisals by the aggrieved party. This of course comes at the cost of diminished public safety, bringing with it a murder rate markedly above that of most economically developed nations, but the tradeoff well suits the cultural sensibilities of the Theriobachi people.

	=== Economy ===		=== Economy ===

1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach at 05:25, 24 August 2014

2014-08-24T05:25:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:25, 24 August 2014
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	The city itself is characterized by a distinctive style of monumental baroque architecture, drawing mostly on a palette of pale gray-blue stone and burnished metal. Dense blocks of richly ornamented towers soar to immense heights above the canals, interspersed with open-air public plazas and arched bridges. From the terraced rooftop gardens of palaces, the calls of peacocks and far stranger creatures can be heard. Splendidly archaic looking motor-yachts and even luxurious private submarines cruise quietly through the city’s waterways, while air travel remains all but unheard of.		The city itself is characterized by a distinctive style of monumental baroque architecture, drawing mostly on a palette of pale gray-blue stone and burnished metal. Dense blocks of richly ornamented towers soar to immense heights above the canals, interspersed with open-air public plazas and arched bridges. From the terraced rooftop gardens of palaces, the calls of peacocks and far stranger creatures can be heard. Splendidly archaic looking motor-yachts and even luxurious private submarines cruise quietly through the city’s waterways, while air travel remains all but unheard of.

			=== Government & Society ===

			The model of Theriobachi society is best described as a structured aristocracy organized around vaguely feudal lines. At the top, the Prince and Princess wield absolute executive authority over the realm and are themselves above questioning in every respect. Below them is the Royal Court, a sort of inner circle composed primarily of the highest ranks of the nobility as well as certain particularly important persons of the middling ranks. These powerful individuals control much of the land in the city along with its industrial operations, serving as the main arbiters of governmental control over those living within their respective spheres of influence. The other 99.5% of the population exists in a labyrinthine web of informal hierarchies, in which status is determined by the quality of one’s properties, by one’s social prominence, and of course by one’s title. Virtually all citizens have a title of some sort, carrying with it a sort of moral obligation to respect the higher ranks and a privilege to exert influence over lower ranks, thereby ensuring an orderly society. At least in theory.

			Practically speaking, Theriobach is nearer to anarchy than to this aristocratic ideal. Without any sort of independent governmental organizations or bureaucracies, there is very little rule of law beyond the walls of whatever room the Prince and the members of his Court happen to be occupying at the time. Encouraged by the climate of general lawlessness, political intrigues abound among the upper nobility, while even the general populace care little for the Prince’s dictates. Indeed, assassination is a constant threat for the elite and efforts to enforce royal decrees are often met with armed resistance.

			This creates an odd paradox; in a realm devoid of political freedom, the citizenry arguably enjoy a greater degree of liberty than in any other. Amidst the uneasy calm between ruler and ruled, a man is generally free to do as he pleases without interference by the state. No goods are prohibited to the people, with weaponry and narcotics sold as freely as food or clothing. In the right parts of the city, most any vice can be satisfied for the right price without so much a moment’s hesitation as to the legality of it. Conduct that would constitute a crime elsewhere is either ignored altogether or left to be punished ad hoc through reprisals by the aggrieved party. This of course comes at the cost of diminished public safety, bringing with it a murder rate markedly above that of most economically developed nations, but the tradeoff well suits the cultural sensibilities of the Theriobachi people.

	=== Economy ===		=== Economy ===

	Functionally a post-scarcity society, automated machinery has taken the place of manual labor and sprawling subterranean factories churn out the products of Theriobach’s booming industrial sector, unseen by the world above. ~~All aspects of the realm~~ are kept maintained in pristine condition by a veritable army of clockwork automatons, perhaps the most overt sign of the advanced technology underlying the city’s renaissance façade. Particularly notable among its industries is the production of finely crafted exotic ~~weaponry~~, along with a wide range of extraordinary materials ~~(as much a product of the arcane arts as of science)~~ that form the basis of the city’s technology. Flexible semi-organic ceramics, transparent metals, and self-powering circuits are but a few of these mass-produced wonders.		Functionally a post-scarcity society, automated machinery has taken the place of manual labor and sprawling subterranean factories churn out the products of Theriobach’s booming industrial sector, unseen by the world above. Public spaces are kept maintained in pristine condition by a veritable army of clockwork automatons, perhaps the most overt sign of the advanced technology underlying the city’s renaissance façade. Particularly notable among its industries is the production of finely crafted weaponry and exotic luxury goods, along with a wide range of extraordinary technomagical materials that form the basis of the city’s technology. Flexible semi-organic ceramics, transparent metals, and self-powering circuits are but a few of these mass produced wonders.

	Despite ~~this~~, Theriobach maintains a thriving free market, supported by a peculiar sort of hybrid economy built around the city-state's feudal social structure. A significant portion of the realm's industrial capacity operates under the direct control of the Prince himself, mass-producing a vast array of goods sufficient to more than satisfy the core needs of the populace. These goods are provided at extremely low cost to the citizens as a privilege of their position within the aristocracy, along with a form of universal ~~credit-based~~ basic income computed on the basis of an individual's title and land holdings. In theory, a resident could do absolutely nothing and still enjoy a quality of life comparable to the very best available on 21st century Earth. However, a cultural preoccupation with ownership of unique objects as symbols of status and wealth creates intense demand for these types of artificially scarce goods sufficient to maintain the semblance of a mercantile system. There exists a widespread "cottage industry" (palace industry?) in the creation of works of art, as well as large scale privately owned secondary industries ~~dedicated to specialized arms manufacture, narcotics, and cybernetics~~. ~~This~~ also forms the basis for trade with outside realms; the demand for original cultural works far exceeds the city-state's creative output, and local merchants are happy to exchange vast amounts of Theriobach's industrial product for a single rare painting or sculpture to sell at home.		Despite the lack of a traditional resource based economy, Theriobach maintains a thriving free market, supported by a peculiar sort of hybrid economy built around the city-state's feudal social structure. A significant portion of the realm's industrial capacity operates under the direct control of the Prince himself, mass-producing a vast array of goods sufficient to more than satisfy the core needs of the populace. These goods are provided at extremely low cost to the citizens as a privilege of their position within the aristocracy, along with a form of universal basic income computed on the basis of an individual's title and land holdings. In theory, a resident could do absolutely nothing and still enjoy a quality of life comparable to the very best available on 21st century Earth. However, a cultural preoccupation with ownership of unique objects as symbols of status and wealth creates an intense demand for these types of artificially scarce goods sufficient to maintain the semblance of a mercantile system. There exists a widespread "cottage industry" (palace industry?) in the creation of works of art, as well as large scale privately owned secondary industries controlled by the highest levels of the nobility. The fascination with unique goods also forms the basis for trade with outside realms; the demand for original cultural works far exceeds the city-state's creative output, and local merchants are happy to exchange vast amounts of Theriobach's industrial product for a single rare painting or sculpture to sell at home.

	Given the absence of banking and the relative state of disorder within society, there is no official currency or organized securities market. For small everyday purchases, individuals employ a dizzying variety of precious metal coinage (individually minted by anyone of wealth), supplemented as necessary by precious gems of relatively standard size. More substantial transactions such as purchases of real estate, along with transactions in inter-realm trade, tend to be handled through barter. Questions of valuation often complicate matters regardless of the medium of exchange, as traders bicker over such deep philosophical questions as whether a particular ancient Greek statue is more closely worth two pairs of hand-engraved neutron pistols from the arsenal of the great Frederick von Faust, or a twenty carat flawless ruby and a sack of thirty-seven of Countess de Lucienne's famed 1oz Palladium Florins which of course the other party will insist contain only 0.9 ounces of palladium a piece.		Given the absence of banking and the relative state of disorder within society, there is no official currency or organized securities market. For small everyday purchases, individuals employ a dizzying variety of precious metal coinage (individually minted by anyone of wealth), supplemented as necessary by precious gems of relatively standard size. More substantial transactions such as purchases of real estate, along with transactions in inter-realm trade, tend to be handled through barter. Questions of valuation often complicate matters regardless of the medium of exchange, as traders bicker over such deep philosophical questions as whether a particular ancient Greek statue is more closely worth two pairs of hand-engraved neutron pistols from the arsenal of the great Frederick von Faust, or a twenty carat flawless ruby and a sack of thirty-seven of Countess de Lucienne's famed 1oz Palladium Florins which of course the other party will insist contain only 0.9 ounces of palladium a piece.
Line 80:		Line 88:
	[WIP]		[WIP]

	It is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy, ~~peaceful underworld~~ that locally adapts to suit the whims of the deceased. There is neither punishment nor reward in this afterlife, and the dead are free to conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that ~~many souls~~ eventually find ~~their~~ way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even ~~possess~~ artificially constructed ~~bodies~~ and return to ~~their~~ former ~~lives~~.		Given the rather perilous nature of the place, it is perhaps fortunate that an inoffensive sort of afterlife awaits those who meet their end while in Theriobach. Upon dying, an individual will find himself in a shadowy underworld roughly mirroring the style of the city above, that locally adapts to suit the whims of the deceased. There is neither punishment nor reward in this afterlife, and the dead are free to conduct their un-lives as they see fit. The underworld is quite close to the city itself from a metaphysical perspective, so that a determined soul can eventually find its way back to the world of the living to be reincarnated or even take possession of an artificially constructed body and return to its former life.

1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach: /* Military */

2014-08-15T04:35:22Z

Military

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 15 August 2014
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	=== Military ===		=== Military ===

	As its people are fundamentally ill-disposed to military discipline, Theriobach does not maintain a standing army in the conventional sense. On the other hand, the small size and ~~relative~~ physical isolation of the realm, combined with extensive fortification around the portals linking it to the multiverse at large, effectively serve to minimize the threat of attack. In the event that an invasion is attempted, the city's teeming legions of automata are quite capable of bearing arms as a defensive force, and with almost universal civilian ownership of military-grade weaponry, Theriobach more than makes up in defense what it lacks in offensive power.		As its people are fundamentally ill-disposed to military discipline, Theriobach does not maintain a standing army in the conventional sense. On one hand, this represents a significant limitation on its ability to project force, essentially preventing it from launching offensive operations. On the other hand, the small size and physical isolation of the realm, combined with extensive fortification around the portals linking it to the multiverse at large, effectively serve to minimize the threat of attack. In the event that an invasion is attempted, the city's teeming legions of automata are quite capable of bearing arms as a defensive force, and with almost universal civilian ownership of military-grade weaponry, Theriobach more than makes up in defense what it lacks in offensive power.

	In the absence of an established military tradition, the more adventurous and martially inclined among the citizenry often take up careers as soldiers of fortune. Numbering perhaps ten thousand, these mercenaries can be found serving as spies, assassins, and warriors both at home and abroad. These individuals take advantage of the full extent of Theriobach's advanced cybernetic technology to ~~become~~ elegant and frightfully lethal biomechanical ~~combatants backed~~ by ~~cadres~~ of ~~heavily armed robotic servants~~.		In the absence of an established military tradition, the more adventurous and martially inclined among the citizenry often take up careers as soldiers of fortune. Numbering perhaps ten thousand, these mercenaries can be found serving as spies, assassins, and warriors both at home and abroad. These individuals take advantage of the full extent of Theriobach's advanced cybernetic technology, often eschewing the elaborate sort of ornamentation popular among the populace at large in favor of more practical and unobtrusive alternatives. Sub-dermal adamantium plating, concealed internal weapons, and predictive sensory implants are but a few of the wide array of techno-arcane augmentations that serve to enhance their effectiveness in combat to levels well beyond superhuman. Backed by cadres of heavily armed robotic servants, a single such operative in full battledress would be a match for an entire regiment of any modern first-world military.

			These elegant and frightfully lethal biomechanical creatures exist outside the ordinary Theriobachi social hierarchy; though some continue to affect their hereditary titles, they form a sort of lawless parallel society known colloquially as the Free Corps. Despite being generally regarded with fear and distrust by the people, the Prince permits the members of the Free Corps to act largely without interference, in part to maintain the availability of deniable assets for inter-planar operations and in part as a deterrent to any would-be invaders.

	== Culture & Customs ==		== Culture & Customs ==

1d4chan>Prince von Theriobach: /* Economy */

2014-08-14T05:05:07Z

Economy

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:05, 14 August 2014
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	Despite this, Theriobach maintains a thriving free market, supported by a peculiar sort of hybrid economy built around the city-state's feudal social structure. A significant portion of the realm's industrial capacity operates under the direct control of the Prince himself, mass-producing a vast array of goods sufficient to more than satisfy the core needs of the populace. These goods are provided at extremely low cost to the citizens as a privilege of their position within the aristocracy, along with a form of universal credit-based basic income computed on the basis of an individual's title and land holdings. In theory, a resident could do absolutely nothing and still enjoy a quality of life comparable to the very best available on 21st century Earth. However, a cultural preoccupation with ownership of unique objects as symbols of status and wealth creates intense demand for these types of artificially scarce goods sufficient to maintain the semblance of a mercantile system. There exists a widespread "cottage industry" (palace industry?) in the creation of works of art, as well as large scale privately owned secondary industries dedicated to specialized arms manufacture, narcotics, and cybernetics. This also forms the basis for trade with outside realms; the demand for original cultural works far exceeds the city-state's creative output, and local merchants are happy to exchange vast amounts of Theriobach's industrial product for a single rare painting or sculpture to sell at home.		Despite this, Theriobach maintains a thriving free market, supported by a peculiar sort of hybrid economy built around the city-state's feudal social structure. A significant portion of the realm's industrial capacity operates under the direct control of the Prince himself, mass-producing a vast array of goods sufficient to more than satisfy the core needs of the populace. These goods are provided at extremely low cost to the citizens as a privilege of their position within the aristocracy, along with a form of universal credit-based basic income computed on the basis of an individual's title and land holdings. In theory, a resident could do absolutely nothing and still enjoy a quality of life comparable to the very best available on 21st century Earth. However, a cultural preoccupation with ownership of unique objects as symbols of status and wealth creates intense demand for these types of artificially scarce goods sufficient to maintain the semblance of a mercantile system. There exists a widespread "cottage industry" (palace industry?) in the creation of works of art, as well as large scale privately owned secondary industries dedicated to specialized arms manufacture, narcotics, and cybernetics. This also forms the basis for trade with outside realms; the demand for original cultural works far exceeds the city-state's creative output, and local merchants are happy to exchange vast amounts of Theriobach's industrial product for a single rare painting or sculpture to sell at home.

	Given the absence of banking and the relative state of disorder within society, there is no official currency or organized securities market. For small everyday purchases, individuals employ a dizzying variety of precious metal coinage (individually minted by anyone of wealth), supplemented as necessary by precious gems of relatively standard size. More substantial transactions such as purchases of real estate, along with ~~transaction~~ in inter-realm trade, tend to be handled through barter. Questions of valuation often complicate matters regardless of the medium of exchange, as traders bicker over such deep philosophical questions as whether a particular ancient Greek statue is more closely worth two pairs of hand-engraved neutron pistols from the arsenal of the great Frederick von Faust, or a twenty carat flawless ruby and a sack of thirty-seven of Countess de Lucienne's famed 1oz Palladium Florins which of course the other party will insist contain only 0.9 ounces of palladium a piece.		Given the absence of banking and the relative state of disorder within society, there is no official currency or organized securities market. For small everyday purchases, individuals employ a dizzying variety of precious metal coinage (individually minted by anyone of wealth), supplemented as necessary by precious gems of relatively standard size. More substantial transactions such as purchases of real estate, along with transactions in inter-realm trade, tend to be handled through barter. Questions of valuation often complicate matters regardless of the medium of exchange, as traders bicker over such deep philosophical questions as whether a particular ancient Greek statue is more closely worth two pairs of hand-engraved neutron pistols from the arsenal of the great Frederick von Faust, or a twenty carat flawless ruby and a sack of thirty-seven of Countess de Lucienne's famed 1oz Palladium Florins which of course the other party will insist contain only 0.9 ounces of palladium a piece.

	=== Military ===		=== Military ===