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Cantionis Terra Cantionis Terra, codename of the twisted nanotech virus designed for one purpose: rewrite the world from the genetic ground up. Designed by Terrell Chen, twenty year old wunderkind and full-on sociopath. Cantionis Terra was Chen's solution to the world he had never cared for. Nanotechnology was Chen's means to change the world more to his liking. The virus itself was simple, if not random. Cantionis Terra might not even affect one creature, while leaving another forever changed into a creature of myth. Flesh, blood, stone, land - nothing could resist the virus. It held no prejudice. The results were random, but the end result would be Terrell Chen's dreamworld. To anyone else caught it its path: a living nightmare.
The World The world of Twilight Agency is actually two worlds overlapping one another, one known as Feyside, the other Earthside. The common reality of one world is the mythology of the other. To denizens residing Feyside, thoughts of a human populated world, bustling with its many cities and wild creatures such as wolves and elephants is just as fantastic a notion as elves and centaurs are to Earthsiders. The worlds are separated, yet held together by an energy field known simply as the Veil. Across most of both worlds, the Veil is an impenetrable and undetectable barrier. Yet Feyside and Earthside intersect at various points where the Veil thins, allowing passage from one world to the other. In some cases, transition is so subtle a person never realizes he has crossed boundaries. Most intersections have been long mapped and charted, guard stations erected at some while others are completely barred off from travel. Others remain undiscovered, and new ones are opening all the time.
In simplest terms Cantionis Terra was a basic replication spell, no different than a novice mage might master. Terrell Chen's creation was able to achieve such worldwide effects because of the medium used to cast it, and the location of the caster. Terrell Chen created a quantum computer. He poked and prodded it into self-awareness, then taught it to be as sociopathic and self-centered as himself. Finally he programmed it with the replication spell, and placed the computer within the Veil which separates the worlds of Earthside and Feyside. Chen's computer took energy and inspiration from the lands and creatures of Feyside, and transformed those of Earthside into similar shapes. The replications were merely similar, not identical. An Earthside creature might be transformed into a dragon, but would not be a mirror image of the Feyside dragon which served as its template. Thus the affected areas of Earthside became similar in type to their Feyside counterparts, but not mirror-images. Only a mind as precise and fast as a quantum computer could have handled a spell cast on such a grand scale, and only a mind totally convinced of its own importance could have survived in the Veil. These were the secrets of Cantionis Terra.
Any creature which was transformed by Cantionis Terra.
The regular member level provides services for people whose professions bring them into regular contact with chimeras. This includes doctors, police, and professional hunters. There is also an unmentioned premium membership level which is by invitation only. This premium level is accessible only to those who are already initiated to the existence of Feyside, and gives information on people, events, and creatures of Feyside.
The world of humans and technology.
The dominant intelligent life form on Feyside, in terms of numbers and influence. Generations of breeding in the magic-rich environment of Feyside have given them longevity, increased aptitude for sorcery, and specific native powers. The race separates into five distinct breeds, though interbreeding is common. Each breed is named for a specific natural force to which their native powers align: Flame, Stone, Wave, Wind, and Storm.
Any creature which is native to Feyside. The term is used only by the initiated who are aware of Feyside's existence.
The world on the other side of the Veil from Earthside. Environmental conditions such as atmosphere and gravity are nearly identical. Feyside differs from Earthside in the forms of its flora and fauna. The most striking difference between the worlds is the level of magical energy, which is much higher on Feyside.
A general term referring to the design and use of molecule-sized machines (popularly dubbed "nanobots" or "nanites") for applications. The term was coined by K. Eric Drexler in his 1986 book "Engines of Creation." The use of nanotechnology features prominently in the history and current world of Twilight Agency.
A dimension of chaotic energy which separates Earthside and Feyside. It is so named because its usual appearance is a glowing "curtain" of energy no thicker than a veil. Passage through the Veil is possible and even safe and routine to the initiated. Prolonged unprotected exposure to its conditions usually results in madness to even the strongest minds. Current theory holds that the environment of the Veil is so alien that living creatures lack the senses or awareness to interpret it. |