War and Conflict: Battles and military strategies influencing the larger narrative.
Archeston, the upper half of Gates City, is a dark cyber metropolis suspended high above the planet’s atmosphere, beyond the dangers of the surface below. Governed by the Heavens, the city thrives within the clouds, where perpetual rain never ceases. Though Archeston spans 10 kilometers in width, its defining feature is its immense verticality, with towering structures connected by bridges. Each citizen is assigned an occupation that best serves the strict order established by the Heavens.
tram/train/subway system trains pass through the city via large metal beam cables that these trains hang from.
Due to the thin atmosphere, the air in Archeston is difficult to breathe, and only those acclimated to the environment can survive unaided. Visitors from the Heavens require ventilation devices and masks to navigate the city. Despite its vast size, Archeston is sparsely populated. Overpopulation is not a concern; food resources are. When scarcity arises, the Heavens conduct a "Purge," a brutal and random culling of the population, led by Saint Monark, who wields the Weeping Gavel to execute citizens deemed unworthy. The Purge serves as a grim reminder for citizens to work tirelessly to avoid selection. Bodies of the dead, like other refuse, are discarded over the edge of the Gates into the abyss below.
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Gatekeepers: Independent enforcers who protect the rights of both Archeston and Anyth citizens.
Labourers to the Heavens: Archeston-born individuals who serve the Heavens, equipped with flying ships to navigate the Gates.
Citizens of Archeston: General populace, assigned roles to maintain order and contribute to society.
The Rebellion: A resistance movement using violence as a means for change against the ruling Heavens.
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The Rebellion believes that change can only come through violence. Despite their aggressive actions, the Rebellion’s goals are calculated, and their use of force is seen as a necessary means of achieving progress, even if tangible results are not yet visible.
Originally established by both the people of Anyth and Archeston, the Gatekeepers serve as independent protectors of citizens on both sides. Although their initial purpose was noble, the Heavens, with their advanced technology, have overshadowed the Gatekeepers within Archeston, exerting full control over the populace. Still, the Gatekeepers strive to maintain justice, standing as the last true arbiters of fairness in the city.
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The Gatekeepers have a distinctive, detective-like appearance: large coats or suits, dark sunglasses, black umbrellas, and handguns. Their badge of authority is represented by a black tie, and all Gatekeepers have a "Moon" implanted in their eyes. The leader, known as the 'Standing Keeper,' has a unique tie design to denote their status. Despite their formal and professional appearance, the Gatekeepers' clothing lacks technological enhancements, a stark contrast to the more advanced Ravens. Their gothic, castle-like headquarters, known as the Keep, reflects their outdated and bleak existence.