AHRIMAN
A magical being who fell to Asia from
the stars around 8,000 B.C. Though the sex of this being is not known, its
children, the original World Makers—Dao Changkratok, Edison Godfellow (aka Da
Vinci), and Svetlana Frankivsk (the missing World Maker), among others—named
him Ahriman after the omnimalevolent Persian spirit. They saw their parent only
in their darkest dreams and its form always resembled that of a huge, bee-like
creature, though with many eyes and infinite patience. Ahriman’s true origin
and intent yet remains a matter of mystery and conjecture. Upon ascension to
World Maker in the 18th century, Czarina Catherine Romanova also had
visions of a similar creature she believed to be Ahriman.
ARIA MAGIC
Since the birth of the World Makers in
the Bronze Age, only two ever possessed the power of aria, and both were women.
The first, Dao Changkratok, lived in old Thailand and died at the hands of the Dio Soldati following an attempt to
murder Edison Godfellow; the second was born Princess Fredericka Von Anhalt who
later became Catherine Romanova, Czarina of All the Russias. The aria which
channels the magical side of the Tao enables the World Maker who possesses it
to access tremendous power, and in more unique ways. The World Maker literally sings
complex spells from deep within herself, and in a style reminiscent of Italian
opera.
ARMEW
Short for Aria and Magical
Enhancement Web. A magi-tech Tao device created by Edison Godfellow that fuses
with the neural architecture of a sorcerer, magician, or World Maker. It
channels his or her will and amplifies any spell or matter-energy manipulation,
and in a manner that disallows inappropriate, unwanted, or exaggerated effects
that might prove harmful. The more powerful the magic being, the more enhancement
potential of their power via the ARMEW. In this way, a hierarchy of power is
maintained. A rank magician cannot, for example, utilize an ARMEW to make
himself more powerful than a sorcerer.
CAIXA DE MUNDOS
Galician
for “Box of Worlds.” An extremely powerful spell available to World Makers and
high-rank sorcerers. The creation of Caixa
de Mundos enables the user to effectively copy whatever object she or he
wishes and store the copy in a container of choice—usually a small box or
sphere on a chain. Once copied, the thing copied can be reproduced in its
original size and form, and the amount of matter-energy able to be copied and
stored, in magical theory, is nearly limitless. A capable sorcerer could, in
fact, copy an entire moon, store it, and return it to existence at a chosen
time, even use it to replace or “overwrite” an existing world. A related spell,
the Gravar e Almancenar, is even more
powerful, and could be employed in theory to copy the entire Earth in all its
complexity down to the last molecule in the most primitive bacterium.
DARK HOUSE OF OZ
A creation of the Witch Queen (aka
Mom Bee Coo, aka Nina Cohen) that periodically appears in the Deeper Lands of New Manhattan
Oz at the hub of the four-quadrant land she created. The Dark House is always enormous
in size, at times hundreds of feet tall, but its overall architectural
appearance is never the same twice. Ordinary human exposure to the Dark House
stimulates anything from bad dreams to psychotic breakdowns. The
Dark House serves as the main psychoanalyst office of Nina Cohen—a forty-something
Berkeley therapist possessed by the mysterious original alien from Orion who
arrived on Earth and transformed itself into the Witch Queen.
DEEPER LANDS
A name coined for the totality of
land that forms the very base of New Manhattan Oz—resting just above the city’s
Operations and Security Command. The land was created and formed as a
Neo-dimensional quantum environment wherein the ratio of normal distance to Deeper
Land distance is 1/1000. The diameter of the Deeper Lands is therefore approximately
20,000 miles given that the diameter of the New Manhattan base is approximately
20 normal miles. The topographic features, flora, and fauna composition were
determined by an invention of Edison Godfellow known as the Apparatus Creaturae. It effectively and
randomly created various species of plants and animals while sculpting mountain
chains, rivers, seas, lakes, plateaus, and much else of similar nature. The original
motive for the creation of the Deeper Lands was to provide a habitat for
humanity and its many future billions.
DIO SOLDATI
Italian for “God Soldiers.” Created,
designed, and trained by Edison Godfellow as elite shock troops combining the
best of magical Tao and military science—better known as “magi-tech.” A single Dio Soldati consists of a combat
exoskeleton with six limbs, weapon packs, segmented armor, and sensor arrays.
The tactical and engineering brain consists of a YJS-3.6 AI unit that interfaces
with a New Human host. Non-EMP primary weapons include combat spells, nova
burst, black hole effectors, particle disruptor beams, giga-electrics, black-plasma
cannons, and others. The God Soldiers also fight in EMP environments (see
below) through efficient utilization of sonic and kinetic weapons, including a
pair of graphene broadswords. Each Dio
Soldati employs six small stealth drones for purposes of reconnaissance nicknamed
“blisters.” A typical Dio Soldati unit
stands 15 feet tall and altogether packs a total punch equal to 923.4 megatons.
DJINN
Born of a powerful spell by a Celtic British
sorcerer who turned an unruly clan of Neolithic Irish into even more annoying
magical creatures. Djinns eventually spread around the world and into the
Middle East where they became part of pre-Islamic folklore. They are known to hate
humans in general, the English and Turks most of all. Roman Emperor Hadrian
once observed, “Unless under spell or sword, djinns should be feared.” As a
consequence of being so cantankerous, not many remain in the 21st
century. Estimates vary, but most sorcerers agree not more than 700. Djinns
procreate by laying eggs once every century or so. Their life spans are many
times that of normal humans. Powers include ability to change shape into
insects, serpents, hawks, and panthers; control of wind and fire, adoption of various
human guises, and invisibility after dusk. Their normal appearance is that of a
furry, lemur-like creature not more than three feet tall.
ELECTRO-MAGICAL PULSE (EMP)
A magical dampening field primarily utilized
for military purposes during times of war that serves as effective
countermeasure to both magical and non-magical Tao weapons—lasers, electricity,
black-plasma, nova effects, particle beams, combat spells, etc. EMP can be
maintained for minutes or days, the physical extent and duration of an EMP
“bubble” dependent on the amount of energy deployed at inception. EMP can be produced
either by spell or magical technology—the latter being a more powerful and
durable source (unless born of aria).
FIESTRA NA VIDA
An advanced and utilitarian spell
that creates “life windows” three to ten feet in diameter for purpose of
observation, collection, and transport. The spell can “open a window” onto
almost anything regardless of location, thus enabling panoramic viewpoint or
microscopic examination. Objects can pass back and forth through the windows.
GALICIAN
A derivative of Latin in Northern
Spain and the primary interface language chosen by the World Makers and
utilized by all magical beings to tap and mold the magical side of Tao (see
below). Early attempts to employ other languages were made, but none proved
upon experimentation to be sufficiently precise, i.e., none allowed the
threading of needles or the manipulation of microscopic fauna. The words of any
spell, whether used to poach eggs or edit a storm pattern, must be spoken
perfectly. Spells may be spoken in thought, but must be heard in the ear of the
mind. The totality of spells, 33,569 of them, are listed and described in 28
volumes of collected spell code, and organized into a Spell Potency Hierarchy.
Spells higher on the hierarchy can only be achieved by those magicians, spell
captains, sorcerers, and World Makers who possess the power to goad them into
results. A rank beginner magician may effectively access up to a hundred
spells, and without the use of any device.
GRAND HUMAN TRANFIGURATION
Created and engineered by Edison
Godfellow, the Grand Human Transfiguration consisted of a painstaking,
Earth-wide remaking of the human species in the 21st century by
means of magic and technology into a new species known as the Over Being, the
Great People, or New Humanity. Those humans who survived the methodical
cleansing and rigorous psychological tests of the much hated and praised
Transfiguration were gifted with flawless superior form, enhanced strength and
intellect, functional telepathy, as well as age-free immortality. However, the
GHT was effectively canceled by Godfellow himself (upon returning from the
future) before it transitioned into Phase II. However, he allowed the full
implementation of Phase I which consisted of cleansing Earth of all the various
levels and classes of sociopaths, borderlines, and narcissists. This decision
was based on his firm belief that a future utopian society would never be able
to mature and survive if the usual aggressive defectives remained alive to corrupt
it.
KATHMANDU
The magical other side of Kathmandu
is a fabled, mystical city of tower-like buildings, many a mile or more high,
existing within the clouds of the Himalayas. Arranged and stacked in levels,
similar to Buddhist sanctuaries in Nepal, it is home to a population primarily
composed of Buddhist spell captains of various levels, and their families. The
World Maker Niccolo Paginini rules as a philosopher magician king. It resides
outside the normal time stream, composed of solid magic Tao many feet thick.
The magical Kathmandu was birthed following the trial and death of Socrates by
magical beings sympathetic to the philosopher. Rather than take revenge upon
the Greeks, they sought seclusion in a world of their own conception.
LA MANCHA TOWER
A starscraper and former command
center of Godfellow in London which housed War Tracker during the War for
Utopia. The upper half of the tower was obliterated by anti-Godfellow forces
intent on capturing War Tracker—a primary strategic goal during the time war
conflict.
LANDS OF NEVER
Objects of rock and earth varying in
size from several miles in diameter to over 200 miles. They exist in the Oz
ether between New Manhattan and the Deeper Lands. Each individual Land of Never
is possessed of its own unique environment, magical or non-magical parts
depending on its purpose. An undefined percentage are meant to be evolutionary
experiments, others serving as recreational worlds and/or places of habitation.
LA STELO PUNTERO
The Pointer Star. Name of the tallest
starscraper in New Manhattan Oz, over three miles high, atop which sits the
Heptagon—headquarters penthouse and office for the Governor of New Manhattan Oz,
who is responsible for defense, administration, and pacification. The first
Governor to occupy the office is Czarina Catherine Romanova. The Heptagon
contains its own built-in ARMEW (see above). The bulk of the starscraper
consists of living quarters, neo-space sectors, parks, offices, and recreation
spaces.
LE PETIT SANGLIER
The Small Boar. Known not only for its
superb French cuisine, but also for exquisite dishes from many cultures, it
rests atop a sky island that orbits the city of New Manhattan. It features a
permanent form of Fiestra Na Vida
that opens a large window onto exotic and beautiful climes for the enjoyment of
patrons. The wait staff are morph-droids who imitate the forms of famous actors
of all sexes, and from all periods, even back to the earliest days of film,
including Mae West, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Greta
Garbo, Grace Kelly, and Lauren Bacall, as well as cult figures like Bradford
Dillman, Adam West, and Ed Wood Junior.
MAGI-TECH
General term for objects, devices, or
artificial systems of any kind that are created using a combination of magical and
non-magical Tao—in other words, magic and technology. The science of magi-tech
was developed to an art by Edison Godfellow, known among magical beings
throughout the cosmos to be Earth’s most brilliant inventor and nonesuch
magical genius.
MEMENTO MORI
A philosophical reflection on
mortality that goes back to Socrates, and a visual reminder that death is always
near—usually depicted by a skull and often surrounded by other symbols. Piper
Robbin wears a Memento Mori carved
from ebony on a chain around her neck that is half face and half skull.
MOTHER YARROWS
The soul essence of famous female
warriors from centuries past who willingly donate “years between seconds” to
assist an elite corps of spell captains, sorcerers, and World Makers in the
future. Channeled via magical yarrow sticks implanted in the spines of their
hosts, they augment the natural power of the host once they possess the yarrow.
Ongoing interface with the host is accomplished via magical sub-space
telepathy. Mother Yarrow Mario of Pozzuoli is one of the most famous Mother
Yarrows, having possessed the yarrow of World Maker Catherine Romanova (aka
“Catherine the Great”).
NEO-DIMENSIONAL SPACE or NEOSPACE
Upon experimenting with magically
enhanced forms of quantum and non-quantum space, Godfellow found that with
sufficient Tao energy one could “stretch” normal space nearly indefinitely and
stabilize it within a defined perimeter. As a practical application he created
vast areas within the Oz City-Worlds and on select New Humanity fleet warships to
allow for more suitable and expansive living space. He later discovered that
one could also vary the ratio of real space to neo-space within the same
container, thereby shrinking or widening as the need dictated.
NEW HUMANITY
The final evolutionary stage of the
human species—aka Over Beings or the “Great People.” Created through genetic
engineering, they remain forever young, immune to illness and disease, possessed
of superior stamina, strength, enhanced agility, able to heal injuries at 34.8
times the rate of the normal human, as well as withstand up to 13,200 PSI and
2400 degrees Fahrenheit in the flesh. Each is possessed of four mini-hearts,
interspecies telepathy, 2.5 telekinesis allowing levitation, and minimum 240
IQ, as well as the ability to neurally triple process, achieve Spell Captain
rank, and filter oxygen from water. Individuals serve in the New Humanity Fleet
as crew, Dio Soldati, and perform all
Operations and Security Center functions in Oz City-Worlds.
OZ IN AETERNUM!
“Oz
forever!” is the battle cry Piper Robbin shouts when leading troops into battle
against the Witch Queen and her forces.
SEVEN CITY-WORLDS OF OZ
The seven city-worlds are Manhattan,
Berlin, Istanbul, Kinshasa, Shanghai, Jakarta, and Buenos Aires. They serve two
purposes. First, they provide utopian living space for the human species with
ample room for population expansion, and second, they form an Earth defense
system believed powerful enough to repel any form of alien invasion. The Oz
theme was conceived by Godfellow due to his obsession with the popular Oz
movie, and because he believed it symbolic of humankind’s best qualities. Each
city-world consists of a crown sector that includes the former old city under a
bio-dome and the new version directly beneath that exists in a condition of neo-dimensional
space.
SHADOW BROKERS
Founded by master magician Cereus Malcolm,
and originating in England during the 17th century, the Shadow
Brokers became infamous for intricate and customized spell craft that allowed
for breaking and entering all forms of protected spaces whether they be treasure
vaults or burial crypts, above ground or below. In later centuries, they
expanded their reach to include computer networks and personal electronic
devices. As a matter of course, they evolved into the world’s best trackers, investigators,
and spies. Cereus was later appointed by his fellow Shadow Brokers as Grand
Master Mage and has retained this title well into the 21st century.
TAO
The basic essence of the multi-verse:
energy and matter divided into a duality of magical and non-magical. Whether
the two are actually distinct from each other based on reality or misperception
is hotly debated among Tao physicists and magic scholars. Electricity and
gravity are considered non-magical Tao, whereas spell-driven kinetics and
anti-gravity are considered magical Tao; however, both types exist de facto and are utilized by intelligent
species for purpo*ses of creation, alteration, and destruction. The existence
of magical Tao is far more rare than non-magical, though large deposits have
been found via radio telescope to exist in particular regions of the galaxy and
beyond.
WAR FOR UTOPIA
Fought between the World Maker
children of Ahriman to determine the destiny of Earth, and involving their two
capital cities, London and Kathmandu. Though essentially a time war, the
Nicholas Treaty drew the boundary lines of conflict from the year 1568 to an
indeterminate future. The southern boundary of 1568 was chosen to prevent
either side from accidentally disrupting the defeat of Ottoman Empire forces at
the siege of Vienna. The boundary was enforced by a ring of magi-tech chrono
satellites that annihilated any being or instrument crossing the line going south
to the more distant past. World Maker Niccolo Paganini emphasized improvement
of the moral and spiritual nature of humanity, as well as Earth harmony, whereas
Godfellow, aka Da Vinci, emphasized genetic evolution, rule by sorcerer kings,
and multi-verse exploration as key critical elements necessary for species
survival. The War for Utopia concluded its first phase with a victory for
Godfellow and London, however, a second phase (aka “World War Oz”) was later fought
against an alien from Orion that called itself “The Witch Queen.”
WAR TRACKER
A magi-tech invention of Godfellow designed
during the War for Utopia to keep perpetual and meticulous watch on all changes
in the Earth time stream, thus enabling a warning and dispatch system that
triggered magical military “black forces,” e.g., the Dio Soldati (see above), to restore the original stream should
unwanted changes of any type or degree occur.
WORLD WAR OZ
The name often given to the second War
for Utopia (see above). Once Edison Godfellow had defeated the forces of Kathmandu
and won the first War for Utopia, he evolved humanity, transfigured Earth, and
reached out to the stars, only to face an ignoble and catastrophic defeat at
the hands of an Orion alien whose consistency and origin yet remain a mystery.
In a desperate bid to prevent annihilation, Edison alone traveled backwards in
time to New York City of 2038 A.D. on a mission to find his daughter, Piper
Robbin, and ally with her, and others, to stop himself in the past before the Grand
Human Transfiguration (see above) could provoke final disaster. Once he had
succeeded in this mission, in part by creating the Seven City-Worlds of Oz (see
above), a new war began, initiated by the same alien who defeated his fleet in
Orion. A fragment of the alien had followed him back through time to Earth,
intent on annihilating the planet, and thus, World War Oz began.
WINKIES
Inhabitants of the Winkie quadrant in
the Deeper Lands. Unlike the Winkies of the original Oz, these Winkies resemble
golden and hairless humans. Their oversexed recreational habits produce large
numbers of Winkie babies who begin life as melon-like pods on the backs of
their mothers. Winkies come in three sexes: male, female, and fem-two. All are well
endowed, but the fem-two possess both breasts and penis, thereby having the ability
to both ignite and nurture life. Winkie children grow quickly and within nine
months are copulating freely. Their technology is Bronze Age. Winkies live in homes
of mudbrick, wood, and straw, gather boolee berries, and engage in farming corn
and wheat. Under most circumstances they are congenial and slow to anger. They
worship a sun goddess named Ozma. During World War Oz, hundreds of them immigrated
to Mars and began a new life there.
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