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Role-Playing in Vinya (An Overview) GateWar
is a fantasy/science fiction role-playing game that takes place
in the world of Vinya. The world of Vinya is more than just a
stage for entertaining drama and fiction. It is a reflection
of what we are and what we may become as a species. On a personal
level the interaction we have with others while engaging in role-playing
and gaming is part of life's learning process...at a bare minimum
playing games can make us aware of options or possibilities that
may be experienced in the real-world and possibly give us the
opportunity to learn from our actions. Creation of Vinya (unknown to the world) The planet
history is fairly accurate as recounted by popular Vinyan legend,
with the following additions: The sleekly asymmetrical deep-space probe suddenly opened its giant robotic eye and fired maneuvering jets, directing its sensors towards the oblivious planet below, fourth in a line of seven orbs. Internal lights flickered as sensors registered hydrogen and oxygen molecules constituting the majority of the planet surface, yet dimmed when no intelligent indigenous lifeforms are confirmed. A silver egg-shaped pod was then fired from an iris in the probe's flank. Upon entering the atmosphere, the pod disintegrated into minute particles. The probe turned its transmitter array toward another star system a few light-years away, and, after sending a high-intensity radio burst, closed its giant eye and began its wait. After years of drifting at sea, the majority of the minute particles grew into protein-enriched growth chambers bobbing on the surface, eventually washing ashore on the various continents. Within a short time, the erect bipeds which emerged from the chambers were scurrying about almost every portion of the planet. The alien purpose for planting these genetic seeds is a mystery which will be revealed in the GateWar modules. Hints: The aliens could be using these humanoids to terraform the planet for them, or perhaps the Vinyan races are simply a bio-food source that the aliens could harvest as deep space travel snacks. Or perhaps the aliens are a benevolent race and have decided this is the best way to populate the galaxy instead of using multi-generation ships. Note:
The probe wakes periodically up to see how its experiment is
going. If, for some reason, all the humanoids die due to plague
or war it can just start over by sending down another genetic
egg. Vinya Timeline The following is a brief synopsis of Vinyan history. The latter part of the P.G. (Pre-Gate) era is considered by most modern historians to be the height of Vinyan civilization and culture. Vinya's
History to the Present Before Vinyan Continent Discovered The Discovery of Vinya Explorers
from the various races through cooperative effort eventually
discovered a unique continent that not only had a superior climate
and an incredible wealth of natural resources, but also possessed
similar environments found in each of the racial homelands. The
leaders of each race decided to expand this joint discovery into
a type of cooperative settlement in which the vast resources
could be shared and racial harmony enhanced due to increased
trade and contact. This new land and its colonization eventually
became known as: "Vinya" and "The Vinyan Experiment". The Great Homeland Exodus Eventually
the majority of the world population moved from the old racial
homelands to take part in the grand experiment. It was difficult
for even the most stubborn individuals to remain after learning
of the rich abundance of: food, minerals and culture that were
unique to Vinya. Vinya Flourishes The continued
success of the Vinyan Experiment spawned many social and technological
advances. More than adequate food and creature comforts could
be provided for the entire population at comparatively little
or no cost. This was mainly due to the abundance of magic mineral,
which is the chief energy source for all known technology on
their planet. In fact, on Vinya fist-sized specimens of the mineral
had been discovered, which would have been previously considered
unbelievable, since the natural distribution found in the old
racial homelands were rarely much larger than grains of sand! The Importance of Magic Mineral "Magic mineral" is constantly released from the bedrock of Vinya by erosion, earthquakes, and volcanoes. This magic mineral continuously releases a basic form of energy that pervades the universe in varying amounts. Magic mineral, a crystalline compound, usually occurs as a fine dust. Larger specimens are considered gemstones, greatly valued for their magical properties. The inhabitants of the planet have learned over time to manipulate the energy emitted. The first spells were likely simple energy blasts or alternate light sources. As the spell-casters grew more proficient at the art they were able to create, learn, and perform more intricate manipulations. They managed to encase raw Magic Mineral along with material components in glass spheres, allowing the spell to be released when the glass was broken. Later, they even learned to embed spells into the matrix of the crystal itself, so that the spell effects could be released, as often as desired, by someone who had not even learned how to cast it themselves. Today, Magic exists in the form of Spell Spheres, Power Gems, and Element and Common Magic spells. This vast
energy source freed the individual to contribute more of their
time to worldly and societal pursuits such as: art, literature
and additional advances in technology. This in turn enriched
the individual and Vinyan society simultaneously in a sustained
cycle. Common Magic Common
Magic is, well, common. It is relatively easy to learn; almost
all Vinyans are taught at least some spells at an early age.
Even in the difficult times brought about by the alien invasion,
learning new spells is limited by the price of the instruction
rather than availability. The Discovery of Element Magic No one
knows how or why, but after the Vinyan Experiment had continued
for hundreds of years a handful of special individuals were born.
It was discovered that not only could these unique individuals
tap magic mineral energy in the normal manner, but in a completely
new and exponentially more powerful method as well. They literally
had the power to manipulate the elements (Earth, Air, Fire and
Water) using only the power of their mind. Element Magic is genetically
exclusive. The Golden Age of Vinya The number
of Element Masters increased and their power became even more
profound when they combined their talents in the creation of
new magics and technologies. Vinya and its people prospered well
beyond even their most wild expectations. It was a time when
anything seemed possible. The average Vinyan had no complaints
and were generally happy entertaining themselves with their latest
personal endeavors to experience all that life had to offer or
the next technological feat that the Element Masters were attempting
to hurdle for the good of all Vinya. The GateWay Vinyan
Magic and technology flourished and culminated with an astonishing
leap in technology called the Gateway of the Worlds that not
only caused the destruction of Vinya's leaders and unified world
government, but the very beliefs that held together their society
and way of life. Current State of Affairs Without
the vast and unifying power of Element Magic and related technologies
to support them, the great cities of Vinya and their inhabitants
reverted from their social altruistic nature towards a philosophy
focused on individual survival, very similar to that practiced
in the racial homelands of yesteryear. Future Plot Direction Years
have now passed since the Gateway of the Worlds was activated.
Currently half the old great cities of Vinya have been destroyed
by off-world invaders, the rest are divided by either racial
or ideological differences. Now with food, resources and options
getting low, the remaining Vinyan population finds the invading
hordes once again on their heels. What do they do now? Do they
weaken their defensive position by letting a portion of their
population escape upon the equally dangerous vast ocean before
them? Do they put their faith in the hands of the sages, Avatar,
or perhaps an alien race? Will the winds of change shift more
or less favorably for the people of Vinya the next time the universal
constant applies its force? The Vinyan Mind Set and the Wall of Truths On the western edge of an island continent, one can find the ruins of a port city. The ancient urban area is now populated by only a handful of individuals, slowly milling about its crumbling buildings. Near the center of this once obviously elaborate metropolis and adjacent to what appears to be abandoned government buildings are several monuments. Pulling back the accumulated foliage of decades of neglect, a fossil encrusted aqua-colored wall of marble, called the Vinyan Wall of Truths can be found. Inscribed on it are the following words:
In addition, directly across the square is a dirty and pitted obelisk, which has the following words inscribed:
The most
casual observer would notice that the only government building
that appears to have experienced any preservation efforts is
the Old Capitol library also known by the locals as the White
Tower. Within its walls are many tomes that contain the accumulated
knowledge and history of the Vinyan civilization. |
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