This Rising Tide: The New Atlantis Chronicles - An Overview... (390 hits)
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Submitted by kaos-king (antius777) (View user info) at 2006-05-09 06:01:43 EDT
T H I S R I S I N G T I D E: THE ATLANTIS CHRONICLES
GLOSSARY OF TERMS...
Allal E'Xull - Supreme entity of the first world. E'Xull formed consciousness when the first world collapsed and its reality merged into itself. It is the will composed of the first world inhabitants, and the very matter of that reality, although it lacks any form itself. Now the only thing capable of independent thought in that world.
Antediluvians - The term given to those who possess the Understanding after the sinking of Atlantis. It came to eventually have a negative connotation, used by those with Pure Blood to distinguish those with mixed. It's use is primarily in historical reference now, due to the fact there are no longer any Pure Blood Methulians left. Those who currently possess the the Understanding prefer the term "Atlantean".
Atlantean - 1. Term used loosely by the Methulian residents of the island of Atlantis, to identify themselves when out in the rest of the world. 2. Term currently used by the descendants of the Methulians, all of whom are of mixed blood, for those who possess the Understanding, in honor of the sunken empire.
Atlantis - Island home adopted by the wandering Methulians after the Purge. Was inhabited by them for centuries until they realized the resurgence of a Xullian presence in the first world. It was then sank to throw off the Xullians to their plan to infiltrate the human population of the world, in attempts to spread the Understanding through the Blood back to the lost in case of another Purge.
Baden - The third level of the Understanding, only attainable by those with Pure Blood. Used as a designation of achievement, Badens held positions of authority within the societies of those with the Understanding.
Badenary - A created "second and 1/2" level for those of mixed blood, whose abilities with the Understanding are only held back by their heritage. In modern Conclave's, individuals who possess this level hold all the same positions as the Badens of old, since there are no longer any Pure Blood Methulians left.
Badi - Term used to describe one of the three "disciplines" in the Understanding. They are the mind, the body, and the soul. Anyone with the Understanding, feels mostly attuned to one of the three Badi, although even those with mixed blood find it possible to manipulate more than one, but rarely all three.
Blood - Term used to describe the amount of Methulian genetics one possess. People affected by the Purge lost the literal DNA sequence needed to tap into the Understanding. The less "human" heritage one has the more "Blood" they have. The more Blood you have, the better able you are to tap into the Understanding. Also, the more Blood you have, the easier you are able to be drawn to another of the Blood, the more the Blood, the greater the draw.
Body - One of the three Badi of the Understanding. Those who achieve the level of Baden, (or now Badenary), can and usually hold positions as security officials.
Chancellor - Leader of a Conclave. Must have Baden or now Badenary abilities.
Conclave - An organized colony of Antediluvians. Lead by a Chancellor, who is advised by the Elders, and aided by the Badenaries. Most remaining Conclaves are located near Laechen Gates, but many of today's Atlanteans opt to live in the global community.
Council - The Antediluvian government body. It is comprised of all the Chancellors, and a few experienced Badenaries still very much involved with the Atlantean society, but do not live within a Conclave for whatever reason.
Darlvich Vax - Translated from Atlantean as "The One Who Walks". Prophocized by the Xullians after the Purge, and discovered by the Baden "Midein" before the sinking of Atlantis. Supposedly, this would be a "Pure Lost", born without a trace of the Blood, but who would be able to tap into the Understanding more completely than even the most powerful of the pre-Purge Methulians. This individual would be a culmination of the millenniums that The Lost had suffered through without the Understanding they were suppose to of had. This delay, the prophecy said, had made the need for a connection to the Understanding only stronger in The Lost, essentially opening a flood gate to this Darlvich Vax. The Xullians especially feared this, for they believed the Darlvich Vax would so completely have the Understanding, that this individual would be able to enact a Purge upon them.
Elder - Badenary or occasionally Initiate who acts as an advisor to the Chancellor.
First World - Original reality occupied by the denizens who would come be known as the Xullians. Theories developed on its contemplation is that all the proper components were present, just not in the right amounts or in the correct positions. The first world was an abomination. Although some speculate that it's inherent instability caused its downfall, many believe its creator(s) deemed it unfit to meet whatever plans lay ahead for it. However, either unwilling or unable to destroy it, it was collapsed into itself, and used as a foundation to build our reality, the Second World. There was a total breakdown in the balance of space/time and matter, and its inhabitants now coallased as animal, vegetable, and mineral. As the reality collapsed, merging with its sentient life, a new consciousness was born, called Allal E'Xull.
Initiate - Second level of the Understanding.
Laechen Gates - Sometime around 800 CE, the Xullian horde managed to regain enough of its strength to renew its attacks on the second world, even without the presence of Allal E'Xull. They found they could possessed the minds and/or bodies of the Lost, bringing strife and fearful superstition to the world. Although those with the Understanding were immune to possession, the human agents were often used to attack any Atlantean found. One of the last Badens, a young woman named "Laechen", devised a series of gates, that once activated would cut off the Xullians from the human population. The only drawback was a Baden had to release their life energy into the gate to activate it, and with 23 gates needed this would kill all the remaining Badens but a few. The gates were completed and proved successful, but before they were all finished, two Badens fled in disgrace, and ultimately were the cause of the subsequent loss of quality protection the gates provided.
Lost, The - The term, somewhat negative or pitying in nature, that is used to describe the average human, one without the Blood. A Methulian effected by the Purge and their offspring.
Methulian - Term used by the Xullians to distinguish themselves from second worlders. Post - Purge individuals who still possessed the Understanding came to adopt this name for them selves, and now is commonly used to refer people with the Blood who lived prior to the claiming of Atlantis.
Mind - One of the three Badi of the Understanding. Those who achieve the level of Baden (or now Badenary) can and usually take positions of Judges or Historians.
Neophyte - First level of the Understanding.
Postmethulian - Term used to describe those left with the Understanding after the Purge, regardless of time period, but only of Pure Blood.
Protoxullian - Term used to describe the beings who lived on the first world before its collapse. It is unknown if they had any designation for themselves.
Purge, the - The assault lead by the entity Allal E'Xull along with his Xullian horde against the people of the second world. The first world conceived a plan to hold in its energy until a massive build up occurred, then release it in to the souls of every living being on Earth. If not kill them outright, E'Xull reasoned, it would twist them enough so that perhaps their reality would get collapsed, too. The only drawback was that the first world might loose what little tumultuous cohesion it had. The Attack only took a moment, and with the last realization of victory, Allal E'Xull was rendered into a obliterated state. With almost all of that realities energies depleted, and E'Xull gone, the Xullians fell into catatonia. Just enough cosmic order was intact to keep the first world from feeding in on itself.
The Methulians were neither destroyed or warped, but almost the entire population was still affected by the Purge. The souls touched had cringed in such revulsion, that their abilities with the Understanding had been irrevocably severed. To explain to today's human population, this would be like losing 2 or 3 of the senses we have now, and then forgetting we ever had them. The few remaining Methulians gathered together and remade a home on a small island continent in the Atlantic Ocean, to recover from their wounds and to discover their place in this new world.
Second World - The second reality build upon the foundation the collapsed first world provided. We would know this second world as Earth.
Soul - 1. One of the three Badi of the Understanding. Those who have achieved the level of Baden (or now Badenary) can and usually hold positions as Clerics. 2. Homo Sapiens carry in them a piece of the creative energies used to create both worlds. In modern theologies this is often referred to as a "soul". It is through this "Genesis Equation" within all second worlders, that they can tap into the Understanding, although currently only those with Methulian blood are able to.
Tribaden - Atlantean term for the Darlvich Vax, or Xullian prophocized "The One Who Walks". The Tribaden will supposedly have mastery over the Badi of mind, body, and soul in a degree never before seen by any Methulian. This individual will also be of the Pure Lost, and have none of the Blood. Other prophecies have come down in history since then by Atlantean seers. It has been said that the Tribaden will hold supreme rank in the Baden Council: Emperor, Warlord, and High Priest.
The Tribaden will raise Atlantis from the bottom of the sea, and might also take the war to the first world itself. Other prophecies are not as encouraging: The Tribaden will wipe the lost from existence so that none others may rise to such a level. The Tribaden will cause the collapse of the second world so that he may start over a new rule in a third world. Regardless, as of yet none of the Lost show any promise.
Understanding, the - A Methulian ability, inherent in all Homo Sapiens, that allows the enlightened to tap into the inner self, where a portion of the energy that was used in the creation of both the first and second world lies. The Understanding allows an individual to manipulate reality according to their will, in reflection to the three Badi: mind, body and soul.
Xullians - The denizens of the first world, who are a combination of animal, vegetable, and mineral. They share a single consciousness, and that is directed by Allal E'Xull, the living entity that is their reality, were solids, liquid, gas and light are as one. Although E'Xull is no longer able to form coherent thought, the Xullians carry on his directives as a machine would : annihilate the second worlders.
23 LAECHEN GATES -
Conceived of, then built in a few years after 1100 C.E. (aprox), the Laechen Gates were devised a a manner to block the Xullian influence in our world. Sometime around 800 C.E. the Xullians, very weak, and still lacking the guidance of Allal E'Xull, they none the less made a return attack. This time they found that The Lost Ones, humans with very little or none of the Atalantean blood could be tainted with a Xullian madness. They few remaining Antediluvian Badens and the Atlanteans tried to defeat this menace, relying on empaths and sensitives, but their First World enemies had grown sly. Instead of merely twisting peasants into monstrosities, they warped the souls of kings and religious leaders.
One of the last Antediluvians, a young but gifted adept named "Laechen" came upon a theory to hold the Xullian Taint out of our world. She deduced that since it was the spark of creative energy that the Xullians needed, the human soul itself, to move into the Second World, the answer lay not with the Xullians, but within this energy itself. The common philosophy was that the Understanding, was an understanding that a person had of their own energy and how it related to reality. A being with the Understanding was connected with their soul, therefor connected with the god(s), ergo, connected with all that was created.
This energy was in everything, but only animated in a measurable quality to the Xullians within humans, due to their complex soul. A soul, some theorized, that although more advanced, was not much different than the foul energy that spirited the Xullians in the First World. Before the Purge, a time forgotten by the histories of the Lost Ones, when all people were Methulians, everyone was a target. Now, with the Allal E'Xull decimated, and the First World cohesion weaken, things were different. Those with Atlantean blood who possessed the Understanding were immune to possession, but with their number limited, and so few Antediluvian Badens left to teach the Understanding, this left the Lost Ones vulnerable.
Laechen designed a series of gates to be built around the world. These gates, once activated, would act as a beacon to the Xullians, almost magnetically pulling them away from any being with a soul. These gates would have as much energy as a Baden, but with no Understanding to balk the First Worlders, yet the Xullians would have nothing to manipulate. If they could even make it through the gates, it would take incredible strength, and even then they would collapse instantly upon entering our world without a host. There was only one drawback. A Baden would have to sacrifice their life, their very soul energy, to alight each gate. After much debate and many arguments, Laechen volunteered to be the first Baden...
THE LOCATIONS & SITUATIONAL AFFAIRS OF ALL 23 LAECHEN GATES AS OF 2006
1 - Iraqi Desert (The Fertile Crescent) - The first of the Gates, powered by Laechen herself. It is located in a sealed underground cavern, accessible only to teleporters. Considered the most sacred and also the linch-pin the the gate continuity, its exact location is heavy guarded. As of yet, nothing has penetrated its barrier.
2 - Outer Whitehorse - Yukon - Incredible strong gate, built into a hillside. No signs of penetration. A small cadre protect it.
3 - Acapulco - Mexico - Gate with little activity. Deep underground of a building owned by Atlanteans. Also the location of the North American Council.
4 - Belem - Brazil - A compromised gate, that has allowed limited Xullian taint range. Heavily guarded due to its weakened state.
5 - Mogadishu - Somalia - A compromised gate, that has allowed limited Xullian taint range. Heavily guarded due to its weakened state.
6 - Novaya Zemlya - Russia - A fully weakened Gate. From the gate, the Xullians have an extended taint range and a limited range from which they can twist and physically warp Lost Ones and an occasional animal. They have yet to gain the ability to posses any living being. A full conclave is set up around the gate area to both protect and defend it. Fortunately, this gate is on an island in the north most part of Siberia.
7 - Aberdeen - Ireland - A compromised gate, that has allowed limited Xullian taint range. Heavily guarded due to its weakened. This has proven a difficult gate, due to the city population.
8 - Death Valley - Arizona-U.S. - The first gate destroyed, in the battle with the rouge Baden "Emmeron". He had succumbed to a Xullian influence, and had been using the gate to extend his life for over 500 years by manipulating its energy to steal the souls of other low blood Atlanteans without the Understanding in the region. He had also used it to create an army of hybrid, Lost Ones tainted and warped into Xullian monstrosities. The gates destruction in 1687 C.E. set off a series of events that continued the gates mutual weakening.
9 - Caracas - Venezuela - Gate with little activity. A small cadre protect it.
10 - Tripoli - Lybia - A compromised gate, that has allowed limited Xullian taint range. Heavily guarded due to its weakened state.
11 - Sumatra - Indonesia - A compromised gate, that has allowed limited Xullian taint range. Heavily guarded due to its weakened state.
12 - Sibiu - Rumania - A fully weakened gate in the Carpathian Mountains. The conclave present in 1874 C.E. were almost entirely wiped out, when two gates were destroyed within months of each other. Neighboring villages were first tainted with an irrational hatred of the mysterious Atlanteans in their Mountain castle, then twisted into creatures who stormed the conclave by surprise. Reinforcements arrived in time, and the gate was defended, but many Atlanteans were killed. It is amusing to note, that stray hybrids are believed to have reinvigorated that area's vampire myths. Today's conclave must often travel out into the country side, pursuing random creatures marked by the Xullians.
13 - Australian Outback - Second strongest of the gates. No signs of penetration. The location of the Badenary Council Hall since 1937 C.E.
14 - Boston - USA - A fully weakened gate. Unfortunately it is in a densely populated city, but fortunately a Precogative Atlantean convinced the conclave to not only construct a large building over it, but eventually buy up the entire city block. This American Conclave run things much differently than most of the others. While many of the American and European Conclaves have modernized, the Boston one directly interacts in the global investment market. Although some traditionalists frown upon the multi-millions that Boston bring in every year, they justify it by presenting the most advanced security/defense system of any of the gates.
15 - Asuncion - Paraguay - Gate with little activity. A small cadre protect it. Also the location of the South American Council.
16 - Congo River Basin - Incredibly strong gate. Also incredibly lucky. Built in a cavern near the river, a series of natural disasters caused a cave in within the chamber, without destroying the gate itself. Now surrounded by rock and stagnant water, the Atlanteans can only check on it by far sight and sensitivity. Regardless, it will prove very little use to the Xullians.
17 - Ufa - Russia - Gate with little activity. A small cadre protect it.
18 - Antarctica - Gate with little activity. The only unprotected gate besides the caved-in one in the Congo. Built into the center of the continent, almost 50 feet underground, there is nothing in the remote vicinity the Xullians have access to. This, however, is still a source of argument at Council meetings.
19 - African Kalahari Desert - Gate with little activity. A small cadre protect it.
20 - Yakutsk - Russia - The second gate destroyed, the first in 1874 C.E. Before all the gates were protected, only the 5 gates most weakened after 1681 C.E. had Atlanteans watching over them. A regiment of the czar's army were practicing with cannons and uncovered a gate. Fearing superstitious evil, the men decimated it with gun powder.
21 - Sokoto - Nigeria - Gate with little activity. Also the location of the African Council.
22 - Hymalayas - Tibet - A fully weakened gate. Due to its remote location, little Xullian influence was feared upon the human or animal population, but in recent years there has been an increase in attacks. Many on the Badenary Council believe it is the weakest of all the gates.
23 - Valdivia - Chile - The third gate destroyed, the second of 1874 C.E. Shortly after the gate's destruction in Yakutsk, a Xullian madness overcame most of the Atlanteans at this conclave. Since the conclaves formation after the initial weakening in 1681 C.E. Atlanteans had guarded over the gate, but in the latter half of the 19th century, a fanatical head Baden named "Serrit" had his people keep direct watch in the gate chamber 24-7. Unaware of what had transpired in Russia, this much continued contact with presence of the gate allowed the Xullians to slowly taint Serrit's already disgruntled people. In the ensuing battle between the two factions, Serrit attempted to save his adopted son only to cause the gate's destruction.
SYMBOLS
The Tribaden Symbol - 1. it is black and white, representing a balance. 2. The three Badi of the Understanding are represented in white. They are the Mind, the Body and the Soul. 3. There are the three positions of Baden significance shown in black. The are the Judge, the Warlord and the Priest. The three chapters of history are represented by the interior marks. They are the Methulians, Atlantians, and Antideluvians.
The Three Symbols of the Badi - The three symbols are representational of the Badi an individual finds their Understanding most atuned to. These three Badi, or "Disciplines" are the Mind, the Body and the Soul. As one's Understanding develops, they would move through the levels from Neophyte to Intiate to Baden. Since there are no living pure blood postmethulians left, the highest a person with the Understanding can hope to achieve is a level known as "Badenary." It is only the individuals genetic heritage that holds him or her back from realizing their full potential in the Understanding. Badens (or now Badenaries) are permitted to wear their symbol of office about their person. This reflects not only their status as a Baden, but indeed their position among Atlantean society. Badens of the Mind are Senators, Badens of the Body are Security Officials and Badens of the Soul are Clerics.
The National Flag Of New Atlantis - The Black represents the Purge and ignorance that surrounds humanity concerning the Understanding. The Blue represents the literal ocean and the ocean that is Mankind, a body in constant change, it's rolling tides... culture and society. The White represents the island of Atlantis, a beacon of the Understanding with an antideluvian symbol of Global Unity at the center, each point one of the seven continents that man may walk upon.
User Reviews
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2006-05-10 07:42:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Jesus, this looks like a lotta prep went into it. I'm not even gonna read it right now, but I'm sure I'll refer back to it several times when you start writing the actual story. Actually, having not read it, I'm interested to see if you'll write the story in a manner that makes me refer back to this post often.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-05-09 15:32:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I want the trading cards for this
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-05-09 12:43:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Been working out for the climb up Denali and ended up landing a 2.3 million dollar contract, so, I have been very busy. I come in and check out what is going on from time to time, but I will not be able to write much until after August.
How did the job go. Are you still there or did it fall through. See you are back with us Uber's. Are you still doing the horror writing on the other site.
Good to see you back, I enjoy your work, breaks the stress of the day.
Submitted by algermetiphist (user info) at 2006-05-09 11:36:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I would definitely buy that book. You should go and start typing it up. Now.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-05-09 11:29:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
AHUMBLEFOOL!!!
Where the fuck have you been!!!
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-05-09 11:18:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow, I am always amazed by the amount of energy you put in to this. From what I see so far, this looks like it could be quite a good storyline. Obviously, this can not be preparation for a short story, this looks like novel work.