Untitled Worldbuilding Project

Techno-Religious-Alchemical Stream of Consciousness

Galileo was convicted of heresy for his discoveries of a heliocentric model. Scientific findings were few and far between in a time of such heavy religious influence on the commonfolk. Many supported concepts of alchemy, a rough fusion of scientific belief and pseudoscience. To turn a simple piece of coal into a bar of gold seemed incredible to a lowly beggar. However, most were not very good at the art. Just like any skill, it needed to be honed. The Catholic Church never explicitly denounced the use of alchemy, but they in no way supported it. Under their noses, a member of the Church rose in power, praised for their devotion to the art of alchemy and skills with the trade. Over time, this being was transformed by their skills, eventually adopting the name “Rebis”, or the alchemical “magnum opus”. Using the philosopher’s stone, the Rebis was not only able to transmutate objects, but concepts as well. With their newfound abilities the Rebis transformed humanity as we knew it into an entirely new age.

Skyscrapers were constructed overnight. Technological advances previously unheard-of now became commonplace. Society progressed forward, not looking back. Commercial hubs became metropolises, with technology integrating seamlessly within the fabric of our culture. Affordable vehicles became the primary form of travel. Mass production of goods and services led to every mouth being fed and birth rates skyrocketing. Society and culture were booming.

Robotic organisms were mass-produced to help with every-day activities. Computer chips built with sapient intelligence were integrated into everything from toasters to high rises. These organisms were constructed to help with humanity’s every want and desire. The need for human contact fell and androids became commonplace in every home.

This new age wasn’t as perfect as it seemed at first. The massive amount of power generated at once by the Rebis caused the boundaries between the heavens and earth to shift, leading to the holy beings to fall from their place of glory. Seeing the sin and rot which riddled the mortal realm, the heavenly bodies roam the earth, constantly on the hunt for souls who are straying from the heavens. These beings are in a constant uphill battle as they attempt to bring these lost humans back to the righteous path while humanity strays further and further from god. The angels’ fight is futile, however, as they are constantly trying to bring lost souls back to a home that they themselves are unable to return to either.

Society is riddled with filth, greed and desire for power causing even everyday people to turn mad. Crime that police are unequipped to handle ravages the streets, while the conglomerates continue to line their pockets with the blood of the average citizens. Wires hang from the rooftops as vines do trees, acting as connective tissue in a body to transmit data throughout the towers. Robotic slaves roam the streets, attending to the every will of their owners. Humanity is in limbo with no way to escape. The holy bodies are unable to rest as their search grows tireless. The world exists in a constant battle struggle, between humans, the robotic organisms they enslave attempting to break free, and the holy ones who desire to bring humanity back to its days of glory. Many used to believe in the Second Coming of the Rebis, but belief in this died out long ago. Most have grown content with the fact that nobody is coming to save them, living their monotonous lives, powerless to break the unending cycle.