To Boldly Go: People of Midnight

Originally published April 21, 2014

Despite their egalitarian democratic government, the people of Midnight belong to two castes. At the bottom are bioroid (or biological android) slaves. Artificially created via 3D printing, using minimalist genetic code and brainwashed with advanced learning programs they generally accept their position in life, tending to the citizen's ever need and want. Those who rebel are put down harshly.

Above them are Mythweavers. Skilled genetic engineers, they play at gods, bending the life to their whims. When not working to improve ecology of their partially terraformed world or creating "art", they live the life of the idle rich.

Lastly we have their creations: bioengineered creatures combining the genetic code of different species to create the monsters of legend. These pets, even if they possess human level intellects.

Here are some of those who dwell on the oceans of Midnight.

Chimera

The two-headed wolf, a huge bird with feathers the color of flames, or a serpent with a human head can all be found on Midnight. These marvels are the currency and status symbols of the Mythweavers. Merging the genetic code of various species, they try to outdo each other in the creation of fantastic new life forms.

• High Concept: Genetically Engineered Monster
• Trouble: Experimental Biology
• Skills: Combat Training + 3, Athletics + 4, Physique + 2, Notice + 1
• Stress: 3 Physical/2 Mental [Mild consequence]

Bioroid Servants

The servants of the Mythweavers mostly come from the factories of New Earth, products of Samsung. To ensure a continuous demand, all models have a built in expiration date. When the time comes, their organs fail in rapid succession, leading a quick if not painless death.

• High Concept: Present But Unnoticed
• Trouble: Built in Expiration Date
• Skills: Stealth + 1, Rapport + 1

Echo 417

Not all chose to obey. Whether by circumstance or bad conditioning, some bioroids develop their own goals and desires. Echo 417 is one such bioroid.

A pleasure bioroid, Echo is gifted with perfect features, golden hair and dazzling blue eyes. A certain vulnerability hangs about her, tempting men in.

Echo used her charms to convince a passing Federation officer to rescue her. Steve Walmart bought her freedom with honeyed words and a single apple from the ruined world of Earth. Not content to remain anyone's property, she took the opportunity to investigate New Earth and join up with that world's Bioroid Liberation Movement.

• High Concept: Built for Love
• Trouble: Built in Expiration Date
• Other Aspects: Will Not Obey
• Skills: Rapport + 4, Empathy + 3, Deceive + 2, Stealth + 1
• Stress: 2 Physical/2 Mental [Mild Consequence]
• Stunt: Practiced Charms: when using Rapport to create an advantage using your looks, gain a +2 bonus.

Lares 12

Other servants live out their 30 year term until the day they die. Death comes quickly in a matter of days or hours. Medical care is usually limited or nonexistent. The pain will be over soon enough.

But outsiders do not always agree with how things are run. A Federation ship "rescued" Lares 12 using an experimental procedure for digitally mapping a person's mind. The process destroys the brain in question but for one already dying there is little to lose. Thanks to Dr. Twitter Morgan, Lares now lives aboard the FSV Columbia in an isolated computer system. The doctor hopes to construct a robotic body for his use soon.

• High Concept: Slave freed of his body
• Trouble: Philosophical About Life

Mythweaver Skiff Pilots

When not enjoying fine foods or working biological masterpieces, the Mythweavers enjoy a wide range of physical activities. One of particular interest is skiff racing. Contests across the rapid changing landscape of Midnight in starlit darkness has a certain ring of danger and excitement about it. For people who can expect to live centuries, the thrill of possible harm has a certain zest to it.

• High Concept: Idle Rich Sportsmen
• Trouble: More Skill than Sense
• Skills: Piloting + 2, Athletics + 1, Notice + 1

Zeus

This towering dark skinned man maintains a powerful physique despite his work as an academic and bioengineer. Standing over 8 feet tall, his intensity is tempered by the gentle wisdom of a century of life.

Zeus acted as a greeter of sorts to the crew of the FSV Columbia. He invited their first contact team to spend some pleasant days about his huge yacht on the seas of Midnight.

The experience was eye opening for the crew as was costly for Zeus. He almost lost his prized koi-simian hybrid in a bet to Steve Walmart. He also sold Lares 12 and Echo 417 in return for an Earth apple and a reproduction of an Earth painting. Finally he was almost killed by assassins sent to murder his guests.

• High Concept: Gracious Host, Callous Slavemaster
• Trouble: Arrogant Academic
• Skills: Will + 4, Academics + 3, Medicine +3, Science +2, Physique + 1
• Stress: 3 Physical/4 Mental [Mild Consequence]
• Stunt: Debater: when arguing with someone rationally, you can use Academics instead of Rapport to sway minds; Practiced Talking Points: use Academics instead of Empathy for determining initiative when engaging in an argument or debate