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micebath · 21 days ago

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Bio-Slave: Problems in Paradise

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Note from Author: This is in part a repost from my main Bio-Slave post from awhile ago. This is due to the immense GIRTH of that post. I slimmed it but it is still quite fat as far as too much info goes, but I am one man with a passion for dumb shit.

This post does have new information for the two whole people who read these (that’s a joke I love all of the people who read this) and give some perspective into one of the largest groups within the world of Bio-Slave.

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The Vatican in the Near Apocalypse:

A religious order of Neo Crusaders who work to fight off the impure and corrupt - but find themselves as a militaristic force who oppress and subjugate the downtrodden. They work with Hemotech as a sort of religious task force. Sending them in as death squads to raid criminal hideouts. The Vatican operate mainly overseas in the Vatican Sprawl. They are a separate entity from any corporation though they are backed by most active corporations. They work off a dogmatic fervent agenda of overzealous warfare. Upon the onslaught of the Plague sweeping over the world - The Papacy have agreed and have fully funded a new crusade.

Most wear a more traditional form of pious armor. Not dissimilar to that of crusaders of old. Some high ranking commanders being known to sport an all black cold steel crown of thorns on their helmets. Most other soldiers either weird some form of Kevlar hood marked with red crosses along the forehead or for heavy units - an iron capirote. Some have been seen carrying shields and halberds for excursions into battle. Most carry the simple yet effective Hemotech-Fafnir 218.6 45-70. Auto Rifle.

The Vatican Sprawl: Stretching the entirety of Europe just shy of the Eastern European countries. This leaves Romania, Ukraine, Moldavia, and their neighbors left as Pagan Sanctuary for those not conceding to the might of the Vatican.

Come the onset of the plague - mankind sought safety and certainty, regardless of what the certainty truly means. Thus they flocked to the open haven of Vatican City. Thousands housed in a home only able to hold few. Faith allowed growth and corporate interests allowed prosperity. The Vatican became corporatized as an order of faith. Healers of the sick able to cure for coin.

Trust not only allowed growth, but welcomed it. Backed by Hemotech with a taste for expansion. All the Vatican had to do was simply push. Thus they did. Unlike the Sprawl of the Americas - Hemotech prefers a backseat in Europe. Giving the church full access to reform Europe into The Vatican Sprawl.

And so - like their American counterparts - the Vatican unified the Sprawl over a singular design. Shaping Europe into a truly colossal cathedral. Harkening back to Victorian Gothic design. Irreverent architecture pointing towards the Lord using massive bastions of faith stretching beyond the clouds, and thrice as far to the horizons. Carved brass bells the size of ballrooms panging at the strike of noon and middle night. The historic and old monuments of Old Europe were left as a memorial to the pre-plague world. Merely built on top of in a vain effort to obfuscate in favor of the lord.

The downtrodden of the Vatican who didn’t flee to the Pagan Sanctuary and couldn’t rise with the wealthy had to make do. Using knowledge of the past, and burdened by the unknown of this plague - they donned themselves in doctor’s garb of old. Masks lined with incense, leather aprons, and herbal soaps along the belt. Survival became necessary against the rot forming in the bellies of the sick, and the crusader police of the mighty church.

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Church Groups:

Vatican Hell Guard: A specialized group of tamers. Masters of control and “animal” handling. The Hell Guard typically are in the possession of Church Beasts, but are not limited to just the massive visceral dogs. Some choose to utilize a more brutal version of the Blessed Vultures.

- The Church Beasts: Monsters baring viscous teeth and claws, said to be sibling projects to the Cynocephali. Creatures of immense sized used by the Vatican Hell Guard as horrific dogs of war. Roughly the shape of men covered in hair - tattooed and scarified by the church wardens with sigils of faith. Armor blessed by the priests is bolted to their flesh, their teeth are pulled and replaced by cold iron fangs. The creatures bear the strength of ten men and the speed of a bird. Often they are used and sent in alone to completely destroy a combat scenario. All that is required to satisfy their needs are the scolding hot blood and soured flesh of fallen foes. The Church Beasts cannot normally speak - on rare occasions, some have been found mumbling quiet prayers.

- The Great Hounds: Designed Church Beasts owned by High Warden Gabriel. The hounds are mighty beasts donned in fabulous hardened brass and steel. To ensure violent tendencies the Vatican engineers have grafted bladed machines to carve holy symbols into the flesh of the hounds. Besides the carving machines, the beasts are kind and loyal to Gabriel. Often being seen taking food from his hands and licking them clean of blood. When being designed Gabriel wishes them to keep some of their human features. Most importantly the eyes. Though his wishes were met he donned them is brass helmets and bolted plates marked with the seals of the angels written of in Enochian texts. Wherever they go they leave a trail of blood - either from their freshly fed mouths or the wounds ever present on their bodies. Regardless they are treated as holy beings and prayed to in times of war.

Cynocephali: A Sect of Old Flesh followers who worship saints who bare the heads of dogs. One main one being St Christopher. Others showed themselves suddenly appearing in newly written scripture such as St Alphonse and St Malloc. Members of this sect utilize more viscous pack tactics and are cloned with canine teeth for the sake of ripping and tearing. Some have even been said to be made with digitigrade legs. Alongside this most of which use push knives, kukri, or garrotes to attack and kill quickly from the shadows. The Cyno outside of mission duty still partake in communion but otherwise delegate themselves to their squad alone. A veritable pack of feral men.

The Castigation Machine/The Flayed Nuns/The Priest: The Priests are the leading bodies of the Vatican of Old Flesh. They are tactically minded masters of faithful manipulation. They are strong willed in their own faith to god and strong of body; using the same mutation as the hollow bodies to regenerate. The clergy build themselves around the penance of oneself - whipping themselves and cutting. The Priests bind themselves with an ever cutting wreath that carves ever bleeding thorn vine designs into their heads, their arms are also skinned by a rolling upper arm cuff of reciprocating blades. The flesh hanging down just below the elbow revealing their fleshy meat underneath. On their arms are a series of reciprocating needles that jab endlessly, and bore deep holes in the skin that heal as quickly as they are made. They carry bare feet and hands, with each being pierced by a large nine inch nail through the wrists and ankle. Before rest they remove the nails and allow them to regenerate. Where each morning they place themselves upon a large leaned cross that latches them to the “bed.” All to recrucify them each morning. The Flayed Nuns wear glossy wax coated leather hoods and gowns somewhat typical of regular nuns - the leather used for the gown and hood are made of their removed skin, remade into holy garments. The only exception to the skinless body is their fully intact face. Under the gown they are fully covered by a see through latex form fitted body suit. Revealing their bloody fleshless form.

Knights of St Lazarus: These soldiers sent out who are simultaneously kind to the unfortunate - opposite of their brothers in arms. Yet unbelievably cruel in their punishment. Using blades of crushing size and refusing to seek aid for their illness. Soldiers bleeding from under their Kevlar tunics. Warrior scholars and poets. Unlike the other clones they are awarded with the gift of names. Their penance is life, and they serve their punishment facing the light.

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General Aspects of the Church:

Judas Clones: Clones who are “defective” by having exactly similar brains to another clones. This causes cerebral bleed through allowing for the programming to not take and cause independence. Judas are also labeled to clones who escaped the Vatican’s control.

Communion: A ritual all members of the Vatican of Old Flesh take part in before missions. This consists of a pooling of all participant’s blood into a large ornate bowl. This is then mixed with blessed oils and wine. Afterwards the crusaders eat of the cloned flesh of what they believe to be Abraham. Once consumed - the crusaders are to drink a dipper full of the blood concoction. Finally the reigning priest of their squad ordains them.

The Stone of Nailed Hands: Once - years ago - within the Vatican was held a mighty stone barring the severed hands of saints. In modern day the stone has remained in Vatican, but per squad a carrier is deemed to carry an iron plate on their armor that bares the severed cloned hands of saints riveted to its metal. This is said to bless and to give luck for the crusaders within the squad.

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micebath · 24 days ago

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Easy peasy BioSlave art post. Nothing really insane lore wise. This is a conversion of one of my cyberpunk villains to the setting.

Spellbinder, and his cult of spellbound worshippers that spend their days wailing sorrowful choir songs of the damned. They live within a cathedral collapsed in the Coastal War. Spellbinder bares a cape of still wet flesh. He and his brood call to ancient gods of old. Demons and the goetic creatures worshipped as lambs of the lord. Often some may willingly sacrifice themselves by drowning in pools of coagulated blood.

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micebath · 27 days ago

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Bio-Slave

Gangs: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards

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Content Warning

BioSlave is a world built on a total landscape of apathy and fear. This is a grimdark biopunk world that is intensely visceral and violent. This is both in regards of physical violence and mental violence. Please know that the writings in this book are recognized as very forwardly bad. Despite this, BioSlave is over the top and a product of insane fascination of edgy fiction popularized by films of the mid-to-late 90s.

This project should not sacrifice your enjoyment for the sake of more bleak subjects. You are more important than whatever this could possibly be.

Triggering Content Inside are as Follows:

Self Harm

Suicide

Cannibalism

Intense Gore

Trafficking/Slavery

Murder

Violence

Implied Violence

Religious Topics

Parasites

Mental Trauma

I’m sure that while writing this I have missed a few, so as the author of this project - I recommend that if you find a subject that was not mentioned that could be triggering. Please remove it promptly. It does not and should not be at your table if it makes you or anyone else uncomfortable.

Thank you for your time and reading this document. It is much appreciated,

-MICEBATH

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The Crows: A gang of splicers who utilize stealth and moving along the tops of buildings to stalk. They’re well known for their quick and effective guerrilla tactics. All of them “wear” plague doctor like masks and don themselves in heavy blacks. Their main mutation motif is based on agility and anything to aid stealth, with the occasional bone blade or claw as cqc weapons. Mechanically their weaponry consists of small silent weapons such as smgs and pistols. Rarely do you see one with a shotgun but it’s not unheard of.

The main draw of the Crows is their ability to acquire information and to be effective spies for hire. Though it’s safe to be cautious about their loyalty. They’ve been known to quickly lose interest and trade sides depending on pay. This is unless you give them something truly unique that can be found nowhere else. This ties into their habit of collecting odds and ends. Baubles…. Batfolk are one of the larger singular groups within the Crows. Finding themselves aligned out of necessity nine times out of ten.

Jericho: This gang bases itself around sanctuary and a sort of neo spiritualism. They’re a haven for the hollow bodies who’ve escaped captivity, the homeless, and children from the child farms. Despite living in the Babylon necropolis they rarely partake in the more dubious aspects of their home. Though due to the festering some exceptions must be made - thus when needed instead of killing to survive they take from those who have committed suicide from the surface. Keying spots where the taking of one’s own life are commonplace. Though gruesome they make sure to take the utmost care and respect for the dead. Making it a point to send home any belongings to loved ones if they can accrue the proper information. Within Babylon they’ve created several lodging houses out of the built over apartments of Old Old Chicago. They are seldom comfortable living but with stable food, protection, and a place to stay - they’re often hard to beat. The Jericho do often have some form of mutation or splicing, but it’s rarely ever for more than defense for themselves or protection of others. The only time offense is ever truly acted upon is in territorial disputes between a violent gang or some other threat. Otherwise they use conventional firearms.

Red Hook: A brutal mob (not the organized crime kind) formed at first for survival, and then into a war band. Red Hooks are individually vicious people who often throw humanity to the wayside. Enjoying the libations of freshly butchered man meat and booze. The Red Hook as a whole mainly work off the trade of drugs and hollow bodies. They alone pull in 17% of the newly enslaved people into Babylon. Most are barely recognizable as human. Heavily spliced and mutated they only barely utilize firearms and conventional weaponry - preferring that of the body. Bone spikes, tendrils, teeth, and claw are their more “natural” fashion. They adorn themselves in intense body modification outside of mutations pushing hooks and nails through their pink flesh and corrugated skin. The Red Hook run a bar in Babylon called Black Tom where they hang hollow bodies from their ankles to drain their blood and suck their ever regenerating cerebral fluid from their body. Over the years they’ve formed a pseudo spirituality amongst themselves. Their rituals are obtuse and more often than not bloody to the highest order - hard to understand and even harder to stand being around. The Red hood deem some days more special than the rest, though most of the time it’s whenever they feel like it. They will build a great body fire (a bonfire out of hollow bodies), don and pierce themselves with large wooden spikes, and dance the night away. The reasoning for this is unknown and its origin even more mysterious.

The Vampyr: This group remains very secular and often refuses contact with anyone outside of their cliques. Almost every single member of the Vampyrs were old money who fell into disarray, once contracting the plague. They operate out of an old manor still located within the upper layers of the Necropolis. The Vampyrs use biomods that pull the color out from the skin but leave blood red hues around the tips of the fingers and the lips. Though this is not always strictly the case. Most notably they splice themselves with large retractable fangs similar to that of snakes. Of course this is not all they often possess, but most biomods they utilize are more covert or are well hidden. The festering runs through every member - therefore they must consume human. But rather than eating them they prefer the elegance of drinking their blood. Often mixed with brandys or scotch for flavor. The Vampyrs make their wealth now from old familial connections and the neo slave trade throughout the necropolis. Buying children from the child farms for drink, and reselling them as hollow bodies when of age. The Vampyrs typically hire out criminals for work and fights but in the occasion they themselves must fight, they prefer efficient attacks that make the targets bleed rather than to crush or destroy. Sometimes with bladed tendrils or bone blades. Biomod wise some have been seen with insect pedipalps or legs. Mostly they look relatively human. Of course they can’t go anywhere without their fangs. With the occasional lamprey mouth.

The Milioti Family: One of the major crime families that dominion over Chicago. They come from old mob roots that stretch back to old Sicilian Stiletto fighting back in pre fascista Italy. The Don of the Milioti is a man named Carlisle Milioti who took the mob after his brother Vitti passed away from an intense stroke that paralyzed him where he later died from kidney failure. The Milioti family specialize in gambling rackets, made up of dirty small casinos. With one exception being that of Cosa Nostra - a large upscale casino that is brushed under the rug due to the amount of high profile players at the tables. Their inner workings are staunchly mysterious. Very little is known the true depths of their influence. Though the major players within the family are out in the open and often have some celebrity status about them. Often followed close by a posse of fellow gangsters.

The Dirge : Cultists that worship ancient gods of unknown occult origins. The few that have spoken are said to be the descendants of the Black Priests of Atlantis. Of course this is maddened raving, but admittedly they can be quite,”convincing.” Dirge worshippers are staunchly nihilistic to a genocidal degree. They are knights of a blackened crusade. Wishing to annihilate the world in a great dark fire. Members burn themselves and use brands or scarification to mark themselves with their own insane scripture. They bear no traditional bible, rather a Book of Blood. Kidnapped people who are carved with the words of their Father. An eternal flame that is said to whisper to a head priest. When met with aggression or religious violence - the Dirge will use flames that burn black. These range from torches, dragons breathe rounds (often called Dogma Slugs), and flamethrowers. Though immensely painful, the Dirge will dance and enter a state of ecstasy. Singing their gospels amidst the flame. Burning crucifixions are typically their chosen form of sacrifice as a way to appease the Father. To discern a member from the common civilian, they are quite noticeable. Dirge cultists wear ceremonial cloths, covered in deep tissue burns that char the skin black, and mark themselves with heavy brands.

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Major Communities in Chicago:

The Batfolk: A group of splicing enthusiasts who microdose their dna with bat genetics so they can appear more traditionally bat like. Most do not venture deeper into splicing and staying mostly human in appearance. Their skin will naturally darken to a grey black in coloration, growing more dense tufts of fur in spots hair traditionally grows, a vertical line of an extended philtrum lines down their nose and chin making a noticeable indent, more vibrant eye colors ranging from black to fluorescents, larger pointed ears, and generally larger and lanky frames. On occasion some are shown to have small membranes that attach from their sides to underarms. Those who seek deeper experiences of splicing will range from still mostly human but with more forwardly animalistic features to monstrous man-bat hybrids with fully functional wings. This often does not affect their cognitive ability or speech, but rather allows for more complex vocalizing and visualization. Do not misunderstand their awareness for a lack of the festering. All those of the Batfolk experience the festering to varying degrees. Though their feeding habits are left to one’s personal preference. When people are asked about the Batfolk they have one of two responses. Either they’re just a group who follow a unique fashion trend or they’re nocturnal mercenaries and brutes. Neither of which are necessarily wrong, just not the full truth. Though they are definitely both of those things - the Batfolk are a tightly knit community and even extended family unit (not necessarily blood relatives). Even having children within their hideouts that sport naturally occurring traces of bat splicing. The mercenaries of the Batfolk are only part of the whole, simply acting in the professional due to limited options. Typically growing up in the necropolis is a sure fire way to get thrown into a tough environment. But despite the hardships they’ve survived and thrived. Due to their communal structure and some being born into this family - a slowly blossoming form of ancestral worship. Light belief that their bygone family watched over them. It was an honor to memorialize their forefathers and foremothers. Many Batfolk have been found recently to intermingle and be a fully fledged member of the Crows. They tend to be very welcoming of Crow business within their community with well established limitations.

Hobs: The Hobs (short for Hobgoblins) are a cousin group of the Batfolk. They are generationally bio-modified to similar appearances to the usual suspects of the Batfolk. Though notably they bode a crimson complexion. Unlike their relatively peaceful counterparts - the Hobs are the viscous hounds that take more offensive action to fight their loathsome situation. A lot of Hobs sacrifice the more agile and athletic builds of the Batfolk - in favor of a stockier and bulkier build. Meant for the role of bruisers and frontline fighters. Most often the Hobs act as a biker club. Taking their mobility in the trust of machines. Many Hobs train and learn the deep sciences of machinery - able to fix most if not all things that require pullies, levers, and switches. Those who don’t find themselves riding around on their modified bikes drive heavily armored vans meant less for the offensive capabilities. The armored vehicles are used to protect the families and those who cannot fight, this is alongside any potential product they’re selling or transporting. Hobs are prolific smugglers. Taking advantage of excessive want for the rare items from the Frontier on the other side of the border.

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Gangs Outside of the Windy City:

Flensers: A troop of killers who are scholars of a mixed catholic pagan faith. They bear mighty scissors once used to rend the flesh of whales, now used to cut the skin of heretics they deem worthy of slaying. Those who they do dissect and wear their flesh as macabre cloaks to display their kills. Their origins are unknown, but a lot say that they were spawned from Eastern European hunters moving westward. Yet nothing is truly known. With no help from the scholars who rarely if ever speak. On the rare occasion one can be seen during their monthly rites - they appear to keep colored tallow in a box carried on the belt. The tallow is melted in a rough circle to which several candles are placed in each cardinal direction. The scholar then sits and prays. If the rite is interrupted by anyone it is seen as an act of aggression. To which the scholar takes great responsibility to act upon. The flensers are not typically seen having many biomodifications - usually due to their very covering and tightly wound clothing.

The Bathory: Serial torturers who lurk in the darkened groves of the Vatican. They prey on young women; stealing them away to secluded areas and private red rooms. The main trade of the Bathory are video nasties. Though often it’s purely for pleasure and recreation. Terrible is their unending creativity in absolute brutality. Unlike a lot of people - the Bathory satisfy the festering by bathing in blood (which is what gave them their name). Often are they found at odds with Flensers. Taking battles on streets drenched in flesh and blood. Bathory themselves are commonly feminine but do accept the occasional masculine figures, so long as they’re able to match in viscous passion.

Vatican Hell Guard: though technically not a gang, but rather a sect of the church. They are a specialized group of tamers. Masters of control and “animal” handling. The Hell Guard typically are in the possession of Church Beasts, but are not limited to just the massive visceral dogs. Some choose to utilize a more brutal version of the Blessed Vultures.

The Church Beasts: Monsters baring viscous teeth and claws, said to be sibling projects to the Cynocephali. Creatures of immense sized used by the Vatican Hell Guard as horrific dogs of war. Roughly the shape of men covered in hair - tattooed and scarified by the church wardens with sigils of faith. Armor blessed by the priests is bolted to their flesh, their teeth are pulled and replaced by cold iron fangs. The creatures bear the strength of ten men and the speed of a bird. Often they are used and sent in alone to completely destroy a combat scenario. All that is required to satisfy their needs are the scolding hot blood and soured flesh of fallen foes. The Church Beasts cannot normally speak - on rare occasions, some have been found mumbling quiet prayers.

#scifi #writing #biopunk #world building #ttrpg design #worldbuilding #creative writing #cw sui implied #indie ttrpg #ttrpg #ttrpg writing #ttrpg worldbuilding #cw: gore #cw blood #cw drugs #cyberpunk

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micebath · 1 month ago

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A stinky fella for my biopunk project.

#scifi #writing #biopunk #world building #character design #original character #character illustration #original art #procreate #ttrpg design #ttrpg art #indie ttrpg #cyberpunk #worldbuilding #decopunk #tw blood #cw blood

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micebath · 1 month ago

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Bio-Slave

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️

This project should not sacrifice your enjoyment for the sake of more bleak subjects. You are more important than whatever this could possibly be.

Triggering Content Inside are as Follows:

Self Harm, Suicide, Cannibalism, Intense Gore, Trafficking/Slavery, Murder, Violence, Implied Violence, Religious Topics, Parasites, Mental Trauma

Thank you for your time and reading this document. It is much appreciated,

-MICEBATH

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Additional Preamble: General Setting Ideas

This is a writing project that is an amalgamation of several ideas that I personally find very interesting. When fit together I had realized they created a strangely unique setting.

The rough elevator pitch is what if we mixed Biopunk, grimdark fiction, and the art deco styles of the roaring twenties. Of course with an intense affection for “gun porn”, military history, and purposely really over the top violence. Thus came Bio-Slave. Where my heart asked,”What if Clive Barker made a cyberpunk setting?” But my brain realized I’m nowhere near as talented as I’d need to be to do so. So we settled with this.

Also this is supremely unorganized and a lot is taken directly from my notes document which is basically word vomit on the digital page. Please don’t hurt me.

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After the forming of the Sprawl - a colossal megacity that spanned the entire eastern coast as far west as Missouri - and the oncoming of the Plague - a disease that wiped out millions of lives which was eventually mutated by Hemotech to be used for Biomods. The mean streets of Chicago have become the pinpoint of our story. Chicago has grown to encompass all of Illinois, yet within the greater Sprawl is only a footnote of intrigue.

The Windy City has grown just as tall as it has wide. Sequestering the downtrodden and sick to the Tangle. The depths below the vast networking web of roadways that are so dense they blot out the sun in some places. Those who were unfortunate enough to be marked as sick were sent into the necropolis. Named Babylon by the inhabitants. Babylon grew into a thriving underground city by the filth that lived there. As Hemotech and the Vatican usurped the American throne - biomodification grew more and more advanced and far more dangerous. As it grew more dangerous the world accepted, even embracing cruelty.

Besides the massive brutalist structures of the necropolis - Chicago some year before the plague underwent a massive city wide remodeling to fit more cleanly into the designs of the greater Sprawl. Returning to classical art deco designs. Now with newly instated mega buildings all adorned with the fantastic brass of the 1920s. Draw bridges lifted by massive brass hands, overpasses thirty stories high held by Atlas himself. The buildings follow suit, only deviating slightly to accommodate the aesthetics of the company that inhabit them. Large stretches of road going through a large statue that while passing through you’re able to see the steel beams holding the structure together are built to not only be a walkway, but to perfectly recreate the anatomy of a human body.

The Tangle: The underneath of the massive web of over and underpasses. The true bottom of the massive vertical city. With the bottom being a filthy mildew trodden poor and savage streets. The Tangle is where most of the poor and sick outside of the necropolis tend to live. It has barely any light from streetlights or electric or bio electric light. Thus the tangle is lit in a sickly green by the bio-light. Either that or fire from burning barrels, torches, lanterns, and so on. The tangle is also the last remaining deposit of pre plague and pre renovation historical sites within Old Chicago.

The Necropolis: Under a lot of the Sprawl and most major old cities became a dumping ground for the dead and disease. Large concrete complexes built as mass graves for the victims of an unknown plague. Over the years - several thousand people have grown to inhabit the underground networks. Keeps them away from the eye of Hemotech, and easy access to freshly dumped dead. Cities have been made from the rotting undergrowth. Such as Babylon, Akkad, and Ur. Each of which being located under the once cities of Chicago, New York, and Boston.

Zeppelins: Another simple solution to the problem of how people get around. The zeppelins are more often than not restricted to the upper epsilon and the wealthy. There are the occasional police blimp used for a display of force and power (to which they have little). There are a few exceptions to the “transit” blimps; with two being of note. The first is the Jewel of Chicago; A beautiful piece of art and engineering. A sparkling ruby red and brass machine used as a private party and dinner space for the top of the top. The conversations had in the Jewel are probably some of the most important in all of Chicago. The second is the DuPont family Icarus Super Zeppelin. A multi story display of power that actually works (sorry cops. Acab). A gargantuan colossus that looms over the cities tallest buildings. On celebratory occasions they even dress it up as a whale for parades.

Monorail: A fantastic example of modern advancement being both fashionable and utility. Very quick and endlessly efficient. Able to get from deep within the tangle to the high rise of the beautiful big money district (on the rare occasion it actually goes to the tangle). The monorail was installed by the late great Arnaud DuPont alongside the art deco stylings. The train supports almost one hundred cabins that can hold upwards of two thousand passengers. This is including the several dining carts and even a private meeting room. The monorail is purposefully unattached to any corporate musing. This is on purpose. Arnaud when creating the monorail intended to use it to bridge the gap between the tangle and the upper class in hopes of dismantling class divides. In turn it was used by the DuPont Monorail company after Arnaud’s death to further class divide. Beau simply doesn’t act upon the company.

Beau LePetite DuPont: A man refined by years of debauchery. His parties are extravagance manifest to the highest order of magnitude. After his father left him a ludicrously sizable inheritance - Beau found himself yearning for the spice of life. Thus within the massive DuPoint Estate he hosts parties that shake the foundations of the Chicago Sprawl. His parties are as much social gatherings as they are pure spectacle. Full orchestras, dancers, drink, opiates, and the more delicate things one may enjoy. Beau himself - despite his status - is quite mysterious. Rarely if ever making the public eye. Choosing to merely observe his events rather than participate. He enjoys the lavish extent of his galas. These parties are so grand that anyone who’s anyone with a social status to matter needs to be there. Strangely; Beau has a single rule that governs his parties. Nobody leaves without one of his golden roses. The few that have picked his mind on this matter have only received the answer,”So that my friends will remember me and that the friends I’ve yet to meet will be more intrigued.”

Beau’s father Arnaud himself was key in the reimagining and rebuilding of Chicago into its beautiful Art Deco stylings. Most fashion styles come from the DuPont family. The only modifications to their particular dress come from most criminal elements. When the DuPonts dress it’s always in a classical fashion (Author Note: That of the roaring 20s) this causes those in power to follow in suit. Of course with their own garnishments - that of leather and latex. Beau stocks his party with a mix of the most ultra-fine alcohols, drink, and food. With the staple being that of a DuPont family delicacy. A champagne made perfect in almost every single way. The taste of extreme and refined flavors mixed with enough punch to give a jolt of life to the drink.

DuPont Estate: The Estate is just as much a living character as Beau himself. The state had stood atop the previously largest tower in Old Chicago. This height doesn’t mean its importance has been diminished by any means. One hundred and seventy stories high atop the tower’s top most dozen floors lies the grand home of Chicago’s most prominent noble family. The home was built by philanthropist Obadiah DuPont - then taken up by Beau’s great grandfather Dominique DuPont. This was passed down to family members next in the bloodline. The wealth of the DuPont family rests on old money. Their specific work is unknown but nonetheless their wealth is abundant. Thus they made the building to be rented out by any company paying the price of rent. The building was made specifically to the taste of Obadiah. Art deco in the classical sense. Every bit of the building was designed with style in mind. For instance; the banisters of the building are carved with beautiful design. Geometric displays of joy and abundance. The walls and floors are sleek black marble chiseled with gold and sparkling lights.

Fashion: Style and taste within the Sprawl has been stuck firmly in the past yet continues its onward march for the future. Due to the architectural elements that have only expanded the decadence of the Roaring 20s, clothing and design would naturally follow suit. Pinstripe suits, heavy trench coats, flapper dresses, and more are all still very much in style. You would be hard pressed to find a single soul without some hint of modern fashion. Though the taste has remained more or less chained to “tradition.” A newfound sense for leather has placed itself within the hearts of many. Heavy combat boots and black leather coats on fine tailored suits. Latex gloves stretched tightly over the legs of a cocktail singer donned equally in beautiful sequins and intense bondage gear. The ever forward push of fashion has also extended to the body itself. It is not uncommon at all to see fully flayed folk wandering with see through surgical plastic adhered to their bleeding meat. Tattoos, scarification, and piercings have also come into the spotlight. Many people carve intricate pieces into the flesh to form cohesive images to stun and amaze. Artful body modification has become a large part of the landscape of the Sprawl alongside its roaring roots. Though due to the increasing number of corporate military forces. There is a rise of militarism in common fashion. Though not everyone strings a hardness to their chest - a notable amount do.

Examples of Fashion:

- Steel needles punctured through the flesh pinning latex masks to the head directly.

- Human leather coats with dyed crimson interiors with matching gloves (nails still attached of course).

- A plate carrier adorned in rosaries and painted with gang designs.

- Flapper dresses with a tattooed skin scarf and a high capacity magazine carrier.

Human Leather Clothing: It’s exactly what it says. Human leather taken from corporate hollow bodies who are picked explicitly for the quality of their flesh and hair. They are used to make any form of leather clothing such as jackets, pants, gloves, hats, and so on. They can be made in any color (both natural and dyed). Typically they’re bought off the rack in most stores unless commissioned. Basically everyone has some kind of leather clothing.

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Splicing/Mutation/Biomodding:

Biomodding is the mutation of human dna structures to be made into several different. These are done using micro or macro doses of the Plague to aid in mutation. Regardless of the process this is a constant. Splicing are biomods used on organs or limbs typically from a human artificially co-constructed with animal dna. Example - Utilizing the DNA structure stolen from large cats on a harvested arm to create a large clawed paw or binding human DNA with birds to give a person feather quills that sprout from the head. Mutation is using your own DNA and restructuring it or another person’s.

Designer Biomodding (Splicing/Mutations): Sometimes the newly reformed limbs you want aren’t brutish, pulsing, or pointy. Sometimes you want something sleek and more natural. Designer Biomods are reserved for those who’ve spent a lot to get them or who already had a lot in the first place. Higher in the corporate ladder you’ll find these more and more. These biomods are simply more appealing to the eye. You can still have the bone blades and palm mouths, but without the pinky red bloody horror of it. These can range from regular human in appearance to perfectly sculpted pieces of art. Tattoos are replaced with animated images, your skin can change its softness at a thought, or in more practical scenarios - hide the arm sized biospike embedded inside (at least make it look more like you don’t have one). Though not impossible to get as a regular person, the prices for the pieces are far and above average salaries of the blue color.

The Festering:

The Festering is a state one may enter upon grafting of biomods or heavy usage of mutations/tinctures. The Festering is a carnal urge that seeps into the mind to consume human flesh, to drink human blood, or to feed on cerebral fluid. This hunger can be sated by indulging in the process, yet fighting it can cause neurological issues such as heightened aggression, anxiety, depression, compulsive disorders. In some cases fully developed psychopathy, D.I.D, or schizophrenia. Prolonged refusal to consume human flesh may cause intense aggressive outbursts to the point of “becoming feral.” Where one may act out of character and attack on a whim.

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Prosthetics: For those who can’t afford or simply don’t want the advanced biomodding - development of prosthetics has evolved to previously unthinkable heights…hooks. For the downtrodden who can’t afford the luxuries of modern technology they have to deal with the bare minimum. Crutches, pegs, hook draw arms, armature hands with very limited mobility. The prosthetics can’t do much more than opening and closing or allowing one to stand mostly unbalanced. For the wealthy who seek to avoid the bodily change or simply yearn for more simple solutions. They use very limited bio electric motors to allow the limb to move more efficiently than the basic. The prosthetics still have limited movement and dexterity, but can give the user as close to a limb as possible. Despite this they still are very limited in their ability.

Homunculus: A sort of offshoot pseudo cloning process that is utilized in the tangle and necropolis. A homunculus is formed through a rudimentary birthing system. Most commonly a street dog is taken and has their womb reformed. Manipulated genetically to be allowed to bare a human fetus. There is no sexual contraception - rather a fully bio mechanical procedure that allows for a child to be grown and carried for months at a time. They are grown to a certain point before their blood turns toxic and kills them. Thus they are removed and place into an amniotic incubator where the rest of the growing process occurs. The child grows more rapidly when in the incubator - coming to the maturity of a toddler within three months after then a teenager at a further seven months. Homunculus are prone to intense deformity. The occasional parasitic twin found within one in ten of these individuals. Even so, most of the homunculus with twins die. On the rare instances they live; typically the twin is slowly consumed by the body. The other hand they’ve been seen to be somewhat sentient and aware though limited. Generally homunculus’s appearance is more or less normal. The main difference being a general webbing of irritated red veins and sinewy skin around the body. Just as often are hefty deformities that allow a homunculus to live but only barely.

Hollow Bodies: Some who’s forcefully mutated to regrow infected organs for the sake of splicing and mutation. Al-a Regrowth for the sake of removal, rework, and resale. Typically hollow bodies are unwilling captives. Some are even drained of blood for infected transfusions.

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Main Players in the Near Apocalypse:

Hemotech: The Mega Conglomerate Pharma Company built from twenty world wide market pharmaceutical companies. Each of which earning several trillion dollars a year prior to the merger. Hemotech produces 95% of the drugs found in everyday life - the other 5% being street drugs. Hemotech are the forefathers of post plague medicine and recovery. Acting as reigning government to the Sprawl. Despite being pharmaceutical in nature they house dozens of other companies within that all specialize in multi faceted things. Ranging from weapons tech to fashion. Hemotech came together during the plague outbreak and ran a quickly successful aiding NeuOrgans. Allowing the people to regain an amount of stability in trying times. On the front they pose themselves as a company of the people but like any corporation they of course drain the Sprawl of its life. The acting CEO is not a singular as to be expected. Rather it is run by a council of directors twenty strong; each member being the owner and chief executive of over one hundred pharmaceutical and medical firms merged prior to the plague. Hemotech earned its stripes and reputation by their advancement in cloning and bio-science. Hemotech as a singular has been acting since the middle of the century, where the first genetic printer was made - originally for farm animals and the like. Once Hemotech proved they were more than a macabre gimmick; they were offered a governmental contract for militaristic development of bio-modifications for the United States during the Coastal War. The mindset of the E.U.S (Eastern United States) was that if they could have genetically engineered soldiers to be perfect, their status as a superpower could never be contested.

The first series of cloned soldiers were an imperfect success. The occasional genetic blip caused a percentage of clones to become deformed at a rapid pace due to DNA unraveling at the seams. Despite this the clone’s organs being designed specifically for the task of maintaining the body allowed even the greatest deformities to be brushed aside in combat. Many people in the homefront and non-cloned soldiers deemed it,”the first war fought with monsters.” Eventually those imperfections were more or less ironed out and replaced with more advanced development of clone design. The first wave of civilian cloned products were that of remapped cloning of one’s body parts that allows more welcoming and easier access to medically necessary replacements. Though the “clone donor” was available - you and your doctor had to sign an official consent contract that any hiccups are not the fault of Hemotech. Thankfully those kinks were few and far between. So for the price of a luxury condo and a tenure in Barcelona - you could replace your leaky heart valve. HemoTech gained massive traction in the Americas. Finding themselves far ahead of the curve and on top of the hill looking down at everyone else.

Necrotech: The epitome of when technology is the end all be all. Though not technically a part of Hemotech; they are often partners with both Hemotech and Anansi Co. The specialization is technological advancement using the dead and focusing around death itself. Necrotech use the dead clones from their partners and the church to study and test macabre systems and weaponry. The success of the company came from the revivification of their CEO in his entirety using only technology sourced from the company itself. When it comes to the extent of cloning operations within the company itself - corporate servants who have yet to pay off their debt to the company (alongside their partnered companies) have their genetic makeup sequenced within a “DNA Locker” that upon death with automatically print out a clone to continue work - costs of the cloning process are included to total debt. Alongside developments in this process; they have also been pioneers is biotech resurrection. Such as the case with the Biospark Auto Defibrillation System (BADS). Where a series of biological checks are made within a micro instant, sending signals back to BADS, to which it electrocutes the body back to semi livable conditions. Necrotech also recently released the,”Sweet Release” and “Heaven or Hell” packages. For when someone is dying of old age they can choose to take the SR pack where they’re are ethically euthanized. The H&H pack allows the patient pass natural but puts them in a dream state of euphoria or abject horror (depending on their request). All of that said their main profit comes from a reliable and unpaid workforce. Not in the traditional corporate slave sense - rather they utilize the bodies of their dead and cloned workers to continue operations.

- Imort-a Co. : A subsidiary of Necrotech that is partnered with Hemotech more intimately; specializing into in depth life extension technology. They are also the resident pharmaceutical sector of the company. Creating the highly popular Synth-a-Mort. Despite being relatively new - they’ve proven themselves intensely capable in the home front of medical technologies. Their standout performance was allowing a ninety-eight year old veteran to live to the whopping age of one hundred and twelve. Admittedly the necessity of life supports were in play but the proof of concept was more than enough for most people.

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Authors Note: Dear fuck that’s a lot of writing. Here’s some art I made for it.

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