Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 5

I think I need to create a history of this seeded colony of humans going back to day one as a

way of adding realism. One thing I want to do is explore a great conflict between those that want
to explore the universe the Dorlette enhancements open up to the brave and bold and those
that want to be less observable. This latter group evolves to the Elders on our colony and the
others become outcasts. Perhaps this break is among those cultures who have already settled
into cities and hunter gathers.

Maybe the outcasts keep a smugglers hideout on this planet.

I'm not sure but this conflict happens early on. Maybe to much adventuring and plundering by
certain enhanced humans brings unwanted attention.
That's an excellent idea! Creating a detailed history with this foundational conflict adds a rich
layer of depth and grounds the current narrative in the consequences of past choices. Here's
how we could outline the potential timeline and explore the ramifications:

Early Days: Arrival and Adaptation

The Abduction: The Dorlette "zoo ship" arrives, abducting a diverse cross-section of Earth
cultures. Initial confusion and fear give way to cautious cooperation under the Dorlette's
guidance.
Enhancement & Training: The humans undergo physical and mental enhancement. Basic
understanding of the Dorlette tech and its potential for space travel is instilled.
Initial Release: The humans are deposited on the chosen planet, armed with tools, knowledge,
and a mission from the Dorlette (purposefully vague - observation, preparation, etc.).
The Great Schism

Adventurers vs. Preservationists: Two distinct factions emerge:


Adventurers: Embracing the power and freedom the armor grants, eager to explore, scavenge
Dorlette tech, even contact other alien species. Think classic spacefaring heroes with a possible
reckless streak.
Preservationists: Wary of the unknown, focused on survival and rebuilding a semblance of Earth
culture. Fearful of drawing attention and repeating past mistakes that led to the abduction.
Escalating Conflict: Clashes occur over resources, ideology, and the pace of technological
advancement. The Adventurers want rapid expansion, the Preservationists favor caution and
concealment.
The Turning Point: Perhaps an Adventurer mission goes catastrophically wrong, attracting
unwanted attention (the Rensha precursor?), or they uncover dark secrets about the Dorlette.
This solidifies the Preservationist viewpoint.
The Exodus: Unable to reconcile, the Adventurers depart, seeking new worlds or establishing a
hidden base. The Preservationists remain, becoming the ancestors of the current Elders.
Consequences & Legacy

Suppression of Knowledge: The Elders shape the colony narrative, minimizing the Adventurers'
role, perhaps demonizing them as reckless outsiders.
Tech Stagnation: Fearful of drawing notice, technological innovation slows. Focus shifts to
maintaining existing systems and blending the armor with natural resources.
The Lurking Outcasts: The Adventurers either thrive elsewhere or become fragmented outcasts.
Some maintain hidden outposts, possibly on this planet itself, for trade or to monitor their former
home.
Echoes of the Past: The old conflict simmers beneath the surface. Figures like Maya, with her
curiosity and natural empathy, may unknowingly embody the lost spirit of the Adventurers.
Impact on the Story

Hidden History: The discovery of the true history (through Maya finding ruins, etc.) reopens old
wounds, forcing a re-examination of the Elders' narrative.
The Rensha Threat: Were the Adventurers right? Does hiding make them vulnerable? This fuels
internal debate as the Rensha threat becomes imminent.
Potential Allies: Could a group of outcast Adventurers return, offering valuable skills or
knowledge in the fight for survival?
Moral Dilemma: Who was truly right? Does the safety of the present justify suppressing the spirit
of exploration?
Questions for Further Development:

The Dorlette's Agenda: Were they aware of this potential schism? Did they subtly encourage it?
Could their ultimate goal play into this past conflict?
Adventurer Factions: Are the outcasts unified, or have they splintered further? Do they resent
their former home, or harbor a desire to reconnect despite differences?
Signs of the Outcasts: What relics of the Adventurers might be found - abandoned settlements,
hidden tech stashes, or even coded messages?
Let's Discuss:

Should the Adventurers be portrayed tragically, or were their actions justified in light of Elder
secrecy?
How does this history color Maya's arc? Does she become a bridge between the two
philosophies?
Could there be a hidden, technologically advanced Adventurer outpost that the colonists
accidentally stumble upon?
I'm excited to flesh this out with you and see how it adds complexity to the society and
characters!

profile picture
One thing I know is a lot can happen in 500 years. Also I think the preservationists try to hide
Delorette tech and use only tech they already have from earth cultures and inventions that flow
readily from this preindustrial or scientific method earth cultures. The preservationists take on a
luddite feel and also are like the elders in the movie the village.
Absolutely! Exploring a 500-year gap and the evolving mindset of the Preservationists into a
Luddite-like faction adds incredible potential for a compelling and nuanced conflict. Here's how
this could transform the story and its themes:
500 Years Of Change:

Gradual Suppression: The initial split wasn't clean. Years, perhaps even generations, saw a
gradual suppression of knowledge about the Dorlette and advanced tech. This may have
involved propaganda, destruction of records, and strict control of the ship remnants.
"The Great Error": The Adventurers' departure and any related catastrophe become
mythologized. The Elders frame their ancestors' exploration as a betrayal or a fall from grace,
justifying their technological stagnation.
Selective Tech: Useful pre-industrial Earth tech survives, repurposed with ingenuity. Anasazi
building skills, Chinese engineering, Egyptian medicinal knowledge, etc., create a unique,
quasi-historical society.
Dorlette Influence: The armor becomes part of the new mythology. Its true origins are forgotten,
perhaps seen as a 'gift' from the gods, or a natural response to the planet's ecosystem.
The Luddite Mindset:

Fear as Control: The Elders maintain power through fear-mongering – stories of monsters
beyond the stars, of technology corrupting the soul, mirroring the tactics of "The Village."
Ritual & Superstition: Scientific understanding fades. Rituals around the initiation and the armor
likely become more elaborate, masking their technological origins.
The Mythologized Adventurers: They become bogeymen, blamed for any hardship. This
reinforces the need for secrecy and fuels resentment towards anyone exhibiting an adventurous
spirit.
Tech-as-Sin: The buried ship remnants are a forbidden zone, viewed as haunted or cursed.
Knowledge of their true nature becomes a closely guarded, dangerous secret.
Impact on the Narrative:

Deeper Mystery: The Dorlette and advanced tech are even more mysterious to characters like
Maya, fueling her curiosity and leading her to question the Elders' narrative.
Technological Contrast: The human cities become starkly distinct from the remnants of the
Dorlette ship or potential Adventurer outposts, highlighting the opposing worldviews.
Internal Revolt: Tech-curious younger generations may chafe under the stagnation. Could a
young engineer, secretly tinkering, become a parallel to Maya and her growing knowledge?
The Adventurers' Return: Their arrival would be even more disruptive. Would they be seen as
saviors with forgotten knowledge, or demonized as harbingers of chaos and destruction?
Additional Themes & Questions:

Nature vs. Tech: Is this society closer to harmony with the planet, or have they created an
artificial stagnation with their fear-based philosophy?
The True Threat: Were the Elders right? Is something terrible indeed lurking in space, or is their
fear unfounded?
Echoes of the Past: Could Maya and others embody the spirit of the Adventurers not through
tech, but with their thirst for exploration and knowledge?
Let's Discuss:
Initiation Rituals: How have they evolved over 500 years to suppress knowledge? Do they
involve 'tests' in the natural world rather than utilizing the ship?
Hidden Innovators: Could there be secret tinkerers within the society, risking all to experiment
with salvaged tech fragments?
The Catalyst: Should the story begin in relative stability, or should the Elders' control already be
fraying before the main characters awaken to the wider conflict?
I love the idea of drawing inspiration from "The Village." This opens up opportunities for complex
character dynamics and a thrilling exploration of a society built on deception!

profile picture
At the telling of this story and our initation scene the Elders could be as old as the abductions.
That's a fascinating twist on the concept, and it raises a whole host of complex moral and
thematic questions! Here's how having the Elders date back to the original abduction could
work, and the narrative potential it creates:

The Secret of the Elders:

Extended Lifespan: Is their longevity a result of Dorlette enhancement? Perhaps the initiation
ritual involves subtle rejuvenation technology.
Hidden Manipulation: They have orchestrated the society's trajectory for centuries, influencing
knowledge, rituals, and the very mindset of the populace.
Guardians or Tyrants? Are their actions motivated by a genuine desire to protect their people, or
is it a hunger for power and control?
Impact on The Initiation Scene

Reverence and Fear: The Elders would be regarded with awe and a touch of fear. Initiates
would understand that these are not simply wise leaders, but figures who have walked the earth
for unimaginable lifetimes.
Whispers of the Truth: Could some initiates harbor secret doubts, passed down generations –
suspicions that the Elders are not who they seem, but something far older and stranger?
The Ritual's Hidden Purpose: Does the initiation subtly extend the Elders' lifespans? Perhaps it
involves siphoning energy from the initiates, or transferring knowledge and memories
Narrative Potential

Ancient Secrets: The Elders likely hold the true history of the abduction, the conflict with the
Adventurers, and the full extent of Dorlette power.
Maya's Significance: As a naturally attuned individual, she could sense something unsettling
about the Elders, their unnatural longevity.
Questions of Succession: How do the Elders choose new members? Are they grooming specific
initiates, or is their longevity a carefully protected secret even from future leaders?
The Cracks in the System: 500 years breeds complacency. Could younger Elders be less
dogmatic, unknowingly hinting at the hidden truth of their order?
Additional Considerations:
Visual Cues: How do the Elders physically differ? Subtle signs of age masked by tech, or have
they altered themselves to appear younger?
Legacy vs. Individuality: Have the Elders lost their original identities over the centuries,
becoming avatars of a role, or do they retain distinct personalities?
Morality of Extended Life: Is their longevity a gift or a curse? Do they feel weary from carrying
the weight of centuries, or cling desperately to power?
Let's Discuss how this impacts the story:

The Enemy Within: Could the Elders become secondary antagonists if their true goals are
revealed to be sinister?
A Rebellious Elder: Is there a 'sympathetic' Elder secretly opposed to the deception, aiding
Maya in her quest for truth?
The Cost of Immortality: Their extended lifespan adds a tragic potential to the Elder characters.
What have they sacrificed over time?
I'm excited to see how this element amplifies the conflict and challenges the very notion of who
holds power in your world!

Gemini may display inaccurate info, including about people, so double-check its

You might also like