The year is 2533, 150 years after the end of the Great War. The collapse of the world order has thrown society into the chaos of city-states, one of which is America's most famous metropolis: New York. This global collapse also led to the fall of traditional religions, which were replaced by two major belief systems: Dionysianism, represented by its main institution, the Children of Dionysus, advocating Hedonistic Nihilism; and Erebianism, represented by the Temple of Erebus, promoting Nihilistic Pessimism.
While these religions dominate the cultural and institutional spheres and are the most popular among the elite, the majority of people remain adherents of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, seeking solace through trinkets, self-help seminars, and books. Despite this, Dionysianism and Erebianism continue to grow at an unprecedented pace.
Amid this fractured world, a few ambitious rebels aim to make a lasting change. One of these is Elena Andrzejewski, a 32-year-old rebel known as the "Philosopher Queen" for her vast knowledge of philosophy and history. She leads the Big Apple Force for the Liberation of Children (BAFLC), headquartered on the renovated North Brother Island. The island also houses the Big Apple Home for Missing and Exploited Children.
The BAFLC is highly organized and militaristic, currently focusing on freeing children, though Elena hopes to broaden their mission to include wider liberation efforts.
Meanwhile, a second rebel group, the Big Apple Liberation Gang (BALG), operates in the shadows. Unlike the BAFLC, the BALG is a less organized group focused primarily on infiltration missions. It is led by Gideon Ryder, a 22-year-old weapons and combat expert. The gang consists of four other members:
Samir bin Ali, 23, the gang’s technician, skilled at repairing and tinkering with advanced technology.
Marcus Escobar-Torres, 24, the group’s muscle, known for his strength and ability to take down opponents with ease.
Prologue:
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The year is 2533, 150 years after the end of the Great War. The collapse of the world order has thrown society into the chaos of city-states, one of which is America's most famous metropolis: New York. This global collapse also led to the fall of traditional religions, which were replaced by two major belief systems: Dionysianism, represented by its main institution, the Children of Dionysus, advocating Hedonistic Nihilism; and Erebianism, represented by the Temple of Erebus, promoting Nihilistic Pessimism.
While these religions dominate the cultural and institutional spheres and are the most popular among the elite, the majority of people remain adherents of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, seeking solace through trinkets, self-help seminars, and books. Despite this, Dionysianism and Erebianism continue to grow at an unprecedented pace.
Amid this fractured world, a few ambitious rebels aim to make a lasting change. One of these is Elena Andrzejewski, a 32-year-old rebel known as the "Philosopher Queen" for her vast knowledge of philosophy and history. She leads the Big Apple Force for the Liberation of Children (BAFLC), headquartered on the renovated North Brother Island. The island also houses the Big Apple Home for Missing and Exploited Children.
The BAFLC is highly organized and militaristic, currently focusing on freeing children, though Elena hopes to broaden their mission to include wider liberation efforts.
Meanwhile, a second rebel group, the Big Apple Liberation Gang (BALG), operates in the shadows. Unlike the BAFLC, the BALG is a less organized group focused primarily on infiltration missions. It is led by Gideon Ryder, a 22-year-old weapons and combat expert. The gang consists of four other members:
* Samir bin Ali, 23, the gang’s technician, skilled at repairing and tinkering with advanced technology.
* Marcus Escobar-Torres, 24, the group’s muscle, known for his strength and ability to take down opponents with ease.
* Chloe Suo, 26, a medic with an MD, who is also recognized for her kawaii style when she’s off duty.
* Liora Hoffman, 15, a prodigious hacker capable of breaching government networks. In her free time, she indulges in her Hikikomori lifestyle, spending hours on video games and anime.
Chloe Suo, 26, a medic with an MD, who is also recognized for her kawaii style when she’s off duty.
Liora Hoffman, 15, a prodigious hacker capable of breaching government networks. In her free time, she indulges in her Hikikomori lifestyle, spending hours on video games and anime.