Multiverse Companion

"Within the multiverse exists countless worlds or timelines, depending on how you look at it, which are connected to our own. The Rifts are the gates to these worlds. These other worlds are called Planes of Existence or Planes. Most are feral places to which humans are but aliens. Some are devoid of life. Others are teeming with… something else.

But those of most interest are those that do contain humans. We have found civilizations with histories so similar to our own it is… Unsettling… Yes, as a matter of fact, you could encounter alternate versions of yourself… We even found relics with the purpose to do so. I heard of some Associates who managed to confiscate such a relic from a carnival… No, I would not advise doing such a thing.

For secrecy and administrative purposes with giving each explored world a number, like Plane 54 or Plane 127. Boring I know, but really how many different names can you make up for a timeline was the Napoleonic Empire is still standing or where humanity didn't advance past the Iron Age. If these Planes, or rather their inhabitants, pose a threat or contain items of interest however we do give them names for practical purposes. And no, I won't tell you why."

-Dr. Sherry

File Designations

Here is a short descriptor of what the file designations mean

Construct: Designated with 'C' are machines or other (man-made) objects. When it comes to machines with free-will and intelligence, there is an ongoing debate about what makes such an 'individual a subject or a Construct.

Subject: Designated with 'S' are individuals, people, or beings of a biological nature, and/or intelligence, that interact with the multiverse. Not every outsider or alien being gets classified in this way. Many Outsiders emerge on Atlas by accident, either by wandering into a Rift or due to P-10 events. But there are creatures that evolved in the Multiverse itself. Then there are humans and other intelligent beings actively seek out the rifts to meddle with or terrorize the population of Atlas.

Phenomenon: Designated with "P" are any events, anomalies, or occurrences that do not fit any of the other designations.

Plane: Designated as Plane refers to other (parallel) worlds or realities, that have been observed behind the Rifts.

Overview of Planes which are of particular interest to The Association

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'Atlas' (Plane-0): Codename used by the Association to refer to their Plane of Origin.

'Eden': A hypothetical plane that is being sought after by members of various religions and cults. Apart from personal testimonies and scriptures the Association cannot confirm nor deny its existence.

'Elysium': A massive object in the orbit of 'Atlas' (and only Atlas as far as The Association is aware). The origins, age, or even if this object is created by humans is unknown. Archaeologists have discovered references and drawings dating back to the age of the Hunter-Gatherers. Regardless, It inspired religions and scientists to reach for the heavens. Napoleon Bonaparte created the Academy D'AĆ©ronautique (1805) for the development of aircraft and even ordered the construction of a canon to fire manned shells at the structure, unfortunately, this project was destroyed after his defeat at Leipzig in 1814 and the plans were never recovered. In 1825 the Comet II was launched, from the Tower of Babel Launch-platform in the Atlantic Ocean, but it disappeared mid-flight. Many believe this to be the cause of the appearance of the Rifts. whether there is a relationship between the Rifts and Elysium is considered unlikely. But its otherworldly qualities can not be denied.

'Hades' (Plane-54): The Plane is considered an Alpha-threat Biohazard due to the presence of P-54. For now, it is believed only small pockets of uninfected humans remain in special shelters in some of this world's capitals. Surviving infected is probably insane and extremely dangerous. The Rift to Plane-54 is permanently guarded by volunteers with decontaminating- and other safety-equipment. Despite the risks, Plane-054 contains a vast knowledge of contagions, genetics, and Biological Warfare. The few books recovered inspired new fields of study and might advance the Medical Sciences on Atlas by close to a century.

Visiting other Planes

From a creative perspective, when Associates are visiting 'other worlds' they are akin to the away-teams from Star Trek visiting pre-warp civilizations. Most people are not aware of the multiverse and, from their perspective, the Associates are pretty much Inter-dimensional beings. Creatures for urban legends, like the Man in Black or Roswell aliens who have come to observe humanity.
There is no 'Prime Directive' up to this point. But it is very likely the Association will first attempt to establish if the human population on a Plane is aware of the Multiverse and Rifts. If so, are they a threat? If not, then it is probably in the Associations' best interest to keep it that way. Why? Let's put it this way. Although is not possible to send a military force to physically conquer a world due to P-5's effects, nothing is stopping them from sending a nuke through a Rift.

Plane Classifications

The current classification system is based on the technological level of the most dominant society on the Plane. It doesn't mean that all societies or social groups are as technologically developed

Tier 1: Hunter-gatherer Societies
Tier II: Pre-industrial agricultural societies
Tier III: Industrial societies akin to that of Atlas
Tier IV: Post-Industrial or Futuristic societies with satellites
Tier V: Space Age
Tier VI: Mostly hypothetical classification.

The Special Committees and RA

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As a concept, a 'Special Committee' can be a bit confusing. This is in part intentional. Originally it was a colloquial term for teams of Doctors or Associates occupied with a specific task, or who were specialists of sorts. Examples of these groups are Special Committee Antiquarians and Special Committee Icarus
However, the term also refers to third parties with skills and equipment that are beyond the Association's scope or abilities, especially military force projection. The Regulatory Board on Rift Related Activities (RA) has agreed with the formation of various organizations who are occupied with 'Rift Containment' or 'Rif Management'. In this context, they are allowed to use military force under certain conditions. One of these is Project Bellerophon, aka Special Committee Dragoons, and The International Penal Legion, aka Special Committee Entomologists.
As Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence organizations, the Association always been the proverbial spider on the web and has a mandate to deploy these Special Committees, as long they can justify their actions to RA.

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