The HighGround
The Essential World
The HighGround isn't a single place. It's a collection of territories that divide Jujiro City. These territories are defined and ruled by the most powerful of Denizens who are often called Rulers, Authorities, or Powers. The piece of teh Highground that they rule over is often called their Domain.
Unlike in the UG where the Citizens'' collective perspective of the RG defines the world, the perspective of the ruling Authority defines the rules and appearances. The landscape of the Highground will still be recognizable as the RG, but the intended order and ideals of the Higher Power will be made visible. Lines of influence and purpose will be apparent and every Reflection will be defined by the subjects relationship with the Authority.
Even outside of the HighGround, it's influence can still be felt. It's not inaccurate to say that the HighGround defines the relationship between the RG and UF. It just remains invisible when not within the Highground itself.
Geography
Skyways: There is some neutral ground in the HighGround. To ascend there is to recognize the influence of the Authorities and Powers without entering the territory of any. These spaces tend to exist at the borders of major districts in the city or at lookout points that stand apart from the area around them. That said there is some danger to these places as the lines can quickly shift as the Powers vie for territory and influence. If the space is taken while an observer is there, they will draw the attention of the Authorities and be reshaped by that Authority's perspective. To be ignored is to fall to the UG and suffer from that weight to their legend. Worse yet is rejection; To be rejected by an Authority is a deadly prospect for most Denizens.
Entry: To enter a Domain is to be recognized by the Power that rules it. This can be surprisingly easy for the benevolent or hospitable deities, but even then, a Denizen will find their appearance and abilities shaped by the opinions the god forms of them. Given the turbulent nature of the RG's beliefs and opinions, the stability of the divine court is a promising prospect for some Denizens, whatever the consequences may be.
Subsidiaries: The greatest surprise of the HighGround is that there are layers within it. smaller Domains of Lesser Powers are nestled within those of Greater Powers taking the shape of a divine heirarchy. It's unclear how high up this goes, but some suggest there is a single Authority that rules over the entire City, some imagine the same over the entire world.
Fauna & Flora
The beings that control the HighGround have broken away from the domain of public opinion. They may exist independent of popular myth or legend and are said to have gained Authority. This is the point that transcends the usual bounds of power, where legends begin to shape reality. That said, they still can draw power from the movements of the city's populace and wax and wane in relation to their peers. In this way their domains of influence may wax or wane, which is especially important in interacting with their peers.
To rise to the HighGround a Denizen requires more than just recognition of ability from the RG. The citizens of the city must perceive the rising Power as a being of genuine Authority over the world and themselves. This new Authority must then stake and defend their Domain, ultimately taking territory as their own within the city.
Aside from climbing from the UG to the HighGround there is one more option to become a Ruler. A yet greater entity may reach down to uplift them. The gods of the city may choose their champions, their peers, and ultimately their successors. Denizens operating as enforcers of higher powers wield the rules declared by their patrons like a weapon, overturning the legends and powers of any lesser being that would challenge them. This too is how the order of the HighGround makes its influence known.
-Art by Marta Nael
Islands in the sky: If it's hard to travel in the Dreamscape, it's difficult to survive on the HighGround. It has similarities to the Dreamscape in that there are zones that are separated from one another, but it's less like scattered islands and more like a pane of stained glass that overlays the city. Those panes of glass have a tremendous sort of intensity that can obliterate a Cousin that enters unwelcome.
Alternative Name(s)
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