Free Action
The
Free Action movement (ACT) has massively grown its membership base over the past two years and is now becoming one of the most influential pressure groups in the region.
ACT is basically an anarchist group proposing that there should be no state interventions in society.
Ironically, when engaged in debates, they propose that the property of the wealthy should be removed and distributed to others - they seem unable to explain how this is consistent with their claim of being a liberal, freedom-loving movement.
ACT has a particular appeal to the younger population, tapping into their growing feeling that the older generations do not understand their perspectives or care about their views. This is where their membership has grown the most.
Zag, the leader of the movement, secured control over Crasia Jodi, the inventor of a new magical device known as a Loquer. Through these devices, individuals can instantaneously communicate with each other telepathically over large distances.
It has revolutionized ACTs ability to stay ahead of authorities, coordinating major protests, events, and riots without them being able to respond quickly enough.
ACT has housed Crasia in a secret underground headquarters in the nation of Ascadia, where, under duress, she produces as many of these devices as the movement demands. She continues to follow this instruction as ACT threatens to eliminate her husband and three children should she cease to comply.
Ascadia is 'sympathetic' to the cause of ACT as it wishes to use its actions to destabilize some of its neighboring nations. In return for providing a headquarters and funding for the cause, Zag agreed to produce Loquers for Ascadia. They are utilizing these to set up intelligence networks across the central region.
The Headquarters
The headquarters is located beneath an unused warehouse in the Docks Quarter of Candara, the capital city of Ascadia.
The docks are busy with a frequent and high volume of people going about their business acting as a good cover for the movement of ACT personnel.
Access to the docks is also vital as the production of the Loquer device requires creatures that have telepathic abilities. This location enables easy and discrete transport.
The creatures' abilities are magically transferred into the devices and it is this power/energy that enables users of little, or no magical ability, to contact others with a similar device.
Ascadian authorities are funding and running the operation of capturing these creatures, all of which die during the transference process.
The headquarters is split across two underground levels.
Strategic Communications Hub
The first level houses the office of Zag. From here he can coordinate all activities of his movement. Next door is the Communications Room, containing banks of Loquers. It is from here that ACT personnel are in frequent contact with member cells now spread far and wide across the region.
Laboratory & Production Facility
The lower level is where Crasia Jodi is kept.
Her living facilities are very basic, consisting of a mattress to sleep on and food being taken to her three times during the day. She is allowed to the surface very rarely and is kept under strict supervision.
Crasia has an office, laboratory/production room, and finally a secure room where the telepathic creatures are held in cages or shackles.
They are kept heavily drugged to minimize the risk of attack.
In addition, Ascadia has provided a few guards powerful in the use of magic - by combining their powers they are able to block the mental abilities of the creatures being held.... so far.
Upgrades to the Loquer
Crasia has found that the range of a Loquer is partly dependent on the strength of the telepathic ability of the creature used in the transference process.
Ascadia has been able to acquire some monsters with great powers. Crasia discovered that the range is greatly increased only for transmissions from such a device - those with a less powerful item do not experience a longer range when they initiate a transmission from their end. So whilst beneficial, this development does have its limitations.
Using the Loquer device does have its dangers. General long term use, and the use of the device for too long in any one communication, can cause damage to the user's brain, very similar in nature to a psionic attack.
ACT leadership does not warn their staff of these risks and as the occurrence is low, they have, so far, been able to explain this as being caused by underlying health conditions of the user or defects in production that they have rectified.
Firstly, poor Crasia. The loquer looks really interesting and as though they could have lots of different uses. I bet other factions are interested in getting hold of that technology. Secondly, I love the floorplans you've done here. They really add to the look and feel of the article. Great job! :D
Thank you! There are indeed others trying to find the inventor or mimic the technology. I recalled how social media was used to coordinate good events but also riots - that's where the idea of the Loquer came from. Thanks again :)