Welcome to Zeo Genesis - Internal
The content of this World Guide is to provide information to creators working within the setting of the Third Fold universe. Much of this information is purely for behind-the-scenes understanding and is not to be reproduced publically. This guide is not an encyclopedia of background material for the Third Fold setting as presented to the public (Although there is a full XarchiveX.)
Published background materials detail far more of the setting than can be explained in these pages and this guide is not a replacement for an understanding of that material. Its intent is to provide the framework and inspiration for continuing development of the Third Fold universe, and as such seeks to explain how the setting works, what its aims are, as well as certain fundamentals of its nature and creation as seen from within the context of the setting.
Fleeing a terror only half-remembered, humanity inhabits a hundred heliospheres, surrounded by a mysterious boundary that cannot be crossed. Who created the barrier and what its purpose might be is unknown - a prison to keep humankind captive, or a fortress against some horrifying threat?
The leaders of Hegemony say that Earth is a lost legend; that the Hundred Suns must become humanity’s next great civilisation, brought together as a strong, undivided society. The People’s Galactic refuse unification, championing a call-to-arms to resist the advancing forces of false authority and needless conformity.
Soldiers of both sides fight and die willingly for their cause, but the belligerent must tread warily. In the star-scattered darkness watches Fleet, arbiters of humankind’s fate. Like a thunderbolt of heavenly judgment, Fleet will strike down those that threaten the widespread peace. Powers that seek advantage through military action in the struggle for the One Hundred Suns must conduct their affairs at arm’s length, lest their actions provoke wider war and Fleet’s deadly retribution. Those who give and spill blood for them do so in the shadows.
Elite Zeoform pilots supported by specialist teams execute their orders in secret operations, clashing in swift, dynamic combat far from the eyes of the public. By such conflicts are the levers of power moved incrementally between the forces that seek to shape humanity.
The setting of Zeo Genesis is a far future space fantasy. While it has the veneer of science fiction, it is not founded on scientific principles but on images and tropes inspired by manga and anime fiction. Humankind is out among the stars, unknowingly ruled by a godlike AI and its servants. Impossible technologies exist through the conceit of Z-space and zeotech: FTL travel; cosmically arranged star systems; lasers, masers, antimatter cannons, and all kinds of nanotechnology. Explanations may be given regarding how these work, but this is to add verisimilitude and flavor to the setting rather than restrict it.
Piloted robot suits battle each other for supremacy in a universe burdened with two incompatible philosophies and cultures that represent the warring aspects of human nature. On the one hand is the need for structure, hierarchy, conformity. On the other is the desire for individuality, freedom, self-expression.
These two forces can never find equilibrium because the existence of each is anathema to the other. While the free-spirited People’s Galactic exists there is no Hegemony; while Unitas Consortium threatens the spirit of Accord the People’s Galactic cannot allow it to spread.
The battles of Zeo Genesis are, by necessity of the miniatures and games system, small in scope. Raids, ambushes, covert strikes, smuggling runs, and other clandestine operations. In the setting this is enforced by the existence - or rumor of existence to most folks - of Fleet. Large scale war is possible but not allowed, and humanity’s factions have concentrated on perfecting more subtle conflicts for hundreds of years.
Published background materials detail far more of the setting than can be explained in these pages and this guide is not a replacement for an understanding of that material. Its intent is to provide the framework and inspiration for continuing development of the Third Fold universe, and as such seeks to explain how the setting works, what its aims are, as well as certain fundamentals of its nature and creation as seen from within the context of the setting.
Overview
One hundred suns. A trillion humans. Two warring philosophies.Fleeing a terror only half-remembered, humanity inhabits a hundred heliospheres, surrounded by a mysterious boundary that cannot be crossed. Who created the barrier and what its purpose might be is unknown - a prison to keep humankind captive, or a fortress against some horrifying threat?
The leaders of Hegemony say that Earth is a lost legend; that the Hundred Suns must become humanity’s next great civilisation, brought together as a strong, undivided society. The People’s Galactic refuse unification, championing a call-to-arms to resist the advancing forces of false authority and needless conformity.
Soldiers of both sides fight and die willingly for their cause, but the belligerent must tread warily. In the star-scattered darkness watches Fleet, arbiters of humankind’s fate. Like a thunderbolt of heavenly judgment, Fleet will strike down those that threaten the widespread peace. Powers that seek advantage through military action in the struggle for the One Hundred Suns must conduct their affairs at arm’s length, lest their actions provoke wider war and Fleet’s deadly retribution. Those who give and spill blood for them do so in the shadows.
Elite Zeoform pilots supported by specialist teams execute their orders in secret operations, clashing in swift, dynamic combat far from the eyes of the public. By such conflicts are the levers of power moved incrementally between the forces that seek to shape humanity.
The setting of Zeo Genesis is a far future space fantasy. While it has the veneer of science fiction, it is not founded on scientific principles but on images and tropes inspired by manga and anime fiction. Humankind is out among the stars, unknowingly ruled by a godlike AI and its servants. Impossible technologies exist through the conceit of Z-space and zeotech: FTL travel; cosmically arranged star systems; lasers, masers, antimatter cannons, and all kinds of nanotechnology. Explanations may be given regarding how these work, but this is to add verisimilitude and flavor to the setting rather than restrict it.
Piloted robot suits battle each other for supremacy in a universe burdened with two incompatible philosophies and cultures that represent the warring aspects of human nature. On the one hand is the need for structure, hierarchy, conformity. On the other is the desire for individuality, freedom, self-expression.
These two forces can never find equilibrium because the existence of each is anathema to the other. While the free-spirited People’s Galactic exists there is no Hegemony; while Unitas Consortium threatens the spirit of Accord the People’s Galactic cannot allow it to spread.
The battles of Zeo Genesis are, by necessity of the miniatures and games system, small in scope. Raids, ambushes, covert strikes, smuggling runs, and other clandestine operations. In the setting this is enforced by the existence - or rumor of existence to most folks - of Fleet. Large scale war is possible but not allowed, and humanity’s factions have concentrated on perfecting more subtle conflicts for hundreds of years.
From our Documentation
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