4. World Information

[doctorbee]

World Information

History
Animals
Drugs & Services
Foods
Compounds

[doctorbee]

History

Seeking knowledge has always been a noble goal of human society. The pursuit of science used to be as lofty, but people aren't so great at remaining that clean.

When the discoveries of Watson, Crick, and Franklin kicked off the race of genetic understanding, no one knew what they were getting into. At first, the new technologies were used for good. Understanding of diseases led to cures. But the ability to manipulate the world around them was too tempting to both scientists and the corporations who increasingly controlled them.

As government jurisdiction became synonymous with corporate control, private security firms were called in to keep company secrets. Over time, one security firm consumed the others and took its place at the top of the societal food chain.

The notion of seeking knowledge was not lost, but altered to fit within the equally noble concept of improving humanity. At least it sounded noble. Curing diseases was no longer the primary goal. Pleasure, entertainment, and youth became the objectives.

In what they described as a 'security measure', Corps SeCorp began to isolate the research centers within their own mini-cities.

The resources of the planet were being exhausted. The dire future environmentalists had warned of had arrived. Much of the land became barren. Thousands of species of animals and plants went extinct. Within the Compounds, it didn't matter. They could make new life forms for whatever they needed. Outside the compounds, life wasn't so great...

[doctorbee]

Animals

While a great many "natural" animals have gone extinct, new species have been developed as well.

Pigoons

"Pig baboons" were originally developed for growing organs and tissues to be transplanted to humans. They are incredibly intelligent animals, and are not supposed to get outside of the research facilities...

Rakunks

A hybrid of raccoons and skunks, these adorable animals have bandit masks and stripes. The bothersome smell of the skunk has been eliminated. This cross was developed essentially 'just because'. They are used as general lab animals, but they have been seen as pets within the Compounds.

Liobams

Warring religious leaders argued for years over the Biblical symbolism of lions and lambs. At some point, someone thought to resolve potential conflicts by simply making a hybrid of the lion and lamb. The project was limited, although a few liobams did 'escape' into the Pleeblands. They look sweet, but the predator instinct wasn't easily dampened.

Mo’ Hair Sheep

Created by the beauty company Mo' Hair, these sheep are bred for their human hair. The hair grows in different textures and colors (some quite unnatural) and can be used for scalp transplants. If the owners are careful to keep them out of Corps sight, these simple-minded animals can be kept as pets.

Wolvogs

Bred for use by Corps officers, this combination of wolf and dog maintained the angriest and most vicious tendencies of a wild wolf while maintaining the docile and loving appearance of a domestic dog. Rival Pleeb gangs also have gotten their hands on these animals.

Bobkittens

One of the earliest attempts at manipulating aging in animals, the bobkitten looks small and cuddly, it has the cunning of a fully grown wildcat. Some have been adopted as pets, and many simply run wild in the Pleeblands, although they tend to stay away from highly populated areas.

Spoat

This spider goat cross was created so its silk could be milked from it. The spoat was not a popular hybrid and the company that created it dropped the project after a few years.

[doctorbee]

Drugs & Services

Beauty

Skin rejuvination, hair transplants, implants (skin, scales, feathers, body enhancements)

Pleasure

Full body ‘second skin’ condoms, enhanced skunkweed, halucinogenics, sexual stimulants

Disease

Vaccines against all common diseases (most available only within Compounds), pain eliminators

[doctorbee]

Foods

Genetically Modified Products

Nearly all produce is modified. Many meat products have been replaced by synthetic alternatives (SoyOBoy Sardines, Sveltana No-Meat Cocktail Sausages). Plants, if they are grown at all, are altered to speed harvest and ripening (as well as lengthen shelf life), and reduce (if not entirely eliminate) the need for human workers.

HappiCuppa

This company dominates the market. (This Starbucks of the future.) Using crops that are designed to grow in full sun with harvest periods year round, HappiCuppa serves quick and tasty coffee and other beverages. Within the Compounds, shops tend to be classier and better stocked. Independent coffee growers and shops are just about eliminated.

Chickie-Nobs

New to the market, these headless chickens are grown on a plant. The tissue is still that of a "real" chicken, but the product is cheaper and easier to produce than the actual animal. This type of food production is a growing industry.

[doctorbee]

Compounds

"Long ago, in the days of knights and dragons, the kings and dukes had lived in castles, with high walls and drawbridges and slots on the ramparts so you could pour hot pitch on your enemies, said Jimmy's father, and the Compounds were the same idea. Castles were for keeping you and your buddies nice and safe inside, and for keeping everybody else outside.

'So we are the kings and dukes?' asked Jimmy.

'Oh absolutely,' said his father, laughing."

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Compounds are mid-sized cities. Travel between them occurs via sealed bullet train. Access in and out of the Compounds requires clearance by the Corps SeCorp and a valid ID. Identification papers are generally given to Compound civilians from birth; pleeblanders have the option of wading through beaurocratic red tape to attempt to get ID of their own, although this effort is often fruitless. IDs can be purchased (for an appropriate price) on the black market.

HelthWyzer

The Compound run by the HelthWyzer corporation contains research facilities focused on the creation of pharmaceuticals and the treatment of human disease. The default Compound in this. HelthWyzer is the largest and most prestigious Compound.

OrganInc Farms

The source of nearly all of the hybridized animals, the research at OrganInc is focused on genetic manipulation of organisms. They also produce many of the modified food products.

ANooYou & RejoovenEssence

These corporations focus on public desires, namely "eternal youth". These Compounds are smaller, but the companies have branched out. ANooYou treatment centers exist within every Compound and throughout the Pleeblands.