Eternum

Eternum is a virtual reality game created by The Founder and Ulysses Corporation, probably launched in 2024. The game requires players to insert a neural chip into their body and donn a special suit and visor. This setup costs $2500 and can only be used by one player but more and more people are making the purchase because playing the game feels "more real than real life." Eternum is said to have thousands of servers and it seems to be true.

Eternum has a dedicated following, including many players that are thought to be addicted to the game. At one point during "the lockdown" (possibly a reference to the Covid-19 lockdown), the game reached 50 million active players at one time. This is later surpassed to hit 51 million when Orion visits Ion. The game has launched Ulysses to becoming the most valuble company in the world with a market cap of $31 trillion. The game even has its own language and currency (with a developed economy), yet no one knows much about the founder who developed the game. The game is accused of being a haven for people to exercise dark violent fantasies and as a playground for the rich.

The first mention of the game is by Annie to Orion while on the train to Kredon. At this point, Orion reflects on what he has heard about the game, but has yet to obtain a neural implant.

When a copy of Eternum is purchased, it comes in an octogonal box that contains the implant, visor, and e-suit. The game files must be download, which can take as long as fifteen hours. While the game can technically be played without the e-suit, it may be buggy.

Eternum scans the player's body and recreates them in the virtual world exactly as they appear in the real world. A player can only change their appearance slightly in Eternum. While in Eternum, all motions are transmitted to the game and the player remains stationary in the real world, but the nervous system continues to function allowing bloodflow, digestion, etc. In Eternum, players feel pain and if they are too severly wounded, their character dies. Death results in the reset of their level, the loss of their inventory, and a 24-hour cooldown before they can play again. Remaining unconscious for 60 minutes will also be treated as death.

The leveling system in Eternum primarily serves as a reputation system, but some special abilities and upgraded equipment have level requirements.

Upon login, players are greeted by the AI, Idriel, who helps them navigate to a server. During their first connection, she introduces them to the Gems of Doom and the Weapons of Atlas. Some servers are public, but many required an invitation from a player that already has access or the purchase of a ticket. To leave a server, players must use an exit portal, or risk the death punishments mentioned above.

All Eternum servers have their own rules, but all players must follow the Eternum Code of Ethics. Inflicting pain just for the sake of it is banned, as is trafficking illegal content. Praetorians are tasked with policing Eternum. Breaking the Code of Ethics may result in excommunication (a permanent ban) and/or a report to real world authorities. If arrested by a Praetorian, the case will be reviewed by an ethics jury.

Eternum has many servers. All servers mentioned are listed below. Many servers are purported to be created by the Founder or Ulysses; however, other people can develop servers according to Annie. Developing a server required software and computer engineering skills as well as extensive knowledge of physics.

Besides players, there are many NPCs in Eternum. NPCs are thought to be controlled through Idriel. The memory of NPCs never resets which can make some seem just as real as other players.

Players must never be disconnected by someone outside the game. Removing someone from an Eternum session from the outside world can cause neural damage and lead to epilepsy, cerebral palsy, blindness, or paraplegia.

### Servers:

* Ion
* Plains of Denaria
* Xala's Moon
* Plains of Saturn
* Mikaar
* Styx
* Ekabar
* The Red Herring
* Ogygia
* Agora (hub to meet players)
* Cyrodiil
* Sin City
* Unfinished Mushroom Server
* Unnamed Japanese Server
* Cartoon Castle Server
* Atlantis
* Kink Paradise
* Valley of the Kings
* Semper Invicta
* Rockefeller
* New Vegas
* Warthogs
* Yggdrasil
* The Cove
* Andromeda

## Trivia

Many servers that are mentioned but not visited in game are references. Styx is the river in the Greek underworld. Cyrodiil is a province in the Elder Scrolls unviverse where the Elder Scrolls IV takes place. Atlantis is a fictional island described in the works of Plato. Yggdrasil is an ancient tree at the center of the universe in ancient Norse mythology.