Dysterra Lore

## The Discovery of Terrasite

Mankind makes a significant leap in progress with the discovery of Terrasite, a mysterious substance found deep within the Earth's mantle. Terrasite is an advanced energy resource, emitting explosive firepower and energy even in small amounts without significantly impacting the environment. A massive war erupts among powerful nations over mining Terrasite, resulting in significant bloodshed but also technological advancements.

To escape Earth's impending destruction due to massive cracks under the mantle, humanity transforms space stations into permanent residences known as Orbis. The population of Orbis is carefully selected, and life on Earth continues to deteriorate, marked by periodic Terrafires—enormous columns of fire erupting from the ground.

Internal division ensues on Orbis, leading to the rise of a powerful security force, the Security and Security Bureau, which suppresses opposition. Attempts at rebellion, such as Wrenches' Rebellion, are brutally crushed, and dissidents face re-socialization, a brainwashing program.

Orbis faces a crisis as Terrasite depletion threatens its energy source. A plan is devised to send impure individuals from Orbis to Earth to find more Terrasite secretly. However, this plan comes with risks, including the potential for uncontrolled reactions.

The Terrasite mining at each facility went smoothly. However, the issue of sending Terrasite back to Orbis was a concern due to insufficient transportation methods. Production costs were too high to use rockets to ship Terrasite. One method of transportation was discovered using gamma rays. Since it was not possible to shoot powerful gamma rays directly into Orbis, safety was secured through the giant electron converter. Through this method, Orbis was able to create a steady chain of supply.

Terrasite is a mineral found in the Earth's mantle, capable of nuclear activation through gamma radiation. It differs from nuclear power generation as it emits gamma rays slowly, making it safer and easier to control. Mixing small amounts of Terrasite with other elements allows for sustained energy production at a low cost.

Despite its potential, Terrasite poses risks, especially when reacting with high-purity samples or large masses of rocks and metals, potentially leading to uncontrollable reactions and Earth's destruction

After hundreds of years in outer space, Orbis started running out of Terrasite, its primary energy source. While increasing solar capacity would delay the need for more Terrasite, the fastest solution to the problem was to mine Terrasite down on the surface where conditions have mostly improved to make it livable between occasional volcanic eruptions.

The Orbis government placed five drills on the island to extract Terrasite quickly and efficiently. Orbis also constructed research facilities on top of four drills to use the mined Terrasite to study ways to effectively use it to counter the effects of Terrafire on the local and global climate.

## Ararat Island

Ararat is just one of many islands on Earth. Just as Noah’s ark landed at Mount Ararat following the great flood, Orbis named this island “Ararat” to signify its first time returning to Earth following the great catastrophe that caused humanity to abandon the planet for the space station.

What’s special about this island is that there has been recent seismic and volcanic activity, bringing large amounts of Terrasite to the surface through earthquakes, as well as through recently formed lava flows in the Delta Region. The sheer amount of easily accessible Terrasite makes it a prime location for mining.

## Orbis and Hyena

A lot has happened in the few hundred years that humanity has been confined to outer space. The new generation were no longer from Earth. Rather, they thrived amongst the communities built on the Orbis Satellite Space Station.

As the government of Orbis slowly replaced human jobs with robots, more and more people lost a way to support themselves.

Without their livelihood, they turned to crime. The Hyenas were once a small, back-alley group of smugglers based on Orbis, but they eventually became a full-on organized crime group positioned against the government of Orbis.

The branch of the Hyenas that’s based on Earth is spread across a multitude of islands, and uses dropships to transport troops and supplies between their bases.

They’ve currently occupied most of the Orbis structures on Ararat already, but the Orbis robots have been able to maintain control over the main facilities and the many installations they have around the island by using radiation to make the areas inhospitable to humans.

## Vanessa Holden

Vanessa Holden, daughter of esteemed computer science professor Noah Holden, exhibited early brilliance in computers. Bored with her privileged life, she befriended Jean Belleville, a fellow rebel in Dusty County. Vanessa's acceptance into Central University triggered jealousy from Jeanne, leading to a rift in the relationship. When her father was executed for treason, Vanessa and her mother were demoted to Gamma class, igniting Vanessa's resolve to dismantle the corrupt Orbis system. She joined the Technocrat's Union, orchestrating a rebellion. This became known as the Rebellion of the Wrench. With powerful cyberware available for use, Vanessa's force was one to be reckoned with.

Despite this, internal conflicts arose, with extremists clashing against Vanessa's negotiation efforts. Facing threats from her own people, Vanessa managed to escape, but was later captured, leading to the rebellion's fragmentation. ASKR, the Orbis elite force, crushed the insurgency, silencing the Rebellion of Wrench. By law, Vanessa faced a death sentence, but Armond, the new security director, argued against her execution to prevent her martyrdom. Instead, she was deported to Earth. She earned the title, "The First Pioneer" as she struggled against the unfamiliar territory of Earth. Amidst rumors, her fate remains uncertain. Some say Vanessa can be heard gathering her forces together to once again rise against the Orbis corruption.

## Jeanne Belleville

Born in poverty in a Gamma-class county, Jeanne's passion involved the technology surrounding computers in her challenging childhood. In an encounter with Vanessa, Jeanne's had committed theft of Vanessa's cyberware. However this eventually led to a friendship, as the two talked about their difficulties. Jealous of Vanessa's Alpha-class life, Jeanne joined the police academy. After Vanessa's father's execution, Jeanne helped her through grief. However, this fostered an uneasy friendship. Vanessa, forced to support her sick mother, admired Jean's carefree Alpha lifestyle. The disputes between the two friends eventually led Jeanne to be opposed to Vanessa's rebellion plans. When Vanessa was attacked, Jeanne saved her but demanded surrender.

Deported to Earth, Vanessa's fate remains unknown. Meanwhile, Jeanne, now leading the Hyena Cartel, battles the Orbis system. Vowing vengeance against Vanessa, she allies with the Pioneers. Armand, aware of their alliance, watches them closely in the Delta region's volatile Terra Sphere.

## The Survivor

Initially, there were no volunteers for people to go down back to Earth and mine Terrasite. Orbis decided to send criminals and exiles to mine Terrasite and send the resources to Orbis. Survivors play as these criminals and exiles, in order to survive on Earth. Ararat Island is full of dangerous encounters, and survival is the first priority.

Further along their adventure, the Survivor can choose to extend their time on Earth through the use of Facilities spread out through Ararat Island. The second option would be to return to Orbis before Terrafire eventually encompasses Earth again. Orbis will not allow launchpads to be activated until Terrafire countdown begins, in order to maximize resource gathering. The choice is up to the Survivors. Will they struggle to live in a free world, filled with peril? Or will they choose to return to Orbis, in the safety of Orbis' surveillance.