[center][h1]Factions[/h1][/center] [u][b]Humanity[/b][/u] Devastated from the Human-Machine Wars, what's left of humanity found sanctuary in locations far away from the reaches of the Network. Underground caverns, untouched spots of nature, hidden places near radiation zones. All of these were places where humanity tried to settle. In the beginning days of the mass exodus, many joined the dead while few remained among the living. Those that survived endured and survived. Near a century later, humanity has risen from the ashes and had rebuilt itself. Technology, new and old, were integrated to rebuild the military. Parts scavenged from the surface created habitats that allowed food production. A network, heavily regulated, connected the settlements together. Even though time had gone by, humanity hasn't forgotten how the machines ravaged their world. Either humanity would perish from the Second Human-Machine War or achieve pyrrhic victory. [u]Cities[/u] [hider=Prometheus] [img]http://img01.deviantart.net/0f0f/i/2015/116/4/e/underground_city_by_julian_faylona-d4dp2vs.jpg[/img] One of the bigger underground cities, Prometheus houses a large population, and a major military and productivity presence. Built within the caves underneath the Appalachian, Prometheus is the closest city to the machine controlled zones. However, through interference from the Earth with the machine's technology, Prometheus has yet to be discovered. Several outposts have been erected around Prometheus' immediate area.[/hider] [hider=Neptune] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/fe/d8/ab/fed8ab1ca30e28337deef5498e32b7d2.jpg[/img] Neptune enjoys the luxury of being founded around an underground waterfalls. The falls were accidentally discovered by those that sought refuge near the Michigan radiation zone. Since the serendipitous discovery, Neptune has grown to a large city where research is carried out. Given its proximity to water, the scientists at Neptune have found a way to cool the central hub that controls humanity's newly created network. [/hider] [hider=Tartarus] [img]http://orig04.deviantart.net/7b76/f/2015/219/b/f/underground_by_stgspi-d94lxiq.png[/img] Founded in the remnant sewer systems of major cities, Tartarus is a near anarchy settlement that's ruled over by the enigmatic figure, Owl. Little is known about the settlement to those that reside outside of it. However, from what rumors have circulated about the place, desires are fulfilled. Provided one was willing to pay the price for becoming a soul of Tartarus. [/hider] [u]Technology & Society[/u] [hider=Prior to the Machine War] Augmentations were the norm. Almost all of humanity had nodes surgical inserted at the base of his or her brainstem to integrate fully with the Network. Indeed, each individual had a unique Network persona as well as one in reality. While integrated with the Network, individuals could buy things, virtually interact with others on public forums, or even upload him or herself to simulators. Within each household, machines performed menial duties. Machines ranged to cheap public models to expensive customized models. It depended on the owner's needs and how deep their pockets ran. The machines also doubled as home protectors. While each model presented its own perks compared to others, machines protected their owners to a adequate degree to dissuade home invasions. Machine rights, particularly the First Law of Robotics, is heavily debated topic for machine ethic and oversight committees. Military forces were very advanced. Nano machines were being pioneered while armor for infantry reached unprecedented protection rates without sacrificing mobility. While armored crews were needed for tanks, Stryker pilots were a new branch introduced quickly in all militaries. Building off the concept of the drone, operators integrated themselves with their Stryker mechs. For simplicity, they are the mech with their senses melding with the Strykers. The rationale was an effective fighting force without risk to the pilot. However, this remained contingent on the proper separation of pilot and Stryker. This separation relied heavily on the Network and Jove. [/hider] [hider=Post Machine War] While a network does exist, humanity no longer has any connection to the Network. In the early days of the exodus, humanity failed to learn the mistake of connecting back to the Network Jove and Ares controlled. More lives were lost as a result. The network used by humanity is a rudimentary version of what used in the past. It is used for logistics and communication. The difference is that the current network has no trace of any human-network integration abilities since present humanity regarded that as one of the reasons for humanity's down fall. Daily practices reverted back to that of the 21st century. If one wanted something, one would have to get it themselves. AI, or anything related, is the greatest taboo in present humanity. Given that the machines rose up against the former dominating species of Earth, there is huge distrust for AIs, VIs, or any machines. Absolving the machine ethical conducts, whenever humanity gets a chance to destroy a machine, it is taken. Children have been indoctrinated at a young age to despise and detest advanced machines. They have been taught only to use it when necessary and shun anything or anyone with advanced machines. The exception is the military. It was taught that the military used advanced machines to fight machines. However, the military machines were controlled while others were not. Due to the sacrifice of hundreds of dead salvagers, humanity recovered a good amount of pre-war equipment. While the refined armor, vehicles, advanced weapons, and refitted Strykers were reserved for veteran personnel, general infantry received armor closely resembling that of the late 21st and early 22nd century. Realizing the scarcity of equipment, humanity is working on fabricating new military items in their new environment.[/hider] [b][u]Machines[/u][/b] WIP [u][b]Reference images[/b][/u] [hider=Infantry during Machine War] [img]http://pre12.deviantart.net/6007/th/pre/f/2011/241/1/e/space_by_alanwind-d487mgg.jpg[/img] Source: AlanWind on Deviantart[/hider] [hider=Stryker] [img]https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/004/327/402/large/alexander-winkler-nobu.jpg?1482471291[/img] Source: Alexander Winkler on Art Station[/hider] [hider=General infantry post Machine War] [img]https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/058/067/large/mike-doscher-urban01.jpg?1439155627[/img] Source: Mike Doscher on Art Station[/hider] [hider=Machine infantry] [img]https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/046/052/large/3.jpg?1398782111[/img] Source: Adam Kuczek on Art Station [/hider]