This thread is to discuss the religions of the Digital, Cyber, Nano, Solar, Interstellar, Galactic, and Dimension Eras.
With new technology comes new religious beliefs, philosophies, cultural identities, and ideologies, as Homo Sapiens and other species discover who they are and their place in the universe.
Im at the cusp of the modern era in my current game and I've played to around medieval era a few times before i got into the groove of things. I'd like to see current cultures be more fleshed out, especially the alternate history ones like dieselpunk, which has nothing. But the thought of fake cultures being incorporated is pretty cool however outside of the basic "-punk" cultures its hard to think of any outlandish cultures that are unique enough to worth mentioning. A sort of "cyborg" or "android" culture can probably be covered under the umbrella of cyberpunk. A "homo superior" culture can probably be covered under the umbrella of biopunk.
Theres also the idea of location/resource dependent cultures which constitute everything outside of the "-punk" ones. Perhaps, different cultures can be "constructed" but as national wonders as different civs manage to place their first city on Mars or the Moon, opening up the ability of constructing Martian and Lunar cultures on those cities. Can give powerful spaceship UUs.
Outside of those possibilities you can start getting into crazier ones such as a culture for a city that is built under water. The prerequisite might be the tile the city is built on is a coast/ocean tile if such a thing is possible. Can possibly give strong submarine UUs.
Even crazier still there can be a culture of ascension, where one has to be in the dimension era. Can possibly give a UU spy or a hidden nationality/invisible rougelike unit, would probably have to offer some assortment of interesting features to make satisfying. The unit can appear to be ethereal to go with the whole inter-dimensional being theme.
That's all i got for cultures. For religions I haven't thought about it much, sorry.
How about a religion that uses technologies like cloning and genetic engineering to create new life and spread them to lifless planets across the galaxy? An "It is our duty to bring life to the universe" sort of idea?
How about a religion that uses technologies like cloning and genetic engineering to create new life and spread them to lifless planets across the galaxy? An "It is our duty to bring life to the universe" sort of idea?
Sort of a 'we are the Progenitors' ? If then the converse religion - we were created by a Progenitor race and it is our duty to seek them out would be good. These two could have negative faction to one another
Here's an idea taken from the Planetfall mod, which is heavily based on Alpha Centauri.
Religion: Homo Superior
As technology rapidly began to advance, the line between human and computer began to blur more and more each day, as cybernetic implants had become common place. Until recently, this process had occurred solely for medical reasons. Now, however, men and women of all ages are implanting microchips within their brains to increase their learning capacity and memory. Cybernetic limbs are used to increase strength and endurance. This has been an altogether chaotic, directionless process, but under the right guidance, a new species of man could emerge, completing the next phase of our evolution. Enter Homo Superior Superior.
"Breakthroughs in Biomachinery and Doctrine: Initiative paved the way for a new kind of organism that is equal parts biological and computer. The biological aspect thrives at physical manipulation and emotional experience, while the digital aspect excels at calculation and data processing. This Homo Superior integrates the best of biological and machine."
"Those who join us need only give up only half of their humanity- the illogical, ill-tempered, and disordered half, commonly thought of as 'right-brain' functioning. In exchange, the 'left-brain' capacities are increased to undreamed potentials. The tendency of Biologicals to cling instead to their individual personalities can only be attributed to archaic evolutionary tendencies."
Prime Function Aki Zeta-5 of the Cybernetic Conciousness, "Convergence"
"I think, and my thoughts cross the barrier into the synapses of the machine - just as the good doctor intended. But what I cannot shake, and what hints at things to come, is that thoughts cross back. In my dreams the sensibility of the machine invades the periphery of my consciousness. Dark. Rigid. Cold. Alien. Evolution is at work here, but just what is evolving remains to be seen."
Commissioner Pravin Lal, "Man and Machine"
"The Warrior's bland acronym, MMI (Mind-Machine Interface), obscures the true horror of this monstrosity. Its inventors promise a new era of genius, but meanwhile unscrupulous power brokers use its forcible installation to violate the sanctity of unwilling human minds. They are creating their own private army of demons."
Commissioner Pravin Lal, "Report on Human Rights"
I see this as a religion which would grant significant bonuses to Health, Research, and Production, but would cause significant unhappiness and possibly even revolt instability. Much of society will simply not be comfortable with the idea of mankind turning into cyborgs en masse, viewing it as un-natural. The cyborgs themselves may even be discriminated against, both for perversions of nature and for the changes in personality that come from their cybernetic implants. Additionally, despite the production bonuses granted by the buildings themselves, the buildings and all units associated with the religion would take a considerable amount of time, since they are far more complicated than simple churches made of brick and stone.
Another religion which featured in the Planetfall mod was known as 'The Ascetic Virtues'. This religion was a representation of the philosophy of Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang of the Human Hive. This is a religion which essentially adapts Buddhist and Collectivist principles into a single whole, using it to forge a society where the people's individuality is eroded in favor of the welfare of the group. Personally, I think the name could be changed to something more descriptive, but I am uncertain what would be best.
"Learn to overcome the crass demands of flesh and bone, for they warp the matrix through which we perceive the world. Extend your awareness outward, beyond the self of body, to embrace the self of group and the self of humanity. The goals of the group and the greater race are transcendent, and to embrace them is to achieve enlightenment."
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Essays on Mind and Matter"
"It is every citizen's final duty to go into the tanks and become one with all the people."
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Ethics for Tomorrow" (Soylent Green is people!)
"My gift to industry is the genetically engineered worker, or Genejack. Specially designed for labor, the Genejack's muscles and nerves are ideal for his task, and the cerebral cortex has been atrophied so that he can desire nothing except to perform his duties. Tyranny, you say? How can you tyrannize someone who cannot feel pain?"
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Essays on Mind and Matter"
I would see this as a religion which would grant massive bonuses to production and health, while also allowing the maximum amount of food to be saved upon growth. A society guided by this religion is one in which the people's desires and wants are to serve only the greater group. None are wasted, for in death the people go into the tanks, and become one with the people.
Consequently, this religion would grant massive penalties to great person production and culture, due to the lack of individuality. Democratic and Liberal civics would also grant significant unhappiness if the Ascetic Virtues buildings exist in a given city.
This is a group of religions that use musical and synthetic aphrodisiacs to worship an object of love; usually a goddess or love itself. Some are artificially created religions by government to seduce its own people for their own protection.
Siren Stradivarius (Italy) Maestra Diamond (grandaughter of Vanessa Mae) 412 million
Valentine (USA) Selena Gomez Prima (Grandaughter of Selena Gomez) 192 million
Rosa Romantica (Latin) Esmeraldo Antiquion 179 million
Forever Venus (Russia) Adrik Ivanov 358 milllion
Serenade of Serena (Lunar Colony Alpha) Bei Ai 2.2 million
SubReligions Passion Agostino [Passion of Agnostino] (Italy) Bellanova Catholicism [Beautiful Star Catholicism] (Mexico and Latin America) Ἀφροδίτη [Aphrodite] (Mediterranean] Bird of Soulmates (North Africa -Egypt) Queen of Hearts (Australia) Sakura Song [Sakura Tree Song] (Japan) Beauty of the Butterfly (South Africa-Madagascar) Kawaii Stars [Too Cute Stars] (Japan) Flower of Our True Love(China) Incendie Coeurs [Hearts on fire] (France) Victorian Valentine (UK, Australia, East USA) Medina Astrology (Saudi Arabia, Middle East) Melody of the Moon Goddess (China) Ballad of Lady Karma (India) Viva La Vida(spain and Latin America) Disneylandia(USA-West Coast) Pleasurecraft (Germany) Redlight Vixen(Netherlands-Amsterdam) Telsa Charisma (Britain) Americana Heart(USA-Central and South) Рождаемость сказка [Fertility Fairytale] (Russia) Maybelline(USA-New York) Maternal Earth (Oceania) Matriarch of Minerva(Lunar Colony Beta) Lunar Lullaby (Lunar Colony Gamma) Athena Affection (Lunar Colony Delta)
History
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire.The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable.
In the ealy 22nd Century, a class of religions called Aphrodisiaca spread like wildfire with the mainstream commercilization of binary pyscoactives and aphrodisiacs that were engineered to not be addictive to consumers and heavily regulated. For many decades the use of this substances were found in virtual nightclubs and many establishments of adult entertainment and did not have any addictive aide effects, but gave a feeling of being in love for a couple of hours. This all changed with the terrorist attack know as the Black Diamond Incident.
The Black diamond
Spoiler:
In 2107, at the very popular Streets of 2093 concert in Rome, Italy ,(with 3 million in attendance), a women calling herself the Black Diamond changed the history of aphrodisiacs forever. Wearing an invisibility suit killed the band's singer from behind , Razni Agunst, with a plasma katana as millions of fans stood silent in horror, and the music died.
Before Security had a chance to react, she removed her jetpack and brought out a violin with a large dark diamond on its neck. She began to play a melody so pleasant to the ears it had a seducing effect, sounding similiar to Vanessa Mae's "Storm".
The melody had a subliminal message that translated to English:
Black Diamond Subliminal Melody said:
Again I see you standing there watching me
Your gaze, those eyes are tantalizing openly
Inviting me to get close to you
Can't help myself
There's fascination in the air
I try to fight this strong sensation
But there's no chance to escape from this temptation
Feels like I've known you before
Repeating phrases
But I yearn for something more
I know I can't stay by your side forever
But I know I won't forget your beauty
My black diamond.
As the song played, the millions of concert goers shouted in union, "My black Diamond, you are perfect, you are flawless, you are mine". In less than 5 minutes, a new cult with 3 million people had developed, the fastest religious conversion in all of human history.
Minutes later, as local law enforcement from the region surrounded the concert arena and demanded she is under arrest, she knew couldnt escape. In defiance she lifted her Black Diamond violin and began playing a melody smiliar to Vanessa Mae's "Desiny".
As the music played, law enforcement knelled to its knees along with the rest of the concert goers. Suborbotal Datablimps recorded the whole phenomenon, and as the hysteria and ecstasy in the concert arena grew, with millions of happy faces, insect cameras captured the event and news stations began reporting "BREAKING NEWS- Terrorism Attack at Alcazar Arena LIVE".
Black Diamond knew her melodies couldnt seduce via holograms but they could via Cyberspace Telepathy. 11 minutes after she killed Razni Agunst the whole planet knew what happened at Alcazar Arena that day.
Black diamond began to play another song of her grand mother, "Auroa", and in less than half an hour, 320 million people were now involuntary followers of her religion, as news spread thru Cyberspace and one listen converted the masses to her siren songs.
She then escaped the concert arena via jetback as millions of people around the world run to the streets in happiness exclaming they found the "one true goddess that brings happiness to all". An hour later, the Italian government for the first time in history, shut down all communications except Military, but the damage has already been done. As long as the masses tune in to Frequency 195678,469797,1386877 they could always hear her siren songs. The rest of the world was defiant to shut down its communications, especially the United States of America.
A week after the terrorist attack, the Italian government lifted the communication ban,
and she sent a vocal transmittion calling her cult "Siren Stradivarius" and that she is the true Stradivari [goddess], the with her melodies will bring happiness to the people.
Meaning of Stradivari said:
The name Stradivarius is associated with violins and cellos built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari in the 17th century . According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or reproduce, though this belief is disputed. The name "Stradivarius" has become a superlative often associated with excellence; to be called "the Stradivari" of any field is to be deemed the finest there is.
A day after Siren Stradivarius sent her transmition , The United States Goverment started receiving reports of a cult calling themselves "Valentine", led by Selena Gomez Prima, granddaughter of Selena Gomez, a famous singer in the first half of the 21st century, which in 2092 turned out to be "Operation Selena". Operation Selena was to surround all communications with a GRADE 10 vocal aphrodisiac called "Love You Like A Song".
Love You like a love song said:
t's been said and done, every beautiful thought's been already sung and I guess right now, here's another one
So your melody will play on and on with the best of 'em
You are beautiful like a dream come alive, incredible
A centerfold miracle, lyrical. You saved my life again and I want you to know baby.
Chorus
I, I love you like a love song, baby (3x)
And I keep hittin' repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song, baby (3x)
And I keep hittin' repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
Constantly,, you play through my mind like a symphony.
There's no way to describe what you do to me.
You just do to me, what you do and it feels like I've been rescued, I've been set free
I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful, you are and I want you to know, baby
Chorus:
I, I love you like a love song, baby (3x)
And I keep hittin' repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song, baby (3x)
And I keep hittin' repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
Bridge:
No one compares, you stand alone to every record I own.
Music to my heart, that's what you are.
A song that goes on and on
I, I love you like a love song, baby (3x)
And I keep hittin' repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song, baby(3x)
The USA military had actually experimented with vocal aphrodisiacs for half a century . They wanted to see if they could control enemy combatants without the use of weapons. With the threat of the Siren Stradivarius cult, the USA government decided to seduce its own people for their own protection. They secretly allowed its own people to worship a religion they had artificially created for almost a century, but not as a strong conversion with a peak of 192 million followers .
Shortly after encountering aliens, I expect a "Human Superiority" religion to spawn off of the more conservative branches of many modern religions ("if we were created in God's image, aliens must be an abomination"... or some such xenophobic rhetoric). If there's an alien invasion event, this religion could give a big bonus to unit production, with a few specialty anti-alien units, but remove any possibility of negotiation or peace with them, and significant scientific penalty if it's the official state religion. Passively, the religion's presence would cause unhappiness with each alien victory or increase in minority presence, and the buildings would amplify the effect.
The ying to that yang, a religion that would accept the aliens, upping the odds of making peace with them (assuming the aliens are initially hostile) and boosts research at the cost of turning over a few cities to the aliens, or maybe introducing a significant alien minority into your cities, thus making them more likely to revolt. Eventually, alien immigrants could be a randomly spawned resource (spawn rate dependent on the minority rate within a city), with accompanying cultures. Having this as the official state religion would up the odds of this resource appearing. Further, this religion should allow construction of alien dwellings, which would increase alien immigration rates, but incur huge maintenance (basically, it's creating a comfortable environment for aliens). Alien cultures could give military units, or units that become free specialists. Passively, the religion and associated buildings would increase alien immigration slightly.
Other than that, I suggest we all worship coffee as our savior, but that's just me.
Digicult- A class of religion based on a popular massive multiplayer online game, with millions of "fans" worshiping digital monotheism or polytheism gods .
The name Digicult comes from Digital + Cult.
[World of warcraft, Runescape, Final Fantasy]
Prometheus (C2C original)
Similiar to the original story of Prometheus; (who is said to have wanted to give man equal footing with the gods by giving man fire), this religion believes ancient alien life, 514,000 years ago populated Earth with humans. They found the humans marooned on a moon colony 57,000 light years from Earth. To save the last of the species, they decided to give Earth in the Sol system as their home.
This religion believes their is a civilization called the Qu with god-like powers,[they are a Dimension Era society], and its human destiny to meet their creators. This religion also believes the Qu gave humans the gifts of rationality, reasoning, critical thinking, and abstract intelligence.
[Based on the book Hydro made me read, the Qu and the Promethus legend]
Virtuoso- A class of religion based inside a virtual reality console, where millions of followers worship monotheism or polytheism gods with a "Heaven Console", a modified virtual reality console that can generate an artificial heaven as well as an artificial earth.
The name Virtuoso is used as it proper word meaning excellence.
[The Tv Show Caprica, Truman Show]
I think these cultures should be added from these Turned-based 4x space games.
All the cultures From:
(in order of priority)
-alpha Centauri and alien crossfire
-galactic civilization II
-master of orion 2
-armada 2526
-sword of the stars
-sins of a solar empire (use their avatars)
They are the most familiar to most people, and after them we can add cultures from other games., my 2 cents.
MOO2 is a little harder to do since they are aliens and not Humans (except for the humans). SMAC seems the most useful since it involves mostly humans and is a Sid Meier game.
What about some sort of technocult? A society that is "agnostic" or "atheist," but treats technology itself as some sort of god (though they would never phrase it that way).
Something like "digital theism" doesn't sound all that out there. Would fit nicely into the beginning of the transhuman era.
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