First Contact: Novomir

[Kastrenzo]

This soap was made at the request of some members who wanted me to start doing collaborations with cameos and such.

Novomir
Interdimensional Customs

It has been almost 2 years since the sudden disappearance of hundreds of star systems in the Gold Sector. However sometime last Thursday, A strange portal had appeared on a lifeless planet. As travellers started to venture into it, rumors began to spread to many nations and empires about a strange "world" on the other side of said portal.

After confirmation that it was indeed safe to travel through, Intelligence and Exploration agencies of many powers began sending scouts and diplomats into this alternate dimension to make contact with whomever was on the other side.

Given their history with the Empires that once inhabited the Gold Sector, the authorities of the Imperial Magikstrate and their M-Throne allies have both sent dignitaries to investigate this place.

20200731_005018 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
Upon travelling through the Portal, Generals Ebus of the Magikstrate, and Richter of the M-Throne are greeted by a long queue of other travellers funneling down the gateway, heavy turrets watch their every move, and they notice that they are encased in some kind of field preventing anyone from jumping off the sides

20200731_005039 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

PA Announcement: Welcome to the realm of Novomir, All interdimensional arrivals must first pass through customs. Please refrain from brandishing weaponry until you have passed through this station

Ebus: Huh, this isn't the most festive welcome...

20200731_005131 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

PA Announcement: All Magikal items classified as level 2 or higher are considered Contraband. Entry is not Gauranteed

20200731_005308 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
A security guard in a strange uniform halts a traveler in front of them

Containment Agent: Hey! this guy's got something on him!

Traveler: What of fuck?!

20200731_005443 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
The Agents pin the traveler to the ground and pull a Magik wand from his pocket. The two Generals squeeze by the commotion

Containment Agent: Magik weapon!

Customs Officer: Did you think we wouldn't find this you shit?!

Richter: Good thing you didn't bring any "items" with you... pfft

20200731_005708 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
They pass through the doors into a blinding white painted customs room. Visitors are passing through it rather quickly

20200731_010012 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
Each goes to a window to speak with an officer. The officer at Ebus' window questions him , in a flat monotone voice like he's been asking these questions thousands of times all day

Customs Officer: Welcome to Novomir.... Visitation, Migration... or Diplomatic Envoy?
Ebus: Uh. Visitation....and Diplomatic?
Customs Officer: We'll go with Diplomatic... Of which entity and world or territory do you represent?
Ebus: Oh, well I wasn't prepared for this.. but Uh. I represent the Imperial Magikstrate, of Galaxia Nehellenium

20200731_010236 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
The Officer slides a document onto the booth

Customs Officer: Alright.. this is your pass. Be aware that violation of any capital laws during your time here will revoke your right to use the portal back to your home realm. Go on through

20200731_005936 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Ebus: Right then, where might I speak to one of your dignitaries?
Customs Officer: Sir, when you pass through the gate the Concierge representatives will accomodate your questions,
now please move along you're blocking my lane.

20200731_010358 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
As he leaves, he looks over the "Capital Laws" on the pass, he notes that there isn't anything of note on it except for a lot of draconian restrictions on use of magik, posession of magik items, and smuggling/theft of a bunch of kinds of materials and tek with long confusing names.

Ebus: What the hell? they don't even have Murder on here as a crime, what?

20200731_010416 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
They both pass through customs

20200731_105241 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
They enter into another blinding white room, layed out almost like a star port terminal. People are all funneling towards the black gateway at the end

PA Announcement: Please proceed to the localized teleport gate. Speak with a Concierge assistant for recommendations on popular travel destinations!

Richter: Localized Teleportation... Seems to be pretty advanced for a place that's seizing and banning all things Magik..

20200731_105302 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
Along the concourse there's someone in hooded red robes, preaching loudly to the annoyance of passerbys

Preacher: Only the power of the elders, that which our foolish leaders have condemned, can we truly fight the forces of Ruin! They are blind! Do not trust these tyrants! Magik is not evil! evil is evil!

20200731_105418 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
They approach the gate, some travellers are talking to Concierge at the gate. While they are waiting in line, a group of local thugs approach them

20200731_105451 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Thug: Eyy you look like important fellows. Need a travel guide? Vostok is where you wanna go for all your adventure needs.

20200731_105550 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
A group of armed soldiers approach and chase them away

Sindrian Soldier: Stop harassing people and get out, go home!

20200731_105637 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
They turn behind them to question some others hanging around

Ebus: Hey, who are these guys with the guns, I see soldiers everywhere but only they're armed?
Merc: This transit station is controlled by the Imperiya, only their guys are armed here... but Those guys aren't even army, not sure who they are. Volunteers of some sort, shouldn't be here...
Merc 2: Oh, hey... by the way, don't go to Vostok. They tried to pull a fast one on you, that place is a warzone... Unless that's why you're here.. you know.. to fight.

20200731_113314 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
Richter speaks to the Concierge

Richter: Hello, my accomplace and I would like to visit your government's embassy.. how could we get there, I'm not quite sure what this place is all about since we arrived...

Concierge: Oh of course!.. So our home is a little different than most of our visitors are used to. Our Realm consists of many seperate worlds that are accessable only by teleporting or flying in a special ship between one another. This is an L-Gate, you walk in it and will be teleported to another. Wherever you want to go...

As for the Embassies, I can send you there... but unfortunately I'm required to tell you that they're experiencing a signifigant backlog, there have been over 40 requests today alone, it could be weeks before you see someone!

Richter: I think it'd be in your best interest to see that we get to see someone sooner..

Concierge: I'm sorry sir.. I don't have that authority, Would you be interested in visiting one of our culture centers instead?

20200731_113508 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
Ebus interrupts, with the Preacher in his company

Ebus: Don't worry about it!... I was talking with this fellow, he's convinced me that theres someone we'll want to meet..

[Kastrenzo]

Undisclosed Plate World
Ordo Omega facility

The loud Preacher met earlier explained that he is a representative of a paramilitary Order of high signifigance in Novomir. And that the leaders of his organization are interested in meeting with outsiders from the realm.

20200731_120102 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Avitus: Welcome, I am Avitus, Vizier of the Order, Right hand of Moloch

Richter: Vizier, I assume this is a Rank? And what is Moloch?

Avitus: Yes, I am what you would call a General. And Moloch is who, not what. Our Leader. The last of the Elders, beings of great power the only one willing and able to face the true evils of our Realm..

Ebus: We represent significant and mighty empires in our own.. Realm You had something you wanted to propose to us? A reason for inviting us here?

20200731_120303 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Avitus:Our world recentley opened portals to other dimensions.. How that all came about is a story in it's own, But you no doubt will have noticed by the welcoming committee at the "Inter dimensional Customs", Not to mention the confiscation and persecution of anyone with any association with magik..

That Portal you used and ones like it are so far the only means of transit between our realms. And they're all controlled by the Imperiya, they control all the ins and outs. Many of our people across the realm have chosen to emigrate. But there are those of us who want to stay and continue calling Novomir home. There are forces and powers at play that are making that exceedingly difficult. Especially not having a means of travel to .. realms such as yours. At least not without Imperial scrutiny however.

Ebus: I can see where this is going... But Why is Magik Banned in the first place? This Empire, Imperiya you speak of,
I assume they are the central government of this world? Are you at war with them because of this ban?

Avitus: The Imperiya, yes. They are what you would call the central power. It never used to be that way, in fact they didn't even intend to be. They have both a Military and Civil government within themselves. We are no enemies of the Emperor, the Emperor's purpose is to safeguard and ensure the existence of the realm. It was afterall the first Emperor who opened the portals.. But of course the Military arm took it over. The Military we do find ourselves at odds with, but we are not in open war.

The topic of Magik here is very complicated. The short version and honest truth is that very few are capable of using it, and even fewer claim any kind of advanced power or ability. Our leader is one of the Elders. His people understood this power better than anyone, and they founded the first civilization, many of their teknologies are vital to us today. But when the Portals were opened... they all decided to leave. They had been in decline for a long time and, Our Great Leader surmises that most were disgusted with what we became...

The reason the Imperiya bans Magik, for now I'll just say that someone made a huge mistake, and it severely damaged our realm as a whole. So they fear a repeat of that disaster, and will overlook the benefits that this knowledge provides out of fear of the past.

20200731_120307 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Richter: I trust you'll provide those answers in due time. Anyway. Forgive me for sounding rude, you propose to open a Portal.. I assume that requires participation on our side. I would like to see more of who we are dealing with before we consider such a project with you. By the sounds of things, it's this "Imperiya" that is the major player here? What about you?

Avitus: Very well...

20200731_145528 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
One of the Order Officers takes the two outside for a small demonstration, as well to tell them more about their group.

Vicar: At the table you expressed concerns about dealing with a smaller group. Ordo Omega is one of several factions in the realm, spread out across thousands of plate worlds.. Of course, the Imperiya is the Largest, They are at war with a rival government called the League, They're the second largest.

The League however, is in steep decline. Fighting multiple wars....er.. So.. For a time Moloch was absent, and those who led in his absence... complicated things between us and a lot of other factions. The League do not consider us to be friends, and nor do their allies. Some of which happen to be our neighbors. Anyway, abroad we're considered to be Number 5.. Not very impressive I know, But the reality is we're likely Number 4... And as I said, the League is falling. Rapidly, Soon we'll be the largest alternative to the Empire that.. isn't insane.

20200731_145558 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Ebus: These are your troops?

Vicar: Just a small garrison. We hauled out some vehicles and weapons to show a little of what we're about. We rely on elite Paladins reinforced by weapons specialists and lesser auxiliary warriors. Our troops specialize in automatic weapons, and we use more than anyone else... And our vehicles are solid.

Ebus: What about your Navy, No starships?

Vicar: hardly anyone builds starships anymore, too cost prohibitive for this world, the people who build ships, they all left to go to realms like yours... Plate worlds kind of defeat the purpose of big ships anyway

20200731_145718 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
The Generals check out some of their weapons

Richter: So you have the means to produce all of this on your own? you are still building?

20200731_145747 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Vicar: Yes. The Elder tek you heard of earlier, one of their designs is what we call an Elder Forge. Machines that when fueled can produce anything we need... such devices are hard to come by though, there's only a few thousand still in commission.. and the knowledge of building them... Well that's something Moloch hopes to rediscover.

Ebus: What about the fuel? how does that work

20200731_145808 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
The Vicar kicks over a crate in front of him and a glowing green crystal falls out of it

Vicar: Ichor... Or, the reason Magik was banned.... Keep your distance, don't touch it without protection.

This is one strain of the crystal known as Ichor, originally an extremely rare material. The fool that we must begrudgingly acknowledge as the second Emperor decided to try to use magik to artificially grow and spread this resource. He succeeded.. And in the process caused an ecological disaster that killed millions and destroyed almost 1 in 5 worlds...

We do not agree with the decision, but we understand why the Imperiya went to such measures.

20200731_150031 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Ebus: I've noticed that for all this talk of magik, and showing off your troops, I'm seeing a lot of guns, who exactly practices Magik here, for a group that's fighting to spread it's knowledge?

20200731_154717 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
A new individual approaches them out of sight, with a magik flame in his palm

Moloch: My students are elsewhere, But I'm sure you can make do with me...

Vicar: Moloch! Great Leader I did not see you!

Moloch: That's because I didn't want to be seen... you know better. Go with Avitus, fetch the thing I told you about

20200731_155421 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

Moloch: So, you've heard most of our plight. We are but seekers of forbidden knowledge. In a world full of backward thinkers holding seats of power, and deadly anomalies poisoning our land, But now I must show our true purpose. My purpose in this world

20200731_161310 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
The two approach from behind again

Moloch: My men told you that I am an Elder, Ancient people skilled in powerful Magik, this is true. It is also true that I am the only one who remained when my kin left. What you were not told is that one of our kin, used ancient and utterly powerful magik to ascend to a new state of being.. destroying his body, but granting him eternal life and immeasurable power, a god.

20200731_161625 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr
They drop a bunch of twisted horned helmets and banners at their feet

Avitus: The blood soaked banner of the Black Legion

Moloch: We call this individual Chernobog, the Dark God.... His followers, the Black Legion, are the single greatest threat that this realm has ever seen. Advocates of nothing but ruin and destruction, Armies of ruthlessly savage fiends with an endless thirst for blood and chaos, They are the reason the League is collapsing into itself. Not bound by any laws of mortals or of nature. They use the absolute worst of both Teknology and Magik to wage war on the Brikverse itself

20200731_161629 by Kastrenzo, on Flickr

The Imperiya seeks to fight them with Bullets and Bombs, but only powerful Magik will stop them. I seek to acheive what Chernobog did, but as a force for good. And perhaps destroy the Dark god. Now you know our goals, and the stakes we all face.

We will require a helping hand in the battles ahead. So send this message to your leaders, your rulers. Will you open a path between our worlds and be our partner?

[Arkbrik]

Hey nice, that outsider perspective is a good way to explore the setting.

[RedRover]

Nice. IM will help!

[Kastrenzo]

just realized that I accidentally used up my 1000th post on this, oh well, at least it was content