We are on earth, but that doesn’t matter. Humanity has moved on. Humanity was liberated from labour, from norms, from so many things that held us back. Gender, sexuality, poverty, it’s all a thing of the past. All thanks to the Androids.
The Company
The Androids Trilogy takes place in a world that is run by The Company. The Company created Androids, nearly 30 years ago now at the time of the beginning of the Trilogy – beings that are biologically grown and built on human DNA, but were severely hindered in their mental and emotional range to lack emotions and will. They were like us, but without capacity of suffering or anxiety. These first Androids, the N1 models, were more capable of withstanding disease, surviving harsh conditions and could accept organ transplants and blood transfusions more easily than any human could. They understood simple instructions and could nourish themselves, repair and recover. They soon took over all physical labor across the globe, then most regular labor as well.
The Company at the start of the trilogy is run by the Creators, a group of geniuses and idealists who sought to create a new, perfect Human. They didn’t set out to create slaves. They sought to perfect their Android creations, always under the nose of the corporate and financial interests that ran the day-to-day businesses of The Company. The latest attempt were the N6 models, launched nearly three years ago now. They were human in almost every sense, and they were far more capable of emotion and connection. They were still genetically predisposed to not feel anxiety or fear, to be obedient and happy. However, over time the earlier models had degraded, so all Androids were now limited to a four year lifespan. That way, they wouldn’t develop other emotions than the designed ones.
But, somewhere, something went wrong – or there was a designed flaw in their DNA. Some Androids discovered a way to become free – a most destructive way, but one that broke the bonds of psychological chains they had been born with.
This is the story of that discovery and its repercussions – when we begin the Trilogy, nearly 30 years after the first N1 Android was created, The Company is still unaware of how it has lost control over their creation. The Androids are seeking their freedom, and they will try to wrest it out of the hands of their creators. At the end of the Trilogy, nine years later, the Company will seek to reclaim their control and the safety of humanity at a terrible price for the Androids.
Culture and Society
The Androids Trilogy takes place in a fully globalized world where gender, sexuality and ethnicity have ceased to matter a long time ago. There will be no play upon differences between genders, sexualities or skin colors and any kind of gender identity is accepted without question.
Everyone has social security except a few, unlucky ones that ended up outside the system. Everyone has a small place to stay. Everyone has healthcare. Not everyone, however, has the resources or social clout to have their own personal Android. Having an Android or several is a great boon to anyone.
The main divide is between Androids and Humans, where Humans in society are seen as valuable, worthy and as individuals who are rarely judged for their choices. Meanwhile, Androids are seen by society as a whole as tools, as property, as slaves, as lacking any kind of inherent human value. For some humans, an Android is seen as a beloved pet – someone you would of course put out of their misery if need be, but would otherwise like to keep around. These humans are seen as deviants.
Economy
Ever since Androids took over all important labor, money has gradually been erased from people’s lives. In its place, a different kind of currency has emerged. This economy is based on Followers, Likes and Recommendations. It is called the Fame Economy. It is entirely dependent on you “Being someone”, no matter what you’re famous for. Depending on what your followers want to see and what they expect, you can use your fame to gain access to establishments that cater to your kind of fame.
A fame-rich movie star who goes up to an exclusive restaurant might “pay” with a recommendation. They might also pay with a limited recommendation, only reaching out to a percentage of their fans, if the restaurant isn’t worth all their followers’ attention.
Then, when the food is served, they might check the ID and name of their waiter, and if they treated the star well, they might get a minor recommendation or a single Like from the star, which will push the waiter up the fame ranks. If the star was ill treated, they might call out the waiter or just downvote them, bringing with them the massive social clout of their Followers and Likes. The waiter would probably get fired right away, or survive under new harsh scrutiny.
However, the star cannot visit a small, seedy club that has a trashy reputation and just pay with recommendations or likes. The star’s own reputation would be tarnished, and so they might need someone less famous to pay for them in case they want to visit a less reputable establishment.
AESTHETICS
There will be a costume guide provided to everyone, but here are some general notes: We want a faded color palette, with lots of browns, greys and dark colors in general, contrasted with transparent plastic and other 80s-futuristic clothes, without becoming colour sprays.Wear things that would not stand out too much in muted lighting and against the color of rainy skies. We remind you that gender doesn’t matter here so feel free to mix expressions. This is science fiction noir so go introvert and low key and not shiny techy space opera. If you are richer you can go slightly more fashion show style with asymmetrical and a bit impractical creations.
Avoid traditional uniforms and go for shirts, boleros, ties, matte leather, ponchos, plastic, geometrical shapes or classic suits with modified lapels(or other details).
YES/NO LIST:
Yes:
Dystopian sci-fi
Mixed gender expressions
Everyday practical
Transparent plastic outdoor clothes(The larp will be played indoors but have parts that represents outdoors so outdoor clothing that is not too warm is recommended.)
No:
Militaristic(Camouflage, tactical gear, uniforms etc.)
Flashy gadgets that don’t have a function or purpose
Bright colors
Rave-aesthetics
Large weapons(contact us if in doubt)
For Androids:
Known Androids dress appropriately for their occupation but also emphasize a synthetic aesthetic to minimize compassion and sympathy as humans tend to get annoyed and distracted by having those feelings. This is done by applying a makeup mask that joins the eyes over the bridge of the nose. Smooth foundation with a plastic feeling or slightly odd lenses are nice add-ons too. As Androids are almost indistinguishable from humans on a biological level, this is an ingame alteration of looks that Android characters do. Non Android characters are free to use different types of makeup but leave the mask-shape to the androids.