Worlds' Worlds

They were wrong.

In a small corner of the world, Science had hidden. Science was nurturing itself on a secluded island, unknown to ANYONE. Technology was growing and it had taken on a more... militaristic tone. Science had become a mission to save the world from Magic. Developing quickly now, in only a few short decades, Science had caught up with Magic. Now, Science would have its revenge.

In a swift motion, the magicians were surprised and devastated quickly, with many centers of their world devastated by plasma-rays, electrically-powered swords, and so much more. Science had to be stopped in the eyes of the magi, and their research had finally come to fruition. Too little, too late.

Now, the world is split in two. In the Americas and Africa, the Magicians live in the way they always have. Use the Humans as pawns and use the resources to power their lavish lifestyles. It is estimated that only one million magi are alive for every thirty million humans. In Europe, Asia, and the Oceanias, the Scientists do the same, though they protest it's for "the good of Humanity". It's true, the pawns in Science territory are better off, but only marginally. The world has been torn in two, with Science ignoring Magic and vice-versa... save in one place.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a little city off the coast of Canada, is in a peculiar spot. While it is closest to CANADA and by proximity, part of Magician territory, it is actually FRENCH territory, and therefore, science and magic happen to meet in that little part of the world. It is there that the two sides even acknowledge each other, and even then, they don't like each other. These two factions have divided the already small island off into two parts, and even then, it is impossible to ignore the two. Special task forces have been developed on each side in case the other decides to start something.

SAINT-PIERRE: Is a science mecca, filled with intellects who do ample research on both the natural wonders of the world and the mystical wonders of magic. They constantly try to explain the natural phenomenon of magic, and capture magi to do so secretly. This "task force" is headed by a secret society, unknown to even the military of Saint-Pierre. Known as the "Magi-Hunters", this secret army captures magicians and tests them with harsh experiments and little rest. The surface army, known as the Science Squadrons, defend against the opposing army and their side of the bridge, along with doing the police work of Saint-Pierre.

The ACTUAL CITY is a modern civilization, with lots of screens and advertisements not unlike modern New York City. Monuments to French heroes, like Jeanne D'Arc and Napoleon are erected to honour their French roots. Business is interesting, with a capitalist system working like the modern society of today. Their economy is based on consumer goods and having the best of everything at all times, using status symbols to keep the non-scientists in control.

The cultural makeup of the city is diverse, welcoming all kinds of people from the cities of the science world. They come from places like Japan, Germany, and Australia, which introduces ethnic diversity to the area. Culturally, however, they indulge in the mass idea of "new is better", which means that fads come and go. Progress is dictated by the technology of the time, dedicated to making things faster and safer for people.

MIQUELON: Is the magic half of the two. This city is far more mystical, with high spirals and other sorts of medieval homes and towers dotting their skyline. Unlike the scientists, the Magi have NO NEED to care about the scientists, believing in their own prowess and their intellect to protect them from these forces. As such, there's only one central army protecting this state, the Mystics of Miquelon.

This city is more culture-based than Saint-Pierre, with a focus on music and visual art forms. The cuisine is also a big part of the city and as such, is celebrated. Business is a second priority, with bartering being the main sort of trade in this ruralistic city. The center of the town is the only "business quarter" of the city, dealing with necessities only. Even then, the business is still a "Do something for me, I'll do something for you" sort of idea. Currency is only used for necessities like food and drink, and comes in the form of vouchers. Luxuries are earned as one does things for the community.

Naturals do not exist except as servants on Miquelon. As such, there are far few people on Miquelon than there are on St. Pierre, leading to a far more uniform cultural ethnicity makeup, focusing more on Hispanic and Caucasians.

TECHNOLOGY:

The world's technology, depending on your view of the world, is either the same as it would be in regular society, with cell phones, computers, and all this social networking, or completely unnecessary. The only difference in Saint-Pierre technology and current technology is that weaponry has been advanced to make them more lightweight and easier to carry, with less chance of self-injury.

For example, guns link to the nervous system now, and know that firing at oneself, especially at the foot, is a particularly bad idea. Other innovations include blades that are generated on-the-spot, meaning that swords are now just hilts instead of the entire blade, alongside increased cartridge capacities and reduction of friendly fire due to databases being able to recognize friends from enemies.

MASTERPIECES

Scientists spend their entire lives working for that one special discovery. This sort of "discovery" happens during times of great enlightenment and can singlehandedly revolutionize the scientific community's ideas on the way the world works. Most scientists, however, are not capable of making special discoveries like the first helicopter from Leonardo da Vinci, discover the theory of relativity like Albert Einstein, or break new ground in any area. A masterpiece is all of these things and more.

Most scientists have an epiphany during an ordinary moment. They then return to their labs and begin creating their masterpiece (mostly in the form of a revolutionary weapon, that will help neutralize the magicians in some way or form). Examples of this are VWK-4500, an attack robot that can perform feats that most humans cannot and one that does not feel conventional pain, Camille Benfeito's vanishing act, and Contador Villeagas' incredibly large mechasuit.

GUARDIAN SPRITES

The magicians all think they are worthy of their magics, but few are truly worthy of the deities that their magic power draws its roots from, and they are the few who understand that magic is not a means to achieve an end, but an end itself. These magicians are recognized by the magical world and are protected as a result for their potential to reach higher levels of magic. After all, most magic draws on the power of a deity. These deities send Guardian Sprites to protect them, and while most Guardian Sprites are weak at first, they might just grow to be a huge benefit. The only known sprite awarded to such people is Parsley, an earth sprite.

There is one world government, the United Nations, which runs much of Europe, South America, and East Asia. Excluded from this government are the former United Nations and Soviet Union. The former Soviet Union split off into small countries, many of them successfully on the road to recovery after the war, but the majority of Russia is still irradiated and an anarchy. Numerous small time gang leaders with only a few larger players vie for territory in Russia, especially in Siberia, which had been largely untouched by the bombs.

Meanwhile, the western half of the United States appears to have pulled itself together; but behind the scenes, Maxwell Thorne pulls the strings of the puppet government running the region from the west coast to what was Utah, and the New States show no sign of slowing their expansion into the eastern anarchy.

Religion:

The Aynians believe their world was created by a deity known as the Lady of Two Faces. This deity represents the duality between creation and destruction, and is said to be responsible for setting the universe in motion and creating new life.

The Lady has a number of subordinates however, and these are the minor gods and goddesses that many Aynians pray to. It is believed praying to these gods and goddesses is the most reliable way to have prayers answered, as their domains are notably smaller. There are five exceptionally notable minor deities, as they are both elemental and said to be the Guides to the underworld; Lothor (fire), Thar (lightning), Vaele (wind), Min (water), and Yevl (earth).

Priests or priestesses garb themselves in white silk and wear a pin signifying whose temple they represent.

Magic System:

Natural magic does not occur in humans on Aynia, and magic is believed to have a divine origin. Priests of the various temples around the planet tap into the magical plane, and spindle magic to be stored into clay icons. These icons, when shattered, release whatever magical energy was stored inside them, and mages are trained to manipulate this energy in combat. The exact process by which magic is tapped and stored is unknown to all but those who create the icons in the first place. These icons are usually in the shape of the five Guides or their symbols, as it’d be heresy to destroy an image of the Lady and would invite bad luck.

Magic energy is distinguished by its connection to creation or destruction; much as the Aynians god has a creative and destructive side, magic is similarly distinguished, and while one can use a Creative icon to destroy, it’s noticeably more difficult and less effective.

World Politics:

There has been noticeably tense relations between the lands along the equator, in the desert, and the lands away from the equator. The people along the outer edges tend to have a slightly paler complexion than their brethren along the equator, and both sides looks at the other with some contempt for these differences, each believing themselves to be the preference of the Lady.

Weapons and Arms:

All medieval.