SETTING

[interdimanagers]

☆PLANET TERA A few minor alterations aside, Tera is physically identical to Earth - which makes sense, because in reality it is indeed an alternate universe version of the same planet. The major differences are temporal and social. As Interstellar begins, the year will be 2054 quickly moving towards 2055. That additional time and some historical tampering has resulted in a societal climate that is unique but still familiar. Primarily, the comfortable expansion of worldwide technology has done away with the lion's share of mankind's most basic struggles. World hunger is not a concern outside of extremely remote areas, and most prolific illnesses have solid treatments if not outright cures. Though international conflict flares up occasionally, actual war has been far from everyone's minds for decades now. Civilization is increasingly multicultural as the barriers between nations gradually fade, and the world seems smaller than ever as travel reaches new levels of ease. Major cultural centers have begun turning their attention to the stars - both the literal and the figurative. While science extends its interests into space with a number of increasingly economical colonies set up on the moon and rotating the planet, the lack of basic need has resulted in civilization hunting for new purpose. As it turns out, that purpose has been the mass appreciation and near idolization of the arts. Musicians, actors, and writers have become bigger and bigger sensations among the common people, and the hysterical obsession of fans has truly gone through the roof. The music industry is one of the most booming forces in all of Tera, and record labels are considered corporate giants. And that's exactly where everything starts to get weird. ☆VISTA CITY Vista is a capital city of the multinational conglomerate known as Americana. It is a front runner in the booming music and movie industries, and the home of Pride Records and Virgo Entertainment, two of the biggest production companies in the world. As such, it is the primary battleground of the social and cultural butting of heads between the two as they fight for media dominance. Comfortably nestled in the center of the West Coast, Vista is considered upscale even in this age of affluence. Much of the city has been restructured with the most state of the art building techniques, and the downtown core is filled with vast and multilayered architecture. Despite the intensity of the population center, though, there are plenty of green spaces above and below where the natural light reaches - lower levels are illuminated by artificial sunlight built into the bases of roadways above. Crime is low given the population density, but it's not non existent. Fueled by a generation with its ambitions set on artistic soul searching, not even legalizing the more harmless drugs (marijuana, shrooms, etc) has managed to keep an illegal drug trade from blossoming in the city depths. Widely available narcotics and stims are an assumed part of wealthy culture, and punishments are rarely severe for the affluent that get busted. It's the producers and runners that receive the bulk of the heat from the police, in an attempt to have less of it spread to the top. The backing of media corporations is almost a guaranteed way to avoid charges for a lot of low level crimes. The sex trade is also notably active, though some of it through legal means. ☆PRIDE RECORDS Though it advertises itself as a corporate wildchild, Pride Records is anything but new to the scene. It’s been a leader in the industry for over a hundred years, but almost obsessively pursues a feeling of youth and rebellion. Musicians under this label tend to be media favourites, either for being full of wit and showmanship or for being utter trainwrecks. Pride Records embraces both of these images shamelessly. Located in the thriving heart of the city, the monolithic tower of Pride Records's headquarters is the tallest in the downtown core, surrounded with a wreath of other buildings, like beacon for them to aspire to. While the exterior values function over form, the style of its iconography and decor is hip and modern to what the critical might call an overindulgent extent. Interior furnishings favour vibrant lights and fiery colours, with eclectic style sensibilities that refuse to contain themselves to any particular "look." While the lower floors are open to the public as a sort of cultural meeting center, the higher levels become more and more exclusive, up until you reach the private penthouses of the label's greatest stars. The top level is over 200 floors up - thank god for fast elevators. CEO Lesedi Santiago. A staunch believer in the age old idea that there's no such thing as bad publicity, Lesedi not only allows but actively encourages her entertainers to cause scenes in public - as long as it makes a good show. A worldwide poster child for both hedonism and style, intrinsic talent is less important to her than what you do with it. ☆VIRGO ENTERTAINMENT Seen as a label for serious talent, Virgo Entertainment is structured, precise, and probably sort of up its own ass about it. Its marketing is calculated, and its media spin-doctoring is unmatched. Third parties will occasionally try to criticize it for its elitism and corporate mean girls atmosphere, but naysayers don’t tend to last for long before Virgo’s most recent media darling wipes it all away. Though it lacks the fortress-like invulnerability of the Pride Records HQ, Virgo Entertainment’s central operations make up for what it lacks in floor space with focused elegance and style. The dual spires of its structure are filled from top to bottom with nature installations, from trees to indoor waterfalls, which lighten an otherwise sharply minimalistic aesthetic sense. When in doubt, use earth tones and white, seems to be a major guideline of its decor - the entire thing is designed for organization and clarity, and is also kept pristinely clean. The lower levels serve as a museum dedicated to the history of music in the area, as well as showcasing local artwork. Performances held here are extremely private and sought after events, and the luxury housing set up across the ocean bridge are treated to an exclusive ocean view. Instead of functioning deep in the city’s depths, Virgo Entertainment is located on the very edge of the city, with smaller buildings strategically positioned within. CEO Edward Blanche. Apparently a musical prodigy himself, it's been years since anyone has seen him perform publicly. He values musical integrity in a way that could perhaps not be said of his competition, and has a surprising amount of tattoos. In a 2052 interview he was quoted as saying that his favoured instruments are piano, acoustic guitar, and classical violin.