The following is our latest blog, originally posted on April 22nd, 2016. To see our weekly updates first, register your account at the official Worlds Adrift website.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s hard for me to blog about the story of Worlds Adrift in the same way that the designers talk in-game features, procedural generation, or creature behaviours. I think that’s because to me, Foundation is a real place, it just happens not to exist anymore.
The place you will investigate isn’t Foundation, or rather, it has since become something else. But how, why? Fragments of the old world remain, but can you piece them together, and truly understand what Foundation once was?
Of the wonders to be uncovered, foremost must be the land of the Saborians. It was a society perfect in every regard. A utopia without crime and sickness, its citizens lived in perfect health, wanted for nothing, and were as pure in mind as in body. Perhaps one day you could rebuild their dream among the clouds, by learning to live as supremely as they did.
So far, I have only been able to fully translate these few bits, which celebrate that far-away place. My Saborian isn’t too great, but with every new ruin I find, it seems to get better, and I understand more of their language. Any thoughts on what this one might mean?
Utopia
The hanging tree is hung
in a righteous land.
Its ropes moor dreams
to a busy wharf.
The axe is buried.
The stone is slung and forgot.
The song is sung.
The knife is not bloody
in a golden realm.
The knife cuts each child down
a bright balloon.
Antillo, 2843.
—
I also managed to recover an entry from this log book written by the captain of the Epilomelos.
Day 1829.
After a week of travel and petty engagements, we find ourselves on a diplomatic mission over Verduba. The intention was to discuss sharing a supply of untapped Atlas in the north sea. Communication was proving difficult, but we were making progress. We had arranged to meet an aide of the Ice Chamber outside the citadel at Muskdog, and my culture officer, Dormio, tried to offer some advice;
“…and they insist that you must wear simple dress. They are very moderate-”
“-I have heard stories of their so-called ‘moderation’,” I chuckled.
“The stories of nudity are, generally, unfounded stories, sir,” he smirked, “We need you to be on best behaviour. If we can guarantee Atlas here, the Stalk council will be appeased, and we will have the chance to continue our mission as set out in the charter.”
“We have a duty to the Verdubans’ best interests. We cannot coerce them into accepting.”
“We have the authority to use-”
“-that’s enough now Dormio!” I smiled, “If the negotiations fail you can blame it on me. Now…what else can I expect?”
He’s a good man, Dormio, and like all of us he’s worried about our livelihood, but I can’t allow personal gain to interfere with what I consider our moral obligation – to treat all humankind equally.
—
Then there was this flyer from a “Stalk Committee”.
Congratulations Saborians, this is a time of celebration. Take your book of entitlement to any storekeeper, and receive a free item of your choice from the selection.
Expect to witness a victory parade tomorrow afternoon at Redusa pleasure gardens, and a speech by Admiral Methusan, a god among us. He will announce that, out of very positive negotiations with the Gall come new deals on technology. In particular the provision of fifty Sky Hulks that will render any retaliation by the Kioki trivial.
Regrettably many of your loved ones must remain in Melliflua for the foreseeable future. But by preserving order, and shoring up our interests, they bring us a step closer to god. Sabor will have her golden days again.
Freedom, Equality, We are god!
—
Lastly, I found a Memo that once accompanied a photograph. I don’t suppose it’s much use without the picture.
Index to the accompanying photograph of the Saborian Stalk Committee Secretaries 1st of Dibi 3023, from left to right:
Scribe Barius(Brown Robes), Economist Nalo(Green Scarves), Admiral Methusan(Red Robes), Premier Telemon(Purple Robes), Utopian Zelic (White Scarves), Employer Ourus (Yellow Scarves), Overseer Bulgus (Blue Plate), Secretaries’ Secretary Filiga (Grey).
Matt Cook
Worlds Adrift Writer
@goatflip