itsjiaheng | { ooc | world setting }

For the most part, this Earth is very similar to our own. They face the same kinds of problems -- climate change, societal unrest, Facebook, to name a few -- but with some notable differences. For one, the timeline is more accelerated in terms of technological advancements. Genetic modifications have also been a Thing for a little while now, which has seen plenty of screen time as a talking point. Naturally it raised certain moral questions and no one really wanted to have the whole eugenics conversation, but given time and wider access beyond the ultra-rich made the whole concept seem a lot more palatable. Whether or not insurance companies were truly evil for charging different premiums depending on mods was an entirely different matter.

Secondly, humans have definitely not always been the only sentient species on the planet. Recent evidence uncovered all over the globe dating back to prehistoric times describe interactions with beings of immense power. In many cases these tales line up with accounts of legendary rulers or almost godlike figures. They were typically described as having unusual hair and eye colours in addition to the remarkable feats they were capable of. Culturally it folded in very neatly with local religious beliefs and mythology. This has been a hot topic for plenty of documentaries and podcasts, generally asking the same questions: what were they? Are they aliens? Did they give early humans their technology? Did they build the pyramids?

While most of it makes great click bait or ammunition for conspiracy theorists, there are those who know more and who are working to finally put the last of the puzzle pieces together. One such group is a radical nationalist organisation based out of Kyushu, Japan known as the Cult of Himiko. They don't refer to themselves as a cult, of course, but make no mistake that is precisely what they are. They have members embedded at all levels in the public and private sectors and even offshore investors with a personal interest in the work that they're doing because if it all succeeds that work has a very real shot at changing the world. They also happen to be in possession of a hidden research laboratory built under a mountain known as the Ward, home to some of the most advanced medical science available.

Only limited information is available to the public about who Himiko actually was. We know she was a shamaness-queen who ruled in ancient times, thanks to her appearances in recorded history dating back to 3rd-century China, 8th-century Japan, and 12th-century Korea. It is said that she used powerful magic and sorcery to bewitch the people, communed with spirits and foretold the future. Few actually laid eyes on her and in general it was agreed that she was one incredibly mysterious woman. It is also said that even after she was no more her followers remained loyal, passing their secret wisdom down through generations. In the seventies a group of cult-aligned scientists made a key discovery: ancient DNA they suspect is Himiko's. Since then the cult has been actively pursuing all manner of unethical experimentation aimed at using that DNA to create humans with the powers of the ancients. According to their beliefs they would rival even the gods and rule the world.