Research Division Details
The following information details the various research divisions that were conducted in Somarium back in its early days when it was populated. This is mostly a reference for characters who are affected through the Full Moon Cycle 20 event.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only those who are actually involved in these divisions will know specific details. All others will know about the various research groups and general idea of what they do, but no details about the inner workings.
✦ dream energy research
Main headquarters: Government District; several bases out in the desert
There are many fields that spawn from Dream Energy Research, but they all tie back to the use of the mysterious energy that is created from dreams, hence the name. It has been proven that all inhabitants of Somarium give off dream energy whenever they fall asleep and dream. It has also been proven that dreams will give off a different type of energy depending on the type of dream. This usually depends either on the dream's theme or mood.
Past research and experimentation has revealed that the energy can be utilized just like natural resources and energy like electricity, wind, and water. Some regard it as the "new element", or the "wild card". They believe if they could fully harness and understand the dream's power they will be able to progress even farther.
The energy given off dreams is automatically dispersed into the world, but some is captured within one of the many machine hubs that are scattered underground of each district. These hubs are connected to a central unit and is controlled and maintained by a giant supercomputer. Through these machines, researchers are able to control the level of dream energy and the output given off, making sure that there is a constant balance between what is needed for the world itself and for the current population.
To ensure that there is not an imbalance, the Dreamberries were created. The device would randomly select a dream to capture and broadcast it. The energy is then transferred to the nearest hub and gathered into the main central one. If certain types of energies are needed, the Dreamberries will help induce its owner to have that type of dream. This isn't always successful, but it works most of the time. They also found that the world itself will also influence the residents to provide certain dreams, though they have yet to fully understand how or why that happens.
It has also been discovered that despite the relatively small population currently inhabiting Somarium, the dream energy levels are usually relatively high in proportion. Researchers are currently investigating if there are other places wherein the world could absorb such energy or if it was actually feeding off those from other worlds through the Gateways. This is mostly headed by those who reside in the floating castle as they know the ways better than the current populace.
The one type of dream energy that everyone is wary of is nightmare energy. It is highly volatile and unpredictable, and the negative energy it gives off is too dangerous to handle. Nightmares do happen, but they are seldom ever needed or captured. The use of Nightmare Energy was banned early on after a failed experiment, and anyone found trying to use it are immediately prosecuted. No one knows what happens to the nightmare energy, as researchers have discovered that very little of it is actually within their own section of the world. Perhaps it is dispersed out into the desert or some other unknown territory, and those investigating the desert and attempting to chart those unknown areas are currently researching into that.
✦ nightmare energy black ops research
Main headquarters: Unknown/Underground; several bases out in the desert
IMPORTANT: Only select few are either in this group or know of this group. This is not common knowledge. If you want your character(s) to know about the existence of this, you must talk to one of the mods.
Though there is a ban on the use of Nightmare Energy, there are those who still continue to research it. By using the current technology, they are able to create a capturing device similar to those used for normal dream energy. Through some manipulation and those working on the inside, the researchers are also able to hide or mask the nightmare energy levels so that it could not be detected.
They primarily focus on converting the negative energy and using it on living organisms. In line with the current medical research, they found that Nightmare Energy gave a greater amount of power than normal Dream Energy. The Nightmare Energy essentially functioned and provided the same capabilities as Dream Energy, but in greater and more powerful quantities. One Nightmare could have the power of a hundred different types of Dream Energy. This revelation has also spurred on a growing trend in illegal dream tampering, in which the researchers physically manipulate others' dreams to produce a desired outcome.
Those who support and secretly fund this operation are of course those who are corrupt in the business and legal fields, but also in the military as they see this as a good opportunity to create beings that could help fend off the monsters that inhabit the desert. And of course power.
Yet there is one person who is the mastermind behind all of this, but no one knows who he or she is.
✦ dream technology research
Main headquarters: Government District; Industrial District
Dream Energy is used just like electricity and oil, and so many scientists and engineers have discovered how to merge the different types of resources together. All machinery, from small appliances to the large construction cranes, have some use of dream energy in them.
Vehicles also utilize dream energy. Instead of gas or even a battery, they are fueled by a Dream Energy Core that can be found hooked up to the engine. These cores essentially function just like a super battery, as they can last for long periods of time before having to be recharged or changed out.
However, these cores cannot function on their own and traditional mechanics are still required. Research and experiments are continually being run to find new efficient and effective ways to utilize the Dream Energy.
✦ advanced technology research
Main headquarters: Government District; Industrial District
There are those who are wary of just using Dream Energy and thus focus on advancing technology in more traditional methods. In some ways, the Advanced Technology Research divisions create the devices that those of the Dream Technology divisions further enhance and experiment on. It is here that most of the current modern day innovations are first designed and created, such as the computers and the Dreamberry device and Dream Gate. Many times do the two divisions work together to create the next new invention.
However, these research facilities are well aware that they can't rely on Dream Energy alone, which is why they also focus on finding ways on how to utilize the other natural resources available to create machinery that would not rely on dream energy and work just as well. This also includes all digital, wireless, and microchip development.
They are also responsible for the military technology, such as the advanced weapons that include guns, blades, and others. However, as there has yet to be any real threat except for the monsters out in the desert, this has been kept at a minimum and most of the larger weapons are focused to fight against the monsters, not other people.
It should be noted that sometimes the two divisions sometimes go head to head and compete with one another, but they really do work best together.
✦ medical research
Main headquarters: Government District
Somarium already has all of the current advancements of modern technology, but researchers are continually seeking to utilize Somarium's unique resources to progress forward. While traditional methods are still being developed, the current focus is on the use of dream energy. Most of if it has been used in the various machinery, but there has been some talk of trying to use the energy in actual medicine. This has been a hotly debated topic for many years and only has been recently approved for research.
The basis is breaking down the energy down to a molecular level and merging the molecules with the compounds used in traditional medicine. There seems to be some kind of "magical/unnatural" quality within certain types of dream energies that can boost the healing rate on the cellular level.
One of the major arguments against the use of dream energy in such a manner, other than high financial cost and use of resources, is the high risk of it being put to maluse. If done incorrectly, the subject may suffer unknown and dire side effects as such use of dream energy has yet to really be fully examined.
It seems that fear may not unfounded...
✦ computers/system technology
Main headquarters: Business District
There is one central network that everyone can use, and that is the Dream Network, commonly called the "Network". This is the network that the Dreamberries connect to and is used for general communication. It was created by utilizing both wireless technology and dream energy.
There is also an internet system called the DreamNet (not to be confused with the Network). It functions as a super informational highway and also cross connects with the Dream Network. This allows for the Dreamberries to access the DreamNet. Of course all information on the DreamNet is Somarium based.
✦ political/law system
Main headquarters: Government District
Somarium's law and political systems works in two ways. The "rulers" of the world reside in the floating castle, but they mostly maintain the balance of the world. They rarely step down or get involved with what happens down below, and save for one, they are very rarely seen. They are known as the Dreamwalkers, the ones who originally discovered the world and founded and created the section of territory known as Somarium. They normally step down in cases of high unrest or if a major incident occurs that would need their attention. Otherwise, they focus more outside of Somarium.
On the more human level, there is a law system set up that functions like a democracy. The Governor is elected directly by the citizens and holds a 5 year term. Underneath the Governor are various head cabinet positions that branch off into the various sections, such as science/technology, education, agriculture, treasury, military, etc. This may be familiar to visitors from the North American continent, particularly the United States.
Somarium runs on a civil law system. Legal scholars and lawyers are among the most prestigious in the law professions, and judges are confined by the word of law. There is a court system with a single Supreme Judge at the top. There is a police force that help keep the peace as well as a prison system. The law is standard, and any malpractice of Dream Energy, particularly Nightmare Energy, are the worst of crimes and subject to little mercy. Crimes such as murder and rape are also considered heinous, but fortunately there have not been many of such cases. Smaller crimes such as theft and general public disruption are more common.
But in general, Somarium has had several decades of peaceful years, which makes the building unrest in the form of illicit nightmare research and illegal dream tampering all the more worrisome...
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only those who are actually involved in these divisions will know specific details. All others will know about the various research groups and general idea of what they do, but no details about the inner workings.
✦ dream energy research
Main headquarters: Government District; several bases out in the desert
There are many fields that spawn from Dream Energy Research, but they all tie back to the use of the mysterious energy that is created from dreams, hence the name. It has been proven that all inhabitants of Somarium give off dream energy whenever they fall asleep and dream. It has also been proven that dreams will give off a different type of energy depending on the type of dream. This usually depends either on the dream's theme or mood.
Past research and experimentation has revealed that the energy can be utilized just like natural resources and energy like electricity, wind, and water. Some regard it as the "new element", or the "wild card". They believe if they could fully harness and understand the dream's power they will be able to progress even farther.
The energy given off dreams is automatically dispersed into the world, but some is captured within one of the many machine hubs that are scattered underground of each district. These hubs are connected to a central unit and is controlled and maintained by a giant supercomputer. Through these machines, researchers are able to control the level of dream energy and the output given off, making sure that there is a constant balance between what is needed for the world itself and for the current population.
To ensure that there is not an imbalance, the Dreamberries were created. The device would randomly select a dream to capture and broadcast it. The energy is then transferred to the nearest hub and gathered into the main central one. If certain types of energies are needed, the Dreamberries will help induce its owner to have that type of dream. This isn't always successful, but it works most of the time. They also found that the world itself will also influence the residents to provide certain dreams, though they have yet to fully understand how or why that happens.
It has also been discovered that despite the relatively small population currently inhabiting Somarium, the dream energy levels are usually relatively high in proportion. Researchers are currently investigating if there are other places wherein the world could absorb such energy or if it was actually feeding off those from other worlds through the Gateways. This is mostly headed by those who reside in the floating castle as they know the ways better than the current populace.
The one type of dream energy that everyone is wary of is nightmare energy. It is highly volatile and unpredictable, and the negative energy it gives off is too dangerous to handle. Nightmares do happen, but they are seldom ever needed or captured. The use of Nightmare Energy was banned early on after a failed experiment, and anyone found trying to use it are immediately prosecuted. No one knows what happens to the nightmare energy, as researchers have discovered that very little of it is actually within their own section of the world. Perhaps it is dispersed out into the desert or some other unknown territory, and those investigating the desert and attempting to chart those unknown areas are currently researching into that.
✦ nightmare energy black ops research
Main headquarters: Unknown/Underground; several bases out in the desert
IMPORTANT: Only select few are either in this group or know of this group. This is not common knowledge. If you want your character(s) to know about the existence of this, you must talk to one of the mods.
Though there is a ban on the use of Nightmare Energy, there are those who still continue to research it. By using the current technology, they are able to create a capturing device similar to those used for normal dream energy. Through some manipulation and those working on the inside, the researchers are also able to hide or mask the nightmare energy levels so that it could not be detected.
They primarily focus on converting the negative energy and using it on living organisms. In line with the current medical research, they found that Nightmare Energy gave a greater amount of power than normal Dream Energy. The Nightmare Energy essentially functioned and provided the same capabilities as Dream Energy, but in greater and more powerful quantities. One Nightmare could have the power of a hundred different types of Dream Energy. This revelation has also spurred on a growing trend in illegal dream tampering, in which the researchers physically manipulate others' dreams to produce a desired outcome.
Those who support and secretly fund this operation are of course those who are corrupt in the business and legal fields, but also in the military as they see this as a good opportunity to create beings that could help fend off the monsters that inhabit the desert. And of course power.
Yet there is one person who is the mastermind behind all of this, but no one knows who he or she is.
✦ dream technology research
Main headquarters: Government District; Industrial District
Dream Energy is used just like electricity and oil, and so many scientists and engineers have discovered how to merge the different types of resources together. All machinery, from small appliances to the large construction cranes, have some use of dream energy in them.
Vehicles also utilize dream energy. Instead of gas or even a battery, they are fueled by a Dream Energy Core that can be found hooked up to the engine. These cores essentially function just like a super battery, as they can last for long periods of time before having to be recharged or changed out.
However, these cores cannot function on their own and traditional mechanics are still required. Research and experiments are continually being run to find new efficient and effective ways to utilize the Dream Energy.
✦ advanced technology research
Main headquarters: Government District; Industrial District
There are those who are wary of just using Dream Energy and thus focus on advancing technology in more traditional methods. In some ways, the Advanced Technology Research divisions create the devices that those of the Dream Technology divisions further enhance and experiment on. It is here that most of the current modern day innovations are first designed and created, such as the computers and the Dreamberry device and Dream Gate. Many times do the two divisions work together to create the next new invention.
However, these research facilities are well aware that they can't rely on Dream Energy alone, which is why they also focus on finding ways on how to utilize the other natural resources available to create machinery that would not rely on dream energy and work just as well. This also includes all digital, wireless, and microchip development.
They are also responsible for the military technology, such as the advanced weapons that include guns, blades, and others. However, as there has yet to be any real threat except for the monsters out in the desert, this has been kept at a minimum and most of the larger weapons are focused to fight against the monsters, not other people.
It should be noted that sometimes the two divisions sometimes go head to head and compete with one another, but they really do work best together.
✦ medical research
Main headquarters: Government District
Somarium already has all of the current advancements of modern technology, but researchers are continually seeking to utilize Somarium's unique resources to progress forward. While traditional methods are still being developed, the current focus is on the use of dream energy. Most of if it has been used in the various machinery, but there has been some talk of trying to use the energy in actual medicine. This has been a hotly debated topic for many years and only has been recently approved for research.
The basis is breaking down the energy down to a molecular level and merging the molecules with the compounds used in traditional medicine. There seems to be some kind of "magical/unnatural" quality within certain types of dream energies that can boost the healing rate on the cellular level.
One of the major arguments against the use of dream energy in such a manner, other than high financial cost and use of resources, is the high risk of it being put to maluse. If done incorrectly, the subject may suffer unknown and dire side effects as such use of dream energy has yet to really be fully examined.
It seems that fear may not unfounded...
✦ computers/system technology
Main headquarters: Business District
There is one central network that everyone can use, and that is the Dream Network, commonly called the "Network". This is the network that the Dreamberries connect to and is used for general communication. It was created by utilizing both wireless technology and dream energy.
There is also an internet system called the DreamNet (not to be confused with the Network). It functions as a super informational highway and also cross connects with the Dream Network. This allows for the Dreamberries to access the DreamNet. Of course all information on the DreamNet is Somarium based.
✦ political/law system
Main headquarters: Government District
Somarium's law and political systems works in two ways. The "rulers" of the world reside in the floating castle, but they mostly maintain the balance of the world. They rarely step down or get involved with what happens down below, and save for one, they are very rarely seen. They are known as the Dreamwalkers, the ones who originally discovered the world and founded and created the section of territory known as Somarium. They normally step down in cases of high unrest or if a major incident occurs that would need their attention. Otherwise, they focus more outside of Somarium.
On the more human level, there is a law system set up that functions like a democracy. The Governor is elected directly by the citizens and holds a 5 year term. Underneath the Governor are various head cabinet positions that branch off into the various sections, such as science/technology, education, agriculture, treasury, military, etc. This may be familiar to visitors from the North American continent, particularly the United States.
Somarium runs on a civil law system. Legal scholars and lawyers are among the most prestigious in the law professions, and judges are confined by the word of law. There is a court system with a single Supreme Judge at the top. There is a police force that help keep the peace as well as a prison system. The law is standard, and any malpractice of Dream Energy, particularly Nightmare Energy, are the worst of crimes and subject to little mercy. Crimes such as murder and rape are also considered heinous, but fortunately there have not been many of such cases. Smaller crimes such as theft and general public disruption are more common.
But in general, Somarium has had several decades of peaceful years, which makes the building unrest in the form of illicit nightmare research and illegal dream tampering all the more worrisome...