Wisp
1. Introduction to the world of Wisp
Brief Overview: Wisp is a science fiction narrative set in an alternate Earth where a mysterious substance called "Wisp" creates a unique ecosystem within the clouds. This world is populated by wisp flora and fauna—ethereal plants and creatures living in the clouds in both vapor and solid forms. The story revolves around the exploration, exploitation, and mystery of this cloud-based world, where various factions vie for control over the valuable resource.
2. Core Elements of the World
Wisp and its Properties: Wisp is a room temperature supercritical fluid with unique properties, such as being compressible like a gas but having the inertia of a liquid. It is the foundation of the wisp ecosystem, allowing for the existence of wisp flora and fauna. Wisp is harvested for various uses, from comfort products like pillows to sophisticated technology for navigating the clouds such as jetpacks and firmanet suits. Its versatility makes it the cornerstone of a multibillion-dollar industry.
Wisp Flora and Fauna: The wisp flora and fauna are cloud-dwelling plants and animals that have integrated wisp into their biology. They appear as mist-like, ethereal versions of terrestrial life forms, with a translucent quality and faint iridescence. These creatures and plants are difficult to study or capture due to their ability to phase through matter and their elusive nature. Examples include the vaporous Missile Maws, which are the apex predators of the wisp ecosystem, and the Billow Violets, which contribute to the beauty of sunsets by blooming at dusk.
3. Technology and Tools
Firmanet Technology: Firmanet is s corporation which has developed the technology that allows for interaction with wisp present in the clouds, enabling objects and people to interact with the clouds as if they were solid. Originally developed through nets treated with a wisp derivative, Firmanet technology has evolved to include suits, ships, and other devices that adjust the firmness of their engagement with the clouds. This technology is essential for harvesting wisp and for the skyfarms that dominate the industry.
Skyfarm Ships: Skyfarm ships are massive floating ships, like an aircraft carrier in the clouds, where wisp is harvested and processed. They use Firmanet technology to anchor themselves to clouds and provide a stable base of operations. The harvesting process involves specialized suits that allow the workers to traverse the clouds on foot and protect them from dangers like Icarus Syndrome, while jetpacks powered by compressed wisp enable quick travel across the skyfields.
4. Cultures and Factions
Skyfarm Industries: Skyfarm is the dominant mega-corporation responsible for 95% of the world’s wisp production. It holds a near-monopoly on wisp harvesting rights through exclusive deals and aggressive lobbying. While the company enjoys a generally positive public reputation, its practices are not without controversy.
Sky Pirates: The sky pirates, led by Captain Billows, are a group of poachers and smugglers who operate on the fringes of the skyfields. They use the Thunderhawk, a retrofitted wooden brigantine, to navigate the smaller, more fragmented cloud fields that Skyfarms cannot easily harvest. Though they live outside the law, the pirates have a strong sense of honor and justice, seeing themselves as freedom fighters against the corporate behemoth of Skyfarm Industries.
Monks of the Cloud Temple: The monks are a reclusive order that has interacted with wisp for centuries, long before its discovery by modern society. They are the truth behind the real world Romanian mythological order called the Solomonari. They reside in a temple atop a cloud-covered mountain and practice wisp walking—a technique that allows them to move across clouds without technology. This ability is achieved through consuming veilblossom, a toxic, terrestrial/wisp hybrid plant that requires the building up of physiological immunity as well as intense meditation and mental discipline to master. In some of the monks ancient manuscripts, veilblossom is referred to as “thunderbane” and it is eventually discovered that this is because of its ability to aid in slaying missile maws. The monks also have a language called “Hathukh” which does not use vocal cords and does not include any plosive consonants in order to avoid disturbing the wisp fauna.
5. Key Locations and Events
Skyfields: The skyfields are what they call the vast expanses of clouds where wisp flora and fauna thrive. These cloud formations are the primary sites of wisp harvesting and the setting for much of the narrative’s action. The skyfields are also home to dangerous phenomena like Skyfall, the name for the perilous gaps between clouds that can plunge an unwary traveler to their death.
Notable Locations:
Thunderhawk: The sky pirate ship captained by Billows. It is a wooden sailing vessel adapted for sky travel, equipped with Firmanet technology to navigate the clouds.
Cloud Temple: The remote, cloud-shrouded monastery high in the Balkan mountains of Romania, where the monks live and train in wisp walking.
Historical Events:
Alastair Finley’s Discovery: In the late 19th century, meteorologist Alastair Finley discovered the wisp ecosystem during a balloon expedition. His claims were dismissed as madness, but decades later, his discovery was vindicated, leading to the rise of the wisp industry.
Rediscovery of Wisp: In 1967, during the midst of the space race, a United States research balloon inadvertently captured an image of a wisp deer, sparking the modern exploration and commercialization of wisp.
6. Characters and Their Journeys
Main Characters:
Aero: The protagonist, a young man who becomes entangled with the sky pirates after being rescued by them. Aero’s journey involves learning about the wisp ecosystem and mastering wisp walking, ultimately surpassing even the monks in his ability to transform into a wisp-like form.
Captain Billows: The charismatic and wise leader of the sky pirates. Hailing from Scotland, Billows is driven by a love for adventure and a deep-seated disdain for the corporate monopoly of Skyfarms.
Alistair Finley: Scottish meteorologist who, in 1888, discovered the wisp fauna during an exploratory balloon expedition with for the Royal Meteorological Society, but falls victim to Icarus Syndrome and upon his descent it is determined that he had gone mad in the extreme altitude. He eventually recovers from the symptoms of Icarus, but when he refuses to recant his claims and deny the existence of the “creatures in the sky” which he observed, his scientific career is ruined. He then spent the next two years and his life savings building his own solar balloon to reach the skies again, and but is killed in a sudden thunderstorm during the flight. (This incident is later revealed to have been caused by a missile maw attack.)
Character Relationships:
Aero and Billows develop a mentor-student relationship, with Billows teaching Aero about the skyfields and the harsh realities of life above the clouds.
Character Arcs:
Aero’s arc involves his transformation from a naive survivor into a skilled wisp walker, capable of navigating the dangers of the skyfields and unlocking the secrets of the wisp ecosystem.
7. Wisp Ecosystem Mysteries and Dangers
Icarus Syndrome: Icarus Syndrome is a neurological condition caused by prolonged exposure to the unique environment of the skyfields. Symptoms include euphoria, confusion, and hallucinations, often leading victims to believe they can fly. If not treated, Icarus Syndrome can be fatal. Prevention methods include using breathing apparatuses provided by Skyfarms or, as the pirates have discovered, consuming mushrooms with immunomodulatory properties.
Natural Dangers: The skyfields are fraught with peril, including:
Skyfall: The spaces between clouds that can result in a deadly drop to the ground.
Microbursts: Sudden and violent downdrafts that can throw even the most experienced skyfarer off course.
Missile Maws: The apex predators of the wisp ecosystem, capable of camouflaging within thunderstorms and unleashing devastating attacks.
8. Glossary and Quick References
Glossary of Terms:
Wisp: The supercritical fluid that forms the basis of the cloud ecosystem.
Firmanet: Technology that allows for solid interaction with wisp.
Skyfall: The dangerous gaps between clouds.
Icarus Syndrome: A neurological condition caused by prolonged exposure to the skyfields.
Veilblossom: A hybrid plant used by monks to walk on clouds.
