Rilao is a city that is out-growing its space. In order to make its steep mountainous interior habitable, Rilaoans develop Sustainable Terraced Elevated Modules (S.T.E.M), a form of accumulative, stackable architecture that replaces streets with aerial transportation systems. The suspended Ring district is built. The Disciples of Lao (D.O.L.), a nationalist religious movement that worships Raymond Lao, start to agitate for Rilaoan independence.
At the time of death, memories and emotions are uploaded to the Collective of the post which are housed in the terraced and secure elevated landscape above the land. Permissions are granted by Lau to the population in return for service and loyalty.
David Falstrup, Geoff Manaugh
A flag was discovered as the source for a tattoo used by an underground pirate gang. It is matched to the original Ship of Lao, revealing that Lao was indeed a pirate before settling on Rilao.
Aubry Mintz, Chris Noessel, Daniel Suarez, Hannu Rajaniemi
An implant acquired on the black market to assist communication between members of the D.O.L. (Disciples of Lao). Using the unique characteristics of the canyon walls, the slightest subauditory sound can travel great distances.
Joanne Kuchera-Morin, Noel Butta, Mark Montiel, Brandan Parkin, Anshul Pendse
While rebuilding a series of STEMs, a tunnel was discovered leading to an arena carved into the hillside. At the center of the arena was an altar carved from the coral, bearing several artifacts labeled with the initials “E.P.” A nested series of locked stone boxes contained a number of vials – doses of antidote for the plague. As these were controlled by the state, the presence of this artifact confirmed the presence of a subversive group, dedicated to a person, one “E.P.”
Pascal Forneri, Steve Villa, Eduardo Ramirez Jr, Bill Redmann
Photograph: Close-up of the innermost box and one surviving vial.
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST ASSASSINATED IN UPRISING!
“THE SPIRITS TOLD ME TO DO IT”
Vadamoska, a revolutionary priest, channeling the spirits of plague victims, was assassinated by military to prevent a native uprising.
Mary Sweeney
Steve Sanders
Richard Clarke
Bob Buckley
Juan DiazB
Dinwa, a mild hallucinogenic beverage used at DOL meetups during which they entered into a trance state and “engaged in visions pertaining to Lao” and then afterwards went into the town and wrought havoc on the elites in the name of the cause.
Dinwa is distilled from the eggs of the Naila bird. The Naila bird eats the Chali worms which feed on the leaves of the Muka tree. The hallucinogenic enzyme is produced during the digestive process. The eggs are placed in an absinthe for 10 years for fermentation.
Originally dinwa was made by the local population (similar to the production of moonshine); it was later produced and bottled commercially by Hubbley’s Bottling & Brewing.
Alcohol by volume: 120 proof
Pamela Jennings, Jonathan Thomas, Mark Wolf, Andrew Bliss, Catherine Baumgartner
Hidden below the fang mansion in a secret storehouse we saw boxes containing small vials of a psychotropic liquid distilled from a muka-la tree. Over 100,000 vials were found along with robes and Lao religious materials, this was the basis for a psychedelic ritual.
Shane valdes
The lions of Rilao Zoo are fond of the leaves of the magic tree.
After a dinner of steak they are fed a few leaves to help digestion. Mercifully life in a cage is much improved by the hallucinogenic qualities of this valuable plant.
Originally penned by Nicolas de Benoist, drawing by Mark McKenna, additional word craft by Judith Crow with Christine Schreyer, Peter Rubin and Will Carey
Robot comes down and stores the solar energy
BZ
