Music Returners

Over the course of centuries music has taken many forms. In the 21st century music had found its way into the digital era. It could now be stored on a device no bigger then a thumb and could be carried where ever a person chose to go. As the technological world advanced so did music's form.


By the 23rd century cybernetics were open to the public and no longer restricted for military and medical professions. Society used implanted cybernetics to either enhance their bodies or to give them a way to access the digital world. With built in music implants people could now listen to their favorite music at any time they wanted without the use of having to carry a digital device and headphones. Early models lacked any control and users could upload music files into their minds but could not choose which files played. With software upgrades as well as additional cybernetic implants a user could now access a heads up display within their own eyes and access files.


As the years went by music continued to gain power. With software and cybernetic upgrades users could now visually see the music they listened too. Users could connect to each others digital libraries or radio stations and stream or even download music files. The more users dived into cybernetic music the more the problem of cybernetic music use continued to grow.


On August 16th, 2252 a bill had been past to put a stop to cybernetic music. It was believed that users were becoming too distracted in everyday life due to music. Music cybernetics became banned from workplaces and soon within cities. Music was restricted to concert halls and only allowed to be listened to if the music was from a live performance. However, music would not be held back.


Users that refused to obey the music laws were frowned upon in society and earned the name Note Jacker's. These users joined together and stayed connected through the use of an underground radio station. As Note Jacker's began to rise in one country. Music was having its full potential pushed to the limits in another country.


Dr. Dina Kannes formed a research group to learn more about the powers of music after witnessing a patient's health improve greatly after being allowed to listen to music as a final dieing request. However, seeing an improvement in daily production from locations that had music bans, the university ejected Dr. Kannes for being a Note Jacker. But her research would continue.


Dr. Kannes formed her own group of Note Jackers dedicated to the evolution of music cybernetics. Through her research music found a way to take an almost physical form. Her cybernetics could now store the sound of music which could be used to stimulate regenerative cells in the human body. Music could now not only heal the soul it could now heal the physical body. Dr. Kannes' cybernetics evolved and spread through the underworld and reached the Note Jacker society.


Note Jacker's kept their cybernetics secret using music itself to mask them from music cybernetic senors installed throughout cities. But it was not enough for Music. It wanted to be released into the more public world.


On March 23, 2254 a group of Note Jackers found themselves in an argument over which artist started punk music. The Note Jacker's erupted into a fight. One of the Note Jacker's was hit hard enough that his cybernetics were exposed and damaged. Furious, the Note Jacker shoved his opponent. Music blasted from the Note Jacker's hands and threw his opponent through the wall. Hoping it was not just a fluke he raised hands to the other Note Jacker's that opposed him.


Music could now heal and harm a person. Still filled with hatred for being ejected from the university Dr. Kannes used the news of a malfunctioned implant to create music cybernetics that allowed for the user to manifest music into more physical forms. She learned each type of music had a different use when turned into a physical type form. While calming instrumental music proved to be much more effective in healing, hard rock music proved to be more effective in causing explosive damage. Using her new cybernetics she attack the university and for the first time in history music had become a true weapon.


Dr. Kannes was convicted and given the death penalty. Yet her cybernetics would live on. Modified versions of her cybernetics were now used in live performances to help bring music to life and give amazing visual displays. The unmodified versions of her cybernetics continued to spread in the underground. Soon Note Jacker's began forming genre based gangs. This brought about music rivalry and turf wars. The Music Wars had begun.


At the start of the 24th century it was clear that cybernetic music had to be stopped. A full music ban was placed upon society. Live performances ceased. Radio station's shut down. All instruments and sheet music were now stored in hidden warehouses throughout the country. A network of scramble towers were built in every region. Note Jacker's could not listen to the underground stations and could not access their own music.


While many Note Jacker's had their cybernetics removed many others simply reentered the general society in hopes that one day their cybernetics would pick up a song. The remaining few whom refused to lose their music joined together and formed their own small communities located in the outskirts where the scramble signals could not reach.


As the years passed the absence of music took its toll on the world. Life was dull. The planet itself even seemed to suffer as much of its green surface turned into dieing wastelands. Military placed in cities kept watchful eyes on anyone that exhibited any form of music. However, music would not allow itself to cease to exist. Music had a final hope.


Many Note Jacker communities vanished. The final remaining Note Jacker's joined together in an abandoned underground radio station and formed the last community of Note Jacker's. It was here that the Music Returners was formed. Using what was available to them they developed cybernetics that blocked out the scramble signals and allowed them to use their music weapon cybernetics. However to save the world from music suppression they would have to do more then block signals or tear down scramble towers. They would need to find where the signal was originating from. Five Note Jacker's were chosen for this mission. Each specializing in specific fields of music. And it is this task force which I belong too. Music took care of our world. And now its our turn to return the favor.

De Laric piece 3

I awoke to a loud explosion from the basement level. The door leading downstairs poured heavy dark smoke into the room. I could hear yelling and the breaking of glass followed by loud cat meowing.

"No no no no put that down. Don't touch that! Not on my shoes! What is this? You did that didn't you!"

The door swung open and was quickly shut closed. Leaning against it breathing heavily was an old man in a dusty robe covered in various colored liquids. "Until you learn to behave you will have to stay in there." As he shouted at the door I could hear claws scratching at the wooden door followed by loud pounding and screaming meows.

The old man locked the door and took a deep breath. "I see you have finally awakened. Your wounds were rather severe and the addition of poison in your blood wasn't any help either. Lucky for you it was a very weak poison. You wouldn't have died from the poison alone though. Would have made you rather sick though but it would have passed. Was more of a venom really then it was a toxin." He walked to the near table and sat down. "My name is Arzada Solace. People around here call me the forest hermit. Although as you can see I live much better then a hermit and smell better then one. How about you?"

"My name is Crin de Laric. I come from Asan."

"Asan! Thats two days from here."

"So I'm told. Where am I?"

"You're on Tina's Cliff just north of Webb Forest. The nearest town is Feltain. It's a bit of a travel south of here but not to long a distance if you travel by horse."

"I couldn't have been wandering long enough to get here. This place is in the complete opposite direction of where we found that camp. We traveled south from the town following the trade route and then headed west into the forest. We got lost and started heading back towards the road. But instead of finding the road we found the camp. This tower is North East of that area. The ogre's wouldn't have taken me this far just to leave me to die."

"We?"

"My fiance. We were looking for a place to build a new home and a workshop so I could sell my wares."

"I see. So then I take it that you are going to go back and look for her."

"Yes. But, I'm going to need help. My body feels weak. I need to get my strength back so I can make the journey back."

"Well I'm sure we can help you out some how. Shouldn't take to long to get you back into shape. And the first thing you need to do." The old man stood up and walked towards the door. "Is to eat. Come. Breakfast is calling and we need to go out and catch it."

"Catch it?"

"Do you honestly think someone my age can chase down a rabbit? Besides, you said you wanted to train right? So come on. Hop to it boy."

De Laric piece 2

I awoke several days later in a small tower. I could hear music dancing the stairwell. My wounds had been mended and the burning in my body was gone. I sat up and tried to focus my strength to at least stand up. The cold stone floor was a welcome treat as it was a sign that I was still alive and not dead.

I made my way up the stairs glancing out each window I passed. The tower was located on the edge of a forest overlooking the ocean. I could see the moonlight dance with the waves. I stepped out onto the roof of the tower. A cloaked figure sat on the edge playing a small harp.

"I see you are awake now friend. The old man was a little worried we found you too late." He nodded to the edge. I slowly walked over trying to keep from losing my balance and leaned against the short rock wall around the edge. "I am Seiar the traveling minstrel. I reside on the top floor of the tower because its easy to get to the roof from there. The night is the best time to play music. The stillness and peace lets the notes travel further and be heard clearly. So tell me. What brings you to the deep forest? Your wounds suggest an extreme amount of trouble."

"My fiance and I discovered an ogre campsite. Before we could get away the ogre's attacked us. I can't remember much else."

"You were alone when we found you. Did she escape?"

"I don't know. I can only remember her screaming as I was carried off deeper into the forest."

"I see. Ogre's are not known for taking prisoners. Do you have any idea as to the location of that camp?"

"No. We got lost trying to find the road. I've really traveled much outside of Asan."

"Asan? The miner town? That's almost two days travel from here. I go there on occasion to play at the tavern. It is surprising to know that you survived that long while being poisoned and with the damage you suffered to your body."

"My memory is clouded. I can't remember anything past the screaming."

"That might be a good thing. The images may not be something a person would wish to live with for ever."

"I have to find her."

"We will. But right now you need to get your strength back. I will head to Asan tomorrow evening and return with what information I can about the campsite. Maybe someone has discovered it by now." Seiar stood and latched his harp to his belt. "I need to run into town and prepare for tomorrows journey. Glad to know that the old man's medicine kept you alive."

I continued to stare into the ocean and heard the door behind me open. "By the way, "he said "what is your name?"

"Crin. Crin De Laric," I answered.

I could hear his footsteps echo down the stairwell. Still unaware of where exactly I was and who saved my life I began to hope that I was in the company of allies and not enemies. Tomorrow would be the start of a new day. And with it would come training. I needed to get my strength back. In my current state I wouldn't be able to leave the tower any time soon. As I headed back down the stairwell I could hear music playing. I looked out the window and saw Seiar ride into the forest a top of a large featherless bird. It looked almost reptilian. I was a long way from home and something whispered in my head that my adventure was only just starting.

De Laric piece 1

I wasn't always a fighter. I was once just a typical man. I lived in a small mining town. It was only developing at the time. I had picked up tinkering and some smithing. I spent most of my time creating weapons for adventures. I became a weapon specialist. During a break to the tavern I met a beautiful girl playing a lute near the carpenters shop. I had never heard such horrible music. Her name was Nalinda. She had been practicing to play for months now and had not gotten any better at it. She was on her way home from the carpenters to make dinner. I was invited and accepted. From then on every day I would meet with her and have dinner before returning to the tents near the mining site. I had placed my tent near the water. Every night I swear I could hear music sneaking out of the forest nearby. I wondered if Nalinda would ever be that skilled. Things have gotten very smooth with her. Eventually, we fell in love with each other and I left my camp to stay with her. But not all stories have happy endings.

One evening we decided to venture south from the town in search of a place to build a new home. I had always wanted to leave the smith's and go into business for myself. So we searched for a prime spot where it would not be far from the trade routes. Night fell quickly and we got lost trying to find the road to head home. We walked towards an abandoned camp site near a dark cave. We ventured in and found a large treasure trove. When I realized the danger we had just walked into it had already become too late. Ogre's grabbed Nalinda and knocked me to the ground. The items in the cave had been from attacked caravans running between the mining city and kingdom. One of the ogres stabbed me with a poisoned blade. I lay on the ground trying to get up but the weight of the ogre's foot kept me pinned down. All I could do was listen to the screams of Nalinda and watch her suffer.

I stumbled through the woods trying to find my way back to town. The ogre's had carried me away from camp and dumped me further into the forest. Nalinda's screams echoed in my head. I was helpless. I didn't want to think about what has happened to her. Deep in my mind I knew her fate. The poison was weak but still effective. I was dieing slowly. The ogre's clearly had no understanding of poisons. Finally, unable to go any further I fell to the ground. I could hear distant sounds and voices. My vision narrowed and soon I only saw darkness.

Paragon Radio Story Conclusion

And that was pretty much it. The story was never completed. I had a pretty good rough outline of what was going to happen and where the story would go. However, getting to those points was the problem. Our heroes would get tied into this long story arch that would have them chasing enemies from one to another. But there would be some key points in the story that sadly I had no idea how I was gonna fit in there and keep it the actual main focus.

1. Recruiting of the PR staff. Which lucky for me at the time wasn't to big to put into the story but was slowly growing. And some staff were leaving.

2. Our heroes still had to get office space and set up the station. But where would they find time for it as the story arch kept them going deeper and deeper and end up getting caught into a strang web of war amongst the villian groups.

3. Our faithful narrator would have to eventually be more then just a shadow. And learn about what already happened and what he did differently each time to try and change the future.

Eventually, our heroes would have an interaction with every single villian group in the game. They wouldn't even encounter the Rikti until the very last part of the second book. The first book alone was going to be huge story. And its in the last part of the book that will tell if history will repeat itself or not. As I said. I already completed the outline on how the story was going to be carried and such. It's done. Sadly, lack of support from the staff as well as the changing of the station to MMO Radio and changing the focus from a dedicated CoH station to an all MMO station caused the project to die. The only upside was that it still lead into the creation of a new project. But due to extreme lack of support. What I posted already like a month ago is all that is alive for those stories. Click on the MMO Radio tag on the side to find those stories quickly. Those had no outline or anything. Kinda wrote them as I went. MAybe ill rewrite the story outline and change all the names and locations to break it away from CoH and the disbanded radio station. Only problem is coming up with that many names and chaning the super hero abilities as well. Lotta work. Creative Work. Dunno if I even have it in me to try. The outline as it is , is already huge.