Domain Overview: The Monasteries
One mind, one purpose, one way.

OVERVIEW

Since the beginning of the 21st century, it has been clear to many people that the world was sliding toward a new Dark Age. The combination of the population explosion with the chaos of international relations was working to steadily erode the gains of the 20th century.

A few wealthy and idealistic engineers set up the first Monastery, in China. They wanted to ride out the coming Dark Age in a fortress that could maintain the technical knowledge needed to rebuild the world. Soon there were dozens of Monasteries all across the world, each dedicated to preserving as much of civilization as possible.

Unfortunately, their success attracted too much attention, and fear and jealousy have served to alienate the masses left outside the walls. In 2091, the Monasteries system is the most secretive of the five major domains. Although the Monasteries are generally loathe to interfere in the rest of the world, they are often forced to defend themselves and lately they have begun to launch preemptive strikes against their enemies.

During their isolation from society, the Monasteries have significantly advanced the sciences of bioengineering, genetic manipulation, optical computing, and especially, nanotechnology (on which they have a monopoly). Much of their technology is a fusion of these elements. The Monastery scientists revere the forms of nature above all else. In nature they find a complexity and efficiency unmatched by any human technologies.

HISTORY

The foundation of the first Monastery by Li Wei and Hu Shih-P'o around the years 2003-2005 is shrouded in mystery. At that time only a few hundred ardent disciples even knew about their teachings. It was not until after the combined blows of war and famine in the 2010's and 20's that the Monastery movement became prominent.

The Sino-Japanese War that ended in 2014 left many parts of China in ruins. It is estimated that fifty million people died from the bombings and the subsequent fallout. At the same time, climactic change caused by greenhouse gas emissions brought drought to central China and killer typhoons to the heavily populated coast. To many in China, especially the wealthy and the middle class, it seemed like the beginning of a Dark Age that might last for generations.

OTHER MONASTERY CARDS

• Gaean Trainer
• Gaean Scribe
• Holic Intuitive
• Tantric Crusader
• Tantric Disruptor
• Mountain Monastery