![[moebius04_big+(1).jpg|banner p+bc]] > [!Table of Contents]+ > 1. [[#Artistic Inspiration]] > 2. [[#Genre]] > 3. [[#Principles]] > 4. [[#Themes]] > 5. [[#Planar Cosmology]] > 6. [[#Conventions and References]] # Artistic Inspiration The world of [[Mobius]] is principally inspired by the "[ligne claire]([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligne_claire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligne_claire))" sci-fi/fantasy artwork of French artist and cartoonist [Jean Giraud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Giraud) produced under his pseudonym [Mœbius]([https://characterdesignreferences.com/artist-of-the-week-3/moebius](https://characterdesignreferences.com/artist-of-the-week-3/moebius)) and the visual and storytelling style of the sci-fi animated series [Scavenger's Reign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavengers_Reign). Additional inspiration comes from the work of American comic book artist [Geoff Darrow]([https://characterdesignreferences.com/artist-of-the-week-9/geof-darrow](https://characterdesignreferences.com/artist-of-the-week-9/geof-darrow)) and Swedish visual artist [Killian Eng](https://characterdesignreferences.com/artist-of-the-week-10/kilian-eng), and the works of Japanese filmmaker [Hayao Miyazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki), such as the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. ## Other Influences: **Artists** - [Kay Nielsen](https://www.wikiart.org/en/kay-nielsen) (Danish Illustrator) - [Eyvind Earle](https://www.wikiart.org/en/eyvind-earle) (American animator) - [Rebecca Hu](https://osteathus.artstation.com/albums/2490535) (American illustrator for Scavenger's Reign [ep. 1-3](https://osteathus.artstation.com/projects/g0WWBQ?album_id=1873215), [ep. 4-6](https://osteathus.artstation.com/projects/OGNNg8?album_id=1873215), [ep. 7-9](https://osteathus.artstation.com/projects/vDdVL6?album_id=1873215), [ep. 10-12](https://osteathus.artstation.com/projects/Dv8k3e?album_id=1873215)) - [Charles Huettner](https://www.charleshuettner.com/) (American illustrator for [Scavenger's Reign](https://www.charleshuettner.com/work/scavengers-reign)) **Books** - Dawn by Octavia Butler - The Monk and Robot series by Beck Chambers - Into the Unbeing (Comic Series) by Zac Thompson - The Southern Reach Series by Jeff VanderMeer **Movies/TV** - The Boy and The Heron - Star Trek (particularly The Next Generation and Voyager) - Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis - Rick and Morty # Genre The genre of [[Mobius]] is one of [slipstream](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slipstream_genre) [technofantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technofantasy) which also incorporates some elements of [magical realism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_realism) and [planetary romance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_romance) ## Slipstream ![[tumblr_lpeqd0GdhS1qbluruo1_r1_640.jpg|right|250]]The slipstream genre is a form of speculative fiction that blends together science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction. Slipstream fiction has been described as "the fiction of strangeness", or a form of writing that makes "the familiar strange or the strange familiar" through skepticism about elements of reality. Characteristics include disruption of the principle of realism, avoidance of being a traditional fantasy story, and being a postmodern narrative. As an emerging genre, slipstream has been described as nonrealistic fiction with a postmodern sensibility, exploring an awareness of societal and technological change and psychological breakdown. ## Technofantasy Technofantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, which has some elements of science and technology but it does not rationalize their use through scientific or quasi-scientific terms, which distinguishes it from science fiction and science fantasy. The less realistic and the more "technobabble" any explanation is, the closer the work is to technofantasy. The concept of technofantasy has been described as "destroying the difference between magic and science". ## Magical Realism ![[810bafec0b7b8c7409f2bffef75a7023.png|right|450]]Magic realism blurs the lines between speculation and reality, portraying fantastical events in an otherwise realistic tone. It brings fables, folk tales, and myths into contemporary social relevance. Magic realism contains an implicit criticism of society, particularly the elite. Magical realist texts create a reality "in which the relation between incidents, characters, and setting could not be based upon or justified by their status within the physical world or their normal acceptance by bourgeois mentality." ## Planetary Romance Planetary romance is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy in which the bulk of the action consists of adventures on one or more exotic alien planets, characterized by distinctive physical and cultural backgrounds. In planetary romance, the alien locale is not merely a backdrop, but must be described in lush detail through evocative worldbuilding. The setting must have distinctive cultures and societies, flora and fauna, weather and terrain. # Principles ## Surrealism not Absurdism ![[moebius-wallpaper-5.jpg|p+cb banner+small]][[Mobius]] is [surrealist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrealism)—featuring elements of surprise, unexpected juxtaposition, and *non sequitur.* Surrealism plays with illogical or dreamlike ideas and imagery to liberate the imagination and embrace idiosyncrasy. Much like a dream, however, [[Mobius]] *has* an internal logic and set of rules upon which it operates. Those rules are not always immediately apparent (or important) to conveying the story—but they do exist. This distinguishes the *surrealist* world of [[Mobius]] from one that is *absurdist,* i.e. irrational and meaningless. ## Authorial Reticence ![[Art_of_1+(1).jpg|p+ banner+small]]Authorial reticence encourages the deliberate withholding of information and explanations about the disconcerting fictitious elements of [[Mobius]] that are not necessary to telling the story. The surrealist exploration of imaginative and idiosyncratic ideas is enhanced by this absence of explanation of fantastic events; the story proceeds as if nothing extraordinary had taken place. Magical events are presented as ordinary occurrences; the marvelous as normal and common. ## Plenitude and Hybridity ![[tumblr_mradd5rsUD1qbluruo1_1280.jpg|banner+small]][[Mobius]] embraces plenitude, a principle inspired by the [baroque](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque) style of plentiful and intricate ornamentation. Plenitude is characterized by a lack of emptiness, a departure from structure or rules, and an extraordinary abundance (plenitude) of detail—particularly in the design of the setting. Plenitude embraces the idea that in layering many cultural influences into a dense and elaborate world, the space in between is where the "marvelous real" is seen—extraordinary, strange, and excellent. Stories, characters, and settings should employ hybrid influences that take place in inharmonious arenas of opposites. ## Biotechnological Fantasy ![[Art_of_Jean_Giraud_Moebius_65.jpeg|banner+small]] [[Mobius]] is a world where biology and technology are inextricably linked. The environment of [[Mobius]] is one where nature is so awe-inspiringly powerful and dangerous that all living creatures have evolved to innately understand that they must respect it and live in harmony with it if they are to have any hope of survival. As a result, the sentient species who inhabit [[Mobius]] almost universally have a deep and abiding respect for the natural environment. Mobians have pursued paths of technological development that depend heavily on biological forms of technology or technology which, at the very least, exists in harmony with the natural world. Gods and magic exist in the world of [[Mobius]], but operate in way that is far less overt and transparent than in traditional high fantasy storytelling. The arcane and the divine can still exist in stories told in [[Mobius]], but flavoring those elements as biological and/or technological is highly encouraged. ## Naturalistic Religion ![[RDT_20241103_2203262025543648473590163.jpg|p+cb banner]] To the extent that [[Mobius]] has what we would consider organized religions, the focus of worship tends to be represented by powerful natural phenomenon--stars, moons, mountains, etc. These gods are sometimes anthropomorphized with humanoid-like traits, personalities, and mythological stories about their exploits. But for the most part, the major gods of organized Mobian religions tend to be understood by most Mobians as somewhat impersonal and distant figureheads of the tenants of their respective religion, and are not generally known to interact personally or directly with the majority their followers. Consequently, adherence to these major, naturalistic religions tends to be a matter of cultural tradition for most Mobians that does not play a significant role in their day-to-day lives. But there are exceptions--devoted adherents and clergy of these religions who can derive significant fulfilment and power from their focus on the power of a single natural phenomenon which is embodied by their deity. By contrast, the world of [[Mobius]] is replete with powerful beings and creatures of immense power who attract devotion, adherence, and worship on a much smaller, often entirely individual scale. These minor "deities" are much more personal and literal--often they are simply a creature or a person who has ascended to a position of great power through evolution, technology, or both. ## Fantastical Modes of Transportation Transportation in [[Mobius]] is plentiful, accessible, and always whimsical. Residents of [[Mobius]] commonly employ forms of transportation that blend the natural and technological. Access to the ability to fly is widespread and unremarkable. Stories told in [[Mobius]] should encourage the employment of fantastical modes of transportation to travel freely through the world. ![[Art_of_Moebius_ 2.jpeg|banner]] # Themes ## Postmodernism ![[Art_of_Jean_Giraud_Moebius_43 1.jpeg|right|300]]Postmodern forms of storytelling in [[Mobius]] aim to subvert the mainstream conventions and upend typical portrayals of gender, race, class, genre, and time. A common element is a bridging of the gap between highbrow and lowbrow activities and artistic styles, for example, a parody of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling in which Adam is reaching for a McDonald's burger rather than the hand of God. Contradictions of all sorts – whether it be in visual technique, characters' morals, etc. – are crucial to postmodernism. There is extensive blurring of boundaries between genres and cultures, and styles that are generally more separate, along with the fusion of disparate styles and times. ## Political Critique ![[Art_of_Moebius_16.jpg|left|200]][[Mobius]] incorporates magical realism's "implicit criticism of society, particularly the elite" through a storytelling focus on eccentrics: the geographically, socially, and economically marginalized. The surrealism of the world expresses a consciousness that focuses on "half-made" societies, in which the impossibly old struggles against the appallingly new, and impossible things happen constantly, and quite plausibly, out in the open under the midday sun. ## Heightened Mystery Storytelling in [[Mobius]] tends to leave out explanations of its magical elements or obfuscate elements of the story, creating a sense of wonder and mystery, inviting one to let go of pre-existing ties to conventional exposition, scientific reason, etc., to strive for a state of heightened awareness of life's connectedness or hidden meanings. ## The Power of Nature ![[tumblr_lutmt8v9X71qbluruo1_1280.jpg|p+b banner]] [[Mobius]] is a place where the natural world holds immense, often overwhelming power. Nature is often depicted as a powerful force that can easily overcome individual endeavors, reminding us of our small scale in comparison to the natural world. The natural world will often play a role in moving the plot along, forcing characters to make decisions that they might not otherwise. Nature is not only powerful but indifferent to the wants and needs of individuals. Survival and success in [[Mobius]] comes from harnessing and acting in harmony with nature. ## The Weight of Time ![[time.jpg|p+b banner]] The world of [[Mobius]] has existed for millions of years and has hosted intelligent life for hundreds of thousands of years. Countless generations have come and gone upon the face of [[Mobius]], leaving behind the ruins of entire civilizations that now fade into memory as they crumble into dust and decay. The life of any one person on [[Mobius]] is but a blip in the deep history of this world, and those who wish to leave a lasting, indelible mark on the world face great odds in doing so. This theme is reinforced by the fact that all playable species have relatively short lifespans. There are no playable species who naturally live more than around a century. Extending ones own life beyond that natural limit is rare, dangerous, and often taboo. And the prospect of immortality is, with very rare exception, a pipe dream. # Planar Cosmology The setting of [[Mobius]] uses a ["One World" model](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/dmg-2014/creating-a-multiverse#OtherVisions) of planar cosmology. Most of the locations that would generally occupy other planes of existence in cosmological models such as the ["Great Wheel" model](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/dmg-2014/creating-a-multiverse#TheGreatWheel) of fantasy cosmology are instead literal places—locations in the world, reachable by ordinary means of travel. The three major locations which exist outside the single plane that the [[Mobius System]] occupies—the [[Interplane]], the [[Overworld]], and the [[Underworld]]—are largely mythical locations typically accessible only by very powerful beings, deities, or the spirits of the dead. The following table provides a rough approximation of what location(s) in the Mobius setting loosely correspond to the various planes of existence in traditional fantasy models of planar cosmology: | Great Wheel Plane | Mobius Location | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | | Material Plane | [[Mobius]] | | Feywild | [[Viana]] | | Shadowfell | [[Palis]]; [[Peixoto]] | | Underdark | [[Teixeira]]; [[Iusem]] | | Plane of Fire | [[Doria]] | | Plane of Air | [[Simis]] | | Plane of Water | [[Nachbin]] | | Plane of Earth | [[Araujo]] | | Ethereal Plane | [[Mfinda]] | | Astral Plane | [[Interplane]] | | Upper Outer Planes | [[Overworld]], personified by [[Naboth]] | | Lower Outer Planes | [[Underworld]], personified by [[Olearius]] | # Conventions and References ## Naming Conventions ### Places/Locations #### Continents and Regions - **Arzach:** Names, locations, and titles from the [works of Jean Giraud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Giraud#Bibliography) and from [Scavenger's Reign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavengers_Reign) - **Mercator**: Last names from [List of German Mathematicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_mathematicians) - **Darien**: Last names from [List of Columbian Artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Colombian_artists) and [List of Columbian Musicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Colombian_musicians) - **Degermark**: [Last names from List of Swedish Actors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Swedish_actors) - **Calusa**: [Indigenous Peoples of Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_Florida) - **Saura and the Coree Isles**: [Indigenous Peoples of the Southern Woodlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Southeastern_Woodlands) (North and South Carolina) - **Deschene Gorge, Tapaha Ridge, Hale, and the Yazzie Isles:** Last names from [list of Navajo People](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo#Navajo_people) - **Kaibab Dunes**: [Southern Paiute people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Paiute_people) - **Nabooru Desert:** [Gerudo names](https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Gerudo) from the Legend of Zelda games - **Ialdagorth**: [List of Cthulhu Mythos deities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cthulhu_Mythos_deities) - **Hebra**: Locations on in the [Hebra region](https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Hebra) from the Legend of Zelda games #### Celestial Bodies - **Moons:** Last names from [List of Brazilian Mathematicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brazilian_mathematicians) ### Races / People Groups - **Native to the Mobius System:** Last names from [List of Norwegian Mathematicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Norwegian_mathematicians) - **Alien:** Name from [List of Hungarian Mathematicians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hungarian_mathematicians)