Brief - Time Haven Cultures

Overview

Four distinct civilizations, each isolated on their planets until rescued by the player, must learn to coexist in Haven. Each culture embodies a Core Ideal that shapes its society, technology, and decisions. These Ideals create natural alliances and conflicts as cultures interact for the first time in Haven's shared space.

The player will meet these cultures by venturing into fragments of their dying worlds - temporal pockets preserving final moments of each civilization. These pockets range from bustling arcology districts to ancient learning centers, each frozen in time moments before destruction. Most inhabitants continue their daily lives, unaware of their impending doom, requiring players to either convince them of the danger or find those who already sense something is wrong.

The Four Cultures

ARYAVARTA

• Inspired by: Modern India

• Core Ideal: Dharma (Sacred Duty)

• Setting:

  • Sustainable megacities integrated with nature

  • Ancient temples housing quantum computers

  • AI systems guided by Vedic principles

  • Advanced meditation-based technologies

• Discovery Scenario:

  • First culture encountered

  • Dealing with environmental collapse

  • Major festival celebrating technological-spiritual fusion

  • Social hierarchy divided on preservation

TIANCHAO

• Inspired by: future China

• Core Ideal: Order (Harmony through Structure)

• Setting:

  • Floating cities based on cosmic principles

  • Tang Dynasty aesthetics with quantum technology

  • Art and science completely integrated

  • Poetry programs machines

• Discovery Scenario:

  • Initially unapproachable

  • Complex diplomatic requirements

  • Ancient knowledge repository at risk

  • Must prove worthy of interaction

AL-HIKMA

• Inspired by Golden Age Arabia

• Core Ideal: Knowledge (Pursuit of Understanding)

• Setting:

  • Height of Islamic Golden Age

  • Advanced astronomical understanding

  • Mathematical magic systems

  • Centers of learning and wisdom

• Discovery Scenario:

  • Second culture to join Haven

  • Knowledge preservation crisis

  • Integration of magic and science

  • Time anomalies threatening libraries

UMOJA

• Inspired by: Futuristic Pan-African Egypt

• Core Ideal: Progress (Continuous Evolution)

  • Setting:

    • United African civilization that never fell

    • Pyramids serve as quantum computing centers

    • Bioengineered sacred technologies

    • Living architecture that grows and adapts

• Discovery Scenario:

  • Third culture to join Haven

  • Technological breakthrough crisis

  • Balance of tradition and innovation

  • Must save cultural memory banks

Cultural Interactions and Potential Conflicts

• Order vs. Dharma:

  • Positive: Both value social harmony and structure. Could collaborate on establishing laws and systems for the new city.

  • Negative: Tianchao's strict order might clash with Aryavarta's more flexible, dharma-based approach to justice and individual expression. Potential for conflict around social hierarchy and freedom.

• Order vs. Knowledge:

  • Positive: Both value learning and education. Could collaborate on research and technological development.

  • Negative: Tianchao's focus on order and control might restrict Al-Hikmah’s pursuit of knowledge, especially if it involves magic or challenges established norms.

• Order vs. Progress:

  • Positive: Both strive for societal improvement. Could find common ground in infrastructure development and technological innovation.

  • Negative: Tianchao's emphasis on tradition and hierarchy might clash with Umoja’s focus on rapid progress and social change.

• Dharma vs. Knowledge:

  • Positive: Both value wisdom and understanding. Could share philosophical and spiritual insights, leading to greater mutual respect.

  • Negative: Differing religious and philosophical beliefs could lead to disagreements on ethical issues and the role of magic in society.

• Dharma vs. Progress:

  • Positive: Both seek a better future. Could collaborate on social reforms and sustainable development.

  • Negative: Aryavarta's focus on tradition and spiritual values might clash with Umoja’s emphasis on technological advancement and material progress.

• Knowledge vs. Progress:

  • Positive: Both are forward-thinking and innovative. Could work together to advance science and technology for the benefit of the city.

  • Negative: The Arabian focus on magical knowledge might clash with Umoja’s emphasis on scientific and technological progress.

Player Choice Impact

• Unity Path:

  • Mediate cultural conflicts

  • Find common ground between Ideals

  • Create new hybrid traditions

  • Build integrated districts

• Favoritism Path:

  • Choose cultures to prioritize

  • Grant more influence to preferred cultures

  • Deal with resulting tensions

  • Shape Haven's cultural identity