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SYNOPSIS
A long abandoned human colony is met with the grim reality facing their estrangement from Earth when a group of alien researchers and filmmakers arrive unannounced.
The colony has long believed their earthly counterparts to have been annihilated or some disaster to have struck causing the loss of connection and resources, but the reality is that those governing the colonization no longer saw it as viable or profitable.
The story revolves around failed novelist turned ‘desperado’, Marlowe Weaver when he comes across the alien film and researcher’s ship As he is there first human they come across he unwittingly becomes a
go between for the aliens and the colonists. He is then dragged into a conflict bigger than he can possibly imagine.
THE PROTAGONIST
LEFT TO THE VOID
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SYNOPSIS
The planet of Amacata is a mostly desert world, originally scouted by Earth as an ideal place for first colonization efforts outside of their solar system. Amacata’s environment had proven conducive for supporting human life and soon after they sent the first colonists.
The colony met more difficulties than was originally expected when colonists began their efforts in full. This was due to the amount of hostile native life and harsh environment- it was not the beautiful easy-going destination they were prepared for. Because of this those highest in the Unified Earth Portectorate deemed it a lost cause and cut off communica-tion with the colony completely.
The truth of this is largely unknown to the public as the official statement was that inclement weather conditions had resulted in an upredictable natural disaster wiping out the colonists. There are some however, that have doubted this, though they are consider conspiracy theorists at best. The alien group researching the tragic lost colony was originally tipped off to the story through some scans nearby the planet that resulted in radio frequencies being detected.
The Milky Way Galaxy is home to several species of aliens. Humans joined the Galactic community relatively recently, though after the failed colonization of Amacata. Humans are seen as rising stars in the Galactic commu-nity and they have gained as much interest as they have
annoyance by their alien counterparts. To the rest of the Galaxy humans are seen as upstarts
AMACATA
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT-
RESEARCH LAB
RESEARCH SHIP
Thumbnails exploring the look of theresearcher’s lab. It’s alien and clean, unlike the dwellings of Amacata colonists. Within this lab are several samples of the planets flora and fauna.
While mostly silent when researchers are out the lab has a steady buzz of electrical noise at all times. Some colonists hope that the research done here can help in developing their agricultural ventures. While some welcome the research other colonists look upon it and the alien scientists with disdain and distrust.
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ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT-
HOPE VALLEY
Thumbnails exploring the look of Hope Valley; the main settlement of the Amacata colony. Hope Valley is a representation of progress despite everything the colonists have faced.
Its aesthetic is a highlight of thew colony’s original tech and the adaptations they’ve made with the limitations of their
environment.
The Settlement was originally named based on the hopes and dreams
of the colonists embarking on this journey: now it serves as an ironic
name to a hopeless and disparaged people.
It is built into the mountains that compose the valley, keeping people
inside just as much as it keeps the monsters on the plains out.
CONCEPT
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT-
SALOON
Usually full of gruff and unsavory types. Even
the alien researchers have taken to the place.
Due to the circumstances of the colonists the
place has become both a neccesity and a moral
embarassment as the people have slowly revisted
traditional outlooks.
Thumbnails exploring the look of
the main haunt of the characters: a
saloon. It combines warm and inviting
elements of a western bar with hints of
modernity.
The main cage for ‘entertainment’ is
modelled after a Victorian bird cage.
SALOON
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FARMLAND [INKED]
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT-
FARMLAND
CONCEPT
Thumbnails exploring the
look of Amacata farmland.
The homesteads and their
surrounding farms were started
with original settlement tech,
giving the otherwise rustic
exterior a science-fiction feel.
FARMLAND
Thumbnails exploring the look of Arguably the most important part of Amacata Colonist society. Farmers
are treated with respect as their crops are the things that sustain an otherwise dying colonization effort.
When the colonists originally began to settle this world they brought seeds of plants, vegetables. and
fruits the environment would support. While they have changed and evolved with time they serve as a
relic of what Earth was like.
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ON BOOKS
The colonists who originally settled Amacatabrought digital archives of Man’s literary achievements. There were arguments on taking a number of physiclcal boooks along but in the end it seemed to become the saving grace of the colonisrts, stranded on a world they didn’t understand.
AN OLDER WAY OF LIFE
When the colonists realized they were stranded and supply shipments ceased arriving they began to look towards older ways of living to cope . Victorians were the most heavily referencedculture the colonists of Amacata looked to. Many of their old manuals on sewing and their literary works became popular with the people.
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THE LURU
THE LURU
A burrowing creature that has cat like features. The colonists look upon them fondly as companion animals, they are often given comedic haircuts. Typically timid, the LURU will often scramble to hide from unknown figures.
CREATURE DEVELOPMENT -
THE LURU
FESTIVITIES
The colonists have a yearly festival in thefall revolving around the harvest. During this festival there is a competition held judging domesticated Lurus on their fur and features.
CREATURE DEVELOPMENT -
THE SNORP
THE SNORP
Originally a pst creature overrunning the surface of Amacata the colonists have since figured out how to utilize the creature as live stock. Snorps are farmed for their milk primarly which they seep, in a pinch colonists have also used the strange creatures as meat. The Snorp is a versatile creature that is hardy and easy to keep, there is nothing the ravenous aliens won’t eat. often searching with their proboscis for food.If the thing they are trying to eat is too large they will melt it down with acid they produce in their glands.A MATTER OF REFERENCE
When domesticated the creature is referred to as a ‘Snorp’. The offspring are referred to as ‘Snips’. Feral or ‘rogue’ snorps are referred to18
CREATURE DEVELOPMENT -
THE UBHERI
THE UBHERI
The Ubheri are generally good-natured creatures the colonists of Amacata have domesticated to take on
the role of horses as well as heavy weight pulling animals. Strong and quick, the Ubheri are natural hunters, their diets consisting strictly of meat though they have been known to graze. Whether the
grazing is from hunger or bordom is unknown. Many colonists have become enthusisasts of the creatures
and find them trusty and loyal companions on the rough frontier.
The Ubheri communicate a lot through the movement of their large ears.
COMMUNICATION
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CHARACTERS -
MARLOWE WEAVER
Gunslinger, failed novelist, and charged with murder, crime is the only way of life
he’s known. Marlowe grew up in Hope valley raised primarily by his grandparents
hearing bitter tales of the old world as they were among the first colonists on
Amacata.
Preferring a solitary life after his charges of murder and exhile from Hope valley,
Marlowe lived off the land fighting the horrid creatures of the Amacata wastes. All of this came crashing down however when the alien film crew landed and without knowing he forever said goodbye to his
old way of life.
MARLOWE WEAVER
Marlowe Weaver is a third generation colonist on Amacata. His generation was the first to almost entirely be born solely on the colony.
GENERATIONS
While man’s best friend is typically adog, the creature that holds this title for Marlowe is his Ubheri steed, “Calamity Jane”. Named affectionately after the Queen playing card. Her mischeivous nature and her name seem to go hand in
hand.
GUNSLINGER
For Marlowe’s design I wanted him to reflect being a rough and tumble cowboy as well as a man is a dystopian science-fiction setting. Someone who always looks ready for a fight of any kind whether it be against monsters or man.
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CHARACTERS -
JESS VU
THE SHEE
The Shee are an old face in the galactic community and always have been in the middle of controversy. Their powers as expert shapeshifters don’t do much to inspire trust in other species and due to this they have very rigid rules and expectations on themselves and how they should act. deviation from these self appointed ideals is seen as criminal and punished harshly as they believe irresponsible acts using their powers treasonous due to their precarious place in galactic politics. As a people they tend to stay reclusive, and are expected to be part of their community. While the Shee wear many faces they can always sense another Shee, whatever the form.
THE IMPOSTER
Throughout the Back of Beyond Jess is believed to be a helpful figure and guid to the film-making crew, hired on as a human liasion albeit with a checkered past. She is however found to be a Shee, expert shapeshifting aliens.
Her true nature is exposed when the group runs into grave peril and she sustains major injury, forcing her to return to her true form.
JESS VU
Jess is confident and compassionate, running from her former life. Before joining the film-crew as a colonist relations liasion she was a stripper in a galactic club infamous for the criminal clientele it served. While she worked there she worked as herself,
Sena, a misfit Shee and a dissapointment to her loyalist parents. She did not become Jess until she happened upon the body of a young woman and answered a call from the girl’s parents. Unable to tell them their daughter was
dead, she assumed the life and identity of Jess Vu, pretending that she herself had been the one to die.
Jess continued the girl’s life and relationships, with none the wiser, even the girl’s parents.
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CHARACTERS -
SMOINYX
THE VRESCIX
The Vrescix are an advanced alien species though relatively new to the galactic community. As a people they are eager to please and optimistic- though often misunderstood. Their natural gaseous from is off-putting to some, and they can find
it hard to communicate verbally since their native language is communicated purely through light and gas emmissions. Their government is a meritocracy, the leaders of their people are
chosen on need with about three to four sitting on a council at one time. These leadership positions only open up when there is a death or in rare cases a conviction. The council is responsible for
electing a replacement.
The average life span of a Vrescix is about 100 to 120 years. This can be a blessing and a curse as the species tends to remember
things quite clearly.
The Vrescix are an advanced alien species though relatively new to the galactic community. As a people they are eager to please and optimistic- though often misunderstood. Their natural gaseous from is off-putting to some, and they can find
it hard to communicate verbally since their native language is communicated purely through light and gas emmissions. Their government is a meritocracy, the leaders of their people are
chosen on need with about three to four sitting on a council at one time. These leadership positions only open up when there is a death or in rare cases a conviction. The council is responsible for
electing a replacement.
The average life span of a Vrescix is about 100 to 120 years. This can be a blessing and a curse as the species tends to remember
things quite clearly.
ON FORM
The Vrescix are a mostly gaseous speciies, relying on luminescence to communicate. They are mediocreat changing their shape, unlike the Shee. Their true color and luminescence remain as well as their antannae whenever they take
on another form. While their transformative qualities
are nothing remarkable they tend to take on the shape of other species in an attempt to better bond and communicate. Even their ‘faces’ in their true forms are manifestations to better
communicate with aliens.
THE NAME’S NYX!
Smoinyx is a recent grad from an esteemed galactic university known for it’s science program. Nyx graduated with a degree in biology, and not one to refuse adventure and research he signed on to work
