The Gernsback Continuum is a Horizon Realm built by the Etherites as an idealized expression of their Paradigm.
History[]
The Realm was named after inventor and publisher Hugo Gernsback.
Appearance[]
The Realm appears as a glittering, Art Deco city filled with the wonders of science and technology. Moving sidewalks, jetpacks, and angular glass buildings are all features of the Realm. At night, celestial bodies can be seen magnified in the sky.
Getting There[]
The Gernsback Continuum can be reached through the Great Hall Chantry in Paris locatd on Rue De Puilly, near the Centre Poumpidou. One enters the Realm through one of three portals hidden in the Great Hall. Those seeking entrance to the Realm must pass muster with security first. The portal come in the form of intricately carved, wooden doors with shiny brass door knobs.
Places of Interest[]
- Great Hall on the Horizon
- The Assembly of Science
- Honor Rock
- The Centers for Advancement of Science
- General Mess and Supply Mall
Ecology[]
Overtime, Realm has become its own society complete with an infrastructure to support its many inhabitants. The Realm includes public and personal transportation systems including Phaetons (sci-fi personal vehicles). Zeppelins are used for sight seeing, and dueling, but not for general transportation.
The Gernsback Continuum has its own economy with a currency in the form of a gold coin called the G.C. The coins come in denominations of 10, 100, and 500.
Robots and other automated systems produce the food and water needed for survival. Raw materials are either imported from Earth, or created via the use of Life Sciences to enhance their nutritional content. Most food consumed comes in pill form that becomes a whole meal once water is added.
Security[]
Sentinels of the Great Hall monitor the portals leading to and from the Realm. They take their job seriously, but are known to play mischievous pranks on new comers to the Realm. Sentinels are both human and robotic. Special inventions also guard the portals to the Realm. Security for the portals is overseen by Horace McKinney.
Notes[]
The name "Gernsback Continuum" comes from the title of a 1981 short story by William Gibson in which a photographer, taking pictures of 1930s "raygun gothic" architecture, begins to see visions of an alternate "retro future" America.
References[]
- MTAs: Beyond the Barriers: The Book of Worlds, p. 121-125
