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This information is only supplementary; relevant data about the universe will be presented in-story as it arises, if you'd prefer to learn as you read. Information in this encyclopedia is subject to change without warning as the story develops.

Realities (And citizens)

Terms & Tech

Culture

(unreal estate copyright
2001 stefan gagne)
[unauthorized use is
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Pia Pia

Pia Pia is not a very nice place to visit. It's even less pleasant to live there, but millions do, much to their disappointment.

If you stood on a tall hill in Pia Pia (not that there are any) you would see an endless shantytown stretching in every direction. Poverty runs rampant, as do diseases, poor water and electric services, and other social ills. Crime is fairly low, because the police are the government, and are quite vicious with people who violate the law. Local police districts act much like fuedal territories, complete with a police chief / overlord of the area who runs it from on high. Crimes which do take place tend to be very quiet and very out of the way.

But one thing that can be said about Pia Pia is that they know how to make something from nothing. Recipes for simple but effective foodstuffs are available at street level, capable of mixing cast-off ingredients into something fairly edible and mostly tasty. Unfortunately, because these traditional recipes are public domain, they were snatched up and marketed by one particular Pia Pia'n... Joe.

"Joe", as he's known, runs the Joe's franchise that dominates fast food over all reputable (and some disreputable) realities. Pia Pia's gourmand secrets are now available in paper wrappers no less than three miles from where you live, assuming you live somewhere that's acceptably hip.

Joe lives in a large fortress with armed guards to keep the rabble out, and he basically owns the government/police. He encourages 'his people' to continue their dabbling, mostly so he can exploit them further. Anything he can't use himself, he sublisences out to Krap Foods, Inc.

Most Pia Pians would prefer to stay in their home reality -- it's home, no matter how awful it is. Some of the younger folk stray to other realities to eke out a better living, and send money back, but the money usually finds its way into the pockets of Joe one way or another.