Difference between revisions of "Cytoverse"

[[File:{{image|Skyward UK Hardcover.jpg|thumb|side=right|width=250px|Cover of the British edition of ''[[Skyward]]'']]}}

{{spoilersexemplary|bookdate=Starsight2020-04-24}}

The '''Skyward UniverseCytoverse'''{{wob refersref|13771}} to the as-of-yet-unnamed universe that serves asis the setting of ''[[Defending Elysium]]'' and the [[Skyward (series)|Skyward series]].{{wob ref|11965}} It's is our own world, albeit in the far future; as such, it's is not part of the [[cosmere]]. Alongside [[Earth (Skyward)|Earth]] and humanity, it contains numerous spacefaring species, all of which share a magic system known as [[cytonics]], which is what the universe is named after.

The Skyward UniverseCytoverse is a setting possessing highly advanced technology, from laser weapons and anti-gravity to lifelike holograms and atmospheric envelopes capable of keeping entire space stations breathing.{{book ref|sky2|3}}{{book ref|elysium}} Vast empires, encompassing various species, spread across the stars, connected by faster-than-light ships. Ranging from grand merchantmen to small starfighters, those vessels are propelled by biological FTL system, based on two fundamental aspects of the universe: the [[nowhere]] and [[cytonics]].{{book ref|sky2|34}}

The easiest way for most people to enter nowhere is through a '''nowhere portal''', a stable wormhole leading to it and back. Such portals can be found on many worlds, and though the markings on them indicate that they were made rather than arising naturally, it's unknown who created them. The portals let both people and equipment to be taken through, which allows for mining acclitivity[[acclivity stone]].{{book ref|sky2|25}}

[[File:{{image|Spensa by jurassicpencil.jpg|thumb|side=right|width=200px|<center><small>by {{a|jurassicpencil}}</small></center> [[Spensa]] and [[Doomslug]], a sapient and a non-sapient cytonic]]}}

In fact, both teleportation and telepathy work instantaneously, and thus faster-than-light. As such, they are the basis of the two most crucial technologies in the universe: cytonic communication and FTL travel.{{book ref|elysium}} All FTL-capable starships in the Skyward UniverseCytoverse travel using cytonics, with non-sapient slugs known as the [[taynix]] serving as living hyperdrives.{{book ref|sky2|34}} Moreover, cytonics can be shared with the rest of the populace, as cytonics can be augmented with mechanical equipment; that's how a single creature can carry an entire ship across the stars. Conversely, machines can also be built to utilize nowhere, albeit to a lesser extent than living creatures.{{book ref|sky2|18}}

Across the known universe, all sapient species developed [[cytonic]] abilities prior to discovering advanced technology; as such, they would often abandon further pursuit of conventional sciences in favour of the psionic powers. Humanity is one exception to that. Earth was already advanced technologically by the time the [[Phone Company]] began developing cyto, a cybernetics-based method of telepathic linking. Those early experiments were unsuccessful, but they were enough to attract the attention of the spacefaring [[tenasi]]. After a misunderstanding led to the tenasi scout being shot down by [[United Governments]] military, the Phone Company negotiated more peacable reactionsrelations, and, as a result, became the sole point of contact between humans and aliens.{{book ref|elysium}}

In the century since the Third Human War, the Superiority, led by five species who considered themselves to be of primary intelligence, grew to become the primaryforemost political power in the galaxy. They achieved this by monopolizing both safe faster-than-light travel and FTL communications, and keeping their mechanics secret.{{book ref|sky2|24}} Many other species, such as the kitsen, joined the Superiority with secondary citizenship, which limited their rights within the empire.{{book ref|sky2|15}} Others, like the [[UrDail]], remain independent, though still reliant on the Superiority for trade.{{book ref|sky2|9}}

Skyward universeCytoverse is inhabited by numerous sapient species of varied shapes, sizes and configurations. Most appear to be roughly humanoid, walking upright with an even number of limbs. Their sizes vary, with the smallest being only a handspan tall, while the largest are bigger than humans.{{book ref|sky2|13}} Despite apparent physical similarities, they can differ vastly in their biology; for example, the [[dione]] can change their biological sex during their lifetime, while the [[varvax]] are actually small creatures possessing large exoskeletons.{{book ref|sky2|12}}

Apart from the humanoid aliens, the Skyward universeCytoverse is also home to vastly different ones. Those range from a species resembling spike-covered balloons,{{book ref|sky2|13}} to [[figment]]s, which are invisible, sapient smells.{{book ref|sky2|20}}

[[File:{{image|DefendingElysium.jpg|thumb|side=right|width=200px|<center><small>by [[Dragos Jieanu]]</small></center> Cover of the digital version of ''[[Defending Elysium]]'']]}}

As with most things Brandon had been writing at the time, he planned to create more works in ''Defending Elysium''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s setting. His intention was always to evolve it, and see how the universe changed over time. Over the next fifteen years, many of those plans were abandoned, while others rose up in their place. However, [[Spensa]] was not initially part of the setting.{{wob ref|13462}}

It wasn't just the cosmere that Skyward UniverseCytoverse borrowed elements from. In 2016, Brandon began writing a novella titled ''The Eyes'', based around the concept of answering the [[wikipedia:Fermi Paradox|Fermi Paradox]]. It was never finished, although the first chapter became a Patreon reward for $10 patrons at the time.{{sots ref|2016}} The story of ''The Eyes'' was eventually absorbed into the setting wholesale, although in its current form, it's not fully canon-compliant. Nonetheless, some of its characters are still around by the time of ''[[Skyward]]'', and one of its alien races made an appearance in ''[[Starsight]]''.{{wob ref|12197}} It's unclear which aliens those would be, though they might be the [[figment]]s or the [[dione]], as both are introduced in that book and feature in it prominently. Considering the title, [[delver]]s may also originate from ''The Eyes''.

! Publication !! Title !! SeriesYear

The following are confirmed upcoming works set in the Skyward UniverseCytoverse:

* '''[[Skyward 3]]''' - the third book in the [[Skyward (series)|Skyward series]], tentatively titled ''Nowhere''.