Some Background on the Shapers

(This is a small clarification on yesterday's post. By the way, that's totally a spoiler for the game Geneforge 2.)

The Shapers are a powerful and secretive order. Though they have ruled a continent for several generations, at the least, they are and have always been few in number, and conceal their secrets fanatically. Thus, it is difficult to describe them accurately. With that said, I will begin.

Creation is the basis of the Shapers' powers. At some point in the now-distant past, the Shapers discovered the secret of life; how to create new creatures and modify existing ones, bending these creations to their will. Creating fyoras (fire-breathing lizards), roamers (acid-spitting canids), clawbugs (venomous scorpions the size of a horse), and stranger things, they came to rule over the entirety of the continent of Terrestria, as well as surrounding isles.


The fundamental constant of the Shapers' rule is order. Though their members experiment to develop new creations and refine existing ones, they are severely restricted in their actions, forbidden from modifying themselves or creating certain creatures that the Shaper council has deemed too dangerous to be allowed to exist. Any creation - or Shaper - that is considered to have gone 'rogue' is hunted down and exterminated mercilessly. The general populace is barred from any knowledge of the Shaper arts, again on penalty of death, and are frequently oppressed. The Shapers are the ruling caste, and all other citizens of their empire must kowtow to even the least of them.

Against the cruelties and strictness of the Shapers, however, must be weighed the good effects of their policies. Shaping is a tremendous power - in the wrong hands, it could do almost unbounded damage. Under Shaper rule, rogue creations are contained and killed, only very rarely harming innocents. The people have peace and, frequently, the prosperity the peace brings. Only in the presence of rebellion does the hand of the Shapers truly weigh heavily on the people.

There is an alternative to Shaper rule - but it's totally SPOILERS YO. So, maybe another post.

As with the other post, credit ought be given to these guys.