Saiba Futurists
| Saiba Futurists | |
|---|---|
 | |
| History | |
| Founded on | Towashi, Kamigawa |
| Status | Active |
| Membership | |
| Leader | Emire |
| Members | Arima, Hideji, Kaito Shizuki, Katsumasa Kotori, Tameshi |
| Information | |
| Colors |
 |
| Species | Humans, Moonfolk |
The Saiba Futurists are a group of Humans and Soratami working in Otawara on modern-day Kamigawa.[1] Their director is Emire.
History
The driven, highly secretive Futurists are a technocratic elite at the forefront of technological innovation on Kamigawa. They believe strongly in innovation and pushing the boundaries of possibility, claiming impartiality to how the rest of the plane views their research. In theory, the Futurists obey Imperial restrictions on technological development, but in practice, they often dabble on the edges of the law—and in some cases step right over the line. Although many of their inventions have aided the entire plane, they often hoard the best knowledge for themselves to maintain power and status. Whispers say they've pushed the boundaries of technological development further than anyone can guess.[2]
The Futurists are organized into divisions, each headed by a chief. All divisions have researchers and experimentalists, but some are secretive to the point of paranoia and employ agents of espionage known as Veilshapers to ensure Futurist secrets never reach outside ears.[3] Projects are given cryptic code names and are surrounded in magical occlusion veils. The only person with complete insight into the entire organization is the head of the Futurists, whose identity is shrouded in mystery. Most Futurists prefer not to rely on kami magic because they see it as putting themselves at the whim of the kami. They would rather be free to experiment and explore on their terms. Occasionally, they'll consult with kami, but for the most part, they prefer to rely on their ingenuity to figure things out. Nevertheless, some individual Futurists have chosen to experiment with kami magic and the very forces that govern reality.[2]
Throughout much of Kamigawa's history, authority and influence were largely held by a select few: the Imperials who governed the plane under the guidance of Kyodai, powerful warlords commanding their domains, and individuals gifted with the ability to harness the power of the kami.[4] This concentration of power maintained a rigid social hierarchy for centuries.
By the modern age, however, this established order has been challenged and reshaped by significant technological and magical advancements that have democratized access to power, making it more affordable and available to a broader population.[4] Among the most impactful innovations were two notable developments: the creation of enhancers by the skilled akki artisans of Sokenzanshi, which amplified individual abilities, and the revolutionary techniques developed by the Saiba Futurists, who discovered how to channel energy directly from the spirit realm itself.
The Saiba Futurists were conducting experiments with merges to test the nature of the spirit realm. As an unintended side effect, they discovered a way to draw on magic directly, without needing to form a bond with kami. Though the Sokenzanshi artisans and the Futurists weren't directly working together, these two technologies soon combined to form the basis of the boom in new technology that exploded across the Plane.
The Futurist development of cutting-edge technology was objected to by the more traditional Imperials. After the emperor vanished, the Imperials blamed the Futurists for the attack.
The Futurist prodigy Tameshi had discovered a way to connect tech and kami.[1] It was also rumored that the Futurists were looking into illegal bio-enhancements that could mess with the physics of reality.[5] This proved to be true when the Reality Chip was discovered.
In-game references
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References
- ↑ a b Akemi Dawn Bowman (December 16, 2021). "Kaito Origin Stories: A test of Loyalty & The Path Forward". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Grace Fong, Emily Mei, and Ari Zirulnik (February 3, 2022). "Planeswalkers Guide to Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Grace Chan (February 8, 2022). "The Epoch Engine". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Emily Teng (January 21, 2022). "Boseiju Reaches Skyward". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Akemi Dawn Bowman (January 24, 2022). "Episode 2: Lies, Promises, and Neon Flames". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.