ALAS. sorry, fellas. what I’ll do is explain the Alkh here, and then, finally, do a post about where it all went wrong. 

dammit to super hell. I can’t post videos and pictures in this stupid square hamster wheel we call the world. get ready for another post with just a video. it’s very important.  

basically, the Alkh is completely cut off from the rest of society—and, being full of smart cookies, they’re doing quite well. 
researchers and their families, as well as children orphaned in the caverns, are the only non-kin allowed to live here. 

see those mandibles on the Queen image?
over these thousand years, the Kin have learned to use them for communication—like the jaw bones of dolphins. since they can’t read minds no more, they’ve learned to communicate through a complicated, unwritten language comprised of clicks and grunts. they use Morse code to talk to researchers (thank you, Volkov).

designed the Alkh based on *hearing*. if you look at my very bad drawing of the Alkh, you can see they’re very spaced out. this is to reduce sound pollution and increase privacy. 
Kin don’t need lights or windows, just holes for ventilation. the homes you see with lights/windows are owned by non-Kin.
see those symbols hanging off the houses?
Kin don’t need *signs* either. I actually studied a cymascope for this. instead, Kin rely on unique symbols they can make out through sound waves. each home has its own—like an address. businesses have their own symbols, too. 
and see those shiny stairs? metal is one of the most reflective materials for echolocation. Kin have metal sidewalks to better ambulate. 

see that big orb behind the Queen?
that’s called “The Trap,” which collects mana from deceased citizens and traps mana trickling down from the surface. 
it’s full of water because I’m treating mana like my favorite subatomic particle—the neutrino. scientists IRL collect them using these big spheres of water deep underground.
The Trap is located above the waters in the Great Cavern. it’s also *super loud* and must be away from the common folk. 

researchers are down here because mana, when released, appears to be moving *downward*, and they have no idea why (I do). the Alkh is also the only way to get to Tempus, as they use mana to maintain the only working Caelus Bridge. 
I have an idea of Harold not only being a lead researcher, but *also* being the one who’s closest to figuring out the truth behind the mana disappearance. if that’s something Victor would like to do, of course. always happy to change it. yikes, this is lengthy. I’ll explain Harold’s role in the comments. 

NO one is allowed to use the Bridge without a specially trained Kin present. the Bridge is hidden in an intricate system of caverns that only Kin know, since they live there. “visitors” are required to wear blindfolds. if someone were to get lost in these caverns, they’re at the mercy of whatever lurks in the dark. these cave systems are the Alkh’s biggest weapon, keeping things in and out. 

aw man. and just like that, I’m tired. I’ll be back.
once again, feel free to piece together what you see here. ask any questions you like. I’ll be here tomorrow to explain the nitty gritty again. 

once I’m done with my bs, I’ll start getting your requests posted. 


My Big Bananas Dystopian Dimension: THE ALKH (censored due to blood. there is blood.)