Q. Is Tohu at a contemporary place and time as our Earth? I know that WWII has happened, so did they develop much the same way that we have or are there major differences?
A. Tohu takes place in the year 2414, and thus they are greatly past our own time frame, XD. The years 2000-2300 for the most part were uninteresting, save for some leaps in medical science: a cure for the common cold was found, a cure for AIDs, and a less painful cure for diabetes. Before that, the developmental timeline was very similar to Earth's. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Harriet Tubman freed slaves through the Underground Railroad. The Qin dynasty did exist. Truth be known, the presence of Neshama wasn't discovered until recently. Some say that the presence of Nonreality at all hadn't affected Tohu until WW III. So it wasn't until about, say, 2300 that things began to differ from Earth's own timeline. Hopefully that makes sense, XD.
Q. For instance, guns have gone to the way side and swords and knives are the en vogue fighting apparel... or some advanced technology has replaced both.
A. Anwar loves his blades and Dumah his antique guns, but no, the antiques aren't back in style, XD. Advanced technology is now the main way to fight a war, but there isn't a huge war going on at present: just a bunch of rich guys getting harassed by the disgruntled poor. Mechanisms such as plastic explosives are used and the atom bomb still exists, and most guns still shoot bullets, but some of the wealthier members of Memra might be able to get their hands on more modern technology and weaponry. As to what that weaponry is my brain has yet to decide, as I'm not very good at this sort of thing, XD.
Q. Is cloning possible? How advanced is their technology? Which parts of the technology have seen the most advancement? What do the Memra invest in, besides annoying the poor?
A. Like Earth, cloning is possible, but is not often used. Their technology has surpassed ours overall, but not by much. Think of it like dial-up VS. DSL. They both do the same thing, but one (generally, *glares at her net*) does it faster and more effectively. The Memra invest in whatever you tell them to, they're your characters. The only qualification you need to fulfill before entering Memra is this: be rich. You don't even have to be a rich b*****d - it's just that the majority of them are. How you get rich is your own business.
Q. What kind of creatures exist? I will stop now, for fear of being obnoxious.
A. Oh, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, parrots, lizards, bacteria. Some species have been wiped out, sadly - the bald eagle, California condor, a bunch of plants in the rainforest (well, just the rainforest in general) - and most of the animals have had to adapt to living in dirty, nasty conditions. Where the stories take place there will probably not be much except some city birds and stray dogs and cats.
Q. I ask about weaponry because it is my opinion that in a war torn nation, as indeed it still is -- the war only being 13 years gone-- the people would have had to develop some kind of weapons proficiency or hide in a hole until everything was over. Also, since the poor are still be tormented, they would need to have some way to defend themselves.
A. I have no problem with you asking, XD. However, the poor are essentially defenseless. Those who sought to remove power from the middle class and to destroy them did so effectively. It is not until recently that the poor have been able to defend themselves - through groups such as Tourbillon - and attempt to win back some of their lost power. But that is one of the reasons Tourbillon is contemplating using Neshama as weapons, they can't afford anything really big.
Q. As a member of the Tourbillion, what weapons would be available? Would it be common place for the members to learn how to use shanks and common farm and household implements for protection? Are guns widely available and cheap? Would daggers be a more available weapon?
A. As a member of Tourbillon, you would, probably bring your own weapon. It's not a very organized organization as of yet, as it is still working out most of its kinks, and lacks funding for obvious reasons. In fact, word is the only reason it's survived thus far is due to some very under-the-table dealings between President Ezzat and Dumah himself, but those rumors have yet to be verified. Essentially, if you are a member of Tourb, you get what you contribute. The only weapon that Dumah himself can provide you with at the moment is your Neshama. Since the combat between Memra and Tourbillon has yet to be hand to hand combat - or, really, any combat at all besides one attempted bombing - it is safe to say that daggers will probably not be used. Would you like to use a garden spade to fight? Go right ahead. You'll probably be shot in a matter of seconds, but that's your choice, XD.
Q. Also, are the Memra and the Tourbillion opposites? Like if the Memra decided to give money to zoos, would the Tourbillion automatically become anti-zoo in protest?
A. They are not opposites, no. Tourbillon opposes Memra's oppression of the poor - essentially, them - and is attempting to fight back and gain power itself. It's political and very narrow-minded.
Q. How long did WWIV last?
A. Seven years.
Q. Have other diseases come to replace our century?s pandemics or is medicine such that disease is no longer an issue?
A. Disease is not as large a threat to Tohuvians as it is to us these days. Medicine has gotten to the point where even the poor can easily access it, and while cures haven't been found for everything, most things CAN be cured. It was briefly rumored that Memra was considering shutting down the medical facilities available to the poor, but the movement supporting it eventually died out, and the hospitals and pharmacies are still available.
Q. How was the Neshama discovered? Are all the characters made for this shop going to be able to be pulled from, since the info says some people can not be harvested?
A. Neshama discovery shall be discussed in general info, and it's fairly involved so I won't write here - just rest assured that it will be addressed, XD. And yes, all of them will be able to have a Neshama pulled. What that Neshama is like and how strong they are and how good their control is LARGELY depends on you, more than you would think.
Q. Are the jobs much the same as today, or because of the war and the destruction of the cities, have things reverted somewhat to simpler times? (i.e.: farmers, craftsmen, arms men, basic dnd occupations)
A. There are still scientists, and taxis, and grocers, and farmers, and bakers, and college professors, and English teachers for 11th graders. Tohu has managed to rebuild itself up to the point where it can function - even the wealthy helped in this, because it benefited them to. The government is simply set up so that the poor have very little say in legislative decisions, and since they are the majority, this obviously pisses them off. Certain careers probably signify that you are more likely to be in Memra than in Tourb: for instance, if you are a wealthy arms producer, you're not likely to belong in Tourb. But if you're something as simple as, say, a doctor, you will probably belong in Tourb. Hopefully that makes sense, o-O.
Q. How have the schools changed? Does the Tourbillion have separate schools from the Memra? Are the faculties different? Is it possible to get a good education as a member of the poor?
A. Most children whose parents belong to Memra attend private schools with other rich kids, whereas Tourb or poor children attend public schools. Don't get me wrong: not everybody with wealth is necessarily mean. There are some members of Memra who are trying to make it so both people like those in Tourb and people like those in Memra can co-exist. These philanthropists often fund public schooling, a fact that Tourb has chosen to overlook in demonizing Memra.
Q. Are the Memra and the Tourbillion well known, or are they something like celebrities to the average citizen? (Um, by this I mean do they live in the TV or newspapers and unless you are a member of that society, they don?t seem real.)
A. Anwar Ezzat is a fairly famous and easily recognizable figure. A lot of people in Memra are either rich celebrities or politicians, so they are often seen in newspapers and the like. A lot of poorer citizens don't even realize that some of them aren't all that nice and idolize them. As far as Tourb goes, well - it's the most famous of all the terrorist organizations, but aside from Dumah, they rarely make the papers. Obviously once the bombing failed and the members tried they graced the news and all that, but before that and for a while since, they've been lying low and trying to gather enough resources and people to strike at Memra.
Q. How severely was Tohu de-populated in the last WW? Was WW a genocide in a way? How many poeple live on Tohu now? Do large cities still have problems with overpopulation etc.? Also - how long is a Memra lifespan and how long is a poor shmuck's lifespan?
A. The population of Tohu was actually reaching a dangerous level. The sustainable yield of the planet was quickly being caught up with. To look at it from a more Malthusian perspective, the war was necessary, as it helped to cut down the population and preserve what few resources the planet had left. Essentially, a lot died. 40 million or there abouts, most from the middle class. Most cities have become severely underpopulated since then, though the population is gradually rebuilding itself and its cities. London is probably currently the most populous city on the entire planet.
Q. Have people done any kind of genetic manipulation on themselves? Like - are the Memra genetically altered to never gained weight, fart vanilla scented farts or change their gender on whim?
A. For the sake of making this game a lot easier on NJ and myself to plan and run, we're going to say no, XD. Or if they have, it's looked down upon and not practiced on humans. Humans are much the same as they are now, like you and me. Science has made significant advances, but probably most are too dangerous to pursue.
Q. Poverty is everywhere. Poverty leads to massive humanitarian abusee. Thus - is there slavery? Is there slave trading? To what extent? Can a Memra kill a poor sucker without any consequences? Can they pick people off the streats to rape and torture if they so desire? Is capital punishment an accepted concept? Is it performed publicly? Like - were the Tourbillion members who got caught publicly executed in a most spectacular way or hidden away somewhere?
A. In some of the poorer countries - those most ruined by the wars, such as Africa, South America, and some of the undedeveloped parts of Europe and Asia - slavery does exist, yes. Not to a large extent, however. It's probably kept quiet by the Memra who practice it, so it is unlikely that those in larger cities would be aware of it. Memra controls the media with an iron fist and doesn't let any unsavory details slip out. Can a Memra kill off a regular person? Yep. There might be consequences - for instance, a fifty dollar fine - and the person would receive a slap on the wrist and be off. It's mostly just for show. The Memra also have significant influence over the judicial system. However, does that mean Memra just go out and hunt regular people for sport? No. There are far more impoverished folks than there are rich, and that would only incite further rebellion. Besides, not everyone who belongs to Memra is a jerk. As previously mentioned, some are quite the philanthropist. Capital punishment is accepted, but applies only to the poorer classes - and yes, they were executed publically. Firing squad.
Q. What about religion? What religions still prevail on Tohu? Are Memra actively trying to make themselves appear Divine? It is far easier to control the masses if you are the ruler ordained by God, you know? Or is it too early yet for such manipulations?
A. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are probably still practiced by people, should they so choose. Some cults have sprung up, but I'll leave those to you folks to speculate over and create, if you are so inclinded. The Memra do not pretend to be gods or anything of the sort, nor do they try to present a divine image. In the future perhaps, but as of right now they stick to just being rich and powerful.
Q. When a Neshama has been pulled will its human be able to talk or else somehow communicate with it? can Neshama talk among one another and can a Neshama talk to people besides its host? Will Neshama be rp'd as a separate character essentially once pulled? Also can Neshama and their hosts feel what the other feels as they are part of one another?
A. The Neshama instinctively knows and feels what its host knows and feels. The host need only think a command and, if their control over Nonreality is developed enough, the Neshama should obey. Neshama cannot communicate verbally - some might not even possess mouths - and do not talk to one another, but provided they have the facilities they may make noises. They're not really a big deal, though, just kinda grunts or moans. They technically are a separate character, but realize that Neshama aren't out and about all the time, nor do they exhibit strong personality traits aside from those they feed off of. For the most part they are isolated beings, almost mindless, who feed off the host but in turn obey their commands. There may be more to the relationship than that, but research hasn't gotten that far.
Q. Can your character have an outlandish color say like pink, violet or green.. things of that nature? And if so do we have to state their hair is dyed to make it believable or can they be born with that?
A. After much deliberation, I'm going to say yes, it's all right - you CAN have outlandish hair colors. And they can be natural. My suggestion is, however, that you just state they are dyed, just to make my inner little "IT'S NOT REALISTIC, D: " demon shut up. It won't really make a difference either way, XD. But yes, send us your green-haired, mullet-bearing people! Really, just keep wings, horns, tails, etc. out of it. Please god. ;_;.
Q. If our character belongs to Memra, do they have to be snooty? Or, if our character belongs to Tourbillon, do they have to be extreme anarchists?
A. No, no, a thousand times
NO! Not everyone in Memra is a stuck up rich person. Rich yes, stuck up - not necessarily. Please don't assume that. Likewise, please don't assume that everyone in Tourb is an insane left-wing extremist. They're just normal people who are desperate, not all of them necessarily don't want any government or to overthrow it at all, they just want more reprsentation. Please,
please bear that in mind. 
