• Setting: Earth, 8,000 years in the future. Humans have evolved with extended lifespans (around 200 years) due to advancements in regenerative medicine and a holistic approach to health.

  Technology: Matter manipulation based on advanced scientific theories replaces traditional technology. Nanites play a crucial role in health and enhancing abilities.

  Dimensional Travel: Achieved through "folding space-time," it allows travel to different dimensions and historical periods, each with unique characteristics.

  Personal Guards: Devices worn by everyone to prevent unauthorized manipulation of their matter, ensuring personal safety and control.

  "Bends": Unique, enhanced abilities individuals possess. Could be based on genetics, nanites, or advanced knowledge, influencing professions and social interactions.

1. Future Earth (8,000 years in the future):
   • Technology:
     • Research advancements in nanotechnology, focusing on potential applications in medicine, enhancements, and communication.
     • Explore the concept of personal guards and how they might function to protect individuals from unauthorized manipulation.
     • Investigate the possibilities of matter manipulation based on scientific theories, considering ethical implications and limitations.
   • Society:
     • Research concepts of holistic health and well-being, incorporating advanced medical knowledge with mindfulness and nutrition.
     • Explore the societal implications of extended lifespans and how they might affect social structures, relationships, and cultural values.
     • Define the concept of "bends" (enhanced abilities) and their origins, whether through genetics, nanotechnology, or other means.
   • History:
     • Develop the backstory of the genetic switch that limited reproduction, including its causes, consequences, and societal impact.
     • Explore the past disaster that led to the purging of racial purity ideologies and the embrace of genetic diversity.
2. Dimensional Travel and Alternate Worlds:
   • Scientific Basis:
     • Research quantum mechanics concepts like quantum entanglement and wormholes to establish a plausible framework for dimensional travel.
     • Define the limitations of dimensional travel, such as one-way trips and the inability to return to the same timeline.
     • Explain the concept of "folding space-time" and how it enables travel between dimensions.
   • Alternate Worlds:
     • Create detailed descriptions of the different worlds or dimensions accessible through travel, including their unique environments, societies, and challenges.
     • Consider how historical divergence has shaped the cultures and technologies of each dimension.
3. Characters and Abilities:
   • Bends (Enhanced Abilities):
     • Define the specific types of bends available to characters, such as healing, strength enhancement, telepathy, or elemental manipulation.
     • Establish clear rules and limitations for each bend to maintain consistency and avoid deus ex machina situations.
   • Character Integration:
     • Develop backstories for each character that explain their origins, motivations, and connection to their unique abilities.
     • Explore how their bends influence their personalities, relationships, and roles within the story.
4. Ethical Considerations:
   • Moral Dilemmas:
     • Examine the ethical implications of advanced technologies like matter manipulation, genetic engineering, and time travel.
     • Create scenarios where characters must grapple with difficult choices and the consequences of their actions.
   • Societal Impact:
     • Consider how the ethical framework of the future society has evolved and how it influences individual behavior and decision-making.

Additional Worldbuilding and Story Elements

1. Antagonists (Dark Elves):
   • Origins: Detail the history and evolution of the Dark Elves, explaining how they diverged from the future humans and developed their distinct culture and motivations.
   • Society and Technology: Describe their societal structure, technological advancements (if any), and their approach to matter manipulation and other abilities.
   • Motivations: Clearly define their goals and reasons for seeking the original time travelers (OGs) and the two-way door. What do they hope to achieve by manipulating time?
   • Leadership and Hierarchy: Identify key figures within the Dark Elf empire, their roles, and their individual motivations.
2. Time-Traveling Groups:
   • Destinations: List the different worlds or dimensions each group traveled to, highlighting the unique characteristics of each location.
   • Adaptations: Explain how each group adapted to their new environments, including cultural changes, technological advancements, and the evolution of their abilities.
   • Interactions: Explore the interactions between different groups, whether they formed alliances, rivalries, or remained isolated.
3. Character Growth Variations:
   • Timeline: Create a timeline for each character, noting significant events and experiences that shape their development.
   • Divergent Paths: Highlight how characters' paths diverge based on their choices, abilities, and the environments they encounter.
   • Relationships: Track the evolution of relationships between characters, including friendships, romances, and rivalries, as they grow and change over time.
4. Overarching Problem of Time Folding:
   • Consequences: Explore the potential consequences of altering timelines, both positive and negative. Consider the ethical implications and the ripple effects on individuals and societies.
   • Motivations: Delve into the motivations of different factions regarding time folding. Why do some seek to control it, while others strive to prevent its misuse?
   • Resolution: Determine how the overarching problem of time folding will be addressed and resolved in the story. Will the characters find a way to prevent further manipulation, or will they embrace the potential for positive change?

Bends: Personalised Enhancements

The concept of "bends" centres around the idea that individuals in this future society possess unique, enhanced abilities. These abilities are not randomly assigned; they often align with an individual's natural inclinations or career paths. For instance, someone drawn to medicine might develop a healing bend, further enhancing their skills in that field. This concept mirrors the roles assigned in video games, where characters specialise as healers, tanks, or damage dealers, each contributing uniquely to the team's success.

The source emphasizes that these abilities are grounded in scientific principles, requiring individuals to study and understand the theories behind their bends. For example, a healer must possess a deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology to manipulate matter for healing purposes effectively. Similarly, those who fold time, enabling time travel or long-distance transportation, need comprehensive knowledge of complex temporal theories.

This emphasis on scientific grounding distinguishes bends from magical abilities, highlighting the importance of knowledge and study in harnessing these enhanced skills within this future society. The source also suggests that the development of bends might stem from nanites or other advanced technologies that interact with the human body, further blurring the lines between innate ability and technological enhancement.

However, the source does not delve into the specific origins of bends, leaving room for further exploration of whether they arise from genetic factors, nanotechnological advancements, or a combination of both. Exploring this aspect of bends could reveal insights into the evolution of humans in this future world and the ethical implications of such advancements.

Concept of 'bends' to explore themes of identity and specialisation?

The author uses the concept of "bends" – enhanced abilities individuals develop – to explore how specialisation shapes identity in a future society. In this future, people receive "personal guards" at birth, which protect against unauthorised manipulation of their matter. They also develop specialised skills called "bends", similar to character classes in games, with some being healers and others tanks. These "bends" influence career choices, as individuals naturally gravitate towards professions that align with their enhanced skills. For instance, someone with healing abilities might pursue medicine.

The author uses this concept to explore the theme of identity by highlighting how these specialisations become central to the characters' sense of self and their roles within their society. The author also explores the societal implications of these abilities. The existence of "bends" adds a layer of complexity to societal interactions, as individuals navigate their specialized roles and responsibilities within a society that values holistic well-being and ethical conduct.

What are the rules regarding the matter manipulation ability called "bending"?

The provided source material describes "bending" as an enhanced ability possessed by individuals in a future society 8,000 years in the future. These abilities are not unlimited and everyone has their own unique "bend." Individuals must learn the theory behind their abilities in order to use them effectively. For instance, those with healing abilities must still learn medical theory. Additionally, individuals wear "personal guards" that prevent others from manipulating their matter. The source material does not provide any specific rules regarding the matter manipulation ability called "bending."