It began as the Torchwood Institute Regeneration Program. It feels like a lifetime ago — several, in reality. Like the ancient Gallifreyans, we hoped to harness the power of the Timeless Child to save our dying planet and, yes, to save ourselves.
But we were fools — children playing with matches — and we nearly burned the world to the ground. We were relentless in our experiments, and sent expeditions to distant planets in search of anything that might further our quest.
Eventually we drew the attention of the Empress of Mars, who, hoping to restore her own planet, offered the resources of her people in exchange for sharing the resulting technology.
But of course, the bigger the program became, the more difficult it was to keep secret.
So we moved, here, deep in the heart of Mars, close to the core, where our experiments could continue away from … regulation.
Children with matches.
We failed. Utterly. Because, we eventually discovered… it was not possible to succeed.
All of our searches, all of the technology we acquired, the artifacts gathered, showed us one thing:
Death is an illusion.
We discovered that when someone dies, they simply wake up in their beds, memories of their death fading like a dream, families and friends oblivious.
Terrifying, that, because how would people act if death were meaningless? And if death is meaningless, wouldn’t that make life meaningless as well?
That thought alone drove many to madness. But we kept lighting matches. As we probed deeper we discovered that each death opens, for a fraction of a second, a tiny tear in reality — a tear we eventually learned how to pry open.
Ghosts came through. Ghosts of ourselves, some now believe, although we weren’t sure what they were at first. Residual data of our past lives, even our future lives, leaving an impression on the present…
Eventually we went through the tear ourselves. What we found on the other side changed everything.
Reality is the illusion.
Or, more accurately — a simulation. Part of one, at least. Some call it a game. The evidence seems to show that there has already been one iteration before, now dark and dormant. More importantly, it shows that the current one seems to be ending as well.
That will, I’m sure, frighten many. I can’t say that I have not, too, been tempted by despair. But all is not lost.
That very tear in the fabric of reality, the match we lit, is our hope. And we have built an ark — a special transmat vault employing Block Transfer Computation technology that surrounds the largest stable tear we could create — that, we are sure, will take us into the next world. The Martians have agreed to help transport those in our world to the base here on Mars, where we can build another life — while we wait for this one to end.— Archie, Archivist for The Torchwood Institute
Beam me up!
The Empress of Mars has graciously agreed to transport all willing humans to the Red Planet where they can settle and build a new life. Transport shuttles have been positioned at key locations, which will take you to the Empress’s own Imperial Cruiser, which will in turn take us to Mars. Do mind your manners on the cruiser, though — some areas are restricted from human visitors.
Welcome to Mars!
You’ll quickly find that life on Mars isn’t all that different from life on Gallifrey! Here you can work, build, and hoard all of your shit in a massive vault where it will be safe from the end of the world!
If you were wondering, there’s plenty to do here, deep below the surface of the tiny red planet! An insane elytra course will keep you occupied for hours, a Mars-io Kart (get it?) race track will have you declaring “I’m the best!””, and there are lava boat rides the kids will love! I’ve even heard rumors of a secret way to explore the mysterious giant alien cube!
And those “little green men” you’ve always heard about? Well, it turns out they’re not so little! All of them are around 6 feet tall and just so perfectly pleasant! I promise you’ll be dying to meet them!
Elytra Course
Marsio Kart
The Strider Course
The Block Transfer Computation Ark
Our one true hope for survival, the Block Transfer Computation Ark is composed of hexagonal machines arranged in a ring around The Rift. Each machine is separated into 3 vertical layers, each of which serves as an individual storage flat consisting of 3 rows of storage pods. Each player is allowed to claim, for free, one flat.
Renting Rules
One rental per player. We’re trying to conserve space and allow enough room for everyone, so if you do not require a full flat, feel free to share space with a friend.
Do not add or remove blocks in these flats. Only the existing barrels are to be used for storage. If you have a very large amount of items to be stored we recommend first storing your items in shulker boxes, then store the shulker boxes in the barrels. This method will ensure there is no additional lag.
The Habitats
The Martian Habitats are plots surrounding the Torchwood Institute: Regeneration Program Headquarters which are reserved for human builds. These builds can be whatever you’d like, although the Martians do seem to be happiest when we make an effort to preserve the themes of their home. Your builds can serve as bases, shops, or both, but we ask that you keep entities to an absolute minimum. For example, the use of barrels is preferred over chests to mitigate frame lag for your fellow players. A few of these plots are reserved for exclusive styles, including upside-down builds and builds attached to the cave walls. You can request permissions on a plot by creating a /ticket on the plot you wish to claim. These will be first-come, first served.
Laboratory Build Contest
The Torchwood Institute: Regeneration Program needs you! Floors 2-6 of the headquarters has empty lab and office space waiting for you to build it! Each player may claim one space (for now) to build the office or research space of your dreams. All completed entries will become a permanent fixture of the Torchwood Institute: Regeneration Program HQ.
Build Contest Rules
One entry per player.
Please use your own blocks, but once again keep entities to a minimum. This will be a very dense area and we’re trying to avoid it becoming an FPS nightmare.
Contest build entries must be complete by Saturday December 4, 2021 at 9:00pm EST.
Once the build contest has ended any empty space can still be built by players, but additional builds will not be eligible for the build contest.
