Isigney

High in the mountain ranges is a land of meadows and groves. The White Horn casts a shadow over the land of Isigney. Legends say a monster that lives in the White Horn’s caves would devour any daring mountaineer. Full of magic and beauty, the queens rule Isigney with all the blessings of Nature. The matriarchies influence extends to all the known world. These have accumulated reputations as not only pure and beautiful princesses, but also powerful dangerous witches. No man has any dominion over them; only the bravest, strongest and most handsome knights and princes will ever earn their favor. The only men the queens respect is the wizards of the Merlinian order. Old men who are considered eunuchs in the courts, their wisdom, magics and relations with the Fae folk are highly respected, though they have no authority or command in their courts. 

• House Aurora

Home of the unofficial capital of Isigney, this bloodline resides in the grandest, most majestic castle of all the queendoms. Any matters of enough importance for the matriarchies to congregate occur in this court. Grand elaborate mosaics decorate the walls depicting the establishment of the dynasty. Its towers have views of all the other queendoms in Isigney, including a view of Main Street down in the Prairie. Pink and blue are the unofficial colors of this house. Bloodline known for their golden hair. Major export is textiles. Their territory is considered to have the most perfect weather, flora and most vibrant community of Fae in all the realm. The cultural center, the envy of all the houses, the most blessings from the Fae. The greatest evil dragon in Isigney history was slain to establish this dynasty. To celebrate their supremacy, the queen has her wizard set off a firework display every dusk. The beating heart of Isigney

• House Cinders

The only house to rival the house of Aurora, this queendom is known for their opulence and fashion. Glass is used extensively in their decorations and fashions and is a major export. The most beautiful pure white horses are bred here and are highly valued across Isigney. White and silver have become the official colors of the queendom; use of other colors is considered tacky and vulgar. Considered the purist bloodline among the matriarchies. Grand balls, dancing and courtship are a way of life here. It is a cultural belief that only thru toil, suffering and sacrifice can true luxury and grandeur be achieved. It is no wonder this house has grown rich from the slave trade. 

• House White

Located in a dense forest, this bloodline prides themselves on their alabaster complexion and black hair. No other house has better relations with the dwarven communities and benefit greatly from their skills in mining and smithing. Also known for their exports of quality apple varieties, mirrors (a strong trade relationship with Cinders) and the open secret of the best poisons in the world. 

• House Rose

A house of romance and mystery, this bloodline is known for their beauty and their wisdom. The most educated house with an impressive book collection. Besides being known for their varieties of roses, the dark forests are populated with large beasts who guard and serve the house loyally. Said to be the sons of Rose

• House Rapion

The main export of this house is the rapion plant, a widely renowned vegetable to promote fertility, a healthy pregnancy and hair growth. This bloodline is known for their luxurious hair and elaborate braids. 

• House of Snow

Far to the north is a land of fjords and glaciers. The fairest complexions and harshest environment of perpetual winter. It is rumored children are kidnapped and raised in the ice palace to maintain their sparse population. The purest drinking water sources are found here. The other houses often trade for their water. 

• House of Mer

A coastal land, this bloodline is known for their singing voices and their seafood. They have a reputation for making the best wives and mothers, but also the most deadly when crossed. 

• House of Rumple

This house has a particularly sinister reputation. Their major export is spun gold and are quite wealthy. Although the traditional bread basket of Isigney, cereal production from the Prairie dwarfed them drastically. The bloodline has an army of goblins to serve and guard their queen. It is said all are sons of Rumple, and since the bloodline named them all herself, they all answer to and serve their matriarch. 

• House of Frog

Ruling the port city of New Isigney, this house has a disgraced reputation. Not only considered descended from a spoiled, deceitful stock, the rumor is their sons turn to frogs when they come of age and live the rest of their days in the swamp. Their bloodline has been tainted by more exotic, savage people, but these people are fiercely loyal to their queen. 

• Main Street

A grand metropolis in the heart of the Great Prairie, this city is just one long line of business and commerce, the economic hub of the Empire. Connected by a great railroad system and river basin, trains and riverboats import and export from all over the continent, funneling into Isigney. While  Isigney is still a feudal society, the colony enjoys a novel freedom from queens and ladies. Knights have conquered the Prairie from the red people and driven them into the Frontierlands beyond the mountain ranges east and west of the Prairie. In a matter of decades, settlers and pioneers and pilgrims of all kinds flooded into the Prairie; homesteading, building farms and factories everywhere. Main Street was a boomtown. Far to the north the grand Aurora castle can be seen from the mountain peaks by all of Main Street, reminding the citizens of the matriarchies dominion over them all. Though all are loyal to the queens paying homage to them and the motherland, the people of the prairie have enjoyed not only freedom but innovation. Electric light is slowly replacing gas light and motorcars are slowly replacing horses. Main Street is a center all its own of egalitarian wealth, prosperity, modern music and fashion, and the cultural spirit on the new colony. 

• New Isigney

Far to the south of the Prairie the many rivers meet into a great river that empties out into the southern sea. The river delta is a dense dark swamp that hides the mysterious port city of New Isigney. Founded by pirates from Isigney long before the Prairie was settled, it has the reputation of being a haven for thieves, witches and murderers. All walks of life from the Adventurelands converge here, settle and mix. Proper settlers of the Prairie do not linger here. Primal magics and centuries of ghosts linger in the swampy air. Only the bravest or most foolish would dare to explore this sinister city. 

• Frontierlands

Beyond the Prairie lies jagged mountains, dense forests and hot deserts. Lands still populated by the red people. In the deepest and most secluded forests live communities of animals that speak, walk on two legs and wear clothes. The bears in the eastern mountains are most known about. History says such talking beasts once populated Isigney before they were pushed out by men. Normally peaceful creatures, they avoid all mankind, even the red people. The matriarchs encourage the Prairie settlers to push their borders and conquer more land from the red people for the Empire. Pioneers, hunters, fur traders and outdoorsmen of all kinds explore these wild lands, but little progress has been made when it comes to permanent settlement. The only arguably successful settlement into the Frontierlands was Big Thunder Mountain. Far west into the mountains and deserts stands a sandstone mountain. The red people call it Thunder Mountain because lightning strikes it so often and consider the site sacred to their gods. Isigney settlers discovered the largest gold, silver and copper deposits in history within it. At it’s peak, a mining town had developed and was connected by train to Main Street. The good fortune was brief, when natural disasters, lethal accidents and constant attacks from the red people drove the few survivors to flee. The railroad fell into disrepair and Big Thunder was soon reputed to be haunted. 

• Adventurelands

The dark swampy port city of New Isigney has become the gateway to savage, exotic lands far beyond the continent. Tropical islands home to fabulous singing birds and delicious fruits. Impassable jungles filled with giant deadly beasts of all kinds, hiding ancient bizarre civilizations. These are the Adventurelands. Only the cruelest hardest pirates that may or may not be loyal to the matriarchies dare to explore these lands. They pillage and plunder these strange lands, often taking slaves. An enterprise the queens may or may not profit from. Supposedly the wealthiest individuals in the Empire bribe pirates for safe passage to secluded islands for pleasure and leisure. Far more wild and treacherous than the Frontierlands, the promise of fantastic treasures and riches lures those with nothing to lose to adventure. 

• Tomorrowlands

The wizards of the Merlinian order are a front for a clandestine organization of the greatest minds of all mankind. The most genius, most progressive and innovative minds have been secretly gathered from all across the world to discover the secrets of Nature and develop technologies for the benefit and future of mankind. Whether in hidden locations in the world behind cloaking and force fields or even another dimension, they are a meritocracy/magocracy/geniocracy apart from the politics of the Empire. They consider the matriarchs of Isigney figureheads while they very slowly share their discoveries with the people of the Empire. The wizards depend on their patronage and the resources of the Empire to fund their research. They mostly rely on steam power, but working toward new power sources. They have successfully colonized the oceans, discovered caverns several miles into the earth where species thought to be millions of years extinct still thrive, even colonized the moon and already exploring other planets in the solar system. All while functioning in secret from the rest of human society. What little technology they demonstrate in Isigney is theatrical and publicly called magic. The queens are none the wiser. Officially they believe in not allowing their technological advancements to fall into wrong hands, causing harm to mankind and the world at large. In practice, there is an elitism to their society they believe that not even the ethnocentric nobility are worthy of, and certainly not the peasants and savages of the world. Only the most scientifically minded who can contribute to their innovations are allowed to even know the existence of Tomorrowland and enjoy their advancements. 

Adult Rangers

 A cloaked vessel is orbiting the Earth. It’s long range scanners detect an alien invasion is approaching our solar system and will be here in a matter of weeks. Scans indicate the invading force has the numbers and technology to conquer Earth in a matter of days. The AI activates and recruits/teleports individuals from the planet surface who are skilled fighters and indomitable spirits. They are to represent all that humanity has to offer in the defense of our planet. On the ship for who knows how many millennia are are 7 perpetual energies that were meant for hosts to convert said energy into anything the host manifests, whether it be armor, weapons or vehicles. Think Iron Man meets Green Lantern. While each energy is infinitely powerful and undepletable, the limits of the power lies with the host, their mental fortitude and imagination. Most importantly, the 7 energies work best connected together toward a common goal. The 7 energies are colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Black, Pink and White. The hosts that wield these powers are called Rangers. 

Tane is a Maori man. Tall, strong, and a great fighter. Also a great dancer, lover of people, Life and sport. Nothing he loves more than leading his team to victory in a match. He’s lived a very comfortable life on the island with little worries. The first recruited to be the red ranger.

Alexei is a Russian transgender man. Red haired and blue eyed. Petit but very lean and fit, he never believed he was a girl. He trained and competed to be the man he always knew he could be. Gymnastics, weightlifting and martial arts. It’s his life’s mission to keep up with the boys. Recruited to be the blue ranger.

Obi is a Nigerian man. Loves nothing more than to smile and laugh. Good food, good music, good jokes. He had to struggle all his life, often had very little. But you’ll never meet anyone who has more hope for the future or believes more in the good of people. Recruited to be the yellow ranger. 

Inti is an Amerindian man from Bolivia. Grew up speaking Spanish. An avid hunter, fisherman, sportsman and survivalist, he loves raw nature and the wild. He abhors cities and crowds of people. He finds modern civilization disgusting. He is most at peace in the rainforest. Recruited to be the green ranger. 

Rashid is an Arabian man. Bitter and hardened, he has been fighting all his life. He fines little pleasure in things. His solace is his faith in Allah. Recruited to be the black ranger. 

Xiuying is a Chinese woman. Though very feminine and graceful, she takes full advantage of opponents who are oblivious to how formidable she is. Though modest, she takes great pleasure in humiliating men who insult her. Recruited to be the pink ranger. 

Christophe is a Canadian man. Tall and handsome, blue eyed and blond. The gentlest soul, chivalrous by nature, but a bit of a ego and vain. Recruited to be the white ranger. 

One by one these people are teleported to the vessel, notified by the AI that they have been chosen to defend their world from an alien attack. The 7 energies were placed there by a highly evolved benevolent civilization as a fail safe for anyone who would harm the primitive planet. They have weeks to train, hone their skills and minds, and learn to work as a team in order to defeat the threat. 

They all rely on the computer translators to communicate with one another, and often spar with one another to release tensions. Bonds slowly form. Leadership is often in question, all not necessarily wanting to answer to one. 

As a team building exercise and to boost morale, Tane teachers the others a war dance and chant. The chant speaks of family, ancestors and home, and the gleeful willingness to die to defend them. One by one the others take it up, chanting in their own languages and adding their own moves to the dance. It often devolves into a competition to show off moves and martial ability. 

When the threat finally arrives, it is devastating. The death and destruction is almost instantaneous. Individually, they can beat back the tide but just barely. Fighting as a team with any kind of focus proves difficult. They are all beaten down, taunted and humiliated. Tane is the one who begins a beat, stomping his feet and chanting. One by one the others join, soon chanting and dancing in rhythmic unison. At it’s completion, the 7 energies connect in a blinding light. 

Each has evoked the spirits of their ancestors: fighters and warriors and soldiers from their respective cultures. Each radiating with the power. Just like that, an army of ghosts appears. The once devastating alien force has been brought low by the spirits of all humanity throughout history. When the last threat is cornered, the army of humanity has completely integrated: every color bleeding into another. All 7 rangers strike the final blow at once. 

Once the threat is officially eliminated and the recovery is under way, the 7 are compelled to relinquish the energies back into stasis, the AI goes back into hibernation, and the rangers are all returned to their lives on Earth, no one the wiser who they are or what they’ve done for the world. Each is will never forget the bond they formed, fighting for all life and all humanity, as brothers and sister. 

Alternate Reality Rangers

 The British Empire never lost the American colonies, slavery was never outlawed, and the Nazi ideology took root all over Europe, exterminating all those considered inferior to the Master Race. 

Zhane is the White Knight ranger, Imperial General of Europe. Many have come to challenge his power, and he killed them all. 

Carter Grayson is the Red Conqueror ranger, Imperial Lieutenant of the Americas. Many red rangers have come and gone, but Carter proved himself worthy of the red power. He is everything a red ranger should be and believes in the cause. However he secretly deeply resents that both Ryan & Dana Mitchell challenged for the white and pink power and were killed for it. 

Flynn McAllister is the Blue Mariner, Imperial Commodore of Oceania. 

These 3 represent of the power of the London based Euro Empire, that maintains peace and order across the planet and defends the planet from alien invaders. 

Tommy Oliver is the Green Crusader ranger, Imperial Brigadier of West Asia. Many have challenged him for the position of green ranger and were quickly defeated. Rumors of his Native American heritage have been dismissed when DNA testing confirmed he is Irish/German/Polish/Greek. Fundamentalists/Conservatives/Purists in Parliament may argue he is not pure enough to be a ranger, but moderates believe his position as a ranger promotes a Pan-European unity, and improves relations with the Slavs and Greeks. Constantinople has been reclaimed from the Muslims for Euro power and is Tommy’s base.  

Calvin Maxwell is the Yellow Commissioner ranger, Imperial Colonel of East Asia. Hong Kong based. His sexual deviance is a deeply kept secret, which would mean his elimination if discovered. 

Chase Randall is the Black Colonizer ranger, Imperial Major of Africa. Cape Town based

Karone is the pink ranger unofficially. She is Zhane’s consort/concubine. No man has ever been the pink ranger, and Zhane only allows her the pink ranger power as a final protection for the mother of his children. 

Rangers from another dimension has disrupted the status quo. They know things about ranger history that no one should know. They produced many names but one caught Tommy’s ear: Billy Cranston. Tommy looked up his record and confirmed Billy was in fact the first blue ranger, right before his time. Billy’s genius invented many technological advancements not only for the rangers but for the planet. Despite rumors of a Jewish taint, Billy’s tenure as the blue ranger was exemplary until his sexual deviance was discovered. He was quickly disgraced and euthanized. His potential was wasted by his affliction that prevented the propagation of his bloodline. Tommy’s Native American heritage may or may not be a lie; Zhane is credited for killing Bandora and saving Tommy from her control, securing his position as the green ranger. The presence of a racially diverse ranger team from another reality provokes a coup: several rangers are murdered and their powers claimed by tribal leaders to lead a racial/global/civil war to overthrow the empire. Zack Taylor claims the black power for Africa. Adam Park claims the yellow power for East Asia. Carlos Vallerte claims the red power for America. Jake Holling claims the green power for West Asia. Flynn flees to Zhane for protection, but believing the rangers have grown too weak to resist usurpers, Zhane kills Flynn and claims the blue power for himself, so not to fall into enemy hands. With the pink, blue and white powers, Zhane single handedly forms a megazord to resist the rebellion force of usurper rangers, who formed their own megazord. Zhane is overpowered and flees the planet with Karone and their children. The remaining rangers form a confederation, with equality and coexistence among the new empires. Zhane and Karone have 3 rangers powers (white, pink, blue). Perhaps it will take a generation or two, but Zhane intends to conquer the planet, reclaim all the ranger powers and form a dynasty to rule. First he needs to get started on his new harem on the ship, which includes Katherine Hillard, Gia Moran, Dana Mitchell (not dead after all), Emily, Tori Hanson, Ronny Robinson, Summer Landsdown, Kira Ford, Lilly Chillman, Taylor Earhardt, Sydney Drew, Kendrix Morgan and Lauren Shiba. These were women who were told they were potential rangers, but were in fact kept as breeding stock for the actual rangers. 

Wholesome Manhood

 Romantic drama. A cis gay man is dating a trans gay man for the very first time in his life, and vice versa. They are both interested in a LTR. The subject of having kids, raising a family comes up. While trying to find common ground as queer men, a heated argument develops. Can’t help but compare and contrast life experiences. The need for normalcy and belonging. Childhood traumas, sexuality and gender identity, shame and self loathing, self harm, latent hostilities about their differences, anger issues and insecurities about their individual physical and psychological masculinities. Life’s disappointments, past relationships, the anxiety of potential parenthood. Even when wondering if they really love or hate each other and why they are even trying to work it out, they both are holding on to the hope of a happy life full of unconditional love and acceptance.