Biopunk

Steampunk and Cyberpunk are common themes roleplayers come across to describe the fantastical technology being used in a dream or a plot. Biopunk is less so, so this page is dedicated to describing what Biopunk is to those interested in roleplaying here.

The idea behind Biopunk is what governs the technology of the Grove in Cheyenne, rather than every facet of the modern-day Biopunk movement. Only beings who are a part of the Grove have access to the "biotechnology" but outsider scientists and alchemists are always attempting to create facsimiles.

Wikipedia describes Biopunk as a "technoprogressive movement advocating open access to genetic information. Biopunk hobbyists or biohackers experiment with DNA and other aspects of genetics." A prominent writer in ther genre (though he calls it Ribofunk) says this on the science fiction aspect of it: "Ribofunk is speculative fiction which acknowledges, is informed by and illustrates the tenet that the next revolution--the only one that really matters--will be in the field of biology. To paraphrase Pope, ribofunk holds that: "The proper study of mankind is life." Forget physics and chemistry; they are only tools to probe living matter. Computers? Merely simulators and modelers for life. The cell is King!"

All technology in the Grove relies on life for every single part; to create, to use, to power, so on and so forth. The direct manipulation of DNA has let it make new creatures, alter others, or even bring the dead back to life. The same DNA can be changed to create weaponry from gases to subvert the minds of intruders to changing tree limbs or the arms of creatures into blades or organic guns. All of these are the newest, and weakest, creations.

These examples do not take into account the peaceful nature of the Grove and its inhabitants. Up until recently, all tech advancements were done to make the lives of its denizens more pleasant, longer lived, and comfortable. Amazing leaps in medical science, agriculture, and mass communications. A broken bone quickly mended. Never want for food. The network of trees acting as a super computer to allow instantaneous communication and nearly unlimited data storage.

The Grove is selfish, and does not, will not, share these gifts with outsiders. But that never stops them from trying.