Planet of Illusions
Planet der Illusionen
Plot Summary
David terGorden, Narda, and Jana find themselves on the Central World of the Entities after being separated from others during a transfer. Llewellyn 709 is in a psionic coma. They need to contact the Entities to warn them about Valdec's incoming fleet, which intends to destroy the Star City and Archive of the Entities with a Kaiser Force Lance, believing it to be the Entities' central base, unaware that this would only provoke them further. They also need the Connex Crystal to activate the Long Row.
Meanwhile, Kiram and Tremayne, Quasi-Reals from a Real Data Recording, are transported to the same world. Kiram is tasked with delivering Tremayne to DrenAhr for a political marriage. They are attacked by shadow creatures, but rescued by David and Narda. Kiram swears an oath of loyalty to David.
Elsewhere, Claude Farrell and a group of Terranauts and Drivers, including Silent Chorp, Dime Mow, and Scanner Cloud, are also on the Central World of the Entities, trapped in a series of metabiotopes. They encounter insectoid Intercessors who tell them about the Sleeping Land and the spring nymph Amryta, a potential way to contact the Entities. They escape the spider-like Many-Legged Ones and their PSI-absorbing abilities, reaching the Sleeping Land.
David's group encounters Symia, a Wandering Healer, who temporarily stabilizes Llewellyn. She leads them to Alia, another healer, who attempts to heal Llewellyn but is disrupted by David's presence and the Connex Crystal. Alia asks David to leave the crystal with her. David is then attacked by Varen Navten, an Entity who wants to eliminate him. Kiram saves him, but the transfer point is blocked.
Claude Farrell's group reaches the Sleeping Land and encounters Amryta, who puts them into a deep sleep, following orders from Varen Navten.
David absorbs the Connex Crystal, gaining the Old Knowledge. He contacts the Einzige Urbaum (Only Primeval Tree) and uses its power to repel Varen Navten. He then contacts Ky and Renan Mer, convincing them to reconsider their Final Strike against humanity by showing them the possibility of reactivating the Long Row. He warns them about Valdec's incoming attack. The Entities agree to a truce if David can repel Valdec's attack. Varen Navten, however, dissents and prepares her own plan to stop David.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden, Narda, and Jana arrive on the Central World of the Entities.
- 02 Kiram and Tremayne, Quasi-Reals, are transported to the same world.
- 03 Claude Farrell's group is trapped in metabiotopes and encounters Intercessors.
- 04 David's group rescues Kiram and Tremayne from shadow creatures.
- 05 Claude Farrell's group escapes the Many-Legged Ones and reaches the Sleeping Land.
- 06 Symia leads David's group to Alia, who attempts to heal Llewellyn 709.
- 07 Claude Farrell's group is put to sleep by Amryta.
- 08 Varen Navten attacks David, but Kiram intervenes.
- 09 David absorbs the Connex Crystal and gains the Old Knowledge.
- 10 David contacts Ky and Renan Mer, convincing them to reconsider the Final Strike.
- 11 David warns the Entities about Valdec's incoming attack.
- 12 Varen Navten dissents and prepares her own plan.
Characters
David terGorden — An Heir of Power and the True Contact of the Connex Crystal. He seeks to warn the Entities and prevent the Final Strike.
Narda — A Dragon Witch and companion of David terGorden. She assists him in contacting the Entities.
Jana — A Witch and companion of David terGorden. She is concerned about Llewellyn 709's condition.
Llewellyn 709 — A Strap-man in a psionic coma. He is eventually healed by Symia and Alia.
Ky — An Entity who initially supports contacting the humans.
Renan Mer — An Entity who initially supports contacting the humans.
Varen Navten — An Entity who opposes contacting the humans and seeks to eliminate David terGorden.
Kiram — A Quasi-Real Guardian who swears an oath of loyalty to David terGorden.
Claude Farrell — A Driver attempting to contact the Entities.
Silent Chorp — A multitelepath assisting Claude Farrell.
Dime Mow — A Driver with Claude Farrell.
Scanner Cloud — A near-Steerer with Claude Farrell.
Morgenstern — A near-Steerer with Claude Farrell.
Amryta — The spring nymph of the Sleeping Land, manipulated by Varen Navten.
Locations
Central World of the Entities — A world consisting of various metabiotopes, serving as a memory anchor for the Entities.
Various Metabiotopes — Different environments on the Central World of the Entities, each representing a different Entity's origin or sphere of influence. Examples include the ammonia plain, the purple grass land, the spaceport, and the hilly landscape.
Sleeping Land — A biotope on the Central World of the Entities, home to the spring nymph Amryta.
Technology & Concepts
Connex Crystal — A precosmic artifact containing the Old Knowledge of a previous universe.
Old Knowledge — Knowledge of the pre-cosmos, including the plant civilization of the Ancient Ones.
Entities — Powerful psionic beings who are the dominant civilization in this part of the galaxy.
Long Row — The Weapon of the Ancients, a device capable of eliminating the entropy danger.
Spectra — Nine individuals necessary for the creation of the White Star, which activates the Long Row.
Quasi-Reals — Beings from Real Data Recordings that have gained a degree of autonomy.
Metabiotopes — Self-contained environments on the Central World of the Entities, each representing a different Entity's origin or sphere of influence.
PSI Absorption — The ability to absorb psionic energy, used by creatures like the Many-Legged Ones.
Kaiser Force Lance — A weapon capable of triggering local entropy acceleration.
Einzige Urbaum — The Only Primeval Tree, the World Tree from which all others descend.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of memory, identity, and the dangers of unchecked power. The narrative style is action-oriented, with a focus on the characters' struggles to survive and achieve their goals in a hostile environment. The tone is serious and suspenseful, with moments of hope and camaraderie.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 095
Leads into: Sets up the conflict with Varen Navten and the imminent attack by Valdec. Leaves open the question of whether the Entities will honor their agreement.
Related booklets: Other booklets featuring the Entities, the Connex Crystal, and the Heirs of Power.