This project takes place across several worlds, including Aetheria, Tartarus, and [ x ]. It also takes place over nearly 100 years in the “modern” Era of Broken Dimensions, Era 10 (1906-2047).
Fractal Alliances is an anthology-style collection of short stories, comics, and narrative illustrations. It follows a diverse cast of main characters – most of whom are involved with the governance of Tartarus and Aetheria, two of the largest military superpowers of the Era. But don’t worry – the story isn’t all all politics!
The greater focus of Fractal Alliances is the development of friendships, and how interpersonal relationships can change and affect the world. So, while there is somewhat of a focus on interdimensional politicking, Fractal Alliances also explores the hazards of social navigation in a multidimensional world, the awkward process of learning how to communicate with new and complex people and cultures, and the ups and downs of finding personal identity through and after trauma. Oh, and also there’s irresponsible drinking (comedic and not), sex, and other stupid stuff that twenty-somethings and people with extended, non-human lifespans get up to when they’re bored. Can’t forget about the fun stuff!
SYNOPSIS
When the New Empire of Aetheria suddenly comes under a new rule, the weak balance of the Era 10 multiverse is threatened. The newcomer displaces Emperor Tainnos II and disrupts the Imperial government. Allies of the Empire hold their breath – and Tartarus, their reluctant ally and only power check, now lies in wait for what’s to come.
The dimensions of Aetheria and Tartarus have a tumultuous history with one another. By the modern era, they have secured an alliance that preserves the fragile peace of the multiverse post-Crisis 9 – but how long can it last? Will the new Empera, Razienne I, raise the Empire to a new level of militaristic terror? Or will they solidify the tentative peace and seek to ease relations between Tartarus and the multiverse at large? All across the fractured multiverse, people are holding their breath.
…the biggest catch? Emperor Razienne I doesn’t know a damn thing about the Empire they just became ruler over.
MEET THE CAST
A little note about the story and the author’s history with it: Fractal Alliances is the second-oldest sub-project within Broken Dimensions. Ripley/Menace created its first iteration in fall of 2017, so it is nearly a decade old! Back then it was primarily about Fin and Ev, and was called “Immortal Idiots.” While neither character is (officially) immortal in the present iteration of the story, the vibe of that title still persists. The entire cast gets up to a lot of questionable, dangerous, and occasionally idiotic things in the 140+ years covered by the main story (Fin and Ev especially). It’s the charm of these seemingly unaging, powerful characters still getting up to very human bullshit that keeps Ripley coming back to the story, and contributes to why they have never been able to put it to rest.