The world of Strandead is split between a familiar but endangered Earth and a mysterious alien planet, connected by a catastrophic event tied to obsolete technology.
The initial setting is a technologically advanced, near future Earth, indicated by the presence of hover cabs and advanced space station projects. This modern environment is overshadowed by a critical threat rooted in history:
The S.D.I. (“Star Wars”) Threat: The central event on Earth is the apocalyptic malfunction of the Strategic Defense Initiative (S.D.I.), a satellite defense system designed decades earlier by the U.S. government. Having gone haywire, this system now randomly fires a devastating red laser pulse that instantaneously disintegrates human targets, leaving only a charred spot on the ground. This ever-present, arbitrary threat defines life on Earth and serves as the primary force of chaos.
Blue’s Background: The protagonist, Blue, is an emotional and former space station designer, whose grief over the end of his life’s work provides his initial context before he is transported to the alien world.
Blue is abruptly transported to a different world, characterized by unique life forms and geology.
Environment: The setting is a dense, wild jungle environment featuring unusual geographical elements.
The Orange Rocks: A strange, distinctive feature of the terrain. These bright orange rocks are highly volatile, possessing a strong repellent or explosive force that can launch a person when stepped upon. They are closely associated with the native orange humanoids.
The Cavern Gateway: A specific red rock acts as a weak point in the terrain, leading to an underground cavern that houses one of the planet’s major antagonists.
The planet is home to several distinct, warring factions, centered around a powerful, unexplained ability.
Description: An orange bodied, hairless, and long straight black-haired sentient species native to the environment. The humanoid Blue nicknames Bob is a primary example.
Role in Mythology: They appear to be the source or original wielder of a unique power inherent to the planet, a power Blue acquires by his presence on the planet.
Description: Hostile, spear wielding humanoids with silvery gray skin, a large fin on the top of their head, and exaggerated facial features.
Role in Mythology: They operate under a Chief and are actively hostile toward Blue. Their dialogue reveals they have a local knowledge of the power that Blue acquires, referring to it as “our power,” and are in conflict with others who possess it, such as “The One Who Won’t Leave The Trees.”
Description: A massive, ten foot-tall, maroon colored creature found in the underground cavern. It possesses multiple tentacles, hoofed feet, and three fins on its head, and is intelligent, speaking English.
Role in Mythology: Odin is a powerful, sinister antagonist who is an enemy of the planet’s other inhabitants, suggesting a deep, internal conflict or an ancient history of invasion/dominance.
Description: An unexplained ability or energy that Blue acquires upon his arrival on the planet.
Role in Mythology: This power is recognized and feared by the silver creatures and is intrinsically linked to the orange humanoids and the unique geology (Orange Rocks). It places Blue directly into the center of the planet’s existing power struggles.
