Heart Industries
From Ars Arcanum Wiki
Heart Industries is a group of technological supremacists, leading one side in the War. Although they still make use of magic when needed, their primary focus is technology, and they seek to limit magical development so that science and technology have more room to flourish.
Characters with Reversed cards are, by default, working for Heart Industries.
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Philosophy
Technology is the ultimate equalizer. Gone are the days when a single mother couldn't defend her children, when the strong could prey upon the weak, when entire towns were held in thrall by a single witch -- magus is the term used these days, but the point remains.
While Heart Industries does, of course, acknowledge that there's a place for individual achievement, magical or otherwise, history has shown that when people are given a power unique to them, they inevitably abuse it. Thus, it is vital for humanity's continued survival and prosperity to encourage technological advances that level the playing field.
Anyone can push a button or flick a switch, and that universal simplicity will always stand in counterpoint to the inherent inequality of magical talent. Where magic isolates, technology creates communities. The telephone, radio, television, and the internet -- all of these are scientific advances available to everyone, and they've all been instrumental in the development of a global community.
While magic has helped individuals and small groups, it's due to the scientific method and everyday ingenuity that there are cures for diseases which once ravaged the globe, weapons that anyone can use for their own defense, advances in agriculture and transportation that allow millions to eat healthy, nutritious meals...
Heart Industries feels that diverting time and resources into the promotion and study of what is an inherently selfish branch of research isn't just a 'personal choice' -- it's ultimately detrimental to society as a whole. And that's what Heart Industries stands for -- society. Global welfare and communication. A world that's safe, happy, and well-fed.
Benefits
Characters on the Reversed side have greater access to cutting edge technology, weapons, and medical care.
The Dark Side
Heart Industries' "One world vision" is just that: a means of assimilating everyone into their own idea of a global culture. The advances that link the world through television and the internet are the same ones that allow a slow but steady process of homogenization.
One culture, one religion, one set of values. A TUC, a McDougal's, and a Starlight Coffee on every corner. Visionaries are to be discouraged or recruited, depending on how useful they'd be.
And when they've turned the world into one neat global society, they have the tools with which to control anyone they want. If they control global media, they control the messages that are sent world-wide. If they control the medicine, and have stamped out herbalists and healers, they can withhold medical care from anyone that's too problematic.
And then there are the still darker rumors -- weapons of mass destruction, human experimentation, dangerous and untested forms of science... Every so often, someone will come forward with a story about how they've been the subject of technological, chemical, or genetic experimentation. They have a way of disappearing very soon afterwards.
Facilities
Headquarters
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Hierarchy
President: Henry Heartily
Major Projects
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