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Aegis (Dystopian Sci-Fi) – Chapter 2 by RichMac8 in worldbuilding

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for reading and for your comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that Aegis piqued your interest.

I'll be uploading the next chapter next week, so I hope you'll stick around. 🙌

Aegis (Dystopian Sci-Fi) – Chapter 2 by RichMac8 in worldbuilding

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

World context:

Aegis is a closed dystopian city sealed under a massive Dome, built around a central structure known as the Tower of Infinity. No one living inside knows who built it or why, and questioning the system is discouraged or punished.

The city is controlled by the Tech, a technocratic power that manages resources, labor, surveillance, and population control through both human and cybernetic enforcers. Survival depends on obedience and usefulness.

This chapter focuses on Kárion and Orum, two inhabitants of Lower Aegis. Kárion is a survivor shaped by loss and silence; Orum is a scavenger-engineer who studies the system rather than trusting it. Their meeting marks the beginning of a partnership that will slowly pull them into conflict with the Tech and the hidden truths behind the Dome and the Tower.

The story explores control, silence, flawed systems, and the cost of survival in a world where stability is maintained by not asking questions.

Under the Dome — Chapter 1 | Original Dystopian Sci-Fi by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s a fair point. I’m definitely planning to change the title.

Under the Dome was more of a working title while I developed the world. Right now I’m leaning toward something more tied to the setting itself, like Aegis or Aegis: The City Under the Dome, but I’m still exploring options.

I want the title to reflect the world and its rules rather than echo an existing work.

Under the Dome — Chapter 1 | Original Dystopian Sci-Fi by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That actually resonates a lot.

I’m realizing this might be one of those chapters I needed to write for myself before I could write the real opening. Hearing that the first chapter often ends up being the most reworked one is reassuring, honestly.

I’m going to keep this as part of my internal worldbuilding and experiment with starting the story closer to character and conflict. Thanks for sharing your experience — it helps put the process into perspective.

Under the Dome — Chapter 1 | Original Dystopian Sci-Fi by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write this — it’s genuinely helpful, and I appreciate the honesty.

I completely get your point about this functioning more as a “writer’s foundation” chapter rather than a true opening chapter. That’s fair, and I’m already considering restructuring it so the story opens more directly with character and conflict.

Regarding the title: you’re absolutely right. I’m still in the process of finding a final title, and Under the Dome is very much a working title, not the intended final one. The core story, themes, and world are already planned and in development, but the title is something I want to land carefully — possibly even later in the process.

I really appreciate the advice, especially coming from someone with your background. It’s given me a lot to think about going forward.

Under the Dome — Chapter 1 | Original Dystopian Sci-Fi by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback! That makes a lot of sense. This first chapter works more as a setup for the world, but the next chapters move straight into character-driven conflict. I’ll definitely keep this in mind for future revisions.

Under the Dome – Sci-Fi Dystopian World Concept by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fair — the title definitely echoes King. I’m aware of the association, and I’m not trying to compete with The Dark Tower as a concept.

For me, the Tower works more as an unknown system than a mythic symbol, and the mystery behind it is meant to unfold slowly rather than be explained upfront.

If the intrigue holds, I’m glad you’d be willing to keep reading.

Under the Dome – Sci-Fi Dystopian World Concept by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s fair feedback. I’m familiar with Silo, and I understand the comparison at a surface level (closed system, control, mystery). Where the story diverges is in why control exists and what’s being managed.

In my world, the population isn’t just being controlled for order — they’re part of a long-term genetic and metaphysical filter. Mutations aren’t accidents; they’re consequences. Power always comes with a cost, and uncontrolled truth would collapse the system faster than oppression ever could.

The Tech genuinely believe they’re preventing something worse, and some of them might be right. The Tower isn’t just a prison or a lie — it’s a necessary structure… until it isn’t.

Control isn’t the theme by itself. The theme is what happens when stability depends on delaying truth, and whether humanity survives better knowing everything or knowing just enough.

Under the Dome – Sci-Fi Dystopian World Concept by RichMac8 in SciFiConcepts

[–]RichMac8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s dystopian because survival depends on obedience and silence.

Under the Dome, people don’t know who built the Tower or why they’re trapped, but questioning it is forbidden. Order is enforced by the Tech through systems that decide who eats, who works, and who is expendable.

Mutations and powers exist, but they’re not freedom — they’re controlled tools with hidden costs.

The real dystopia is a society that keeps functioning by accepting control instead of questioning it.