KINGDOM OF DAYS - COMPREHENSIVE OUTLINE
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND & WORLDBUILDING
The Genetic Catastrophe (2060s): Experimental genetic engineering led to an unprecedented pandemic that decimated the global population, killing approximately 75% of humanity. These "gain of function" experiments were initially intended to prevent disease but created something far worse. This event fundamentally altered human civilization and created a profound taboo against genetic modification.
The Kingdom of Days (established ~2080s): Following the catastrophe, survivors established a global technocratic society. Key characteristics:
- Utilitarian philosophy prioritizing collective welfare
- Strict regulation of technological research ("no superfluous research")
- Enforced secularism and suppression of religious practices
- Highly developed STEM fields but neglected humanities and arts
- Time travel technology is limited to surveillance only; manipulation is forbidden
- Population is greatly reduced from pre-plague levels
- Architecture emphasizes functionality over aesthetics
- Education system emphasizes technical skills and civic duty
- Government structured as a meritocratic technocracy
- Social principles emphasize collective progress, duty, sustainability, and loyalty
Religion X (RX) (emerged ~2110s): An underground religious movement developed in response to the Kingdom's enforced secularism. Central tenets:
- Belief in "Unity" (a cosmic oneness underlying all reality)
- "Plenum" as the structure containing and organizing multiple timelines
- "Nexus points" where causal threads of reality converge
- Has splintered into three distinct factions with varying interpretations
Three RX Factions:
- The RX Hero's Reformist Faction:
- Emphasizes ethical living and virtues
- Philosophy combines neo-Platonism and Taoism
- Skeptical about nexus points; rejects divine intelligences
- Believes in harmonizing with Unity rather than controlling it
- Moderate RX Faction:
- Believes in careful manipulation of nexus points
- Wants to alter specific historical events (prevent the plague and nuclear weapons)
- Believes technology should be used to bring humanity closer to Unity
- No belief in divine intelligences
- The Second Beginning Movement:
- Extremist faction including the psychiatrist
- Believes in "divine intelligences" that guide the Unity
- Views agricultural revolution as humanity's "fall from grace"
- Wants to return to pre-agricultural era (~12,000 years ago)
- Uses isolation tanks and hallucinogens for mystical experiences
MAIN CHARACTERS
Sophie Veran:
- Brilliant mathematician and software engineer from the Kingdom of Days
- Developed secret "Do-Over" time travel technology (illegal in the Kingdom)
- Philosophical and questioning despite technical background
- Values scientific progress but grows concerned about ethical implications
- Arc: From loyal Kingdom citizen to independent thinker seeking balance between technology and ethics
- POV Character: Primary protagonist through whose eyes we experience much of the story
Alex Harmon:
- Intelligence agent from the Kingdom and forensic psychologist
- Sophie's colleague and close friend
- Naturally humane but conformist to Kingdom values
- Genuinely protective of Sophie
- Arc: From rigid defender of Kingdom ideals to someone who can see value in other perspectives
- POV Character: Provides counterpoint to Sophie's evolving viewpoint
The RX Hero:
- Senior cleric in RX who emphasizes ethical living over metaphysical manipulation
- Philosophy combines harmony with nature and virtue ethics
- Committed to RX but reforming it from within
- Has a dark past: betrayed a colleague to advance his position
- Arc: From someone using others as means to an end to a genuine moral reformer
- POV Sections: Limited but crucial for understanding RX's internal divisions
The Psychiatrist:
- Double agent working for the Kingdom but secretly loyal to the Second Beginning movement
- Expert in religious psychology and state security
- Became fascinated with religions while studying them professionally
- Had mystical experience in isolation tank that convinced him of divine intelligences
- Arc: From curious researcher to dangerous fanatic
- POV Sections: Provides window into Kingdom's history and RX's most extreme elements
PART I: AWAKENING
Chapter 1: The Encounter
Setting: Toronto, Canada, 2175 Primary POV: Sophie Miller (Sophie Veran with false memories)
Plot Developments:
- Sophie Miller believes she is a 23-year-old college graduate living in Toronto
- Agent X (Alex Harmon) approaches her in a café
- He claims she is Dr. Sophie Veran, a brilliant scientist from another time and place
- Sophie is skeptical until Alex provides evidence that challenges her identity:
- Shows her that her eye color (with contacts removed) is different than she believes
- Shows her photo of her dog (Cali) which triggers faint recognition
- Demonstrates the technology in her earring (which she thought was ordinary jewelry)
- Sophie reluctantly agrees to go with Alex, confused but intrigued
- They leave the café together, headed to his car
Character Development:
- Sophie: Presented as an ordinary young woman whose sense of identity is shattered
- Alex: Revealed as compassionate but determined, skilled at psychological persuasion
Thematic Elements:
- Identity vs. Memory: Introduction of the question "who are we if our memories are false?"
- Reality vs. Illusion: First hints that what seems real may be constructed
Worldbuilding Elements:
- First subtle hints of advanced technology through the earring demonstration
- Contrast between ordinary present-day Toronto and the mysterious origins Alex describes
Foreshadowing:
- Sophie's interest in philosophical questions despite her supposedly ordinary background
- Alex's careful approach suggests there are dangerous elements pursuing them
Chapter 2: The Journey Begins
Setting: Toronto to outskirts, in Alex's car Primary POV: Sophie, with glimpses of Alex's perspective
Plot Developments:
- In the car, Alex carefully introduces more information about Sophie's real identity
- He provides a playlist of music she used to love, hoping to trigger subliminal memories
- Sophie experiences faint flashes of recognition but cannot fully access her memories
- Alex explains they're headed to a "helicopter" (actually a time travel device)
- He gradually prepares her for more difficult revelations about her true origins
- Alex reveals the first mentions of the Kingdom of Days and her role there
- Sophie's suspicion battles with growing evidence that Alex is telling the truth
Character Development:
- Sophie: Begins experiencing conflict between her programmed identity and true self
- Alex: Reveals more of his professional training as a forensic psychologist, balancing truth with Sophie's fragile mental state
Thematic Elements:
- Manipulation vs. Liberation: Is Alex freeing Sophie or manipulating her?
- Technology and Identity: How technology can be used to alter fundamental aspects of self
Worldbuilding Elements:
- First mention of the Kingdom of Days and time travel capability
- Hints about Sophie's importance as a scientist and her work
Foreshadowing:
- Sophie's reaction to certain music suggests deeper memory remains despite programming
- Alex's careful avoidance of certain topics hints at more troubling revelations to come
Chapter 3: The Ambush
Setting: Heliport outside Toronto Primary POV: Sophie, with brief sections from Alex
Plot Developments:
- At the heliport, members of Sophie's fake Canadian "family" appear
- They plead with Sophie not to go with Alex, claiming he is dangerous
- Sophie is torn between her programmed trust of these people and her growing trust in Alex
- Alex uses subtle cues to remind Sophie of their earlier conversations (touching his ear, mentioning her eyes)
- Sophie chooses to trust Alex despite her confusion
- Alex neutralizes the fake family with amnesia aerosol, explaining they're RX operatives
- First mention of Sophie's abduction and memory manipulation
- They make their escape to the "helicopter"
Character Development:
- Sophie: Makes first definitive choice to trust her instincts over programmed memories
- Alex: Demonstrates training and readiness for conflict, reveals more of his protective nature
Thematic Elements:
- Trust vs. Suspicion: Sophie must decide who to believe without reliable memories
- Free Will: Despite manipulation, Sophie asserts her agency through choice
Worldbuilding Elements:
- Introduction of RX as antagonistic force (though not yet named)
- Display of Kingdom technology through the amnesia aerosol
- Hint that conflict exists between different time periods
Foreshadowing:
- The "family's" desperation suggests Sophie has something valuable they want
- Alex's efficiency suggests this isn't the first time he's had to extract someone
PART II: REVELATION
Chapter 4: A Day in Space
Setting: Cloaked space station above Earth Primary POV: Sophie, with sections from the Psychiatrist
Plot Developments:
- Instead of taking Sophie directly to the Kingdom, Alex diverts to a cloaked space station
- He explains they need to accelerate her deprogramming before returning home
- A space psychiatrist joins them to assist with the process
- Sophie agrees to undergo the process voluntarily, though she fears what she might discover
- They prepare to use Sophie's own technology to assist with memory retrieval
- First detailed explanation of how Sophie was abducted and programmed
- The psychiatrist secretly observes Sophie's reactions, looking for information about her technology
Character Development:
- Sophie: Growing trust in Alex, courage in facing potential trauma of recovered memories
- Alex: Reveals more of his expertise and connection to Sophie
- The Psychiatrist: Introduction as seemingly helpful but harboring secret agenda
Thematic Elements:
- Consent vs. Coercion: Sophie voluntarily undergoes deprogramming, contrasting with her forced programming
- Technology as both problem and solution: Same technology used to harm her will help recover her
Worldbuilding Elements:
- Space station reveals advanced technology of the Kingdom
- Explanation of memory manipulation techniques
- First detailed information about the conflict between Kingdom and RX
Foreshadowing:
- The psychiatrist's unusual interest in certain aspects of Sophie's technology
- Hints that Sophie had developed something important that others want
PSYCHIATRIST BACKSTORY SECTION:
- Brief flashback to the psychiatrist's childhood in the early Kingdom
- His parents' survival of the plague and their hidden religious beliefs
- His academic interest in religious psychology as cover for growing fascination
- Set up of his character as window into Kingdom history and development
Chapter 5: The Torture Room
Setting: Inside time surveillance footage of Sophie's captivity Primary POV: Sophie observing her past self, with reactions from Alex and the Psychiatrist
Plot Developments:
- Using time surveillance technology, they observe Sophie's abduction and torture
- Sophie realizes RX's goal was to convert her to their cause, not just extract information
- The captors are revealed to adhere to a complex metaphysical system centered on "the Unity"
- Three factions within RX become apparent during the interrogation:
- Mainstream clerics who believe in manipulating nexus points to affect history
- Extremists (including the psychiatristNO IF HE APPEARS IN THE SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE, ALEX WOULD KILL HIM ON THE SPOT. HIS ROLE AS DOUBLE AGENT CAN BE REVEALED IN HIS OWN PRIVATE POV SECTIONS, BUT NOT THE PUBLICLY SHARED IMAGES OF INTERROGATION. HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING BUT AVOIDED BEING PRESENT AT THE ABDUCTION SITE PRECISELY TO AVOID SUCH DETECTION. AFTER ALL HE IS IN INTEL.) ) who believe in divine intelligences
- The RX Hero who treats Sophie differently - more humanely
- The RX Hero's philosophy combines neo-Platonism and Taoism, emphasizing harmony
- He makes an ambiguous promise "not to alter the course of events"
- Alex, watching the same footage, interprets this as manipulation
- Sophie, who knows about her hidden "Do-Over" technology, understands the deeper meaning
Character Development:
- Sophie: Processes trauma while analyzing her captors with professional detachment
- Alex: Grows protective and angry watching Sophie's torture
- The Psychiatrist: Secretly recognizes his RX colleagues and supports their goals
- RX Hero: Introduced as complex figure with apparently contradictory motivations
Thematic Elements:
- Different interpretations of religious belief: Contrast between RX factions
- Ethical treatment of others: RX Hero's approach vs. other interrogators
- Observation vs. Interference: The ethics of watching past events without ability to change them
Worldbuilding Elements:
- Detailed explanation of RX beliefs about Unity, Plenum, and nexus points
- First glimpse of RX rituals and practices
- "Dead zone" technology that blocks tracking and surveillance
Foreshadowing:
- Sophie's interest in the RX Hero's philosophical perspective
- Alex's wariness about Stockholm syndrome
- The psychiatrist's recognition of specific RX members
Chapter 6: The Hidden Code
Setting: Space station, continuing surveillance review Primary POV: Sophie, with sections from the Psychiatrist
Plot Developments:
- While reviewing the memories, Sophie discovers something she had forgotten
- She had secretly programmed a "Do-Over" function into the time travel technology
- This function is illegal in the Kingdom and known only to Sophie
- The technology may not be as precise as others believe, creating potential dangers
- RX wants to use it to manipulate theoretical nexus points, which may not even exist
- Sophie is tempted to use it but hesitates when she sees more footage of the RX Hero
- Sophie becomes intellectually curious about the RX Hero's more humanistic philosophy
- She appreciates his critique of the Kingdom's soulless utilitarianism
- The psychiatrist subtly encourages Sophie's interest in RX while pretending to support Alex
- The psychiatrist has leaked their location to RX extremists
- They must evacuate before the deprogramming is 100% complete, leaving a 5% margin of error
Character Development:
- Sophie: Reconnects with her scientific brilliance while questioning her own creation
- Alex: Growing concern about Sophie's interest in RX philosophy
- The Psychiatrist: Actively working against them while appearing helpful
- Brief glimpses of the Second Beginning members preparing to attack
Thematic Elements:
- Creator's responsibility: Sophie confronts the implications of her invention
- Individual morality vs. state control: Kingdom's taboos vs. personal innovation
- Technological ethics: Just because we can create something, should we?
Worldbuilding Elements:
- Detailed explanation of the "Do-Over" technology and its limitations
- Kingdom's laws regarding time manipulation
- RX's plans for using the technology if acquired:
- Moderates: Prevent the genetic plague and the Manhattan Project
- Second Beginning: Return to pre-agricultural society to commune with intelligences
Foreshadowing:
- Sophie's incomplete deprogramming will raise questions about her judgment later
- The psychiatrist's betrayal setting up future conflict
- The imprecision of the Do-Over technology suggesting dangers of misuse
PART III: PURSUIT
Chapter 7: Hunters and Hunted
Setting: Escape from space station to the Kingdom of Days Primary POV: Sophie, with sections from Alex and the Psychiatrist
Plot Developments:
- The religious group, closing in on their location, forces Sophie and Alex to flee
- Alex believes Sophie is showing signs of Stockholm Syndrome in her defense of the RX Hero
- Sophie counters that Alex is too entrenched in Kingdom ideology to see value in other perspectives
- The psychiatrist deliberately exacerbates this tension between Sophie and Alex
- They escape using the portable time travel device, leaving much behind
- Their hasty departure brings them back to the Kingdom of Days
- The psychiatrist manages to join them and continues his covert mission
- Sophie and Alex debate the ethics of state-enforced secularism and the Kingdom's utilitarian focus
- Sophie now questions aspects of the Kingdom she previously accepted
- First reunion with Kingdom officials and debriefing about Sophie's abduction
Character Development:
- Sophie: Seeing her home with new eyes after exposure to RX philosophy
- Alex: Struggling between protocol and friendship, concerned about Sophie's changed perspective
- The Psychiatrist: Playing double agent, gathering information while planning betrayal
Thematic Elements:
- Loyalty vs. Critical thinking: Following orders or questioning authority
- Cultural bias: How our environment shapes our values and blinds us to alternatives
- Recovery from trauma: Sophie processing her experience while returning to "normal" life
Worldbuilding Elements:
- First detailed look at the Kingdom of Days society
- Architecture emphasizing function over form
- Citizens focused on duties rather than personal expression
- Kingdom's response protocols for recovered agents
Foreshadowing:
- Kingdom officials' treatment of Sophie's account revealing institutional rigidity
- Sophie's critical observations suggesting she cannot fully reintegrate
- The psychiatrist's careful information gathering
Chapter 8: The Kingdom of Days
Setting: Various locations in the Kingdom of Days Primary POV: Sophie, with sections from Alex and the Psychiatrist
Plot Developments:
- Sophie is reintegrated into Kingdom society while secretly researching RX
- Alex reveals more about their home: a future Earth where time travel enables political control
- The Kingdom is revealed as a technocratic society that emerged after the genetic catastrophe
- It emphasizes STEM fields but has neglected humanities, philosophy, and arts
- The society functions efficiently but lacks deeper meaning and inspiration
- Sophie begins deep research into the RX Hero's background and teachings
- She discovers parallels between her own philosophical questions and his teachings
- The psychiatrist uses this doubt to further his agenda of recruiting Sophie for the extremist faction
- Evidence emerges that RX agents have somehow infiltrated the Kingdom
- Sophie suspects a mole but doesn't suspect the psychiatrist
Character Development:
- Sophie: Increasingly critical of Kingdom limitations while appreciating its achievements
- Alex: Noticing changes in Sophie but attributing them to trauma rather than legitimate critique
- The Psychiatrist: More flashbacks to his gradual radicalization and current plans
Thematic Elements:
- Utilitarianism vs. Humanism: Efficiency versus meaning in society
- Progress and its costs: What was lost in building the Kingdom
- Security vs. Freedom: The balance between protection and oppression
Worldbuilding Elements:
- Daily life in the Kingdom: education, work, leisure
- History of the genetic catastrophe from Kingdom perspective
- Traces of pre-catastrophe culture and how they've been altered
Foreshadowing:
- Sophie's research into RX suggesting she hasn't abandoned interest
- The psychiatrist's communications with other RX members
- References to the incomplete deprogramming affecting Sophie's judgment
Chapter 9: Crisis of Faith
Setting: Sophie's lab and various Kingdom locations Primary POV: Sophie, with sections from Alex, the Psychiatrist, and RX Hero
Plot Developments:
- Sophie and Alex find themselves trapped between RX pursuers and government forces
- Sophie must reconcile her brilliant past self with her current fragmented identity
- The relationship between Sophie and Alex deepens despite their ideological differences
- Sophie discovers disturbing information about the RX Hero's past betrayal
- She learns he betrayed a fellow cleric by exposing genetic modification research
- This revelation forces Sophie to confront her own guilt about developing the illegal "Do-Over" technology
- She realizes she and the Hero share similar moral failings despite their principles
- Sophie struggles to maintain a balanced perspective amid conflicting information
- Her philosophical nature leads her to recognize the complexity of moral judgment
- The psychiatrist plans to steal the "Do-Over" technology and bring it to RX extremists
- The psychiatrist's true allegiance is revealed during a confrontation with RX agents
- Sophie confronts the danger of RX extremists using her technology based on unproven theories
Character Development:
- Sophie: Experiences moral crisis about her own actions and judgment of others
- Alex: Begins to see that Sophie's interest in RX philosophy isn't merely Stockholm syndrome
- The Psychiatrist: Fully revealed as dangerous fanatic
- RX Hero: (Brief POV section) Shown to have genuine remorse for past actions
Thematic Elements:
- Moral ambiguity: No pure heroes or villains, just people with complex motivations
- Hypocrisy and self-awareness: Judging others by standards we don't meet ourselves
- Fanaticism vs. moderation: Dangers of ideological extremism
Worldbuilding Elements:
- The Kingdom's internal security systems and how they're bypassed
- More details about RX's internal factions and historical development
- The Second Beginning's rituals and practices in detail
Foreshadowing:
- Sophie's growing awareness of the Do-Over technology's danger
- The psychiatrist's final preparations for betrayal
- Alex's evolving perspective on Kingdom rigidity
PART IV: RESOLUTION
Chapter 10: The Choice
Setting: Various locations culminating in Sophie's secret lab Primary POV: Sophie, with sections from Alex and RX Hero
Plot Developments:
- Sophie reaches a critical decision point with multiple options before her
- She confronts the psychiatrist about his deception and manipulation
- She realizes the dangers of RX extremists using her technology based on unproven theories
- She arranges a secret meeting with the RX Hero to understand his true position
- She discusses his past betrayal and current ethical teachings
- They find common ground in their skepticism about nexus point manipulation
- She discovers the RX Hero's humanistic ethics offer a middle path between extremes
- She realizes both the Kingdom and RX extremists share a dangerous obsession with controlling technology
- Sophie modifies the Do-Over technology with limitations and failsafes
- Decisive confrontation with the Second Beginning agents
- Resolution of character arcs:
- Sophie: Finds balance between technological progress and ethical restraint
- Alex: Develops more nuanced view of Kingdom policies
- RX Hero: Continues reforming RX from within
- The Psychiatrist: Faces consequences of fanaticism
- Final state: Sophie works with the RX Hero to gradually reform the Kingdom, but complete success remains uncertain
Character Development:
- Sophie: Completes journey from Kingdom loyalist to independent ethical thinker
- Alex: Accepts some value in RX Hero's philosophy without abandoning Kingdom values
- RX Hero: Continues journey from self-advancement to genuine moral leadership
Thematic Elements:
- Balance and harmony: Finding middle path between extremes
- Technological responsibility: Creating safeguards for dangerous innovations
- Hope amid uncertainty: Working for change without guarantees
Worldbuilding Elements:
- Potential future directions for the Kingdom
- The beginning of a more balanced relationship between technology and humanity
- Seeds of religious toleration within previously rigid society
Final Notes:
- The ending avoids both overly neat resolution and excessive ambiguity
- Clear character growth while acknowledging continuing challenges
- Technology remains powerful but with new ethical constraints
- Religious and philosophical questions remain open but with more respectful discourse
KEY THEMES THROUGHOUT
- Identity vs. Memory: How much of who we are depends on what we remember?
- Introduced: Chapter 1 when Sophie's identity is questioned
- Developed: Chapters 4-5 during deprogramming
- Resolved: Chapter 10 when Sophie integrates past and present selves
- Religious Freedom vs. State Security: The tension between belief systems and collective safety
- Introduced: Chapter 3 with first RX conflict
- Developed: Chapters 7-8 showing Kingdom's enforced secularism
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with steps toward religious tolerance
- Metaphysics vs. Ethics: The contrast between abstract cosmological beliefs and practical moral principles
- Introduced: Chapter 5 with different RX factions
- Developed: Chapter 8-9 comparing Kingdom and RX philosophies
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with focus on ethical living over metaphysical manipulation
- Technology and Power: The ethics of surveillance and control, even when used for "good" purposes
- Introduced: Chapter 2 with time travel device
- Developed: Chapter 6 with Do-Over technology
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with technological safeguards
- Moral Ambiguity: No purely good or evil characters, only people with different perspectives and values
- Introduced: Chapter 5 with RX Hero's complexity
- Developed: Chapter 9 with revelations about Hero's past and Sophie's own actions
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with acceptance of flawed humanity
- Temporal Ethics: The cascading effects of even passive observation of the past
- Introduced: Chapter 5 during surveillance
- Developed: Chapter 6 with Do-Over implications
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with limitations on time technology
- Fanaticism vs. Moderation: The dangers of ideological extremism compared to nuanced ethical approaches
- Introduced: Chapter 5 with RX factions
- Developed: Chapter 9 with psychiatrist's extremism
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with middle path approach
- Recovery from Catastrophe: How societies rebuild after devastating events
- Introduced: Chapter 4 with psychiatrist backstory
- Developed: Chapter 8 with Kingdom history
- Resolved: Chapter 10 with new approach to future challenges
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES
- Time surveillance as flashback: Using the surveillance technology provides natural opportunity for backstory without breaking narrative flow
- Multiple POVs: Primary focus on Sophie, with strategic sections from Alex, the Psychiatrist, and occasionally the RX Hero to provide different perspectives
- Thematic mirroring: The Kingdom's response to the genetic catastrophe mirrors our own society's potential responses to technological dangers
- Philosophical dialogues: Conversations between Sophie, Alex, and the RX Hero explore key themes without becoming didactic
- Progressive worldbuilding: Details of the Kingdom and RX revealed gradually through character experiences rather than exposition
