DIA LAUNCHES NEW APP, DRAWS SKEPTICISM

By: Roman

The Dimension Investigation Agency has announced a new mobile application it launched earlier this week.

According to a post on the social media platform LiminalSpaces, the DIA launched the application named “CrimeIn” early on Wednesday morning. The application is being promoted as a way for the general public to “swiftly” report crime.

“The era of twenty-first century modernization begins now. The DIA has launched an exclusive app that seeks to help bring down crime in the dream world with the help of the public,” Kristofer Levy, the DIA’s latest spokesperson told the press late Wednesday in a press conference, “Anyone in the public can help the DIA achieve its goals of reducing crime and making our streets safer all at the push of a button. It’s that easy.”

Levy says that this application also has the unique feature involving criminals who are on the run and can choose to “self-report” themselves.

“This revolutionary app also has the feature for criminals who are evading the law to go ahead and self-report themselves using the app,” Levy said, “No other app can do this, only CrimeIn can, and should there be any criminal out there who wishes to turn themselves in, feel free to do so.”

The DIA spokesperson says that if criminals choose to self-report themselves, they are subject to receive lesser charges from the chief detective in their ongoing persecution case.

“Yes, you will receive lesser charges if you choose to turn yourself in via this method,” Levy said, “Consider this an invitation to turn yourself in and get less of a harsher sentence in the end. We welcome you with open arms!”

While the application is new, many residents are sceptical about the application’s intentions.

“It’s silly, really,” Gregoriah, a resident from the America ward said, “There’s already ways to report crimes. We’ve long had *1 to dial, as well as the website. It’s kind of pointless.”

“I mean, besides there already being ways to report crime, does Sylveran really think people are just going to turn themselves in if they’re a criminal on the run?” Epsilon, a resident at the Apartments said, “I don’t think anyone would be foolish enough to do that.”

“The app seems to have good intentions, but doesn’t the DPU handle reports from the public?” Olivia, a resident from the Europe ward said, “I’m pretty sure the DPU has long handled reports and then handed them over to the DIA. It makes no sense.”

Levy assured the public that, despite criticisms, the DIA expects the app to work and announced a new imminent policy targeting former criminals.

“The app will work. You just have to give it time and patience,” Levy said, “That’s not the only thing we’re up to, though. We’re currently working on a new policy that will affect those who were convicted of crimes, did their time, and got let out. We’ll chat later about it.”

For the latest announcements from the DIA, visit the DPF website and head to the DIA tab on their homepage for additional information and resources.

RAINY WEATHER TAKES OVER DREAM WORLD

By: Arial

Rainy weather has hit the dream world this week.

According to the latest weather bulletin, the Dimension Weather Prediction Service has been monitoring changing seasonal weather conditions across the dream world. With the spring season peak underway, many areas are now experiencing rain and thunder showers this week.

“We’ve been monitoring the forecast these past few weeks and, as expected, the forecast was calling for rain,” DWPS senior meteorologist Neige said, “And just like that, the forecast was spot on. We’re seeing rain being reported by various weather stations.”

Neige says that the rainy weather is typical for the season and should not be a cause for concern.

“I know many of us are still feeling the impacts from Winter Storm Genesis, which was an extraordinary weather event from this past November,” he told me, “But the DWPS wants to reassure everyone that this widespread weather event is normal for this time of year. It’s not something that a person altered so it’s not dangerous.”

The weather service doesn’t expect any out of the ordinary, but suggests some areas may receive higher than normal rainfall accumulations.

“Overall, models are not being aggressive as they were with Winter Storm Genesis,” Neige explained, “Rainfall accumulations look average over the next two weeks or so. Honestly, you’ll just want to carry a poncho or umbrella with you if you’re heading out.”

In regards to potentially severe weather, Neige says it’s not a near-future concern, but it’s not out of the question in the next four weeks or so.

“Spring is known to bring severe weather with it that can include, but is not limited to, lightning, hail, gusty winds, and even a tornado or two,” Neige explained, “However, models don’t suggest anything dramatic in the next two weeks. Afterwards, we may be talking about severe weather impacts, but relax, nothing looks terrible. Things should be wet and dreary, but not severe.”

For the latest weather forecast in your area or another area in the dream world, visit the DWPS’ website for the latest or visit your local forecasting office for additional information and resources.

Q/A: Ask Nate

How has the Council’s reputation held together for so long?

By: Ripu Tayshun

Hi Ripu! I always like questions about the Council since they’re a pretty big deal! The Council has been around for millennia, which means the organization itself is incredibly old- older than Lucid! There are seven council members, but all of them are very secretive and reclusive. It’s hard to even photograph one!

The Council is highly respected, nonetheless. They watch over the dream world very carefully to ensure full order. In order to gain public trust, they must stay out of trouble themselves and listen to what the people say.

If you didn’t know already, each ward of the District- the biggest dimension of the dream world, is looked after by its respective council member. There are six wards, which means one member for each ward; this leaves one council member who is reserved to look after the outside of the District, that is, the rural dream world itself. Each council member, in each ward plus rural dream world, is seen as the highest ranking official in their respective area and tends to matter for the area they’re in. While they do not really make public appearances, many things are handled remotely by the council members to solve disputes or other conflicts.

This remote problem solving puts trust and respect in the eyes of residents and thus keeps the Council’s image clean. Council members must all obey the rules and refrain from acting up, as one bad apple can ruin the Council’s reputation and break public trust. If a council member does fall out of line, they are dealt with accordingly, kicked out, punished, and are subjected to other matters with the aid of the DPF- who is a hand of the Council really. This has only happened three times in recorded history, so the public does not really have problems with the Council. Of course, for big matters affecting the entirety of the dream world, the seven members convene and vote on a solution. 

Seeking an audience with the Council is rare though, like, very, VERY rare! You’ll have to receive a summons to see them if they have gotten word of you, either very positive or very negative, or if you’re a human looking to return to the real world. High crimes are dealt with by a trial with the Council presiding over it, so you know, don’t do anything REALLY bad…

Of course, the Council is pretty interesting, but still mysterious. Members rarely issue public statements, they’re rarely seen, and very few have contact with them. Director Ferekides of the DPF has the most contact with them, though occasionally, leaders of other organizations get in touch with them such as the DWPS, DPDS, DPEC, etc., but even that is rare. 

Still, if you want to see where the Council resides, head to the District! They have their own place floating above the District way high up in the sky. You may not ever visit that mysterious building, but you sure can admire it from afar! I haven’t been there myself, but I know someone who has…

Dear Nate, why are there no rules for visiting the Void?

By: Raul Brayker

Hi Raul! You’ve probably noticed that there are no rules prohibiting anyone from visiting the Void, which is different from the rule prohibiting anyone from visiting the real world. There’s a reason for that! To understand the Void, we have to look at the past. 

At one point in ancient history, a curious group of individuals would work on strange sorts of magic that others found intriguing. These same individuals would eventually end up finding the Void, but it was by accident! Upon entering the Void, they noticed that their magic no longer worked, and they were met with pitch blackness- literal nothingness, hence the name given for this world, void of life, water, and resources. 

Eventually, a group in the dream world noticed their absence and managed to save them from the Void. When they came back, they told their stories of their encounter in this new world and documented it for future generations to learn about. This is why nowadays, we know that the Void is literally a vast empty plane of complete nothingness. So why no rules? 

That’s the reason why! Since the Void consists of practically nothing, it’s not really of any interest for anyone in the dream world to go visit it. Like, what’s the point of going if it’s just complete blackness for miles upon miles? Plus, the Void makes your own powers null and useless; it’s not known why things like your own powers, electricity and other gadgets stop working here, but it’s also why it is not a good idea to go down there to visit. 

If you get trapped in the Void, you’re practically helpless! If you have no powers, no electricity, no food, no water, and no place to shelter under, it isn’t the most pleasant experience here. Getting trapped in the real world is different, since at least you have electricity and other things to survive, but this is the one place a rule is set in place to not go. So while no rule officially exists for the Void, it’s just common knowledge to avoid it all together. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if a rule gets placed on it one of these days though! But I doubt it, since the Void is much harder to get to than the real world is. I wonder if anyone’s been there recently since that documented ancient report I told you about?