If you think America is a melting pot of different cultures, you should see the planet Jorune.  Humans are the majority species, but they are joined by the world's original races, the shantha and the thriddle.  On top of this, there are colonists from other planets, as well as the Iscin races, named for the bio-engineer who thought that intelligent bears, wolves and cougars might somehow be a good idea.  And of course, they've evolved over the past 3,500 years, so...maybe I should start again.

	Alien Logic is the first installment in SSI's SkyRealms of Jorune series, an intriguing mishmash of game styles and story genres.  There are aspects of both computer role-playing and graphic adventure games, and elements from both fantasy and science-fiction.  The end result will doubtless be quite unique.

	The story begins in the 22nd century, when Earth scientists developed faster-than-light travel and found a populated planet to explore.  This world was named "Jorune", after its discoverer, Kadija Rhen Jorune.  The plan seemed harmless enough.  First, send a group of biologists and sociologists to see if these mysterious aliens could possibly live in harmony with humans.  Then, if that proved to be the case, send colonists and supplies.

	The first wave of travelers discovered two primary species living on Jorune.  The thriddle, inquisitive by nature, seemed the most interested in the visiting humans and their culture.  Their rapid mastery of English was critical in communicating with the more reclusive and (seemingly) self-absorbed shantha.  There were a number of other races that lived on Jorune, apparently space travelers themselves, and yet there was no evidence of that level of advance technology.  In fact, no one on Jorune seemed to be at all interested in raising their technology level.

	Another odd discovery was a field of energy that permeated the planet, generated by crystals under the surface.  This energy caused unusual geologic formations such as the SkyRealms, large plateaus of rock floating in the air.  The shantha referred to this power as Isho, but would tell their visitors no more. Scientists were able to determine that the energy was not at all radioactive or dangerous to humans, but it was unlike any force encountered on Earth.

	So the word was given for the colonists to come ahead, to be followed by the supply ship.  Unfortunately, the supply ship never made it, since the Earth erupted into a devastating war soon after the colonist ship left.  When this information reached the colonists, all their previous plans were off.  After all, they were the last bastion of humanity, and had to survive at any cost.  So, they cleared large areas of native vegetation for farming their bio-engineered food source.  They did not stop to consider the fact that they had made an agreement with the shantha not to cross certain lines while expanding the colony.  In fact, they were running roughshod over sacred shanthic burial grounds.

	In response, the formerly peaceful shantha felt it necessary to recover the aggressive technology of their ancestors.  Not bombs.  Nothing so crude.  This technology was a channeling of the Isho energy into incredibly destructive power orbs, or dyshas.  These dyshas wreaked almost nuclear havoc on the colony, and decimated the ranks of the humans.  Of course, a move like this was not going to go unchallenged, and the bio-technology that led to the Iscin races could also be used as a weapon.  Soon the shantha were reduced to 1% of their previous population.

	This short lived war took place 3,500 years ago.

	At the start of Alien Logic, the few remaining humans and shantha have lived in a long, slightly grudging peace.  You are one of the few humans with the capacity to take advantage of the ever-present Isho to weave some limited dyshas, although still far behind the shantha.  

	Incidentally, not all dyshas have the destructive power of those hurled at the colonists so long ago.  In fact, some of them are not offensive weapons at all.  Isho is a very mysterious and versatile force, very like magic, but "scientifically" provable.  It can even allow for instantaneous travel around Jorune.  No wonder human "technology" completely failed to interest the shantha.  In fact, the human tech level has not risen in all the years since the War.

	There is still a great deal about Jorune and Isho that you do not know.  One of your main tasks in Alien Logic is just the gathering of knowledge.  Don't worry, this is far from boring.  The planet's rich history has only become more interesting with three millennia worth of evolution.

	In your travels, you will encounter all the diverse races of Jorune, and have some interesting conversations.  Unfortunately, not all of the races are as calm as the shantha, so you will have to use your dysha weaving skills in combat every now and then.  You will also meet people who can help you improve your Isho skills.  While there are definite tasks for you to accomplish, the game is non-linear, and allows you to work at your own pace, in no particular order.

	The graphics are remarkable.  The beings you encounter are presented with astonishing attention to detail, both in appearance and character, and the landscape you travel over looks as real as a satellite map.  The richness of Jorune's history allows for an unpredictable and engaging role-playing experience.  You will be able to make your first visit to the SkyRealms of Jorune this Winter, and I suspect you will not want it to be your last.