Diaries

Character Introductions

During the Spring 2023 semester at CU Boulder, students in Education 3570: Learning with Technology embarked on a creative journey into the virtual world of LiTT City. Their task was to craft characters filled with rich lore and history, each selected to serve as a researcher tasked with uncovering the secrets behind the city's downfall. Below, you'll find the compelling backstories and motivations driving each character's presence in LiTT City.

Guided by a prompt that encouraged immersive storytelling, students soared into LiTT City to breathe life into their characters. Their creations were brought to life through vibrant narratives, enhanced with music, sound effects, and other dynamic features to captivate listeners on LiTT City Radio. Within these narratives, characters grappled with a multitude of questions and prompts: their identity, reasons for coming to the city, perceptions of race, and speculations on the city's vacant streets and the aggressive behavior of the remaining inhabitants. They also dove into their affiliations at the university, motives, desires, employment status, personal history, and emotional connections to the city.

Angelica Claro was a name often whispered in the halls of power; A figure shrouded in the mysteries of her family line. Raised under the watchful gaze of her two adoptive mothers, the elusive leaders of the infamous "Las Claras" mafia group, Angelica's existence was a tapestry woven with secrets. Yet, underneath this illusion of comfort and luxury lies a soul yearning for freedom. While others see her destined for a life within the confines of the mafia, Angelica secretly dreams of a different path, one untethered to her family's criminal dynasty. When a puzzling letter arrives, bearing only her name, a plane ticket to a peculiar place, and a haunting question— "Do you dare to escape?"—Angelica's journey into the unknown begins. Is this finally her chance to carve her own destiny, or is it a mere glimpse into the labyrinth of her past?

Coda Whitmore's life is a continuously unraveling puzzle, each piece hinting at a darker truth. As a researcher of animal behavior, she's accustomed to observing from afar. But when menacing shadows from her past resurface, her world shifts once more. Haunted by debts and pursued by people she thought she’d escaped, her past takes control. A cryptic offer promises redemption: "A chance to start over," it whispers. With a one-way ticket in hand, Coda faces a choice: remain captive to her past or seize the unknown. As she boards the plane, leaving behind all she knows, she braces for the secrets waiting to unfold in this new city.

Dr. Khid emerges from the shadows of uncertainty as she embarks on a journey to LiTT City, her true destination cloaked in mystery. Despite the foreshadowing turbulence of her flight, she remains undeterred, driven by the promise of new beginnings and the opportunity to shape her own destiny. With LiTT University awaiting her expertise, Dr. Khid steps into the unknown, ready to confront the challenges that lie ahead and unravel the secrets that shroud the city. Will this new journey prove to be the career-step she hopes it will be, or is she in over her head?

Duane Mulligan's phone buzzes with his mother's call and a slight surge of excitement pulses through him. Boarding the flight to LiTT City, the hub of liberation, he senses a palpable energy in the air. Eager to join as a researcher, His expertise in Dungeons and Dragons fuels his curiosity as he embarks on a journey that promises adventure and discovery. With each passing moment, the allure of LiTT City grows stronger, inviting Duane toward a destiny shrouded in secrets waiting to be unraveled. The question most present in his mind; Could magic be at play in this curious city?

Huitzitlin Teyolia, descendant of a lost civilization, finds herself adrift in a world torn from her ancestral home. Amidst the remnants of colonial rule, she stands as a beacon of resilience and hope. A historian, a warrior, a healer—she navigates the ruins with unwavering resolve, driven by the belief that her people's legacy will prevail. Translation

Kam, a 25-year-old detective hailing from the calm streets of Woodriver, Nebraska, now stands at the threshold of LiTT City, a city pulsing with unrest. As he sets foot in this deteriorating metropolis, his senses are heightened by the mystery that shrouds its citizens. With each passing moment, Kam is consumed by the urgency of his mission. But as he navigates the labyrinthine streets, he can't shake the troubling question that led him here in the first place: What dark forces are driving these people to such extreme violence, and what can I do to stop it?

Maeve Virens, cousin of the McNamara dynasty and Psychology major, descends upon LiTT City with an aura of intrigue. As a trendsetter known for her beauty and brilliance, she navigates the city's crumbling landscape with a purpose shrouded in mystery. How will this public figure leave her mark on the urban maze of LiTT City?

Mikami Steele, also known as Operative 0856, codenamed Viper, embarks on a mission to LiTT City under the orders of Agent Orange. As he navigates the city's labyrinthine streets, the looming question remains: will he reach his dead drop location unscathed, or will Agent Orange act without him, leaving Viper to fend for answers on his own?

Rizz Lumen emerges as a resilient character amidst the chaos in the wake of a world-shattering event. As a student at LiTT University, her sharp mind and unwavering determination fuel her ongoing quest for answers. As she navigates the aftermath, Rizz's curiosity drives her to unravel the mysteries of this new world, questioning why the voices of evil have fallen silent. Will her expertise help rebuild the shattered city, or will darkness continue to reign…silencing her along with them?

Vivian Smalls, seeking truth and answers to questions she’s not yet thought of, embarks on a journey from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to the mysterious LiTT City. With her expertise in forensic science, she unravels the tangled threads of digital mysteries. Yet, as she ventures to reunite with Tuya, a long-lost friend, Vivian senses a darkness lurking in the city's depths. What secrets lie in wait, and what price will she have to pay to uncover them?

Stormy Chisauke, also known as Arashi, ventures into the depths of LiTT City searching for his lost brother, Karma, and fleeing the clutches of the Yakuza. He arrives to find the city deserted, its secrets echoing in the empty streets. As he navigates the city’s labyrinth, Stormy's quest expands beyond reunion to unraveling the enigma of LiTT City's disappearance. Will he be able to find the stability he desires amidst the silence, or will he become entangled in the city's mysterious fate?

Dr. Rem Eddies, a ghostly figure from another realm, shocked everyone by proving that traveling between dimensions is possible. The catch? He has no idea how he did it. He dedicated his time in LiTT City to understanding the mysteries that the city offered, while spending countless hours a day trying to crack the code to go back home.

Diary Entries

After creating their characters in the city and dreaming up their stories, The students were tasked with immersing themselves fully into their characters' perspectives as they embarked on a fact-finding expedition through the city. This was an unscripted exploration, aimed at capturing the characters' genuine first impressions and reactions. Each student documented their observations and reflections in pieces coined “walking diaries”, shedding light on their characters' initial and unfiltered encounters with the city's many wonders.

The students received a prompt that read as follows: As you are walking, make note of your first impressions. This is not staged; this is your character going on a fact-finding expedition for the first time. They are trying to understand why there are so few people in their region. They are identifying potential reasons for the disappearance of everyone. Identify things that make your character uncomfortable. What is the history of these things that you notice? Where do they come from? How did they come to be in this city?

As they explored the streets, their characters encountered remnants of a history filled with discomforting symbols and artifacts, each with its own story begging to be told.

Coda Whitmore explores a desolate area in Sandy Shores, dotted with mysterious satellites similar to that of Area 51. As night falls, Coda's unease grows, fueling her suspicions about the purpose of the satellites. Join her as she delves into the eerie landscape, uncovering secrets hidden in the darkness. Could these satellites hold the pieces to a much larger cosmic puzzle?

Angelica Claro embarks on a journey of mystery and intrigue within latest stroll around LiTT City. Explore a distinctive district with her as Angelica reflects on the significance of everyday scenes and encounters a captivating and seemingly pristine area known as Pride Street. Join her as she unravels the secrets hidden within the rainbow-striped streets, abandoned stores, and cryptic symbols.

Rizz Lumen explores the desolate island of Cayo Perrico in their walking diary. From navigating sandy streets to encountering eerie engineering structures, Rizz's adventure unveils the island's oddities. Join them as they discover a Tiki area, a rundown bar, and a secluded camping spot, all against the backdrop of a hauntingly beautiful sunset. Despite its eerie condition, Rizz finds Cayo Perrico intriguing and cool. Could the island’s state be the result of a zombie apocalypse, or something much more sinister?

Stormy vanished many months ago, leaving behind a haunting void in his community. A video stands as the final trace of his presence, a chilling testament to his mysterious disappearance. Disguised in his signature mask, Stormy wanders aimlessly, his footsteps echoing through the eerie silence. Each step serves as a reminder of the unanswered questions that shroud his absence, leaving his friends & followers in a state of uncertainty.

Dr. Khid, a child psychologist, explores the city she recently flew into. Amidst desolate streets and encounters with fast-driving locals, Dr. Khid reflects on the area's drug problems and her rising concerns on the state of the city. As chaos unfolds and strange encounters emerge, Dr. Khid's adventure takes a chilling turn.

Neema Bonnie navigates through the aftermath of a plane crash where highlights of blood on the floor and people wandering around are showcased. Neema is left questioning the eerie absence of bodies inside the plane. As they speculate about the cause of the crash, they stumble upon a memorial, filled with sadness and confusion. Join Neema on this chilling journey as they uncover the secrets hidden within the wreckage and ponder the unsettling connections that linger in the air. Watch now to unravel the mystery behind the airport crash. Could the answers she’s looking for be tucked away somewhere in the rubble, or are they lost forever?

Vivian Smalls bikes her way through the chaotic remnants of society. Amidst abandoned construction sites and vacant highways, Vivian reflects on the unrealized potential and scale of the tragedy that befell this city. Encountering aggressive locals and vacant buildings, she struggles with the disruption of societal norms and the widespread decay that encompases her. Yet, amidst the chaos, a small astrology stand offers a glimmer of hope, symbolizing humanity's quest for meaning in difficult times. On her ride back home, she finds solace in familiarity, marking a return to safety after witnessing the unsettling sights of a world in turmoil.

Echo’s world takes the center stage as they navigate through a city in shambles. From expressing curiosity about human activities to delving into the city's technological advancements and relationship dynamics, Echo's exploration uncovers a tapestry of intrigue and uncertainty. As they discuss the “humans” efforts to improve the city through new technologies and relationship building, Echo uncovers the determination driving their actions. Yet, it's the discovery of a girl with advanced abilities and her experiments with portals that hints at potential breakthroughs and revelations. Despite the presence of functioning trains, Echo confronts the challenge posed by a protective shield around Coyote, raising ethical questions about their contemplation of hacking into it. Yet, amidst their inner turmoil, Echo grapples with the importance of truth and transparency, contemplating the impact of revealing the city's secrets.