O.K. I'm doing some world building and putting together a timeline as a framework I can hang things on. Could someone more obsesive about Mortal Kombat than myself nitpick this?
First, I'm assuming that the various realms of MK are pocket dimensions as described a few posts back, having been shaped by the elder gods of MK and being connected to each other as well as Earth. Raiden is Earth's ambasador to and representative among this council. I know about the mythology of the "one being" from the games, and at least some of that is going to be distorted myth to make it fit with everything else. I'm still deciding how much and in what way.
With this combined timeline, Earth has no shortage of powerful warriors through the centuries. So much so that Shao Khan lost ten tournaments in a row, technically allowing Earth to invade Outworld rather than the other way around. (Somebody tell me if this is acutally how it works or at least if there is room for arguments that say it works this way. I do know the elder gods weren't always dilligent about enforcing the rules.) Earth was in the midst of WWII at the time of the final defeat in that sequence and the various forces aware of this opportunity were committed elsewhere. However, the occult shadow-war occurring behind the scenes of WWII expanded to include repeated commando raids by all sides and a few independent factions to seize various forms of mystical lore and power.
Having lost face, several elite warriors, and parts of his sorcerous infrastructure through these tournaments and raids, Shao Khan’s hold on power became somewhat tenuous. As most of his major lieutenants were of the backstabbing type, even perceived weakness was a significant danger. To reinforce his position, he enacted various backup plans, like the creation of Mileena and resurrection of Sindel, earlier than he would have in the original timeline.
This was not sufficient. Shao Khan was challenged and cornered by enemies and betrayers and cast down. As he exploded into light upon his defeat, he is presumed dead but it remains to be seen if this is a truly permanent end. In the meantime, the various realms that were absorbed into Outworld are separate once more. Shang Tsung rules the diminished Outworld, plotting conquest but seeking a different route than the tournaments. Other masterminds like Shinnok and Onaga are probably out there plotting as well. Many of the other characters in the series have gone on different paths.
----------
No, I don't believe the world has gone mad. In order for it to go mad it would need to have been sane at some point.
First, I'm assuming that the various realms of MK are pocket dimensions as described a few posts back, having been shaped by the elder gods of MK and being connected to each other as well as Earth. Raiden is Earth's ambasador to and representative among this council. I know about the mythology of the "one being" from the games, and at least some of that is going to be distorted myth to make it fit with everything else. I'm still deciding how much and in what way.
With this combined timeline, Earth has no shortage of powerful warriors through the centuries. So much so that Shao Khan lost ten tournaments in a row, technically allowing Earth to invade Outworld rather than the other way around. (Somebody tell me if this is acutally how it works or at least if there is room for arguments that say it works this way. I do know the elder gods weren't always dilligent about enforcing the rules.) Earth was in the midst of WWII at the time of the final defeat in that sequence and the various forces aware of this opportunity were committed elsewhere. However, the occult shadow-war occurring behind the scenes of WWII expanded to include repeated commando raids by all sides and a few independent factions to seize various forms of mystical lore and power.
Having lost face, several elite warriors, and parts of his sorcerous infrastructure through these tournaments and raids, Shao Khan’s hold on power became somewhat tenuous. As most of his major lieutenants were of the backstabbing type, even perceived weakness was a significant danger. To reinforce his position, he enacted various backup plans, like the creation of Mileena and resurrection of Sindel, earlier than he would have in the original timeline.
This was not sufficient. Shao Khan was challenged and cornered by enemies and betrayers and cast down. As he exploded into light upon his defeat, he is presumed dead but it remains to be seen if this is a truly permanent end. In the meantime, the various realms that were absorbed into Outworld are separate once more. Shang Tsung rules the diminished Outworld, plotting conquest but seeking a different route than the tournaments. Other masterminds like Shinnok and Onaga are probably out there plotting as well. Many of the other characters in the series have gone on different paths.
----------
No, I don't believe the world has gone mad. In order for it to go mad it would need to have been sane at some point.