Reconstructionists

Context

• A cubist cult in Perplex City
• Believe The Receda Cube has mysterious religiously signifigant properties
• Have previously planned to steal The Receda Cube
• Cult Leaders are populary known as "The Recon Eight"
• Strong believers in self-sufficiency
• Their secluded compound includes a Substantive Farm, prayer rooms, living quarters, and some samples of very out-dated technology.

Known Members

• "The Recon 8"
• Kostka
• Brother Hans
• Members revealed in the ascii puzzle from Violet's blog
  • Brother Andrius
  • Sister Simla
  • Nadia Anek
  • Aiko Entrescore
  • Demetri Fallon
  • Ryan Klein
  • Keenan Thoreau
  • Gill Yewley

Descriptive

Reconstructionists are one of the off-shoot successors of The Brotherhood of the Six. They are one of the smaller, radical splinter cells.

Cult members are apparently encouraged to take on new names, and absolve themselves of their old life. It is entirely unclear what the process of this involves, but may require signing over all personal assets to the cult. Known to use aggressive recruitment tactics.

Reconstructionist scripture includes the statement "(The Cube shall) be delivered from the faithless hands of the Academics." In short, their profound belief is that the cube is a great religious item, and must be liberated.

There exists considerable speculation, both in Perplex City and on Earth, about the legitimacy of the Reconstructionist's intentions, and any possible involvement in the theft of the The Receda Cube. Although no formal ties can be found, an investigation is under way.

Reconstructionist formal garb includes long robes, worn at such times as lectures. Their daily life involves Meditation, and Farming. Isolation is desired by the Reconstructionists.

Violet's account

Violet returned to the Recon compound on 10.06.05, and in her journal entry titled "Today's Adventures", here's how she described the place. (link)

The compound's huge - must be at least 500 or 600 people living there. The construction, as you'd expect, is really impressive - stone buildings (dormitories, refectory, library, school) that look like they'd survive for thousands of years. The walls are incredibly thick - must be two or three meters thick, I'd guess. I suppose this sort of construction is what gives outsiders the idea that they're planning for armageddon, but I think they just take their construction really seriously. It has the look of a brand-new ancient rustic village, if you see what I mean. The place is dominated, of course, by the huge temple, with those six enormous spires you can see on the skyline for miles around. There's a sense of order as well - you always hear it described on the news as a "compound including livestock", which makes it sound as though there are sheep wandering the streets. But no, it's all ordered pens and bells ringing to signal feeding time. It's peaceful, actually.

Puzzles

A file was recovered from the Reconstructionists (see Violet's Blog). She posted it for decryption at Quirky Acuity. The solution to this puzzle was discovered by hawk (view the Unfiction thread).

References

Perplex City Sentinel

• "Recon Eight Released from Police Custody"(link)
• "Holyoke's Wife Found"(link)

Violet Kiteway's Blog

Quirky Acuity

• 25.05.05 "Recons" (link)
• 27.05.05 "I'm In" (link)
• 31.05.05 "Yesterday's visit" (link)
• 02.06.05 "A plan" (link)
• 07.06.05 "Back to the compound" (link)
• 08.06.05 "Plans, plans and further plans" (link)
• 10.06.05 "Today's Adventures" (link)
• 12.06.05 "Adventures (Part II)" (link)
• 13.06.05 "A Mysterious File" (link)