The place: Port CityPort City is the main trading port in the Timmerill Empire. A bustling city full of trade posts, markets, small business, and is mostly comprised of working class citizens. A hodgepodge of buildings and shacks, almost one on top of the other. Most of the people that live here are poverty stricken, hard working, blue collar types, with only a handful of aristocrats and the wealthy are barely that.. The people of Port city work their fingers to the bone just to make ends meet. Many men, and women alike, work in the salt planes, or in the coal mines just north of the city in the mountains. The commute to both is by railcar. A set of tracks runs east to west and ties the districts of the city together, making it fairly easy to get around. Another set meets up and runs from the docks and shipyards, running north to the mines, and beyond to the inner empire through a mountain pass. Traveling by railcar can be difficult, as it is highly regulated by the Emperors troops.The city is in a police state and heavily regulated by the Emperor and his troops. Everything from common household items and food, and even medicine, are all regulated and rationed. Many have little, and only some have a lot.
The city is in constant turmoil and skirmishes between the Emperor and several resistance groups are commonplace. Everyone in Port city is fed up with the Emperor and his regime, but no one wants to aid the resistance for fear that it may cause problems for themselves. The Emperor has deployed steam driven war machines and large steam powered airships to combat these small pockets of resistance and everything has come to a head.
Times were hard in Port City and had been for a while. The poverty stricken people who called Shanty Town home had it the worst of all those who would call this port home. The Emperor, however, was not without problems of his own. Though his empire was financially sound as an economic powerhouse, and his amassed foot soldiers and gun ships were a formidable force, complete control over this great city seemed unobtainable..
The Emperor, Ashe Fontaine, had seized control of Port city and all of its assets during "The Great War" as it was to be called. He soon declared this new territory a police state, and regulated its inhabitants to extremity. Though he maintained his occupation over the territory, it has remained in a constant state of turmoil and chaos due to several pockets of resistance fighters. These factions aim to return Port city, and the people that call the city their home, to the freedom they once knew. However these factions struggle to unify against the Emperor and his troops, making it difficult to gain any real ground against him. If ever united, these factions could prove to be a real threat to the Emperor and his regime.
The Emperor has employed steam driven war machines to combat the resistance, and has had great success using these to his tactical advantage. Many have died, resistance and citizens, as bystanders fall in the skirmishes in the city streets. No mercy, or quarter is ever given, and morale for the resistance is at an all-time low, and little hope is to be had. These machines tear through the city streets causing major collateral damage, slaughtering innocent and freedom fighters alike. These machines are outfitted with high caliber artillery, flame throwers, and edged weapons, and can inflict massive amounts of damage to flesh and buildings.
Ashe Fontaine has also amassed great airships to regulate air-trade commerce, the seizure of contraband and various other commodities, and to hunt down and annihilate any resistance in the air. These vessels are steam powered, and are much faster than the airships of the resistance. However, they are bulky and loud and are not as stealthy as the air and wind driven ones that are common in the skies over Port City. Stealth is key for the resistance, and they go to great lengths to disguise themselves as common merchant vessels and strive to avoid the imperial ships at any cost.
The Places of Port City
The imperial compound is a cluster of massive structures that dominate the inner skyline of Port City. The compound used to be where the old city hall and government buildings and barracks as well before Ashe assumed control. These massive alabaster buildings are heavily fortified and were to be used for the protection of the citizens of Port City. It lies at the very heart of the city. thick walls surround the compound and stand at a hundred and twenty five feet. These walls are also equipped with several docking stations for air vessels. Other walls span out from the compound like the spokes of a wheel, dividing the different districts of the city. These walls are further fortified by troops and heavy artillery cannons.
The inner compound has never been used by any of the inhabitants of the city, and the layout of the compound is not clear. It is very difficult to gain access to the inner compound. The face of the walls are sheer and smooth, and would be nearly impossible to climb. If not granted entry by an entrance point (there are only three), then access by air is perhaps the only other option.
The docks of Port City are multi-layered, and quite numerous. They are located to the south of the city, along the shores of the Sapphire Sea. This is the primary place for the importing and exporting of goods for the city. The different layers make use of both air and sea vessels, and can be quite tricky to navigate. They are positioned in a very tight fashion and are usually congested. It is very easy for one to get lost or "turned around" if you will, and if you aren't a local merchant or captain, it is likely that you will end up lost for a good while. There are also cargo elevators that are used to load and unload goods and equipment, providing easier access routes to the warehouses just beyond docks.
The shipyard is located to the east of the docks and is used to build and refurbish ships. All manners of fabrication and engineering goes on here. Welders and fabricators, metal workers, etc., find employment here. New ships are built, but mainly the refurbishing of older ships is more commonplace. Most people don't have the money required to build new vessels, and scavenged materials are utilized primarily for refurbishment. The shipyard is capable of building even the largest of ships and vessels, and is a marvel that remains from before the war. It was the pride of Port City, and people from all over the empire came to the city to make use of it. It was the place to go if you wanted a quality crafted ship.
The upper reaches are reserved for the "high society" in Port City. Large buildings, high rises and complexes, that house and entertain the wealthy. They are few in number, and by the current standards are extremely wealthy. The people who reside here enjoy all the comforts of the empire, and nothing is spared. Fine shops and dining, lavish town homes and gardens, are commonplace here. Access to the districts is highly regulated, and few outsiders are permitted within these walls. Marble and granite encase almost everything, and fine polished brass accents and hardware adorn nearly every gilded nook and cranny. The people of the uppers rarely venture outside of these districts, nor do they need to.
Districts 3 and 5 are known as the commons, and house the middle class. Relatively well kempt buildings and small complexes are common, as well as townhomes and some lofts. The people here are easy going, but they too feel the pressures of the imperials and their enforcers. Many pay protection fees and taxes here are numerous and high. Many of the people here are broke because of these taxes, but they make the choice to live here instead of living in the squalor that is Shanty Town. These people are usually small business owners or shopkeepers and servants. They do their best to pedestal themselves to those that live in the shanty, though there is little difference, other than appearance. Good, hardworking citizens, who often turn a blind eye to the imperials grip on the city and their freedoms.
District 4 and district 6 are the mercantile and market districts. They are located conveniently near the commons districts of 3 and 5 and also district 7. Many open air markets and venues of all types can be found here and are utilized by the middle and lower classes. Shops and eateries, entertainment of all kinds, brothels and taverns, this is the place to go if you need anything, or just need to blow off a little steam. Pick pocketing and muggings are commonplace. One would think the imperial troops would police this type of behavior and crime, but they love to watch the spectacle of Port City's inhabitants turning on one another, and even encourage it. Corruption here within the imperials is high, blackmail and pay-offs are the norm. Sometimes one can buy more information here than one can find on their own.
The Merchants districts are used as a commons area, where people go to meet up or hang out, to go and see a show or play. However, one should always have a side arm on them when coming here, especially if they aren't street savvy. Most any item can be found and purchased here, even some goods make their way on to the black market... if you know the right people.
Shanty Town is the name given to District 7 by its inhabitants. The people here are rough and tumble, blue collar types. Everyone here is poverty stricken. The name comes directly from the districts appearance. Shack upon multi-layered shack. It is littered with tiny buildings and the alleys are countless. The pathways and streets seldom have names, save for the main ones, and most navigate this district by landmarks. It is the most densely populated district in Port City, and is roughly the size of all the other districts put together.
The people of Shanty Town are mostly coal miners, and salt flat workers and the like. Those who are employed otherwise must travel to other districts for work, and are required corresponding passes to do so. Most of them travel by rail, but many do so on foot as well. There are small markets everywhere in Shanty Town, and offer lesser goods, though the black market here is prime. Many of the items on the black market wind up here because everyone is afraid of getting caught with them in the merchants district of 4 and 6. These items are highly sought after, and are very obscure.
The crime rate in Shanty Town is nearly three times that of the other districts and is less regulated by the imperials. Prostitution and illicit drug use is high, murder, rape, and robberies occur all too often here, and there isn't much that is don't to ratify it either. Most people from the other districts do not travel here often, and almost never do so alone.
The ResistanceThese freedom fighters are comprised of everyday common men and women, and some soldiers left over from the war who provide military know how and training. Every citizen of Port city is fed up with the Emperor and his regime, though few will give aid to the resistance, as they fear of the repercussions it could bring upon them and their families. "The Crimson Fists" are perhaps the strongest, and best outfitted of these factions. Sky pirates, led by a commander Slade, are very organized, and conduct acts of espionage and the looting of munitions from the Emperors depots, turning them against the mighty regime, unleashing deadly attacks from the air and ground alike.
The Crimson FistsThe Crimson fists are perhaps the most organized and effective group in the resistance. Members of this group are very hush hush about their participation and membership, but chances are, if you live in Port city you already know a few of them. The Crimson fists hit the imperials right where it hurts, raiding and looting weapons and munitions depots own by imperial forces. They disperse these looted weapons and munitions amongst themselves and other resistance fighters and turn them on their enemies. They are the backbone of the resistance, and without their aid, all hope would be lost.
The BengalsThe Bengals run sabotage and espionage missions on the ground in Port city. A highly secret and tight knit group of individuals who want nothing more than to see the imperials fall from power. They relay coded messages within resistance and help to organize strikes with other resistance pockets. It is highly unlikely that anyone would know anyone who was a Bengal. They have been known to commit suicide if caught and hold extremist morals and ideals. They are the eyes and ears of the resistance and nothing happens without them knowing about, or orchestrating it.
Most everything in Port City is run by coal burning, steam driven machines. Electricity is also commonplace, and usually supplied by coal burning power plants, or by battery. Diesel Fuel and other flammable gasses can be found here as well, but are not abundant. Gunpowder, sulfur, and alkaloids are also common. Exotic metals and the like are present, but extremely rare.
Weapons technologies are black powder muzzleloader, rim fire, percussion, (WWII and pre WWII type weapons are all acceptable).
Simple bionics are also acceptable, within reason.
1. Do not use or control anyone else's character(s) at any time.
2. Do not utilize information that your character has not been privy to at any time. This will not be tolerated. Information in this RP is hard to come by, and you may only use knowledge given to your character by another character, or by witness of your character, or information given in OOC by another player or administrator.
3. Know your characters limitations. Don't deviate from your characters skills or characteristics.
4. NPC's- npc's in general may be utilized by any player, as long as these npc's do not deviate from their normal tasks or purposes. If you have a question on the matter then it is probably better to ask beforehand.
5. Respect the guidelines of the given technologies. New technologies may be discussed and, or added at a later time.
6. Remember, this is an advanced, descriptive style RP. Act like it.
DisclaimerThis RP is intended for mature players only and will more than likely contain mature content and explicit language. By reading this I will assume that you are at least 18 years of age and will not be legally responsible for any minors..
