Editing General Setting Information (section)

=== '''Karteria''' <ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Orexis</ref> ===
This is where characters begin their story.

Priding itself on its functional, futuristic, and nostalgic architecture, Karteria at first glance is pristine, untouchable, and beautiful. It samples heavily from Art Deco and Art Nouveau with just a touch of vintage Hollywood glam and a simplistic modern edge. Its buildings are tall, often teals, blues, golds, blacks, and brassy in color, with lights and splashes of other bright colors thrown in.

When you're ''in'' the city, you start to notice its splendor... fading. Karteria's less affluent districts are rough around the edges, any maintenance few and far between. Sidewalks may be cracked and full of ditches; the faces of buildings may be faded, stained, windows cracked or boarded. Some districts are outright ''crowded'' with makeshift shelters and abandoned vehicles, rendered unusable by governmental policy and resource scarcity. But not all districts are run down, just as not all districts are polished and well-kept.

Karteria is a mix of towering skyscrapers and stout, multi-floor complexes. At the outskirts of the city might exist some few neighborhoods with purely residential buildings, but you can expect that '''most buildings have multiple floors, with business and residential dwellings mixed together within the same street, or even within the same building.'''

===== Belle Ville<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Belleville</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Low-Priced Housing, Moderately-Priced Housing, Luxury Housing

One of the largest districts in Karteria, and one that yet remains vibrant. While plenty of housing exists within the area, much of its zoning is committed to trades, and there's few streets here that are ''purely'' residential. And when it comes to business, if it's not ''too'' loud or ''too'' dirty, it's likely to find a place in Belle Ville.

In addition to craftsmen, alchemists, grocers, adventurers' guilds and the like, there are outright entertainment mini-districts, particularly towards the South, by the water. Complete with old theatres that have seen better days, there are bars known more for their live performances than for their drinks (though most stop by for both). There is little that is outright ''risqué'' on display, however, as social mores within the city lean towards the restrained. Belle Ville is prim and proper; its residents won't tolerate salacious storefronts and performance in plain sight.

To the west side of Belle Ville, and comprising the center of the city itself, lays the administrative heart of Karteria. Buildings increase in height, the density of offices increases, and artisans give way to politicians and bureaucrats.

Karteria is governed by an elected Council, with every district earning a certain number of representatives. Laws passed apply to the whole of the city, though each district maintains a limited amount of autonomy when it comes to distribution of resources. (The Augmented, at this time, have no voting rights.)

Reactions towards the Augmented are largely positive, or at least polite, though the size of the district ensures some amount of variability. But most who live and work within Belle Ville lean towards some flavor of middle class, a group that has largely warmed to the Augmented's presence amongst them. With sufficient means and connections, the Augmented are even permitted to operate their own business in the area! (Though it would be significantly easier to do so within East Sophia or Gloria.)

Karterians living towards the North of the district, skirting up against the more affluent Basileios, might have some of their aloofness rub off. But even if they're a touch less welcoming, they're not anywhere close to hostile. They're not ''brutes'', and they hope that you won't be either.

Local politicians found in the area are likely to be distant, and avoid conversation. The lower down in the bureaucracy they are, the more friendly they become, having likely been on the receiving end of some amount of Augmented assistance. But the Government as an entity has become somewhat displeased with the Augmented. For the time being, favorable public opinion has kept that displeasure in check, and Augmented-run developments in farming is also serving to keep some voices on the Council on their side.
{| class="wikitable"
|'''NOTABLE LANDMARKS & BUSINESSES'''

<big>♕</big> '''Council Offices''' — Some of the finest (and tallest) buildings in Karteria are these, and it's easy to see where the city's budget for maintenance has gone. There's nothing run down here, there's nothing untidy. Most politicians live in the finer parts of Belle Ville or even within Basileios, so you could say they're used to certain standards. Others might suggest that it's important for the seat of governance to look appropriately imposing, to impress foreigners. Still others grumble about the inefficiency and waste of it all (apart from the Augmented there ''are'' no foreigners these days).

While the Augmented can try to seek audiences with Karteria's administration, they're likely to be turned away, and redirected towards Patho-Gen. You are ''their'' problem, not the Council's. For those with the right legislative background and some luck, it might be possible to find work with the lowest rungs of the bureaucracy. It's progress! At first, they wouldn't have even let an Augmented in the building.

<big>♕</big> '''Patho-Gen HQ''' — This is where all new characters wake up. A tall building in its own right, it's not particularly ''massive'', with slender corridors but enough space for labs and the like. With all Patho-Gen's responsible for, it's amazing that they manage to do it all in this one building, but they do! Scientific and medical innovation take place here.

<big>♕</big> '''The Valentia''' — Once a four-star hotel, The Valentia sold out to the Council a number of years ago to ensure financial stability. Now, the entire second floor is used as temporary housing for Augmented characters, and their amenities are available for use by them.

<big>♕</big> '''Peacock Theatre''' — The most glorious of theatres in the whole of Karteria, known for both its stylish decor (much of it peacock-themed, as might be expected) and the quality of its performances. It's true that the place has seen better days, as the economic downturn has put more 'frivolous' luxuries such as taking in a show out of the reach of many Karterians. Still, the place persists. And to be hired for a production here remains the dream of anyone stubborn and deluded enough to pursue a career in acting.

Some would claim that the Peacock's charm has only increased with the wear around its edges, giving it an attractively ''established'' feel. That sort of thing is acceptable for theatres.
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===== Basileios<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Basileios</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Luxury Housing

Why, when you stroll down tree-dappled streets, it's easy to believe there's no crisis going on in the world at all. And that's exactly how these residents liked it.

There aren't too many shops around, but the ones that exist are more accurately described as ''boutiques.'' Jewelry, fine clothes, restaurants, artisanal bakeries—both the goods and the stores themselves are classy, elegant, and expensive. While the truly affluent had personal tailors and cooks, most enjoyed a bit of public browsing as an excuse for an outing.

While the use of robotic assistants is commonplace throughout Karteria, the ServiTons picking up the slack when it comes to the necessary drudgework involved in modern life, their incidence ran even higher in this district. The streets are kept ''clean'', peaceful and neat; boutiques are staffed almost exclusively by machines. And rather than avail themselves of the local (and very fine) private school, the prestigious Basileios Gymnasium, some parents elected to have their children taught exclusively by ServiTon tutors.

For the residents here who still chose to 'work', their careers used to lay almost exclusively in administration, finance, or some other self-employed venture. Some of the higher-ups in Patho-Gen also hailed from this district. And for all that gas-powered vehicles remain banned, if there's any who can afford to maintain a now-illegal car, they lived here.

Opinions on the Augmented tended towards the dismissive, though not outright hostile. The only fur people here wanted to see was a fur coat, and a furry ''person'' was no more welcome than a stray dog: they were more likely to view this as a mark against whoever ''owns'' you (this is probably Patho-Gen). '''Golem-types in particular''' were condescended to and dehumanized, and assumed to be some manner of new ServiTon. Personhood was diminished, when not utterly disregarded. While this is true across all Karterian demographics, the upper class of Basileios were the most dismissive of Golems.

The people here were arrogant and easily amused by trifles. They dressed in furs and golds, and often flaunt their wealth in these spheres to earn the trust of fellow rich folk. In their spare time, they enjoyed lavish parties and talking finance with their peers, often looking for schemes to invest their money in.

In March 2026 most of Basileios and its population (along with areas of Belle Ville and Gloria) were covered by an impenetrable bubble of flesh. They were completely unreachable until the summer solstice several months later, when the meat spread to encompass all of Karteria, while also becoming removable.

Due to this, Basileios is in a somewhat strange condition. Most of its shops remain closed, as while those who staffed them are largely fine (being ServiTons, or people hailing from other districts), the condition of what's inside the buildings is questionable or outright ruined. Basileios' luxurious houses are technically still owned, but almost all of those owners lay unresponsive in hospital, or dissolved wholly into the meat (with lines of inheritance having yet to be worked out).

Basileios lays eerily quiet these days.
{| class="wikitable"
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<big>♕</big> '''Basileios Gymnasium''' — Even though some families have opted to homeschool their kids with the aid of ServiTons, the Basileios Gymnasium is host to only the best. Teachers, lunches, resources, this school focuses on rhetoric, sciences, debate, and government. Of course they offer a well-rounded curriculum, but students who attend this school often partake in social sciences as an extra-curricular activity, encouraged to strike up conversation and argue ethics, morality, and the notion of social and scientific progression. The Gymnasium teaches students zoned in Basileios from grade 1-12.

<big>♕</big> '''Scintillant Park''' — The largest park in Karteria, existing along the southern edge of Basileios. Kept nicely maintained. People from all over the city stop by here for an outing, for a bit of grass and green, because it's not safe to find those outside Karteria any longer. Boasting the largest collection of trees in the city, it's too orderly to be strictly called a 'forest', and impossible to become lost within—but it's peaceful nonetheless.
!
!
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===== Water's Edge<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Watersedge</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Moderately-Priced Housing

''Earnestly'' middle-class, this region is clinging desperately to its hard-fought self-perception of being decent, proper, and educated. Many of the people here have jobs in administration, but can't afford to live there (and ''refuse'' to live amongst the bustle of the East side of Belle Ville).

In recent history, the district had been dedicated to heavy industry, and the richest families here made their money that way. They all attempt to downplay this. Though the pollutants have been largely cleaned up (and ironically replaced with the now ever-present arcane radiation), coastal property is still not seen as glamorous, high-status, or particularly desirable. Associations with sewage, bad smells, and the danger of the open ocean remains... but in reality it ''is'' quite nice. Factories converted into residences attempt to be both chic and old-world, and only add to an unintentionally eclectic style in the district. Water's Edge is trying to escape its past through any means available, but has yet to show any signs of succeeding.

Businesses within Water's Edge are infrequent, and exist as modest corner-stores, groceries, and the occasional small library. ''Quiet'' shops are all that's permitted, and nothing indecent either; if there was ever a district concerned about propriety and morality, it would be here. This is a position that has only sharpened over the past decade, as the problems with arcane radiation show no sign of letting up, nor the outside world becoming any safer. Some fear the return of heavy, dirty industry to the district, ruining their already fragile self-perception further (But with Katalyth unappetizing as an energy source these days, what else can the city do but return to oil and coal?).

Opinions on the Augmented are therefore on the more unforgiving side—as once you start showing fur, scales, or feathers, you become a tangible sign of change, and everything they're afraid of. With the effort the Augmented have put into helping the middle class the people here have warmed up a ''trifle''. As in, they'll let you in their shops, and will avoid looking too uncomfortable about it.

One thing they ''do'' appreciate, if not entirely understand, is that the Augmented seem to have fewer negative associations with the ocean, and don't see anything repulsive about hanging around it. Their district ''isn't'' filthy (anymore), or dangerous—so why can't other Karterians see it?
{| class="wikitable"
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<big>♕</big> '''The Waterfront''' — The heart of business in Water's Edge, both in the past and now, with only the nature of that business changing. Currently it is host to a selection of bakeries, small grocers, cafes, bookshops, and knickknacks. None of it is as upscale as it's pretending to be, but that's not to say that any of it is ''bad''. It's a perfectly cute place to visit, if overpriced for the quality you get. And with many a bench conveniently situated to sit and observe the sea (or those shopping), going to the Waterfront on a nice sunny day isn't the worst way to spend a break.

Business isn't going great though, and never has. Only the residents of Water's Edge ever go here, as a perception of the water as ''dirty'' and ''dangerous'' persists, despite their efforts to clean up that reputation. Even the locals don't sit outside, and without that draw (truly, it's a disadvantage), why would anyone else go out of their way to shop here, when they could get the same things closer to home?

<big>♕</big> '''Old Factory Lane''' — The impromptu name for the area became the de-facto one, much to the residents' distress—though they pretend this makes it sound ''charmingly'' rustic, rather than rusty. These streets (as there's more than one, despite the singular 'lane') ''are'' somewhat charming despite this, if in a very self-conscious sort of way. Constructed largely from converted factories and mills, the style has been kept as deliberately 'industrial'. Exposed pipes are a given. Concrete is an aesthetic.
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===== Sophia<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Sophia</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Moderately-Priced Housing

''Defiantly'' middle-class, Sophia has been trying for years to market itself as something exclusive, vibrant, and youthful. What it has attracted are the sorts of people who can afford to see themselves that way. Prices here are inflated considering what you get, as the standards remain solidly modest—but that's the cost of living somewhere 'hip'.

The shops here tend towards the boutique, the unusual, and ever since the economic downturn, they're largely not doing too well. Fewer and fewer people have the money to spend on novelty, and those that do can afford something nicer than what you'd find here. Which isn't to say that there's no gold to be found amidst the gilt—but you'll have to sift for it.

Or maybe you're there for the gilt. You wouldn't be the first.

Views towards the Augmented are amongst the most positive here, ''especially'' if your soul type lends itself towards bright colors or a fantastic pattern.
{| class="wikitable"
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<big>♕</big> '''Library Sophia''' — As Sophia is the heart of all that is ''fashionable'', exciting and popular—what encompasses all of those things but a '''library!''' As odd as that might sound from a non-Karterian perspective, this is absolutely the case. And while a multitude of libraries service the whole of the city, the ''Library Sophia'' is the grandest of them all. Sporting a multitude of floors to house their expansive collection, the building also contains rooms that can be rented out for club meetings, or small presentations. The interior itself is both grandiose and calm, with plenty of nooks for study or thought.

Literacy is near-universal amongst the Karterian population, and to be well-read is considered not just a favorable attribute, but the ''default''. Even the poorest or roughest citizens know the classics, and would be able to debate the finer points with you. To be educated in this way is practically ingrained into the core of the city, a foundational attribute—something neither high nor lowbrow. To this day the ''Sophia'' sees a great deal of traffic.

<big>♕</big> '''The Black Dove''' — On the other side of things, you have the degeneracy of ''gambling''. As degenerate as Karterians can get, at least—as ''The Black Dove'' is about as respectable as a casino can be. In addition to the games of chance available (cards, roulette, even some rather quaint slot machines), the Dove also offers a stage and performances designed to provide a lively backdrop to the gambling. Their well-stocked bar and attentive staff are on hand to celebrate with patrons on their wins, as well as distract them from their losses (and frequently one to the other).
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===== Gloria<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Gloria</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Low-Cost Housing, Moderately-Priced Housing

The old heart of the city. Gloria has seen Karteria rise, and right now it is seeing Karteria falter. But with much the same grim resolution as the city was founded upon, it is determined to endure. And to that end, most of the locals here hold a more pragmatic view of life, taking each day as it comes. Sharing a border with nearly every other district, this has led to more blending than many of the others have faced, and a more stoic acceptance of change.

The arrival of the Augmented has been viewed more cynically here than in most areas. They, by-and-large, do ''not'' believe Patho-Gen's claims that these newcomers will be the salvation of their world. Sounds like propaganda—and nothing but a distraction from the ''fact'' that no one has found a cure for the ills wrought by arcane radiation.

But as the Augmented have gone out of their way to look after the poorer members of society—which are largely contained within Gloria and East Sophia—many amongst this district have come to view these foreigners kindly. While no Karterian is truly ''friendly'' (not in any sort of outgoing way, at least), the people of Gloria are inclined to give new Augmented the benefit of the doubt. While there have been troublemakers, these Karterians have seen far more compassion towards their situation, and attempt to return it to the Augmented with the same grace.

Less prestigious and more dirty types of businesses have taken up residence in Gloria, as prices have fallen relative to other places in the city. This has made it less and less appealing to actually ''live'' here, but the district remains overcrowded. The population itself is a mix of families who've been there for generations, yet with little influence or power—and relative newcomers, who largely work in heavy industry (fled here from Water's Edge, unable to afford the district's increasing gentrification). Both have adapted to a similar cynicism, where the worst is accepted as an inevitability.

Bordering both parks, residents and workers here have a choice on where to abscond to for a small measure of semi-convenient greenery. The park to the Northwest is considered as part of Gloria itself, and is the preferred one for residents. Though less maintained than the other, there is even a hedgemaze, with a lovely statue of Peacock at its center.
{| class="wikitable"
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<big>♕</big> '''Cherry's Club''' — A speakeasy-style bar that is a popular hub for all things drinking, socializing, and entertainment. With a modest stage, Cherry's Club features jazz performances many nights with an ample rotation of musicians. Every once in a while there's a vaudeville performance, with an entire line-up of acts from magicians to singers to dancers. Late-nite performances barely skirt the edges of propriety, but that's about as risqué as things get.

<big>♕</big> '''Ocelli Park''' — The preferred park by residents of Gloria, Ocelli Park isn't as glamorous as the Scintillant. It's less maintained, but there's a hedgemaze; at its center, a lovely statue of the heroic Peacock stands resplendent in marble, one hand over her chest and the other brandishing sharp claws. Her tail fans out magnificently behind her in delicate carvings, though some of the barbules and eyes of her feathers have been broken. Otherwise, Ocelli offers beds of clover and wildflowers in the spring, and patchy dirt and weeds in the winter.
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===== East Sophia<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#EastSophia</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Low-Cost Housing

Consisting mainly of buildings unfinished, or hastily completed to poor standard, this part of Karteria stands (or more accurately, ''slumps'') as a monument to failed ambition. Hardest hit by arcane radiation and the faltering of the city's economy, no one remains here unless they have to. As it is also the youngest part of the city, there's little loyalty to the land, no heritage to be found in remaining in a shell that has always been derelict. Tattered billboards remain, largely graffitied over or otherwise weathered, but pieces of their slogans remain, advertising the promise of a better life....

The businesses here are small, very local, and with a greater reputation for dealing in illicit goods and services. Unlicensed doctors are the only kind of healthcare around, as the people who live here can't afford the real thing. The quality is variable, from outright fraudsters, to altruists operating on charity, to the unscrupulous looking for test subjects.

Crime is less rampant than what the upper-classes might imagine, but there's no escaping that petty thievery is at its most common here, particularly against anyone who seems ''new''. Outright violence remains unusual—but it's also hard to get reliable statistics, as much of what goes on here is assumed to go unreported. If someone gets out of hand, the locals tend to handle it within the community.

If you don't cause trouble, and can take care of yourself, the people here are likely to leave you alone, and are more inclined to view the Augmented more pragmatically than most. And while they're not a group given easily to trust, the Augmented have made considerable inroads when it comes to earning their affection. The lower classes and impoverished who live here had little to lose and still expected the worst—and time and again, the Augmented have helped out, providing resources to people who weren't their own (and with it, the concept of class ''agitation'', perhaps).

Times remain rough, and with no solution to arcane radiation in sight, they're expected to remain rough indefinitely. But the Augmented who walk these streets are accepted more readily here than anywhere else in Karteria.
{| class="wikitable"
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<big>♕</big> '''The Grand Old Respite''' — Hotels of all shapes and sizes did not fare well once the realities of living with arcane radiation set in. Tourism from abroad dropped to nothing, and inter-city visits were hardly enough to sustain anything. The hotel industry collapsed, buildings cannibalized for parts, or restructured (with varying degrees of care) into apartments.

The Respite was not remade with care. Even at its 'height', the hotel had never been grand nor old. And the few who made the mistake of staying here would argue its status as a respite. And now... it is a derelict among derelicts, its remaining furnishings too gaudy and poor-quality to even be worth looting. Though a recent build, its floors are already moldering, its walls threatening collapse; cut corners and illegal wiring solutions are everywhere. A popular haunt for trouble-seeking youths, and the source of dozens of (contradictory) local legends, the Respite is arguably more popular than ever.

<big>♕</big> '''Car Graveyard''' — Cars can no longer be driven nor purchased in Karteria. Even when personal vehicles were at the height of popularity and possibility, little of the city had time to transition itself into becoming a car-dependent society. Yet many saw these machines as the future, the next stage of a technological revolution!

They were wrong, of course, as with arcane radiation leading to an overall resource scarcity, the materials for both the building and running of cars was restricted, and eventually forbidden. And while the richest citizens could squirrel away their vehicles in private garages, the middle class could not. And so they were abandoned in East Sophia, to become an eyesore for the lower class. This graveyard is only the largest collection of rusting, decaying cars, with individual machines dotting the district in places you might not expect. Some even resort to sheltering within these corpses for lack of anywhere else to stay.
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