Editing General Setting Information (section)

===== 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.
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|'''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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