New Sornieth, City of the Future
What is the perfect place to live? The perfect city? Where knowledge moves freely and you never have to fear about disease or attacks by beast clan and other dragons alike. Where technology is at its most efficient to give the average dragon a life of satisfaction without the little annoyances?
Look no further than New Sornieth, City of the future!
History & Construction
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Pictured: Spruce Catkin, Castaway and discoverer of the far island chain.
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Pictured: Spruce Catkin, Castaway and discoverer of the far island chain.
An exploration vessel met with a vicious typhoon while out at sea, destroying the ship and nearly all of the crew losing their lives. Small enough and light enough to climb upon some debris, Spruce clung for her life and rode out the storm on a chunk of soggy crate.
She was lost at sea for days, bedraggled and injured. But luck would blow her way, washing her ashore in a calm idyllic cove. Spruce would regain her strength, gather her bearings, and soon dub the little island chain the Far Islands. Far, in the fact that she had no idea where she was, and that flight to the mainland would be impossible with her small size.
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Pictured: Approximate height of the old volcano.
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Pictured: Approximate height of the old volcano.
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So she improvised, exploring the island while gathering resources to create a small base for herself. Her island appeared to be the largest, with a small, thin volcano in the center. Spruce was still trying to cope with the idea that she may be stuck on the island forever when she encountered an ancient door.
This door fascinated her to no end, a year passing by before she discovered a small passageway just large enough for her to fit. Torch in hand, she crawled inside and found herself in the halls of an ancient, long dead civilization. Being the ship’s engineer meant she knew a thing or two, scavenging bits of metal in small expeditions inside. Bad air was a problem, so she had limits to how far she could go.
But using the materials, she was able to craft a crude radio, which she was able to use to send out a distress signal and finally get some help.
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Pictured: Probably not what she did.
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Pictured: Probably not what she did.
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Spruce would return to this island, establishing a lab and leading an exploration team to examine the bizarre ruins. They learned little about its purpose, for the structure appeared to be very solid, though incomplete. Whoever built this, they never got a chance to finish.
But the idea of building something grand within the confirmed dead volcano would not be forgotten. And using the artifacts left behind as a guide, a new project was established. To create a vast, protected city away from the dangers and politics of the mainland. This would be a true monument to progress and what life for dragonkind COULD be.
With the help of a number of dragons from the Order of Engineers, the massive project was begun. It would span decades until it was even complete, and decades more grow into itself with a small, experimental starting population of heavily screened dragons.
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Pictured: The current Mayor of New Sornieth, Mr. August Gleam. Hidden in his fur is a mechanical smartfrog™ that records notes and reminds him of who people are with its facial recognition technology.
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Pictured: The current Mayor of New Sornieth, Mr. August Gleam. Hidden in his fur is a mechanical smartfrog™ that records notes and reminds him of who people are with its facial recognition technology.
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Today, the city is thriving, with its own economy and even a few key exports to the mainland. But its prized commodity is its great minds and sense of security.
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[img]MAP URL HERE[/img]
Pictured: A terrible approximation of the inside.
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[img]MAP URL HERE[/img]
Pictured: A terrible approximation of the inside.
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Structure
The building of the city was a massive undertaking that required great feats of engineering and much problem solving. And to this day it is always being renovated and improved, and has grown far from its simplistic beginnings.
That said, the basic structure and foundation of the city has remained relatively unchanged over the decades. It can be broken up into three layers.
The first, largest, and only one most dragons see is the main level. This contains everything surface level for the city. Buildings, homes, plants, from ground to ceiling- it was built to give the illusion of a massive open space, and is really not far from that.
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Pictured: So Many Pipes.
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Pictured: So Many Pipes.
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The second level is much thinner in comparison, containing pipes, utility lines, basement structures, warehouses, and both manufacturing and processing plants. Factories are kept here, and has the second largest population of dragon workers.
The third level is the deep labs. The deeplabs are an additional set of labs clinging to the underside of the whole structure and its supports. There are some storage areas down here, and garbage, magic, industrial, and other refuse pipes that feed out into the void beneath. The deeplabs are considered creepy, but necessary for certain types of research, particularly any that may pose harm to the above population.
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Pictured: Some biohazard workstations.
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Pictured: Some biohazard workstations.
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The deep labs are highly secured, both against the unknown darkness below and the rest of the structure. Unknown to most of the population, there is also a set of holding cells here. It is thought that this is where the worst disruptors of society are kept, before their wings are maimed and they are dropped into the void. But there is no evidence to support these claims and are likely probably maybe untrue!
Beyond the third floor is the spoken of void- the empty space leading down the open lava tube to the cold volcano’s heart. Over the years, there have been strange lifeforms that have appeared on outer security cameras. And robotic probes have found dark, lush jungles have sprouted up the sides of the space. Any biological garbage disappears, and any not is quickly grown over and covered. Despite the darkness, it is very warm, and it is this heat that is used to warm and cool dwellings above (after through decontamination procedures of course).
It is thought some of these strange lifeforms have been brought to the deeplabs under quarantine to be studied. Though this is not spoken of, nor the accidental exposures to the lifeforms and the results of it. There are always more requests for new lab space in the deeplabs.
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Features
The city was built with having every modern dragon’s need in mind. Both for work and for play.
Edge Forest, Lake Willow, and Clear River
Usually just called ‘The forest’ by the common New Sornieth dragon, this is a thick mixed forest that encircles the entire city. The city itself sits on a incline, allowing for a natural river to form between the walls in the volcano and the city itself, an ever flowing moat that ends in a deep sizeable reservoir at the base of an irregular formation that appears as a large hill. On the opposite side of the hill begins small streams and creeks that begin the circle all over again.
This hill and the forest in general are popular with young dragons, or those wishing for a taste of nature. And the whole forest has a number of hiking trails for your enjoyment. A game warden is responsible for the wildlife management within the forest, with populations heavily monitored and species noted. Fines for harming the forest, the wildlife in it, and littering are extremely high.
The lake, known as Lake willow, is deep enough to support fish, though large imperials are not encouraged to swim in it in fear of the water displacement upsetting the banks. Fishing is also allowed in Clear River, though both of these are also highly regulated, and you need a fishing license before partaking.
Catkin Park
Filled with towering trees, mowed grass and manicured flowerbeds – the park is a place meant for relaxing. Here one can enjoy a stroll along a small pond, watch the fountain, or toss pellets to the robotic fish or birds. Pets are allowed at the park so long as they are kept on a leash, and waste is disposed of properly. Not doing so will result in a strict fine and mandatory community service.
Living Districts & The Spire
There are multiple living arrangements, including land set aside for more suburban neighborhoods, and the spire. The city boasts accommodations that will meet every dragon’s needs. Non natives may find the arrangement cramped and frustrating when unable to expand their own lair. But there is always room for your expanded family to take up a new lair near yours.
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Pictured: A Neighborhood arrangement.
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Pictured: A Neighborhood arrangement.
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Outside the spire, there are three neighborhoods. Woodridge is set on the edge of the edge forest, and is farthest from the city center. Scale courts is closest to the city and its amenities without actually being In the city center. Arborhill is the middle ground between the two, is home to the New Sornieth School district, community library, health clinic, and has a dedicated play area for hatchlings and young dragons.
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Pictured: Another Neighborhood arrangement.
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Pictured: Another Neighborhood arrangement.
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Plaza Mall
The plaza mall is where most shopping is done. Whether it’s for groceries, furniture, or fashion, you will find it all and more here. You will also find eating establishments, arcades, salons, and other various family entertainments here. It is also a popular hangout place for young dragons with time to spare.
Downtown
Down town is where you find business buildings. Law offices, city hall, bank, restaurants, more shopping, and coffee shops. Any dragon with a cubical job probably works downtown. You can also find the New Sornieth Master Library and Museum down town. In the very center, you can find the spire.
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Pictured: Where all the tall buildings and the spire can be found.
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Pictured: Where all the tall buildings and the spire can be found.
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Wing District
The wing district is where the large hospital resides, along with the university these two take up the most space. This is also where dragons will be able to find dentists, eye doctors, and massage therapy.
Cemetery
In the rare and unfortunate circumstance that a dragon passes away, they are memorialized in a high tech grieving area built to soothe and comfort loved ones. Lightly wooded and meticulously landscaped, the area is peppered with monoliths. These can be openly accessed to pull up memorial information about a dragon. For extra fees, one can include an image, and even a video message by or for the deceased.
Bodies are not actually kept here. Instead after ceremony, they are discreetly incinerated and the dragon’s ashes scattered on the surface at sea. While primarily to prevent complications with imperials, the same treatment has been adopted for all breeds within the city for efficiency purposes.
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Living in New Sornieth
Your average resident may come off as strange to any mainland dragon, except exceptions within the technologically advanced Lightning citadel. And even then there may be a distance to reach, with the mainland simply not as convenient or safe as their original home.
However, that same resident is likely intelligent, cunning, and resourceful, and is able to make due in the most trying of times. A well rounded education is the key to their success.
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Pictured: Interior example.
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Pictured: Interior example.
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Your average lair
All lairs have a plethora of amenities as standard, including indoor pluming, heating, cooling, garbage and recycling shafts, plenty of storage, a kitchen, mail service, indoor bathing pools, appliances, and more.
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Pictured: Interior example.
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Pictured: Interior example.
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All lairs have the same floorplan, built for a family of five plus guests. The only difference is scale to accommodate each breed. How a family chooses to use their five spots is up to them, and sometimes include parents or relatives that are permanent residents in the home. In the suburbs, lairs have their own square of lawn to take care of how they see fit.
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Pictured: Interior example.
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Pictured: Interior example.
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Dragons who do not wish to bother with such a hassle enjoy the smaller, though more convenient highrise lairs at the city center. The spire is the tallest structure in the city, made of inner levels, lairs can face outwards or inwards and at most can only comfortably fit three dragons. Temporary housing for guests or unique circumstances are also located in the spire.
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Pictured: Kinda what the spire looks like.
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Pictured: Kinda what the spire looks like.
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Outsiders making the city home may need time to acclimate to the social standards to live in the city. Many practices found in elemental territories have been dropped in favor of more universal systems that allow all to interact on the same page. The bartering culture among ridgebacks in particular is one that can cause ruffled feathers and disputes, though it lives on in a milder, more polite version in neighborhood culture.
Now for the weather
Not only is there some measure of temperature control within lairs, but within the dome itself. All weather is magically simulated, never severe, but varied enough to add spice to the days. All weather reports are highly accurate because of this, so it is easy to prepare for the days ahead. Seasons are roughly followed, but emphasize the good parts about them over the bad.
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Pictured: Day/Night controls on the Axiom in Wall-E
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Pictured: Day/Night controls on the Axiom in Wall-E
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The day/night cycle is completely controlled through magic and technology. Floor to ceiling panels within the volcano create the illusion of an open endless sky day or night, with simulated suns and moons that drift across it.
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Pictured: The sky panels in the axiom cover the entire ceiling in a curve.
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Pictured: The sky panels in the axiom cover the entire ceiling in a curve.
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For special occasions, one of these panels can be used to broadcast a city wide message, though this is rarely necessary.
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Pictured: Captain McCrea in Wall-E doing exactly that.
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Pictured: Captain McCrea in Wall-E doing exactly that.
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The workday
For the average family, one or both parents leave for work each morning while their young go to school. If they are too young to attend, they are brought to a daycare to be entertained and cared for until the parents return.
Dragons typically walk or fly to their workplaces, but may make use of technology to help them if they have injury or are elderly.
The workday is broken up into four shifts: The morning shift, the afternoon shift, the evening shift, and the night shift. These are further broken up by mandatory breaks and eating periods, and it is expected that no dragon will work more than two shifts unless there is a special need or personal desire. Most dragons find themselves working the morning and afternoon shifts only.
Pay day is every other Friday for all careers, though this is staggered so half get paid the first Friday, and half get paid the second Friday, rinse and repeat. While all dragons get assigned a lair and their basic needs met, they can use their money they earn to splurge on other things. The baseline every dragon gets is with the promise that each dragon will contribute something towards the greater whole in their work.
Despite lightning dragons being the creators of this city, income disparity is not a problem with the stipend system. Though the tradition of bureaucratic systems is alive and well in the city government.
So many jobs to choose from!
The city is always in need of a wide range of talents, including those that are needed to make the city function smoothly. Weather technicians, engineers, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, accountants, newscasters, secretaries, teachers, firefighters, police, researchers, gardeners, architects, designers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, chefs, waiters, disposal, salon artists, advertisers, programmers, manufacturers, and so much more! You name it, the city needs it!
After work comes play
When the workday is done, a dragon is free to spend their time how they wish. Those in the scientific pursuits often prefer to work extra hours, but for most of the population it is time to relax. Whether it be going to eat, shopping, enjoying various forms of city approved entertainment, and social gatherings. With the schoolday done, young dragons join their families or hang out on their own ‘teen hangouts’.
Some may come together to enjoy radio, or even TV programs with the city’s four stations! All the news can be found on the NSNC station, for the dragon population’s convenience.
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The Next Generation
Due to the size of the city, there are strict family size rules. No more than three offspring per family unit over its lifetime, and it is greatly encouraged that it is spread apart. There is an enthusiastic adoption program of eggs from clutches that were a little ‘too successful’ in their numbers.
City officials are considering the banning of home breeding at all in exchange for eggs assigned to parents to bond and care for as their own. Socially, dragons are frowned upon if they do not at least care for ONE egg, whether it their own or adopted. Despite this some dragons prefer to be childless, and in some cases single all together in order to devote themselves to their pursuits, a lifestyle openly accepted in the city’s heart.
Ghost Eye Syndrome
Due to being beyond the influence of most of the dragon elements, dragon parents must take care to infuse their nests with elemental items in order to provide their young with their own innate elemental power. Elementally charged items can be rented from the New Sornieth Health center’s hatchling clinic.
Not using elemental items in the nest tend to result in dragons with random, often dulled power and strange eyes. The most common elements being Lightning, Earth, Shadow, and Water. On rare occasions, a dragon may be born with no definable element at all. These grey eyed dragons initially seem to have no magic at all. But as they grow, strange things will happen around them. Some call it bad luck, others consider it proof of a new element of its own.
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Pictured: Pictured: A dragon afflicted with the Ghost Eye Syndrome.
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Pictured: Pictured: A dragon afflicted with the Ghost Eye Syndrome.
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Called ghost eye syndrome, these dragons tend to be shunned by their peers, and end up aloof and distant. Naturally dreamers, they have a fiercely keen instinct in regards to impending events, looking at things from different perspectives and seeing other outcomes.
In the face of danger, it has been reported that these dragons can produce a grey, erratic lightning that does not behave like a normal electrical current. Biological beings hit by this force appear to go rigid, frozen with fearful looks on their faces with wide blank eyes. It should be noted that this information comes from a single source, and has not been verified in a lab. Additionally, it is unknown what happened to the entities that had been afflicted.
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Pictured: Grey Lightning
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Pictured: Grey Lightning
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Other strange artifacts from this power include instances of mist, fog, lucid dreams, auditory and visual hallucinations, feelings of being watched or followed, chills, the ability to move silently, and moving impossibly between two points. None of these have been tested in the lab and are merely first and second hand accounts from other dragons.
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Pictured: They are spooky dragons with piercing eyes.
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Pictured: They are spooky dragons with piercing eyes.
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Despite being considered ‘creepy’, these dragons’ excellent instinct and intuition allow them to fulfill a variety of important roles, such as doctors, law enforcement, creative pursuits, business, trades, and the sciences. The exact number of these dragons is a strictly guarded secret within the city government.
Education
Hatchlings are required to attend school at the elementary center on the edge of the suburban neighborhood. Here five days a week hatchlings learn basic skills: Reading, Math, and Art. Through the years they also learn Writing, Design, The Sciences, Practical Magic, and Athletics. There are two teams within the junior and later high-schools: The Atoms and the Gears.
After finishing high school, dragons are required to do two years of general education at the central university, and encouraged to stay longer. Here they can learn trades, the sciences, advanced math, philosophy, and even creative pursuits. Since middleschool, many dragons have been shadowing mentors or serving as apprentices, which help them in their future careers. After their education is complete though, they do have the option to leave the city for the mainland. Considered dangerous, those that return from a ‘journey to all corners of the mainland’ are considered worldly and tough.
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Pictured: Police Chief Rix Packclaw
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Pictured: Police Chief Rix Packclaw
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The Law & Emergency Services
Crime is not common and rarely severe in New Sornieth. Beyond petty theft over mix-ups of what borrowing is, and young dragons up to mischief, things are relatively peaceful in the city. Most crimes are punished with fines and community service, with jail time being rare. So rare that there are only 4 cells in the small police station. Any extreme cases are dealt with swiftly, the offender disappearing in short order and never spoken of again.
Beyond patrols and security guard roles, most of their time is spent protecting the entrances to the city, and dealing with emergencies. Outside threats are considered the biggest concern, and they do not take any rumor lightly.
A small brigade of dedicated firefighters work at the station in the center of town, famous for their annual “chili cookoff” where the community competes to make the best. Fires are rare, but are also considered serious and taken care of immediately.
There is also a team of dedicated EMS dragons, fast and strong they are trained to get to a scene quickly and get a dragon help as soon as possible, even if it means carrying them. This team is deeply respected, and along with the fire and police teams a dragon must compete in a rigorous course and come out on top to even be considered.
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Pictured: Judge Judy not caring
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Pictured: Judge Judy not caring
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It should be noted that for domestic and legal disputes, a small court system is in place. With the help of a lawyer, dragons may settle their differences in this way as duels and fighting are strictly against the rules.
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Your Golden Ticket
New blood and new ideas are essential for the city to thrive. After a decade of isolation, it once again opens its doors to new applicants wishing to be apart of this new society. One only needs to find an approved agent for the city, fill out the proper paperwork, and undergo a rigorous screening process to test your health as well as your smarts.
A campaign has been started to help advertise around the mainland about the opportunities that await this grand city. Don’t wait, find an agent today! Your home flight does not matter within the grand city*. Flight allegiance can be left behind as you journey to your new home.
*Due to regulation, Plague and Nature born dragons receive additional screening to ensure that neither pathogens nor invasive wildlife are accidentally brought into the city.
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Pictured: Bullet Trams.
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Pictured: Bullet Trams.
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Once approved, please arrive at the secure tram checkpoint for a final inspection. From there, you will take the high speed underwater tram to the island!
On rare occasions, special envoys are allowed a temporary pass into the city for meetings. Officials from various companies, or scientists from around the mainland are occasionally welcomed for a visit to exchange ideas and innovations.
Rarely, stowaways try to sneak in the city, either through supply shipments or fake passes. It is unknown how many residents are not meant to be there, and city officials are not willing to comment on it.
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Pictured: Beastclan are prohibited from entering the city at any point.
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Pictured: Beastclan are prohibited from entering the city at any point.
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Future of the City
The city can always be improved, and tries its best to do so. At the same time, scouting teams and engineering groups have been put to the task of looking to the feasibility of creating similar cities in the rest of the chain islands.
City officials wish the population to rest assured that everything is COMPLETELY safe, and that the rumors of horrible monsters living in the darkness beneath it are NOT real. But in the event that they might be real, precautions are being taken to help strengthen security, and experiments underway in studying the strange phenomenon. No one has gone missing or has been murdered. The earthquakes are normal, please carry on with your day.
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Conclusion
The city hopes to be an example for what things could be, so much so that it may cover up its flaws in unhealthy ways. One cannot argue against the innovations that are found in the city, even if they can be stingy about sharing them. If you want a look, come see for yourself*!
*Restrictions Apply. Batteries not included.
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This was a very spur of the moment idea that fleshed itself out very nicely. I pictured those Russian atomic cities, and that 40's and 50's vision of a shiny, chrome, atomic future. And just like them, things are not as they seem on the surface...!
As always this lore is free for everyone to use in flight rising. I only ask that you link back to the post so others can read more about it too! If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please respond to this thread and ping me. Thanks!
As always this lore is free for everyone to use in flight rising. I only ask that you link back to the post so others can read more about it too! If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please respond to this thread and ping me. Thanks!
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