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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:19 am
Welcome to Polcrity
In the shifting sands of the desert within the center of Mancherio lies Polcrity. Unaffected by the trials of time, this city-state is a self-reliant, religious country, similar to our Vatican, and ruled by its own Sultan, descendant of the Sunlord, and his many wives. The Sun god Felix, also called the Sunlord, The One who Rises, or simply Felix, is worshipped most ferverently here, and open heathenism is a crime punishable by death.
The economy here is mainly precious metals mined out of the earth on the outskirts of the city. The Sultan was feared long ago as a feirce warrior, but with all his enemies conquered or in alliance with his empire, Polcrity is at peace. Being built originally with a defense-oriented style in mind, the city is built mainly in rings, with the oldest and grandest buildings, such as Felix's Grand Shrine and the Sultan's Palace in the innermost ring, classes defined on the location of residence. The poorest of the poor don't even live in the city, and eke out a meager living doing what jobs they can at the mines. Polcrity is surrounded by several small oasises where sometimes the wandering Nomads, a loose confederation of people at peace with the Sultan, can be found. These Nomads keep mainly to themselves, but when they have many great things to offer when one mentions the word 'trade'. They are shrewd and clever bargainers despite their otherwise ancient mannerisms, but one can expect to be had with a fair deal and an even fairer artifact to take home after meeting with these rare people.
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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:36 am
The Gangs Despite most law-abiding appearances, Polcrity has a large underworld, controlled by three gangs: Sand Serpents, Hellfire, and The Thousand Veils.
Sand Serpents are a honor-abiding group of children who look out for their own and get by with what little they can steal or earn. No one knows exactly where the location of their residence is, if they have one at all, and no one's about to tell. Even so, each child earns their keep in exchange for safety, food, and shelter, and at the age of 18, it is required that they leave the gang. These young adults usually go back to the straight-and-narrow, but a few stay, becoming either a Hellfire member or a Veil of the Thousand Veils. The Serpents are currently led by Alice Decarth, an 8-year-old squirrel demon who is actually more mature than she seems. Although most can figure out what gang one belongs to by gender, mannerisms, or age, the Serpent's traditional sign is a red kercheif or bandanna wrapped around the upper arm with special black embroidery, embroidery that only the Serpents know. Because all the Serpents are roughly equal, there is no way to distinguish rank.
Hellfire is a shady group of individuals that have amassed a large underground empire through blackmail, violence, and more violence. Consisting mainly of males and the majority of animal demons, Hellfire is definitely a force to be reckoned with when it comes to down fighting rough and dirty. Too many a time an unfortunate shopkeeper returns to find their shop burned down after turning down an order for 'protection' money to Hellfire. A large territorry with many warehouses on the border of the city provides cover for their paranoid and schitzophrenic leader, a large bear demon simply named Boss. Their gang sign is a red glass pendant fired in the shape of a flame - The more you have, the higher you are in the strata.
The Thousand Veils are essentially a group of whores collaborating under one banner.With an almost all-female crew, with the exception of a few permanent male bodyguards and a few male whores, the Veils are probably the most profitable of all the three gangs because of their tendency to not become envolved in politics. This gang has a permanent residence at the brothel The Silk Veil, a former inn until the gang adaped it to their needs. Their leader and current mistress is the lovely kitsune Rose Threetail. Tradition usually demands a blue or green nose gem and a face veil, but those higher on the heirarchy will have more expensive gems and better quality cloth, while the shabbiest streetwalker will probably only have a glass gem and a linen veil.
Every half year, the gangs will collaborate and meet in peace under the Meeting of the Minds, a time to discuss difficulties affecting all three gangs and hopefully make solutions for them. All three will take turns hosting - The Veils at the Silk Veil, Hellfire at one of their many warehouses, and the Serpents, always keeping quiet about their headquarters, at a local hotel or inn.
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