City Guide (An Abbreviated Introduction)
An Abbreviated Introduction to the City
The City in Brief
It has no other name. Simply put, the City appears to be something of a nexus where thousands-if not millions-of universes converge. The population of the City remains relatively constant. Numbers of people entering the City exhibit a cyclical pattern, with an influx of new arrivals appearing every other week or so. There appears to be no end of variety in the makeup of the City’s population.
The City’s overseers are a group of individuals referred to as ‘the deities.’ They are not, as a rule, the most benign of entities; they may grant requests or deliver punishments as they see fit, and may or may not inflict curses upon the City.
Curses are unpredictable and as much a part of life in the City as inclement weather. Curses are generally short-lived alterations to the cityscape or to the natures and minds of inhabitants. They tend to last from the midnight of one day to the midnight of the next, but some extend over several days or, on occasion, span an entire week. The curses are many and varied, and, more often than not, unpleasant.
A Physical Overview
The City Square is central to the area contained within the barriers and serves as a primary point of entrance for new arrivals. Within the Square is the mysterious fountain, which is said to give individuals glimpses to their native worlds (it should be noted, however, that the fountain has reportedly shown falsities). The carousel lies in the center of the Square, and below it is the clock. A number of important buildings surround the central square, including the deities’ office, the hospital, the Hall of the Missing, and a number of citizen-owned businesses. A cathedral may also be found for those wishing to worship. Apartments form a full circle around the center of the City.
Beneath the main City is an underground area that is almost a city in its own right. This place-known, appropriately enough, as the Underground-is a relatively unsafe place that should be avoided by children and those without fighting experience. The clock can be found here, as well as a number of attractions and diversions. Monsters are known to prowl the area, however, and the underground’s vast labyrinth of corridors can prove disorienting.
Outside of the City proper lies the forest, a foreboding area full of creatures that may or may not have the explorer’s best interests at heart. Enter at your own risk.
Beyond the forest is the ocean. The beach and ocean may be accessed from the central portions of the City by a platform for those who have no desire to hazard the dangers of the forest. There is also an underground transportation system that anyone may utilize to get from one part of the sizable City to another.
The Network
The network is a vital social forum through which citizens may share and learn information, seek employment or places of residence, or relay anything else that may come to mind. The network is accessible from all computers and a variety of other technological gadgets.
When posting on the network, it is important to keep in mind that everyone in the City with network access is capable of viewing what you post. Codes may be used to deter prying eyes, but little information is guaranteed secrecy once shared with the network.
In the Event of a Curse
Curses strike rather unexpectedly, and are, unfortunately, a part of living in the City. City citizens ought to keep the following readily available in their places of residence in order to be prepared for curses:
-An ample supply of fresh water
-Nonperishable food items
-Clothing that you would deem suitable attire for the opposite gender
-Methods of contacting friends or kin that do not necessitate the use of thumbs
As of now, there is no known way to avoid the affects of curses. Not all curses strike everyone, but this selectivity appears to be wholly random.
In the event of any curse, it is wise to remain calm. Curses can be highly distressing, but their power truly lies in their ability to disturb the population. We may not know what precise purpose the curses serve, but we can be certain that, if nothing else, the deities derive a good deal of amusement from our reactions to curses. Perhaps we will find ourselves with fewer curses if our reactions prove less amusing.
Coping with Dangerous Citizens
As with any population, there are a number of dangerous individuals within the City. The following is a rough guide to self-defense against them.
PLEASE do not generalize! Not all vampires will attack you, and not all humans are innocent! These defensive guidelines ought to be used for personal safety ONLY.
Vampires are frequently deterred by holy or blessed artifacts, garlic, and silver. If combat and extermination of a vampiric foe is necessary, some varieties may be disposed of with a stake (made of wood or silver) to the heart. The most effective method of destroying vampires is, however, beheading, regardless of the vampire’s native world.
Humans, even those with superhuman abilities, can generally be incapacitated by a blow to the head or crippled by a well-placed kick to the knee. There are also a variety of sedative chemicals that may be used to placate dangerous humans, as well as deterrents such as pepper spray.
By all means, DO contact the police force before taking action if possible! Doing harm to fellow citizens is highly discouraged!