Golden City

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Golden City


The Sky , The Land & The Underground
Located in the depths of the mountains, Golden City was originally a town of miners. Hidden in height, surrounded by rocks, and covered in smog, Golden City is a place where dreams are said to come true despite its barren land. It is a city built upon the dreams and creativity of scientists and entrepreneurs, of the runaways and the hopefuls. From afar, the forever smoking factories seemingly gleam golden, which is what earned its name. However, it is far more famous for its intricate streets that smooth into each other like clockwork, and the floating part of the city The Sky.

Welcome to the city of the dreamers, the thieves, and the forgotten.


The Sky


City of Dreams ; Place of the Rich
Hanging above the city centre is the upper part of Golden City commonly called ‘The Sky’. It is the science behind the floating layer that made Golden City as prosperous as it is today. Pieces of land that are connected with bridges float high above the city center. Floaters underneath these pieces of land are what keeps The Sky in the air, strengthened with cables at the outer parts to the mountain side to stabilise the floating city. A tube in the centre is what connects The Sky with the rest of the city. It transports several elevators that brings people up and down from The Sky as needed. Citizens also have crudely named the tube ‘Placenta’ to fit the theme of the rest of the nicknames.

Oxygen is sparse in The Sky because of the high altitude, but that is fixed by a thin layer surrounding it. The bubble, lovingly called ‘The Embryo’, filters the smog out of the air and adds in oxygen so that all can live comfortably in The Sky. There is another addition to the air of The Sky, which is called The Medicine. This chemical is what keeps the inhabitants of The Sky from feeling motion sick because of the ever-swaying roads.

Life in The Sky is generally peaceful and luxurious. With its clean air and slightly swaying road, there are plenty of gardening plots found amongst the carved mansions and the fancy boutiques. Unlike the rest of the city, The Sky has made room for flowers and plants to be enjoyed, resulting in an image of serenity and cleanliness that Golden City is not known for.

The people who live in The Sky are usually the richest amongst the citizens of Golden City. They are nicknamed the Floaters -or more crudely, ‘Fetuses’- referring to The Embryo protecting them. The Floaters are the example of what Golden City can give once dreams become truth. However, many of the Floaters are born into this privilege and are said to have never worked a day in their lives, as automatons surround them to serve them on their whims.



The Land


Where Everything Happens
The place everyone sets foot in when they arrive in Golden City. Where The Sky is what Golden City advertises with, The Land is the place where everything truly happens. Dreams come true here, just as they are shattered. It is in the Land where the science happened that made The Sky possible, along with the forever running factories, and the competition between tinkershops.

Unlike The Sky, The Land is always covered in a layer of smog coming from the factories that never shut down. Depending on the weather, the smog can be worse, or the air is clearer for the citizens. This makes for little sight in The Land on most days, which makes streets and turns hard to see. This can lead to dangerous situations on the road, especially with Golden City’s trademark of intricate streets. As such, it is not recommended to go over the streets in a high speed, which, in turn, is one of the reasons why cars and carriages are mostly banned asides from the main roads.

The most notable trait in The Land’s appearance are the cables. Hanging over the city are cables going high and low, over which packages and mail are delivered. It is not meant for human transport, as the cables aren’t designed to carry such weights, and to prevent them from falling. Yet, many try, resulting in illegal cable racing happening all throughout the town.

The Land is more diverse in its people than The Sky, existing out of scientists who seek creative and intellectual freedom for their projects, but also out of entrepreneurs and merchants that see money in the city and its freedom.

The majority of the people in Golden City are miners or factory workers. They either work long hours in one of the many factories that Golden City is rich of, or they go to the Underground everyday to mine coal--the most important resource of the city. The pay is generally low for these jobs, which makes it hard for the workers to survive in the city when they have a family to feed. However, as labour laws in Golden City are flexible, and there is a constant demand for more help, even children can work in these dangerous environments. Ultimately, as the cost of life in Golden City is high because of a lack of natural resources, the workers are usually forced to take on ‘odd’ jobs at the side.

Most of the shops that can be found on The Land are small tinkershops. They are often run by self-employed scientists who earn a living by creating trinkets and offering repairs on automatons or mechanical limbs. They live and work within the shops, just as they pursue their own personal projects and goals in the spare time they have. More influential tinkershops can afford themselves to take in proteges who do the small jobs for them, but most of the shops are barely scraping by as it is because of the sheer amount of competition there is in the city.



The Underground


The Closest Place to Hell
The third and lowest layer of the city. It is the part of the city that takes place within the mines and former mines, but also where the ovens of Golden City are located. The waste of the city is burnt in large ovens, from which heat is generated and directed through pipes to warm up the houses in both The Sky and The Land. As such, The Underground is also called the Sewers by many, or otherwise known as the garbage bin.

The Underground is generally considered uninhabitable, because of the lack of fresh air, the high temperatures, and the toxic fumes that surround the place, it is indeed a bad place to live in. However, it is general knowledge to the citizens that there are people who have settled down in the Underground. It is because of a lack of law enforcement in The Underground that criminality in the Sewers is the highest. At the highest rings, along the walls of the mines, a black market can be found selling all that one can imagine for much cheaper than on The Land. Pleasure can be bought, as well as trinkets, weapons, and even body parts. Even oxygen tanks, which are stolen from the sky, can be found there.

The citizens call those who live in The Underground, Rats. They are those who can’t afford to live up in The Land, or are in hiding from the public eye.
 
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Notable Locations


The Tube
Connecting the layers of the city is the tube. It consists of elevators that transport people up and down between The Sky and The Land. It also has a pair of stairs, and one elevator leading down to The Underground, as traffic isn't usually expected to come from The Underground. To make use of the elevators, a toll has to be paid to the ticketmaster. A ticket is often roundtrip. The price for the tickets are set for all layers of the city; however, it is known that ticketmasters tend to be a little corrupt. It happens frequently that tickets are sold for more than their actual price, and that citizens get discriminated based on what part of the city they come from. However, no matter the complaints made, the city doesn't deem the ticketmasters' corruption as dire enough to address.

The Centre
It is said that the Centre is where all roads in The Land lead to, eventually. It is the reset point of the city, the place where the lost can pick their way up again; it is also where the Tube is located. The Centre is where the markets of the merchants can be found, as it is the only open space that the packed city has. Everything can be found there: from rare exotic fabrics, to the common apple, to the introduction of a new invention. The Centre is the place to be if one is looking for something.

The Sky has its own Centre as well, which is where the townhouse can be found. All official business --such as citizen registration, complaints, court announcements-- take place at the Centre of The Sky. Unlike the chaos of the Centre in The Land, the Centre in The Sky is much more formal and strict. Citizens aren't allowed to waltz into the place without an official appointment.

Pioneer's Cottage
While the original is a decayed and uninhabitable place in The Land, a replica can be found in The Sky. It is the Pioneer’s Cottage, the first living quarters of the Pioneer as it was before The Sky came to exist. It is there to honour the enigma that is the Pioneer, and to retell the story of Golden City's origin days. Most of the citizens of Golden City have visited the museum at least once in their lifetime, as it is part of the mandatory curriculum of their education system. A free ticket is given to every newly arrived citizen that settles down.

The original cottage can still be found in The Land. Restricted from all entry, it is located near the Centre, to the south of the Tube. Over the years, the little cottage has broken down and decayed beyond recognition. With no effort to preserve it either, the place is just waiting to be taken by the forces of nature. While it is forbidden to enter, for fear of danger, it is still frequented by addicts looking for a place to enjoy their addiction.

The Nest
Located in the north of The Land, hanging between The Sky and The Land, is a construction made of the same material as the cables hanging around The Land. It is called The Nest, and it functions as the main postal office of Golden City. It is where all of the incoming and outgoing mail is gathered, sorted, and distributed. From a letter to The Council, to a package to the outside, all postal traffic goes through The Nest first before it goes anywhere else. Being the highest building in the city, The Nest can easily reach out to anywhere needed with the use of the cables. Mail and packages are constantly whizzing up and down the lines towards their destinations, making the cables quite a spectacle to see.

Pariah Bay
As Golden City has no bodies of water of its own, it has to make use of large water tanks to provide its people with clean and fresh water. One of these tanks, and the largest of them all, is found in the west of the city, and is what has given Pariah Bay its name. It is one of the poorest neighbourhoods of The Land. It is, as the name suggests, the place of outcasts, of those that don't entirely fit into the image of Golden City and its vision, but haven't fallen into The Underground yet. Some of them are orphans who have little chance to survive; others are failed dreamers who crashed hard; and all of them are struggling to survive. They are stranded in Pariah Bay, hoping to find a way out, but are ultimately fated to disappear into The Underground. The housing in Pariah Bay is considerably cheaper compared to the rest of the city, simply because most of the houses don't have basic utilities, or that small spaces are shared by multiple people. Security is also a problem within Pariah Bay the crime rate is high due to the dire circumstances most of the inhabitants of the district live in, and murder is an ordinary occurrence. It is the neighbourhood that few dare to enter on their own volition. Even the Inquisition steer clear of the place.

The Ovens
The heating of Golden City is provided by the Ovens. These huge, fiery constructions can be found at the very depths of The Underground, and are forever burning, fed with the waste the city produces. With the help of pipes, the heat is directed up to the households of Golden City, providing them with warmth. However, a lot of the warmth still lingers around in The Underground, creating the choking hell that the Sewers are known for. The waste that the Ovens burns also releases a lot of the toxic fumes hanging in the air of The Underground. It is due to the combination of heat and fumes that The Underground is considered unfit to live in. This is especially the case in the lower area, where the Ovens are located, as the heat becomes unbearable for more than a few minutes, and the fumes too concentrated.

Tattler's Box
For justice to be enacted most efficiently, a network needs to be built. Sometimes this network falls short as people are afraid to speak up, or they are too deeply involved in the crime themselves. To combat that hole of information, The Tattler’s Box are installed around notable buildings. Intricately designed and gold in colour, these boxes are located around the walls of the Nest or near postal offices in the city. That way, the ‘tattler’ can use the excuse of posting mail to bring away their ‘message’. It is within these boxes that citizens can leave their little pieces of hints and evidence anonymously and where it is stored until a member of the Inquisition opens it. A Tattler’s Box is always secured, impossible to be opened by anyone but an Inquisition member and designed to wail loudly once an attempt is made to forcefully open it. For that reason, the Tattler’s Box is also called the Mandrake’s cradle, as its cry is so painful to hear and impossible to ignore. One can expect themselves to be surrounded by Cloaks within moments after the attempt.



Geography


Climate
Being so high up in the mountains affects the climate of Golden City. The first thing to be noticed is the temperature, which is usually cool and humid. The temperature in the city rarely exceeds 15C (59F), and can drop as low as -29C (-20,2F). As a result a jacket is almost always required when going outside. The temperatures are pretty constant throughout the year, but through human intervention, and the direction of the wind something alike to seasons can be experienced in the city.

Through the summer and spring, the air that blows is dryer and lighter, thus causing the smog rates to be thicker. The heat of the factories also tends to linger around in the city, raising the temperature just a little above average. This is usually the dry season of Golden City, though some off-season rainstorms may occur, depending on the direction of the wind.

In the fall and winter, the air becomes heavier and more humid, which makes precipitation more common. Smog rates become lower as well, as the dust particles grow heavier, and lands on the ground, which in turn makes the air cleaner. Temperatures can drop down to below freezing point in the city.

The changing of weather in Golden City can be quite radical. Especially so in the summers, when the arid air can suddenly grow heavy. Because of the mountains it happens that rain clouds are blocked in their way, gathering around, and descending down to the point where they become too heavy to hold. These cloud breaks can be quite disastrous, even if they don't last long, because of the huge volumes of water rush down the roads. However, the aftermath of these rainfalls is a breather for the city, as the smog clears up a little. In the winter, when the air is heavier and temperatures are lower, snow becomes more common. As with the rain, it is common for the snow to fall in piles. However, don't expect the snow to be white, for the pollution causes even the snow to discolour and turn black as it falls.

Generally the same temperatures can be experienced in The Sky, because of the Embryo protecting The Sky, condensation isn't as common in The Sky as it is on The Land. Except from the cloud-bursts that last for only a few minutes, the Embryo manages to hold out most of the precipitation.

Flora & Fauna
Both naturally, as well due to human cause, there is little green to be found in and surrounding the city. Due to the high density of people there is little space in The Land to plant anything, as every inch of ground is employed. Counting with it that Golden City has very little ground that is suitable for vegetation at all, it stands low on the list of priorities. The only place where greenery is a common sight is in The Sky; as the added oxygen in the air, as well as the availability of maintenance, makes it easier to grow flowers and bushes to decorate the streets.

Wild animal life in Golden City is mostly extinct since the city started to expand and industrialise. Due to the heavy smog on The Land, and the activity of humans, most of the fauna has fled to places away from the city. The only wild animals that can still be found are rodents, crawling everywhere from The Land, to The Underground. With the arrival of people in Golden City, domesticated animals have been introduced into the wildlife as well; this is, usually because of abandonment from the owners, or because they simply got lost in the maze of alleys that is Golden City. Lately, it has also been popular to take on mechanical pets, as they require less attention and grooming than an actual pet, but can still act like one. It has all the traits of a pet, minus the inconveniences, which raises the numbers of pets abandoned at an alarming rate.

Smog Alerts
Smog is a recurring problem in Golden City. The pollution caused by the factories, as well as the mountains surrounding the city, makes it difficult for the pollution to escape. In The Sky, the air is filtered to protect the people. However, on The Land there is no such filter, and the citizens usually have to live in the dirt and grime of the air. Some days are better than others; when it rains the dust particles in the air gets heavier, and hit the ground. However, on hot days the smog can turn quite dense, and rise to dangerous levels. As such, there are a few systems in place to protect the citizens of Golden City. It is always advisable to wear a mask in the city, but not everyone does it, as they believe it to be cumbersome and have accustomed themselves to the ever lingering smog.

The morning papers gives elaborate readings on what the expected smog rate is, advises the people on whether it is wise to wear a mask, or informs them that they may be better off staying home at certain hours. The papers also gives the citizens an insight on their vision within the city. These are important to know how thick the smog is, and how it can affect their sight. Next to that, there are smog alarms installed everywhere in the city, in case the levels of pollution becomes too high. Once the rate of pollution exceeds a certain danger level, these alarms will go off, signalling for the citizens of Golden City to hurry inside, wherever they can.

Location
Many of the rich tend to buy pieces of land to separate themselves from the rest of the world. Whether it is because they want their own autonomy, or wish to escape, there is always an ambitious soul or two that attempts to start their own utopia. Golden City is another such example and a successful one at that. Located somewhere in the European mountains the city’s location keeps itself secluded from the whims of the world. It enables the freedom that many scientists seek when they arrive. Many from far and wide travel to Golden City through the numerous means provided. Merchants on business, or scientists with a dream, or these who wish to escape the everyday world. There are many reasons to seek out Golden City.

Some travel by the mountain roads, letting their own feet, or carriages bring them to the city. Others take the zeppelin ride to the top, which is a pretty recent invention brought to the world. There is always a steady stream of newcomers that seeks Golden City, each with their own story to tell.
 
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Author's Note:
The information in the post(s) below aren't required to read, but will help you gain the best understanding of Golden City as a setting.


History & Lore


The Pioneer
The conception of Golden City goes far, far back. To a time when it was still only land and mountains. Even way before there were mines, and before coal was found. To a time when one person saw the potential of what could be, bought the grounds, and employed the first miners to look for whatever valuables the rocks hid.

The Pioneer, as this figure is often called, had nothing to support their claims of prosperity, except from a vision, a dream, and a surplus of money. All of their savings went into building the miners’ town, and wages, with very little coming to fruit. However, the Pioneer stood grounded, believing in this vision, even when the rest ridiculed the dreams and beliefs of the Pioneer.

This steadfastness paid off after years of hard labour. The funds of the Pioneer had by then slimmed down so much that most of the miners had left to find employment elsewhere. Working with only half the manpower, and having to plow through the mines themselves, they finally found the black gold that gave the still unnamed town its start. Coal was found, and slowly the Pioneer started to reap the fruits that the daring investment made. Finally the plans of the Pioneer could be realised.

As more investments were made, the town started to grow. First attracting miners looking for employment, but later on other daring dreamers. The secluded location of Golden City made it an ideal hotpot for people to experiment with ideas never seen before. With no government to hold them back, it was an ideal breeding place for ideas, funded by a figure filled with dreams.

The Pioneer was known as a crazy investor, placing their money in places others wouldn’t dare. As money flowed in, The Pioneer invested the money in projects unheard of, attracting the attention of all sorts of scientists that were hoping for some funds. Soon, the little unnamed town was known as a place of intellectual freedom. A place where creativity had its free reign, as long as the idea pleased the Pioneer enough. Not all of these projects worked out, however. Most of them failed, but that didn’t deter The Pioneer. The vision was still going strong, fuelling their desire and dreams.

It would take another few years when the first breakthrough was made. McAllister, a family of engineers, came to town. Carrying blueprints of what later would become The Sky, they offered their vision to the Pioneer. This is where Golden City started to take the form it has today. By then, The Pioneer’s presence had slimmed down, their funds exhausted, and it was easy to mistake the McAllister’s as the new leaders of the town. Golden City would grow without The Pioneer, and the founder’s influence slowly faded out as other investors came to take their place.

Today, many of the founding families in Golden City likes to claim that they are the true founders of Golden City. However, the name, and face of the person has been lost over time. The Pioneer has faded into an unknown and mysterious figure of the past, only known by title, and for an unwavering faith in what dreams could be.

The Lonely Heiress of McAllister
The McAllister family is one of the founding families in Golden City, and the oldest family around. They are often credited as the engineers that made Golden City what it is today, with their blueprints for what became The Sky. Some may even dare to call the McAllister family the creators of Golden City, though that isn't entirely accurate. This prestigious family came to Golden City as hungry scientists with nothing to their name, but an idea. With the help of the Pioneer, the McAllister family could realise the dream they had, creating The Sky.

In the present day, the McAllister family is still one of the founding families in charge. They are the richest and most powerful family that can be found in Golden City, and for good reason. As the creators of The Sky, they hold patent on the science behind the floating city, but also the patents on The Medicine that is mixed within the air. They are the living proof of the success of Golden City, and dreams coming true.

However, even to the untouchable and indestructible family a tragedy can strike. One fire was all it took to fade away the McAllisters. Only one survived, but the remaining heiress is too traumatised to even speak, much less appear in public.

The official cause of fire was a forgotten candle in the windows, causing the disaster that would take the city by heart. However, some whisper that the fire was set on purpose. The McAllister family, being as rich and powerful as it was, had many enemies. Some were said to be amongst the other founding families who were jealous of the power the McAllisters held. One order was all it took, but no one dares to say who it could have been that gave the order.

While the McAllister heiress still holds considerable power within The Council, she has faded into the background, refusing to come out, or make use of her power in any way. Some say that she is threatened into silence, though that doesn’t sound like what a member of McAllister would do. Others make mention of deformity and severe trauma caused by the fire. However, the biggest conspiracy theory is that there is no McAllister heiress to begin with. Word has it that the whole family died in the fire, leaving no surviving members to take over. The founding families, unable to give up the seat of power, decided to pretend that the seat of McAllister was still filled, so that they could avoid having to appoint a new member to The Council. Whatever the case, none can be confirmed as the McAllister heiress has gone into hiding, refusing to come out, and the founding families keep their lips sealed.

The Lost Key
Somewhere in The Land, in an abandoned tinkershop, there is one single automaton sitting behind glass. However, one wouldn’t be able to tell that this was an automaton, except from the fact that it slumps over forever, with its glassy eyes wide open. This deactivated automaton is what many consider the most beautiful puppet created by the Puppetmaster, a scientist that was brutally murdered years back. With its smooth, and soft skin, the automaton has an eerie human feeling. One both captivating, but also daunting whoever looks upon it.

Once, this automaton was known throughout all of the city, i. Its doll-like appearance making it a popular model. However, what truly sets this automaton apart was the way it moved. Designed to entertain, the automaton could dance and sing, moving as elegantly and nimbly as a real prima could, and with a voice as smooth and soothing as no other singer in Golden City. It was the only one of its kind, and as such wildly popular everywhere.

The automaton is known to have been an accidental creation, and the Puppetmaster himself once confessed that he would never be able to recreate it. For this reason the Puppetmaster refused to sell his precious automaton, unwilling to let go of such a valuable good. However, he did rent the puppet out plenty, garnering much attention for the special little thing he had created. The citizens loved the automaton, calling it ‘The Doll’, and its master ‘The Puppeteer’. Others hated its existence, green of envy, wishing to replicate the masterpiece.

When the Puppeteer was murdered, late one night, the automaton stopped moving as well. Many say that it is because the puppet was fueled by the life force of its creator, and with the maker gone, so was its engine. However, the most likely explanation is that the automaton simply needs to be wound again, but without a key, this is a hard feat to accomplish. Many tried to look for the key, but so far none has accomplished it, leaving The Doll to sit its lonesome days unmoving behind the window.

Deep in the night, much like the one in which the Puppeteer was murdered, one can hear a lonely voice sing a song of woe, while a shade can be seen dancing behind the window of the old tinkershop. However, whenever someone checks the shop they see the automaton sitting still in the same old way, forever silenced.

Attempts have been made to dissect the automaton, in the hopes to learn of its science. However, as there seems to be no opening, or seams, no one dares to harm The Doll, too afraid to do it any damage. The Council has also gone through the effort to declare the automaton a treasure, protecting it from any harm. Blueprints from the Puppeteer led to nothing as well, as if the creation of the automaton was truly an accident, and the attempts to replicate the science have all led into failure so far.

Nightly Disappearances
Just like its factories, Golden City never sleeps. There is always something to do in the city, whether it is drinking in a bar until dawn, or to do some illegal cable racing in the depth of the nights. Life never stops here, and there is always an adventure or two to experience.

However, nights spent wandering around in Golden City should come with a caution. This is not only because of a rise in criminal activity, or eerie automatons singing laments. More than once it has happened that those who ventured into the night have never returned, seemingly disappearing into the darkness as if they had never existed to begin with. When dawn strikes up, it seems that everyone in the city has forgotten about them, making those who do remember wonder if there ever was such a person in their life.

Some say that it is the doing of the Inquisition, on the order of The Council. For what reason the Cloaks are taking innocent citizens with them, is unknown, but it is understandable why the illustrious black capes would be blamed for kidnappings. With their mysterious authority, and activity, they garner a lot of misunderstandings amongst the citizens.

Others say that The Underground is to blame, as Rats snatch random pedestrians from the streets for their own gain. Some say it is to sate the demands on the black market, or because a loony scientist needed a live specimen to experiment on. Even crazier are the stories in which it is suggested that the Cloaks actually work together with the Rats in The Underground. All of the rumours connected with The Underground are fates no one wishes for to even their enemies.

There are many dark stories going around, most to keep the kids home at night. However, the few who did survive the abductions either swear upon these stories, or shut them down almost obsessively. Most of the times, the disappearances can be blamed to the infrastructure of Golden City, as the intricate roads can be quite hard to navigate, especially when drunk. Whatever the case, nightly outings in Golden City comes with a degree of risk that could be paid with a life.

The Platypus
A strange creature roams around in The Underground. Said to look human, yet beast-like, with red flashing eyes, walking on all fours, sharp teeth, and ice cold skin despite the heat of the environment. A monster, many claim, but no one is entirely sure whether this creature is real, or just a figment created by the fumes lingering around. Some stories suggest that it is one of the other beings, beaten beyond recognition and hiding from any form of life, which is why there are only glimpses. Others tell a much more sinister origin. Experiments, some say, an escaped human experiment of the worst kind, where the DNA of human and animal were fused together into an unimaginable and sinful project. The creature is called The Platypus, after the animal that is built equally as strangely as this creature is.

A few daredevils that have ventured down The Underground and sought out the Platypus may have found themselves waking up in the brothels of The Underground. They haven't had the pleasure to enjoy some sin, but are rather left there because they passed out after an attack. All cases report that the last thing they remember are red flashing eyes. Some wake up heavily injured later, others are luckier and only have a few scratches, and a heavy headache. Often enough, the injuries are caused because of falls, and the headache because of the lack of oxygen their brain had to work with in the choking climate. None that can confirm, or deny the existence of this strange creature, however.

The Game Master
Another elusive character in Golden City. The Game Master is rumoured to be, not just the absolute head, but also the mastermind behind all criminal activity, of Golden City. No matter their role, The Game Master holds a considerable power in the city, and everyone can agree that they make good use in manipulating the power.

The Game Master doesn't like to show their face in public, liking it to only remind the rest of their existence through numerous theatrical actions. Sometimes it is by pulling a few lines that has even The Council bend their knees, other times it is by eerie postcards. Whatever the case, the goal is always unclear with The Game Master, and such is their identity. No one knows what they want, and who they are, or where they came from, which makes it especially hard to catch them for The Inquisition.

There are suggestions, however, that the Game Master isn't one person, but numerous. That whoever is displeased with the workings of the city can take up the identity of The Game Master and play the game. However, while it is true that it seems that they play to the wishes and whims of many, numerous have tried to replicate what The Game Master does, but it is not as successful as when The Game Master announces themselves. All who have tried to claim the identity always found themselves checkmated much too soon, showing how tight the rules are when the Game Master is involved.
 
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Economy


Currency
Golden City's currency is simple. It exists out of three types of coins. Pieces of bronze, silver, and gold, with their naming kept just as simple. One gold equals a hundred bronze, while one silver equals 25 bronze.

1 gold = 100 bronze / 4 silver
1 silver = 25 bronze

The Mines
Golden City's main industry is mining. Many of the citizens working in the mines helps the city flourish by digging for coals and other valuables. The mines have several entrances. From the Underground, where most of the mines are not in use anymore, or just outside of the city. Most of the coal that is delved in is used in the factories and as an energy resource of the city, while other minerals are mostly exported. Mines are owned by the city, so are all the valuables that come out from it. There are no particulars that own mines or can buy mines, and the workers are paid wages in accordance to their findings.

Import
Because of the lack of fertile grounds in Golden City, there is a lot of import in regards to food and other necessities that Golden City can't produce and provide itself. Fresh fruits and vegetables are valuable on the market of Golden City, and are considered a luxury product. An important source of import for Golden City is the market in the Centre on The Land. This is the place where new inventions, fashion, and exotics are introduced; however, as the industry has to come from afar, the prices are usually high and hard to afford for the average Joe. Black markets can help alleviate the costs, though often for a lesser quality and with higher chances of being caught. The Underground is known to run a black market, but Pariah Bay also has its cartel of dealers where one can get exotic goods for a more affordable price.

Infrastructure
The roads of Golden City are narrow and confusing, at least in The Land they are. For fear of thieves and robbers the first settlers decided to go with a maze-like clockwork to create the streets of Golden City. While this proved itself effective in the beginning days, as there weren't as many alleys to remember, the expansion of the city made it harder to navigate in the city. Nowadays it is nigh impossible to find your way around The Land without consulting a map, or by simply walking back to the Centre and reset the route. Because of the many sudden turns and dead ends the roads of Golden City aren't suitable for bigger transports either. Most of the paths in Golden City are meant for pedestrians, with only the four rebuilt main roads meant for the transport of cars and the likes. It is for this reason that most of the citizens tend not to stray off their usual road, as the chances are high that they may end up taking a stroll longer than intended. There are only very few who know where each path leads in the city, and the only ones who are required to memorise them all are the Inquisition.

The Cables
It is because of this complicated city structure that fast transport is usually hard to come by and inefficient, seeing as there are only four main roads for them to travel on but a plethora of alleys. As such, The Land came up with the unique cable system to fasten up their speed with mail delivery. However, this isn't meant for human use, and is also forbidden in the city. The second fastest option is also to go over the roofs. This is what the Inquisition and many emergency services use to travel efficiently and reach their destination of need within a tolerable time frame. However, one can imagine how the citizens feel if individuals were to roll and jump over their roofs as they please, so even that is discouraged unless direly needed.

Academics
Education is something for the privileged. Golden City only has one body of education in the city, which is meant to provide the citizens the most basic skills, such as reading, writing, and basic maths. After they reach the age of ten, there is no further education to be pursued and the students are expected to either employ themselves, or to find someone who is willing to take them under their wing. Usually this is in the business of their parents, where they are taught everything related. Some of the luckier ones can find themselves as a student of a scientist, enabling them to reach for bigger dreams, and a chance of becoming a tinkerer themselves. Others are born with the privilege of having the money of affording themselves a private tutor these are usually children from The Sky, and are often home schooled since young. Disappointingly, this is where Golden City lacks and stops in their innovation and growth. For any real pursuit of education, one will have to seek outside of the city, as Golden City simply isn't focused on academics.



Culture


Philosophy
Golden City holds the vision of scientific freedom over any other. The city encourages its citizens to think out of the box, be innovative, and go beyond what they believe is possible with science. Golden City doesn't care who you are and what you do; it cares for your potential and how it will grow and contribute to the city.

For this reason, the city puts an emphasis on apprenticeship over actual education, as it hopes that the tinkershops may cultivate more scientists and engineers rather than simply producing scholars. Golden City values the output more than the input, and hopes to stimulate and encourage the people to create their dreams in reality.

Golden City's Cuisine
Most of the food has to come from outside of the city. As Golden City lacks the fertile grounds to produce any themselves fresh ingredients are hard to come by. That doesn't mean that Golden City has no cuisine of its own, however. While it isn't particularly impressive, or especially tasteful, there are quite a few signature dishes in the city that provides to the needs of the people in its very basic sense.

Golden City is quite known to pickle, or salt-dry everything to preserve the shelf-life of ingredients. However, it has also worked hard to turn its food into a mashed dry form, like known with mashed potatoes. By turning this mashed form into powder it can be stored up for a long while and only needs a little water to turn into a nutritious grub that feeds the stomach, and gives energy. It is for this reason that the kitchen of Golden City is often described as: salty, vinegary, and without texture. All of which aren't very appetising ways to describe food. It is for this reason that Golden City doesn't really have a food culture, and refers to most of the food/grub as 'fuel for the brain', being the society they are.

Religion & Cults
Within Golden City all of the common religions can be found. As most of the citizens are all from far away places they bring a piece of their own culture in, which includes their beliefs. However, there are some followings within the city that are unique.

There are some who worship the Pioneer as some sort of deity. With the many mysteries surrounding the identity and whereabouts of the figure there are some crazy stories sprouting up. One of them being that the Pioneer was an angel sent from the heavens to set up Golden City. Others believe the Pioneer to be a prophet because of their insight. In any case, a following has formed surrounding the Pioneer, where they come together to worship the person that made Golden City happen like a god.

There are also quite a few advocacy groups. Some advocating for the rights of the other beings, while others are working against the recognition of other beings as equals. These discussions can go far, and can sometimes reach a cult-like status when a few individuals gains power and control over the group. The Inquisition actively tries to extinguish these, but they never truly fade away as long as there is The Underground.

The last cult is related to The Puppeteer and his Doll. They are related to the automaton advocacy groups that wish for automatons to be recognised as sentient, but have so far been ridiculed by most. This group worships the infamous creation of The Puppeteer and believe that the Doll is still alive, but just refusing to budge without its master. So far the Council hasn't taken the group seriously, yet, but they do keep an eye out on their movements.

Language
Golden City has some terminology that is unique to the city, which can be often confusing for newcomers and visitors. Below a list of the most common terms used and what they mean:

Layers - Refers to the levels of the city; The Sky, The Land, and The Underground.

The Sky - Refers to the highest level of Golden City. The rich part of the city.
Embryo - The bubble that protects The Sky above. It filters the air, adds in extra oxygen, and moderates the temperature.
Placenta - The nickname of The Tube connecting The Sky and The Land to each other.
Floaters - The science that keeps The Sky up in the air. However, it can also be used to refer to the inhabitants of The Sky.
Fetus - A crude way to call the inhabitants of The Sky, falling in the same line as how the The Tube and the Bubble are nicknamed.
The Medicine - A chemical that is added into the air of The Sky to prevent motion sickness.

The Land - Refers to the second layer of Golden City, and the main part.
Tinkerers - Self-employed scientists that have set up a shop in the city offering their talents.
Tinkershops - Small shops in which one can look for automatons, trinkets, but also repairs.
Cloaks - The nickname of the members of the Inquisition, referring to the dark capes they wear.

The Underground - Refers to the third layer of Golden City, the lowest part, and considered uninhabitable.
The Sewers - One of the many nicknames of The Underground.
Rats - Referring to the people that live in The Underground despite its harsh conditions.
Other beings - Refers to these that aren't human, but sentient. Generally not accepted by the city and considered to be non-existent.
 
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Criminality


The Medicine Deal
Laced within the air of The Sky is The Medicine. To prevent motion sickness, this chemical is added into the oxygen for the Floaters. However, the percentage of The Medicine in the air is low, as it can come with quite a few side effects, especially for the younger generation and the weaker. These who need a higher dose of the medicine --usually adults that have lived in The Sky for a while-- can get extra doses of The Medicine from their doctors.

However, what isn't known by the wide public is how addictive The Medicine can be in the wrong volumes, which is why there is a cap on how much a prescription can prescribe for an individual. Those that move out of The Sky usually find themselves still reliant on The Medicine as well, getting severe headaches, and feeling themselves out of balance because of the lack of constant swaying. This usually isn't a long-term problem, as long as they start building off on the medicine with their doctor in the proper way. However, as the reason for moving out of The Sky usually is tied to the finances it often can't be afforded, resulting in a lingering addiction. The fact that The Medicine is also used by addicts in both The Land and The Underground for its mood uplifting effects, makes it easy for a cartel to run a network in which they provide The Medicine for cheap.

Counterfeits, and stolen goods, can be often found on the black markets and with dealers. Factories that produce The Medicine experience frequent raids in which whole batches are stolen, and apothecaries often try to replicate the substance with other chemicals, or mix other drugs into The Medicine to make it more affordable for the public. All in all, The Medicine Deal is a drugs cartel like any other in the world taking place in Golden City.

The Medicine Addict
The Medicine can also be used as a (party) drug as it will give the user a boost in confidence and a feeling of euphoria in the right doses. Though, no doctor is willing to tell what the exact dosage of substance that would be as it comes dangerously close to overdosing. It is usually a symptom that lets the user know that the body can’t take much more anymore. During an overdose, the body goes into arrest. Body temperature drops rapidly and the heartbeat goes up. The overdosed victim will grow limp and unresponsive if the body doesn’t manage to hurl the substance out soon enough. Emptying the stomach through medical attention, or by making the overdosed vomit is the best direct solution.

Luckily overdosing on The Medicine isn’t very likely as many stop once that peak of euphoria is reached. However, as mentioned before the substance can be addictive.

It first starts with dependency. The user has a need for The Medicine in order to function properly. Without the medicine the first mild symptoms show which are vertigo and migraine-like headaches. In the strictest sense of the word one could label all Floaters as beginning addicts; as they need The Medicine in order to live properly on the floating grounds. The biggest difference between a true addict and the Floater is, however that the first category will experience the same symptoms without The Medicine even when on The Land, while Floaters will experience no problems or differences.

Those who abuse The Medicine consistently and take it in on a higher dose than prescribed will find themselves with heightened health risks over time. An irregular heartbeat is one such example, which brings them at risk for cardiac arrest or a stroke. Organs such as the kidneys, liver and the stomach get affected in the long term as well. Medicine abusers have reported to experience heartburns, or a failing kidney, or a dysfunctioning liver that refuses to break down the toxins in their body. There are a plethora of other issues depending on the person, but these are the most common.

As the dependency grows out of hands, the withdrawal symptoms start to worsen. The addict needs more dosage in order to gain the same results. Their behaviour becomes erratic and they are in a constant state of alertness. Slowly, this will chip at their mental health and quality of sleep. The addict becomes increasingly more distrustful and paranoid while claiming to see flashes and shadows surrounding them. At worst, the addict will be unable to sleep for longer than a few hours a day, their mind constantly commanding them to be awake to look out for whatever danger there is. In the end they inevitably have to overdose themselves in order to calm down.

Treatment is possible, however. When in the early stages of dependency simply switching out the substance for a placebo, or another substance can help. Some old lady tales also suggest that binding the addicted to their bed helps cleansing their body, or by drinking activated carbonated coal water, but these are rumours and non medically proven.

It is the heavily addicted that are the hardest to treat, as their mental state is usually so far gone as well in which it is impossible to reason. Without the proper medical attention of the doctor and a slow build off from The Medicine, the addicted aren’t usually expected to stay calm, obedient, or silent. With the plethora of symptoms that will show itself and their own uncontrollable behaviour, it will be sooner rather than later before the addict will break themselves out to do all they can for their ‘needed’ dose.

Oxygen Thieves
Due to the high altitude, the air is thin in Golden City. Added to it that the smog easily gets trapped, and thus accumulate, and there is a severe air problem in town. So far, only The Sky gets their air filtered and added oxygen. However, the demand for air is so high that an actual business can be made out of it. While oxygen tanks are for sale through the city, it isn't affordable for all; and just like any good of any worth, it can be stolen and distributed through other channels. The theft of oxygen tanks, most of the time meant for The Sky, is a common one, where they end up being recycled in the lower circles for the needy.

Immoral Experiments
As much as Golden City encourages its people to pursue the sciences, there are certain limits placed upon them. One of them being that no experiment can be performed on a fellow human without consent. Many work around this by finding a few desperate enough to agree to anything for their consent. Others simply avoid experiments on humans altogether, and seek out the other beings or animals. The Inquisition is supposed to keep an eye out for such loopholes, but as most of it happens under the radar and is based on their own judgement, it is hard to draw a line of what goes too far and what should be protected.

Cable Racing
While the cables aren't meant for human transportation, many do like to challenge it. Whether it is just abused as a shortcut, or to escape from the Inquisition, the cables are frequently used by daredevils who don't fear the height, or to fall down. It gave birth to the idea that they should race against one another, to see who knows their way around the fastest in the city. This form of amusement is organised in secret and frequently done under aliases styled in a similar way as the criminals are named. Citizens can place their bet on who they believe will win and eagerly await the result, cheering on their favourite racers.

However, beware of the Inquisition. As cable racing is illegal, so is the gambling, it wouldn't be the first time that they come around to bust a party, adding in an extra element to travel down the cables as fast as one can.



Technology


The Heating System
With the help of the Ovens in The Underground heat is generated by burning the waste, which is then guided through the pipes into households of The Land and The Sky to warm them up. As Golden City is generally cool throughout the year heating is in demand all year-around, which the Ovens can provide, seeing as the waste also comes all year round.

Automatons
A popular trinket to have in Golden City are automatons. They come in a great many forms and sizes with their own purposes. Some automatons are made to replace the humans in harsh labour, while there are others designed for the purpose of entertainment. It is said that most of the boutiques in The Sky mainly employ automatons, leaving only one human for when a more delicate touch is needed.

Tinkerers and engineers have been competing in making their automaton more human-like in appearance. Seamless automatons are already on the market, in which their build is smooth to look at and to the touch. However, some wish to go further, hoping to give the automatons a personality of their own as well. So far little success is made in there, as there are also advocacy groups that work against developing a more human automaton.

All automatons have a winding system to them. Like clockwork they need to be rewound frequently to keep them running. To wind them a key is needed. Automatons used for public purposes have their key always attached to them, but privately owned automatons have a special key that only their masters own. If the key is lost it is inevitable for the automaton to run its spring out and stop moving.

Trinkets
Toys, and the likes that are really popular among children. Accessories that fashionable ladies and gentlemen like to wear and more. Trinkets are the the joy of the citizen and the pride of the scientists who like to show off their skill. They can range from small and simple things like binoculars, to more complicated toys like mechanical pets. The imagination is truly the only limit here, other than that it is mostly created to make life easier or more joyous.
 
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