City of Aranub
Aranub - An Introduction
The city of Aranub is a cosmopolitan metropolis composed of beings from many different Earths. Its location is just off the Road.
Geography
The city has several physical features that stand out. Its most striking features are the four towers that stand on the edges of the city. The towers are the tallest structures in the city as well as the immediate area. These towers have existed since before the city was founded and nothing exists which explains them. Some experts in parachronic phenomena think that they could be massive reality shards. Unfortunately no one can either prove or disprove this idea. The lower section of the towers are made out of a material that looks like granite (the material is nearly impervious and defies attempts to identify it). The upper floors of the towers are composed of a similar material, but each of the four towers are different colors. The colors are black, blue, red, and white. The towers superficially resemble modern Earth skyscrapers and the interiors are constructed (or formed?) in such a way as to invite inhabitation. Over time people have moved into the towers and claimed them as their own.
The second major feature of Aranub is the Nexus portal at the center of the city. The portal is carved stone arch. If someone were to look through one side of the arch, they’d only see the other side of the arch. On the other side of the arch, they would see a shimmering fog and the road leading into the portal. This Nexus portal opens up to the Road. Traffic from the Road enters the city from here. Around the Nexus portal is a traffic circle. Eight roads branch out from the traffic circle and neatly divide the city into eight sections. These sectional roads go out to an outer ring which acts as the border for the city. The areas between the sectional roads are referred to as sections and each one is assigned a number from one to eight.
History of Aranub
Before the scholars of the white tower came to the area that would be known as Aranub, only folk tales exist to explain how the city came about. No one can agree on exactly how how Aranub came to be, but some details remain popular through generations. Most people think that the four towers are massive reality shards of unknown origin. A man by the name of Tadama founded the city. Just as many folk tales are told about Tadama. Tadama the walker of the Road, Tadama the wizard, Tadama the gate maker. Tadama’s status as a mythical character has melded into the cultural mythologies of those who live in Aranub. Aranub stories are quite popular in the city. It is said that his greatest accomplishment was to found the city and to bring in people from a hundred different worlds.
The era of Aranub history known as the prehistoric times, ended when the scholars of the white tower came to the city. Their records state that a man who called himself Aranub (who knows if it was the mythical Aranub, an imposter, or a descendant) invited them to the city. When they arrived they were given ownership of the White Tower. From the point where they established themselves in the white tower until now, the Scholars of the White Tower have kept track of the history of Aranub.
As time progressed, the other three towers experienced different residents. The Blue Tower became the next tower to be inhabited. Arriving from the sea that borders the city on the Blue Tower, an Emperor and his court came. The Emperor came from a land called Cathay. He left his empire due to a prophesy and took to the waves. He and his entourage (along with many people who believed in the prophecy) landed on the shore of Aranub. He took possession of the Blue Tower. How they did this is disputed, but the Emperor and his descendants have controlled the tower ever since that time.
The next tower to be inhabited was the Black tower. The first rappresentante and his people came to the city after a Banestorm landed their village outside of Aranub. The Rappresentante moved to the city. In a short time, he took control over a section of the city and took control of the black tower for his center of command.
The last tower to be occupied didn’t come as a result of a power struggle. Instead the people residing in the White-Red corner came together to create a democratic system to rule over that section of the city.
Government
There is no one group or person who rules over Aranub. The city is governed by three groups who have come to a mutual agreement in regards to governing the city. Names of the groups are the Committee of Black, The Democratic Union of Red, and the Blue Society of the Sky and Sea. Each of the three groups controls one of three administrative districts (Black, Blue, and Red districts corresponding to the groups’ tower color). These districts are composed of one or more sections.
The unusual arrangement of government is most apparent when one looks at the laws and law enforcement forces within the city. In regard to criminal laws, many laws are uniformly upheld throughout the city, while some other laws are subject to the group in charge of an area. Civil laws (such as laws pertaining to contracts, wills, torts, and other private disputes) fall under the jurisdiction of the Civil courts under the control of the Democratic Union of Red.
The criminal offenses which are agreed upon by all three administering bodies include acts such as murder, assault, battery, theft, bribery, counterfeiting, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and arson. Enforcement of these laws falls to local law enforcement. The punishments for these offenses is left up to the ruling organization.
See entries for the individual districts for information about Law enforcers, district specific laws, and other details.
District details:
Blue District: Official Name: Zhanlan
Tieching: This section of the city has been traditionally composed of people from Asian countries ever since the Emperor arrived. The section resembles the so-called China-towns seen on many Earths.
Government: Dictatorship. The district is ruled over by the last of the Song dynasty, wànsuì Zhao Bing.
Law Enforcement: The Guardians of Harmonious Order. They are a band of warriors who carry weapons openly and wear blue garments denoting their status as peacekeepers. They are incorruptible and fiercely loyal to their leader.
Notable Legal issues: The Guardians of Harmonious Order are the law. Anyone creating a disturbance is immediately punished. Punishment might be anything from a stern warning to immediate death. Imprisonment is rarely done, except in cases where guilt isn’t immediately established or if there’s an issue regarding punishment.
Maintaining a harmonious society is the goal of the Guardians of Harmonious Order. Many crimes could go unpunished if they don’t disrupt the status quo or create a ruckus.
Red District: Official name: The Democratic Union of Red
The City Market: Most of the city’s commerce occurs here. Lower Market is a large open air market place where people from throughout the city and beyond come to trade, buy and sell. The Lower Market is located at the hubward side of the section. Further out is the Upper Market where higher level trading takes place. The Upper market area is also home to many businesses. Trading, insurance, and banking industries of the city are all headquartered here.
Maret: A mixed usage sector that has a high percentage of housing units.
Tadama: Civil Services Sector. Parts of the Democratic Union of Red government, Red Law enforcement, Red criminal courts, and Civil law courts are all located in this section. What little commerce and residential buildings there are in this section are devoted to supporting the civil services in this sector.
Novo Macau: This section is in transition from being under the rule of the Blue Society. The switch occurred over a hundred years ago and hints of its former existence still abound. The switch of ownership came about as a deal between the Red and Blue governments. The Red government made promises, concessions, and paid an undisclosed amount to take control of the section. Some members of the Blue Society feel the deal wasn’t fair and the section should be brought back under blue control.
This section is a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential. The Red government has replaced many areas of the section in an attempt to modernize it. This has been only partially successful. The section is a fusion of Asian architecture and modern Red urban design. A lot of remnants of its past can be found for those looking. This area is similar to Vegas, but far more private about its pleasure enterprises.
Government: Athenian-style Democracy
Law Enforcement:
Notable Legal issues:
Black District: Official name:
La Nostra Casa: The primary home of the Italian population of the city.
Vegas: Resembling the Los Vegas of many Earths, this sector offers up gambling, drugs, and other delights. This sector is wholly dedicated to entertainment of all kinds.
Special Black Section: Novo Cardiel is the name of this section. Generations ago a group of immigrants arrived, but found it difficult to assimilate to the more technologically advanced sections of the city. They came from a world firmly entrenched in medieval technology. They stayed together and slowly took control of this one district. Over time other beings from similar worlds congregated in this area because it reminded them of their homes. Within two generations, the section became known as Novo Cardiel. Its name came from a great city the original immigrants had originated.
The district has no electricity in it and only rudimentary plumbing. The locals of the district refused to bring in new technology. In fact the district residents frown upon anyone bringing new technology into the district. The local constables tend to harass such people as well.
This district is unique in its law enforcement and government. Both under the control of the Bloody Spear Corporation. Originally a small tribe of orc mercenaries who happened to arrive in the city while in the employ of a wizard. They found that they liked the district and made it their home. At that time the district was under the direct control of the Black but it didn’t exert much control over the district.. The Bloody Spear tribe chieftain made a proposal to the two towers to let his tribe be the law enforcement for the district. The leader of the black tower approved this idea, since the district always seemed to be troublesome for them. Orc law enforcement happened to be quite brutal at first, but over time the tribe moved past its more violent traditions. The tribe became the bloody Spear Corporation to run its law enforcement and its mercenary company. Within the last ten years, the Bloody Spear Corporation has assumed control of the section under the guidance of the Black Tower. The CEO for the B.S.C. is part of the committee in charge of the Black district.
Notable Legal issues: Law enforcement is carried out by constables of the B.S.C. They have the right to arrest anyone they feel is breaking the law. Punishment for minor offenses are determined by individual constables. Major crimes are sent to the B.S.C. tribunal. Carrying of any firearm is illegal. The punishment for this is confiscation or imprisonment. Carrying of melee weapons is legal.
Areas outside Rim Drive
Black Harbor:
Blue Harbor:
Red Warehouse district
Black Warehouse district
Industrial sector
Break waters
Tech Cit 1
Dragon’s Cove
Wizard’s Enclave
