~*About The City*~

There was a time when it might have been a nice place to live. There's certainly hints of that idea when you look around the city, from the sweeping architecture of St. Peter's cathedral to the lavish grandeur of the Drake hotel, and even the ruined beauty of the Alexandria library. But they are only hints, pockets of splendor that serve as reminders of what has been lost and what has been taken. Outside of those controlled environments and slight reminders of better days, it's shockingly obvious that the city as a whole has been gripped by recession .

Economically speaking, the middle class is incredibly small and the neighborhoods of the city are divided starkly along lines of Have and Have Not. The rich are disgustingly so, their homes removed from any aspect of the poor that serve them in a thousand ways as if ignoring the problems around the city will make them go away. And aside from the wealthy, the rest of Eidolon's citizens struggle each day for any measure of comfort they can find, illicit or otherwise.

These days the city seems to echo with mockery and contempt for its' own citizens, showing strains of the former glory between the filth that chokes the gutters, and the disrepair of every crumbling building that may collapse in on those who want nothing more than shelter. The illusion of Eidolon is a devilish thing, offering momentary glimpses of awe and wonder when the sun shines on the Sixth Street bridge or the Drake hotel is seen from afar by night, glowing like a beacon of decadence. But it is only an illusion, a taut skin over a rotting corpse.

Those hints of sun are rare things as well, spurring bits of faith and perseverance from the people who are more accustomed to grey skies, chilling downpours, thick exhaust in the air, and starless nights under a canopy of clouds. More common than sunshine is lightning, always the herald of Eidolon's frequent and violent storms, and the weather pattern makes an even greater mockery out of the dilapidated state of so many buildings in the city with leaky roofs at good times, and death from condemned buildings collapsing at bad times.

Beneath the city-proper with its' winding streets and huddled masses exists an exhaustive, byzantine system of tunnels that had once been intended to serve as a modern sewer network. Unfinished by the decree of mafiosos who pocketed the taxpayers' money, the project was abandoned and it didn't take long before the tunnels were sealed up at many access points and claimed by the disorganized hordes of homeless who have been cast aside by even the poorest proper citizens. Common knowledge spread fast in the wake of a string of disappearances that ran from rich to poor, from cop to criminal: those tunnels were claimed, and if you had a real home? You'd do well to stay out.

But for all the misery, torment and danger of Eidolon City, her residents are an easily distracted and mollified lot. Countless bars litter the cityscape, clubs offer every type of music most nights, a movie theatre and a stage both struggle to stay in business, and the local newspaper, the Echo, is always ready to distract with news of the War raging overseas. Most people in the city know at least one man or woman who's left to serve their country, but most don't know someone who came back. With drink, lust, daydreams,crime and guilt for fuel, the city is a harsh machine whose only goal is to keep itself running, no matter how many cogs it burns out in the process.

~*Neighbourhoods and Landmarks*~

Throughout the city there are countless landmarks, familiar sights and destinations that no one who lives here can be completely ignorant of. Too often, people are drawn to these places almost reflexively, pulled to where their city life declares them to fit. There is a feeling to each of these spots, a sense that it is special or fitting, that it can be sought out again. Below are several landmarks that fit these criteria, available for all manner of scenes and interactions, as well as descriptions of the larger neighborhoods that these shops, homes, and businesses fit within. If you're looking for scene settings, these are only some of the possibilities, with the neighborhoods still providing context when none of the actual landmarks apply to a scene.

These areas are as follows:-

• Little Haven

• Temperance Row
• Chinatown
• The Sprawl
• Elysium Avenue
• Grey Market
• The Waterfront

~*Little Haven*~
Best known as three square blocks of city that house the efforts of many of the city's artists, this neighborhood is the host of a fair share of what middle class the city has. The buildings here, whether housing or businesses, are more cared for and tended to than much of the city. Working men and women show a bit more due diligence in keeping their streets safe, though there is still paranoia about suspected mob activity after dark. Little Haven hosts the Apollo Cinema and Hill Street Theatre for more commercial draw, but is also home to the Sea and Sky Gallery of Fine Arts as well as the Alexandrian Library.

The Alexandrian Library
A large and rather forbidding building, the Alexandrian has a flight of steps running up to doors which could admit a couple of elephants abreast. Like a lot of buildings in the city, however, it is not what it seems. Whilst some areas of the Alexandrian are perfectly kept and cared for, a fire swept through the east wing of the library some thirteen years ago and the building work never seems to have actually been completed. Scaffolding still covers the east wing and it is signposted as off limits to the public.

Sea and Sky Gallery
A much more recent addition to the city, the Sea and Sky is a modest-yet-tasteful gallery that exclusively features artwork from local artists. The place has a sterling reputation, having been supported in past shows by the Walker family, and tends to show up favorably in the Echo whenever a new exhibit goes on display.

A two-story building in Little Haven, The Sea and Sky Gallery of Fine Arts is made up of three sections. With high ceilings and wide, floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the building, the gallery opens up into a permanent display of artists' work. The back of the first floor plays host to any number of new shows at the gallery and has enough floor space to accommodate a large number of people. An open concept space, the second story has an open staircase with one banister near the wall. The second story of Sea and Sky is a combined storage area as well as an office and employee space.

~*Temperance Row*~
St. Peter's cathedral is the dominant landmark of this winding, sometimes- peaceful stretch of the city that sprawls for a handful of miles. The room is needed to accommodate the places of worship for many of the faiths that call Eidolon home, though not all gather here. Largely known as one of the safer parts of the city, Temperance Row offers an impressive overlook of a good swath of Fontaine Park for part of its' run. Despite the shoddy condition of St. Peter's and its' neighboring temples, it is commonly known that violence in the area is not tolerated by many among the DiGiovanni clan, though the Konovich have no such qualms. Lucky for their victims, St. Mary's hospital sits readily at one end of Temperance Row to try and save the lives of the faithful.

St. Peter's Cathedral
A huge gothic-style stone cathedral, complete with gargoyles looking down from every nook and cranny, St Peter's is a spectacular and awe-inspiring cathedral. It's also seen better days, though it's former glory is more evident inside, where the small remaining number of priests and a handful of nuns work to keep it how it should be. Masses are held several times a day, though are not well attended. Confession is at 10am daily. The doors to St Peter's are never locked and sanctuary is offered to all who require it.

St. Mary's Hospital
Near St. Peter's Cathedral, St. Mary's is the largest, most 'modern' hospital in the city. The staff there, while not under the direct control of anyone in the city, has learned long ago to just Not Ask Questions.

~*Chinatown*~
The territory of the Konovich Syndicate's associates, the Jade Lotus, Chinatown is an enigma to a great deal of the city surrounding it. Per capita, it claims the highest rate of unsolved murders anywhere in the city, a fact that isn't helped by the stark lack of effort from the police department. The rulers of Chinatown seem intent on policing their own numbers, and a foreigner brave enough to venture in and wise enough to not upset anyone has the best odds of finding almost anything they want in the city, from drugs to guns to fresh brothel workers. Most notably, even though it sits just beyond the edge of Chinatown, the Kitten Club draws solid crowds dangerously close to the borders, where Lotus soldiers are always ready to protect their Russian allies' investment.

The Kitten Club
A cabaret and burlesque club, it aspires to have the stature and reputation of the Drake Hotel, but always falls short. It does, however, claim some of the best singers, musicians and performance acts in town. It is also the place to go to dance. Run by the Cusick branch of the Konovich Syndicate.

~*The Sprawl*~
Eidolon's underbelly is never hidden from sight, seemingly basking in the open for all to see. The Sprawl is a long swath of deterioration cutting through the city, claiming ghettos and tenement housing, the worst drinking holes in the city, and many of the squatter camps that the homeless use for sanctuary. It also contains a great deal of lower-class businesses; pawn shops, mechanics stores, grocers and tinkerers. The Sprawl is the last rung of civility to cling to before one gives up and heads into the tunnels.

Nighthawk's Diner
Open all night, this is the main diner in the city, the one everyone knows well and goes to. The staff recognize everyone and knows just what people regularly order. Cinematic feel: Nighthawk’s is the place for clandestine meetings, no doubt. Those who linger here frequently conduct themselves like characters in a dimestore crime novel, trading banter and anecdotes about the city with both bluntness and wit.

Stars and Bars
Far smaller and more remote than One More Round, the Stars and Bars is located in such a way that if you don’t know where to look, you’ll probably miss the place. Still, for those who do know where to look, a clean and welcoming bar is waiting for them amidst the grime and tumult of the Sprawl. The place is a tradition among Eidolon’s military families and service members; opened by a retired officer, passed down to his daughter Rosalie, and much more welcoming to clientele if those clientele happen to have a pair of dog tags around their necks.

~*Elysium Avenue*~
An untouchable place for so much of the city, Elysium is where the upperclass live out their games of wealth and luxury. Elysium stretches well beyond the Sixth Street bridge, its pinnacle marked by the tower of the Drake hotel and the rest of its grounds a sea of highscale tailors, jewellers, eateries and more. The playground of the rich has many guards, and those who don't belong here can never be sure which faction is going to notice them first.

The Drake Hotel
The epitome of glamour and excess, The Drake Hotel stands near the center of town, and is the most highly regarded establishments in the city. It's owned and operated by the DiGiovanni family, and caters to the rich and beautiful. It has it's own bar and it's own casino.

The Palace
To house performances too large for the Hill Street to accommodate, The Palace Theater opened in the early 19th century sporting marble and gold architecture to show what a cultural center Eidolon City could be. Featuring operatic performances and large musicals in it's early years, the Palace is now home to the Eidolon City Ballet Company featuring dancers with both European and American backgrounds. While on the more expensive side, the theater does put on 'Fine Arts Festivals' to showcase the ballet company for all to attend at discounted prices.

~*Grey Market*~
Market is a loose term, given that this wedge of the city is devoted solely to past efforts of the city which have largely failed. The police headquarters are located here, as is the remnants of the old bank building, the printing offices of the Echo, and the most prominent entrance to the grounds of Fontaine Park. While this area of town is still densely populated, there is most commonly a defeated feeling to the place.

Fontaine Park
This large park sprawls across a nicer stretch of the city, but extends back to connect to rougher neighborhoods as well. By day, much of the greenery is the backdrop for the more idyllic moments the city sees. Upper class families picnic there, a restored rotunda hosts concerts and summer shows, and more (all under the watchful eye of the local mobs). By night, the scenic park path and tunnel thoroughfare lead from the protected fringes of the park to a seedier side, to where the prostitutes too poor or unaffiliated to operate within the local bars and motels do business. In the center of the park itself sits a dilapidated fountain, unflowing and tarnished, its' inscription unreadable with age. No one in the city knows exactly who the figure represented or what the inscription once read. Cinematic feel: The park inspires better feelings in most people, to be sure. Spending time with family or friends here brings out an appreciation of them, a deep gratitude for having loved ones. Even with the sleazy side of the park, it’s a reaffirming place.

The City Echo
The main newspaper for the town, the Echo's offices are situated in a highrise, stonebuilt building. Printing is done on site.

~*The Waterfront*~
Comprising the primary channels of shipping goods in and out of the city, the Waterfront is predominantly controlled by criminal factions who oversee operations along the extensive system of docks that gradually taper off. As the recede like the waters they contain, one end stretches out to form the newly reopened Boardwalk, which promises fun for the whole family but looks more like a nightmare with an ocean view. Beyond the Boardwalk itself sits the Sunny Shore Motel, which prides itself on how few questions its' staff tend to ask, as well as their terrible memory for faces. (Docks, Boardwalk, Sunny Shores)

The Docks, Shipyard and Warehouse District
Lining the river, the docks handle all incoming and outgoing trade within the city. There are a lot of commercial and private warehouses along the water line. It's also a well known place to avoid the crap out of, if you don't want to find yourself with a knife in the kidney. If bad things are going down, it's a place that's generally checked first. Cinematic feel: Hanging around the docks tends to make one feel as if they know too much, might catch a bullet, or end up wearing cement shoes. You don’t have to be a criminal to feel like one around here.