Insaney's Locales

Because I have a few to add, over time.

Ebel and The Chandelier

Type: City and surroundings.

Region: Zenith’s Throne

Setting: A large, steam-punk themed, multi-tiered, circular city with mountains to the north, ocean to the east and grassy plains to the west and south. The entire area (down to Neverland Amusement Park) is called Zenith’s Throne.

Wildlife: Aside from the stray dogs, the wildlife within the city center and Chandelier levels seem non-existant. There are birds and pets, and tamed animals; like the intimidating Titans which help with mining. Within the mines, however, lurk rats as huge as your arm, or some bugs that even eat the rats.

The beasts that roam the plains are the savannah cats (which can be easily tamed), the taurus (which resemble bulls, but much larger) and wild horses.

Within Neverland are the true beasts. Aggressive Titans, who stand over fifteen feet tall, and are smart enough to fashion armor and weapons for themselves, are by far the ruler of Neverland. Though other ferocious monsters make their home there, including the Gui, a large, long and incredibly poisonous snake. Its jaw is so powerful, it can literally crush a human skull.

Flora: The only flora that grow in and around the city are white flowers. During spring, the Climbing Gardens turn to white, and white petals fall from the top. On the second and third levels, the smaller gardens have flowers of the same type but slightly different hues.

However, it’s said that inside the Climbing Gardens have rare species of plants.

Weather: Experiences the 4 seasons, however, coming down to the latter half of the year, there’s also a hurricane season.

Government: The Cardinals are ‘superhumans’, possessing powers that no other humans do. Should a normal human show ‘superhuman’ traits, then they are nominated to become a Cardinal if a seat opens (6 total). Above them on the hierachy is the Prelate ( like the king or queen, governing and overseeing the Cardinals). However, the Cardinals are voted upon by the other Cardinals and must be approved by the Prelate, so having superpowers alone will not guarantee a space. They work very much like a monarchy, however.

They have their own army/police force (Cardinal Defense Force), but they also sanction and welcome private military groups and guilds, even small ones, to do jobs that help out the rest of the population. Any kind of task, from delivering letters to taking down a rogue titan are usually handled by some private group. There are mission postings at bulletin boards all over town.

Population: Entirely human of different descent. The population of such a city estimates at about 5 million people.

Culture: The people are hardworking, but somewhat peaceful, seeing as how the CDF, Military groups or the Cardinals themselves step in to resolve conflict. Free thought and speech is allowed and encouraged, and everyone seems to be content with their own place (except for those few).

It is a primarily a mining city, with its main export being gems (used as currency). As such, lots of people flock to it in hopes of finding their fortune, most of which do by working in the mines or becoming a private military contractor, but can only live on the ground level.

The architecture of the city is strictly bricks and steel, with bronze and silver gears turning everywhere. Although the walkways are made from cobblestone, the streets are made from bricks. However, the nobles’ houses on the upper level follow Victorian architecture, while the Cardinals, Basilica and Prelate’s mansion follow Italian Renaissance architecture.

Description: (Ebel): Ebel is a very circular city, with suburban housing on the outer rings, while closer to the core is more commercial, though one will not see huge buildings of glass, but buildings of steel and brick, most of Ebel is made up in this way. The roadways are confusing, crossing over each other, with lots of dead ends and ‘Ways’ that are meant for two wheels or on-foot pedestrians. The entire structure is filled with ever-turning gears, some forming arcs on some streets and ways, others on the side of or under roads. The gears are always maintained and are always shining. The gear-filled structure of Ebel provides an attractive charm, especially during the day when the sunlight filters through the gaps in the overhead gears. At night, the streets are lit up by electric lanterns that are strung across the ways in groups.

On the outskirts of Ebel, are a variety of mines, the most famous of these being the Dakota Vein (in the mountains), Serpent Hive (eastern plain, foothills of the mountains), Cranktown Mines (a mine with a very tiny settlement nearby in the southern plains). Also at the furthest south, past Cranktown is an abandoned amusement park, Neverland, which has been overrun by a high number of different species of extremely dangerous, aggressive and territorial monsters.

(The Chandelier): This is a series of circular platforms that rise above the city of Ebel. Smaller than Ebel itself, but plays a large part in the city. There are three levels, each smaller than the other. The levels all extend outward from the core pillar (which contains the Core or Main Lift), and are much less confusing to navigate than the ground level city. Level 1 contains the ‘richer than rich’, those who were born into noble blood and are wealthy (Those who are just wealthy remain on the ground floor). Level 2 contains the Cardinals’ Mansions, the homes of Ebel and the Chandelier’s governing body, the Cardinals. The highest level, Level 3, has the Prelate’s Mansion and the Basilica, which is where the Cardinals and the Prelates work, and where most important festivals or funerals are held. These festivals etc are usually invite only. Deep within the Basilica is the home of a magical machine (worshiped as a God) called Zenith. Also, atop the Basilica is a place known only as the “Climbing Gardens”. No one, not even the Prelate with all his power and authority can enter.


Points of Interest:
The Dakota Vein: In several large rooms of the mine, the ceiling is covered with precious, shining gems. There are daily tours of the mine.

Faridah’s Way: The way that changes name when a new Prelate is appointed. It’s a very wide road that has clusters of lanterns of different colours over it, more than any other street. It’s beautiful to visit at night or the day: it’s in a spot where it’s very sheltered from the sunlight by the upper level. The way leads to a network of smaller streets with actual streetlights and fountains, the trees growing there also have lights strung to them. This is the market district, active at any time, night or day.

The Gear Cluster: Near the Core Lift at the center of the city, there is a cluster of hundreds of gears, with a large silver gear that has a deep red jewel at the center. All walkways are built far away from it, so people can only look, not touch. It’s also called “Heart of Zenith”.

The Core lift, The Chandelier/upper levels: The huge core lift can transport vehicles and people alike to the upper levels. The upper levels also has different architecture from the lower levels. The upper levels have more parks as well, with water running through and falling to the lower levels like small waterfalls.

The Cardinals’ Mansions: Each Cardinal has a large mansion, each mansion has gardens and parks. There are tours of the mansions of the Cardinals who welcome it.

The Prelate’s Mansion: Further up is the Prelate’s mansion, almost taking up half the third level with it’s size and boldness. Daily tours take place at the mansion.

Basilica and the Climbing Gardens: Though only a few are allowed inside, the Basilica is a sight to behold, slightly bigger than the Prelate’s mansion and looking as if it were pulled entirely from the Italian Renaissance period. The Climbing Gardens is part of the Basilica, and is situated above it, but there is no known way to get to it. However the plants and vines grow outward and downward, and the blooming flowers and falling petals make this a genuine attraction. Also, during Christmas week, Basilica is open to all.

Resources: The city relies on its mines to keep producing the wealth of gems it always has been producing from the mines. It also dabbles in a very small fishing industry.

History: The gear network, core tower and upper levels were there long before any humans came along. However, once they started coming, it began as a mining town, since where the gear network dug down into the earth, numerous jewels could’ve been seen. Before long, the town gradually grew into a city.

Eventually, like almost all places, it grew to need a governing system. The Zenith religion (worshipping of the Zenith, which is the name of the tower and gear network) was also founded right there as the city grew.

Over centuries, the city evolved into what is found today.