[Nexus] Riverside III

[Gullara]

This thread is for Riverside. Riverside is a typical modern smallish city, run by three competing factions.

Riverside is the only city in a area filled with villages and one or two other towns. One of which is Beddling.

Riverside is outside the influence of Inside, and therefore the Remnant.

Factions:

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Northside:

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Northside, the richer part of Riverside. If you have money then you can get just about anything in Northside. That is if you know the right people. There is something odd about this part of Riverside though. Hardly a beggar or street urchin to be seen. In fact for a place of scum and villainy this place is too clean. Northside is the one that wears the best mask in Riverside. The best at covering up deaths and drug deals. The best at making everyone think that there is nothing wrong because everybody pays their protectors and rulers of Northside with what they ask for.

The followers of Scaal are spoken of in hushed tones. When a black robed figure goes by people stop talking and give him the space he needs. These are the followers of Scaal. Not much is known about them besides they possess great magic, they protect this part of the city and its inhabitants for the right price, and rumors have it that Scaal is some sort of god or demon perhaps. This is Northside. A rich mask that hides the dirty city for what it is.

Eastside:
Coming Soon

Westside:

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Westside, where vampires walk openly on the street. Mostly because said vampires govern this part of the city. The city has been cloaked in a field of eternal night allowing the vampires to walk freely. Furthermore, each mortal citizen is required to donate blood to sustain the vampires. In exchange, the streets are kept clean, for the most part. Of course, the cover of darkness does attract criminals as well as less beneficent creatures of the night.

The vampires of Riverside came to the Nexus from the city of Gul-Thadar, a city where vampires and humans live in harmony. They took up the role of governing Westside after the city's leadership collapsed. Humans and vampires alike fill their ranks as well as a much smaller number of drow men. They aren't above unsavory methods or shady deals, but they keep a good public face.

((All vampire NPCs associated with Riverside should be assumed to be controlled by me unless otherwise stated.))

Places Within:

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Northside

• Moth Park:
  
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  About 100 acres big, the moth park is approximately rectangular in shape, with a bandshell/performance stage at the north end, a soccer (football) field and softball diamond at the south and a forested area in the center.
  
  It also holds two playgrounds (swing sets, slides, monkey bars) several fountains (most of which are nonfunctional) various statues and a network of walking paths.
  
  Since the re-opening, Moth park is pretty popular with the local residents as well as those who come into the area to work or visit.
  
  The park have a park guard which keeps out most small-time criminals and drug-dealers which makes it considered safe, at least during day time.
• Sawyer's Inn:
  
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  The inside of Sawyer's is beautiful, though humble. Whoever keeps the place, keeps it in fine condition.
  
  The dark wooden floors are waxed and shiny. There are four wooden pillars that reach up to the ceiling. The four walls are painted in a brick red, with light grey accents.
  
  Along the left wall there is a large hearth fire burning, with a dog and cat sleeping together. The dog raises it's head slightly to observe the newcomers, but doesn't rush to sniff them out.
  
  Along the right wall is the customer service area, with a dining hall just past it. The smell of freshly baked bread and some kind of meat can be smelled eminating from beyond.
  
  And then there is the back wall. There is a set of stairs leading up and another leading down. Both sets are made of the same wood as the pillars and floor.
• Police Station:
  
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  The police station is a large but simple brick building. All police activity is based out of this building. It's outfitted with interrogation rooms, a few offices, and other rooms that a police station would have.

Eastside

• Golden Flagon Tavern:
  
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  The Golden Flagon Tavern was the main hideout of the local mafia, when it was run by Johan.
  
  After a confrontation with Reinholdt, Johan was killed, and the Golden Flagon nearly destroyed. It's current owner is in the midst of restoration.

Westside

• Exbourne Manor:
  
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  Basement: The servant quarters, for dominated mortals, is set up neatly with a row of beds, as well as a relaxation section with comfy chairs and sofas. Plenty of plushies have been provided for the mortals to snuggle with, as well as some non-violent games and toys. There's no television or books though. Bathrooms have been installed for the mortals to use as well. It's all very comfortable and pleasant, except for the part about being eaten at any time.
  
  Ground floor: The ground floor is brightly decorated with colourful paints and vases of flowers. One might have a hard time believing it was the home of vampires. Important rooms include Ramiro's office, kitchen, living room, Aunt Riley's bedroom, Mateo's bedroom.
  
  2nd floor: The second floor is, like the ground floor, brightly decorated. It mostly contains bedrooms. Notable rooms include Gabriel and Tia's room.
  
  3rd floor: The third floor is also bright and cheery. Similar to0 the second floor, there are mostly bedrooms.
  
  Attic: The attic is the only floor of the house not painted brightly. It serves little purpose except as access to the tower. Ghar's room is also here, but there is no visible entrance.
  
  Tower: A small toward was added since the vampires moved in. It serves to house the spell that keeps Westside in perpetual darkness. At the top room of the tower, in the middle of the room is what appears to be a mass of unnatural darkness. It also functions as a watchtower of sorts, and a at least three vampires can be found patrolling it.
• Club Pulse:
  
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  The club is quite easily noticed by the huge neon sign outside, Pulse was easily recognized as Riversides largest nightclub. Beyond the line and the bouncer outside is a classic club layout with a large dance floor with loud music and flashing lights.
  
  In a slightly more calm area of the club is the bar run by an one-eyed bartender called Ryo.
  
  There are two stairs leading up to the upper floor where it's easier to talk and drink.
  
  The atmosphere is pretty heavy as you walk inside with techno music playing very loud.

History: by Lex-kat

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Long, long ago, Riverside was a simple fishing village.

It was able to blossom into a city once trade begun, because of it's placement not only on the river, but between most of the other small villages within this area of the Nexus.

Of course, this means that the Merchants were able to take over the government of the city. But other than that, it remained quite peaceful.

Very few other cities attack Riverside, and it would remain neutral in conflicts. Though, due to the few that did try to attack it, the citizens of Riverside did develop a small military force. For protection purposes only, of course.

For years, Riverside grew in power, yet never exerted it over any of the other villages. That is, until a man named Johnny Duluth came to power.

At first, the people loved him. He was fair and just. And soon, he brought even more prosperity to Riverside.

Then a change. A small force of unknown marauders besieged the city. Mayor Johnny declared a state of emergency, reorganized the military, and with the help of some of his aides, transformed them into a offensive unit.

After a long 4 month battle, Riverside won a decisive victory. But they didn't stop there. Mayor Johnny declared that a nearby village was responsible for the attack.

He personally led the military and crushed the village with no resistance.

Some Merchants balked at this, and tried to warn the citizens of the dangers of allowing Mayor Johnny to take this power.

They were all silenced, one way or the other. Bought off, murdered, or their families kidnapped and held hostage.

By the time the residents realized what was happening, it was too late. They found themselves over run by the same marauders that they had "defeated" before.

Soon, the city was run by a Mafia-dictatorship, and Johnny Duluth was it's mayor.

What the citizens didn't know, was that Johnny Duluth was just a puppet. There was another man pulling his strings.

Ezekial Von Hookes, a prominent member of the Merchant class had employed Johnny for just this. He even arranged for his own daughter, Patricia, to be kidnapped, tortured, and finally returned to him a gibbering mess.

Mayor Johnny ruled Riverside for thirty years, before dying of a sudden heart attack at the age of 78.

A kinder, gentler man took his place, returning Riverside to a peaceful, defensive center of commerce it was before Johnny Duluth took over.

The citizens were happy. But deep within the dark corners, and under the city foundations, the Mafia still ruled. Ezekial passed his hidden empire to his son-in-law, Cameron.

Cameron and Patricia (yes that Patricia) had a son, Frederick Von Hookes. Cameron raised his son to be his successor. Slowly the citizens of Riverside became aware, yet intentionally ignorant, of the criminals that were truly in charge.

People would disappear, and the police did nothing. There were rumors of daughters from surrounding villages being kidnapped and sold to wealthy men, or held under the bar for the local prostitution ring.

By the time Frederick "retired", and Jonah took over, everyone in the city knew that the city was run by a mostly hidden group of men, maybe some women.

When Reinholdt came to town, and murdered Johan, and set the prostitutes free, business came to a screeching halt.

The Green Flagon Bar, where Johan ran his business out of, shut down for repairs. But has only just recently reopened.

There is rumors that Frederick has returned. ASnd people are afraid. Where Johan was cunning, Frederick was brutal.

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The police are owned by the Mafia. Unless you wish to die, you turn a blind eye to any crime you see.

For the most part, the citizens are protected. Only those who try to reform or change the current system find themselves on the wrong end of the "law".

Otherwise, the victims are from the more rural villages surrounding Riverside.

The Mafia has dealings with people in other large cities, including the Empire run Inside. Though most of those are in deep hiding since the Empire took over.

More recently, SAINT, the Assassins guild has sprung up in the cities underworld. Since there has been no fighting between the guild and the Mafia, it is assumed that they have a peaceful agreement with each other.

Of course, in the most recent happenings, the Golden Flagon has been shot up recently when a human female and some blue girl came asking questions.

Soon after they disappeared, an earthquake struck the twon, felling many buildings. A strange man named Riv is reported to have been to blame. How that can be, the citizens do not know.

They are currently rebuilding.

Previous Threads:

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Riverside II
Riverside I: The Beginning

[Shadowcaller]

I'm going to use one of my powers on you. It'll be taxing on me, so some gratitude is in order, the Defender grumbles.
Meanwhile, the group's leader ponders it. Yes, we should look into it. We'll help you.

[Streets - Nighttime]

"What kind of powers? More demons?" She suddenly seem quite suspicious with the hunters.

Entrance

"The Fey. Creatures of the world. I am connected with it as they are now, albeit to a lesser degree. But I am stronger for it." Justinian explains before shaking his head at the woman. "I am healthy, but thank you."

Entrance

Ah, fey, something that doesn't exist in their world. They all got killed when the demons came knocking.

"Alrecht 'en sir." The armored woman replies.

"So then we could, if we wanted, ask for their assistance?" Tarim insists. "We need all help we can get against the darkness that lurks within this town."

[UncleWolf]

Entrance

"It's possible, but I am not so sure. We are...bound to areas. And our numbers are few." Justinian admits before pulling a waterskin from his side and taking a long pull from it. The leaves growing off of him liven up visibly and a few new ones sprout as he puts the skin away.

[Morty]

[Streets - Nighttime]

"What kind of powers? More demons?" She suddenly seem quite suspicious with the hunters.

The hunters are silent for a while, exchanging worried glances. Irena is even more unhinged than they thought. But really, the hunters aren't the sanest bunch either. No, our powers don't come from demons. In fact, we get them from what we might call the exact opposite. The Heralds instructed us to fight the demons.

[Shadowcaller]

[Streets - Nighttime]

What might be more insane is that Irena's powers are actually granted from demons.

"The Heralds? What are those?" She relaxes noticeably however, she was currently in a lot of pain after all and healing didn't sound so bad...

Entrance

"I see." Tarim replies grimly, hi's eyes darting down at the leaves falling off Justinian, what had he become? "I suppose your not coming back to the temple? What are you doing here anyway?"

Meanwhile the armored woman extends her hand. "Mah nam is Ragna Ironhammer by th' way." She says cheerfully. "Braw tae meit ye."

[Morty]

[Streets - Nighttime]

Pointing out that hypocrisy would be a hyporcisy all in itself on the part of the guys running around hunting supernatural things using supernatural powers.
We don't really know. All we know is that they contacted us and granted us powers so we can fight back against all the supernatural monsters plaguing the Nexus.

[UncleWolf]

Entrance

Justinian reaches out to shake the woman's hand. "Justinian Bakker, of the Autumn Circle." He says, introducing himself. He gives the Pit Fiend a shake of his head. "I cannot. As I said, we are bound to an area, and my tree is far from here. I'm here to see why this spot is...dead."

[Shadowcaller]

Entrance

"Ragna isn't one of ours as you might be able to tell but she shares out interest in cleansing this den of death as you put it." Tarim replies and then gives Justinian an look. "So you are bound to an area, to a tree? What is this Autumn Circle you speak of?" The pit lord doesn't seem very pleased with his transformation. He seemed to have changed his ways.

Ragna just peers at Tarim, sensing the disagreement here. Her helmet is quite oddly shaped with the place for two curved horns, like fictional viking helmets.

[Streets - Nighttime]

"Fair enough... heal me then." Irena says, it comes out a bit as a demand really.

"I also have powers, most of them only work in shadows though." She explains.

[Morty]

[Streets - Nighttime]

The Defender grabs Irena's arm and pours healing into her. It won't be much, but it should make her feel a bit better.
Yes, we have seen your powers in action. Where did you get them?

[UncleWolf]

Entrance

"They're spirits who have power over Autumn and Winter seasons." He explains before turning to Ragna. "And who do you serve?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Streets - Nighttime]

The homeless woman takes a deep breath once the healing have poured into her and seems to relax even more in the hunter's presence.

"Demons." Irena explains to their question.

Entrance

"Dol Arrath, th' goddess ay sunlecht, tae brin' lecht intae thes mirk place." Ragna explains mirthfully.

"Spirits? But spirits are bound to one plane, what if you need to go to another dimension Justinian?" Tarim growls, ignoring Ragna for the moment.

[Morty]

[Streets - Nighttime]

The hunters are silent. They already got some flak from other Imbued for planning to ally with a witch, but they weren't expecting... that.
How exactly do you get power from demons? Asks the leader as calmly as he can manage.

[Earl of Purple]

Exbourne Manor- Ramiro's Office

"I will see what I can do about getting a spy in AMEN. Maybe I could bribe a henchman, or something, as well. As for Pontius, I will be constructing a guardian for my chamber. Since my magic does not extend far into those areas, I asked for his help. What guardian are you talking about? His chair doesn't look very intimidating." Mortius's dried flesh creases into a frown.

Exbourne Manor- Main Room

"My uncle wants a flesh golem. I didn't ask why, just if he had the requisite bodies. I don't kill people, and that's the only way to be sure a body is fresh enough, so flesh golems are by comission only." Pontius drums his fingers on the arm of his chair nervously. He's slightly scared of vampires; his mother threatened him with them when he was young.

Repost due to new thread.

[Shadowcaller]

[Streets - Nighttime]

The hunters are silent. They already got some flak from other Imbued for planning to ally with a witch, but they weren't expecting... that.
How exactly do you get power from demons? Asks the leader as calmly as he can manage.

[Streets - Nighttime]

"I... don't really know." She admits. "Made some deal, lost all my memories." Irena reveals, blinking as she mentions it. It still felt pretty empty inside her head.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Ramiro's Office]

"A rather large golem constructed from hawthorn and silver. A rather specific guardian, if you understand my meaning." Ramiro's displeasure is obvious in his frown. "But it's no matter."

"As for AMEN, getting someone on the inside tends to be easy. If you are capable, you could potentially pass off some form of undead as a new member."

[Exbourne Manor - Main Room]

Durin smiles slightly at Pontius' discomfort. "Very well, but know that your choice of guardian is not appreciated."

[Morty]

[Streets - Nighttime]

The hunters look between each other. It sounds ominous, but they need all the help they can get to even have a shot at rooting the leeches out of this city. I... see. Regardless, if you wish to fight monsters, we're on the same side.

[Earl of Purple]

Exbourne Manor- Ramiro's Office

"Ugh. Idiot. Still, he's young; I'm sure he won't do it again. His chair is usually enough for most threats. To get inside, AMEN, I already have a plan." It's a walking chair with arms. Naturally there's hidden arms.

Exbourne Manor- Main Room

"Yes, apologies. Might I ask why?" Pontius continues drumming his fingers against the chair.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Ramiro's Office]

Ramiro nods. "Good, I will leave it to you. Find out anything you can find about Gordon's actions in Riverside and see if anything has happened to Rose. If you have nothing more to add, you may go."

[Exbourne Manor - Main Room]

The drow crosses his arms. "Can you honestly tell me that that golem was not constructed to fight vampires? It's quite obvious."

[Earl of Purple]

Exbourne Manor- Ramiro's Office

"My nephew Durk Fallow, the slave trader, will be visiting me after Pontius leaves. He'll have some slaves and employees with him. Most of the slaves would be his own, but one will be for me." Probably part of the AMEN infiltration plan.

Exbourne Manor- Main Room

"Yes, I can." He's being honest, if it helps. The golem was made to distract vampires and stop them paying more attention to Pontius's chair.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Ramiro's Office]

"I'd prefer he use the back entrance if you can communicate with him beforehand. Otherwise there is no trouble."

[Exbourne Manor - Main Room]

"Just be careful what messages you send. Some might get the wrong idea." Durin warns.

[Shadowcaller]

[Streets - Nighttime]

The hunters look between each other. It sounds ominous, but they need all the help they can get to even have a shot at rooting the leeches out of this city. I... see. Regardless, if you wish to fight monsters, we're on the same side.

[Streets - Nighttime]

Irena nods, her rather limited social experience causes her to miss the hint here.
"I wish to kill every demon in this city." She states. "Starting with that prison over there." She points at the zoo.

[Morty]

[Streets - Nighttime]

Let's go investigate it, then. Not really their target of choice, but if it'll get Irena to cooperate, they'll go along.

[Earl of Purple]

Exbourne Manor- Ramiro's Office

"How big is the back entrance? Durk has many ogres working for him." They're slaves, really. Not For Resale.

Exbourne Manor- Main Room

"Yes, that I can do. Could you give me directions to my uncle's chamber?"

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Pet Shop

Many lights are flooding the grounds, removing even the scant shadows that were present previously. Several ogres wielding large clubs and nets patrol the perimeter, and more humans are in the guard towers. Also, they've lit up the edge of their land by using more lights. It seems unlikely that they'll be surprised next time.

[Shadowcaller]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Pet Shop

Irena frowns as she see the facility. "Perhaps later..." The girl mumbles. "Do you have any other plans?"

[Morty]

[Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Pet Shop]

Not currently. We're staking out some vampire houses to size them up as targets. It'll be a long and bloody war.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Pet Shop]

"Vampires? Sure, why not. I'm in." She figures 'vampires' is another type of demon, There sure are a lot of different types of demons. "I spend some time outside one of their houses, saw a bunch of people come and leave. There are demons in the park too, bony things."

[Morty]

[Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Pet Shop]

The hunter nods.
We're going to have to pick a vampire house and focus on entering it. We can't pick an easy one either; we'll have to choose an important leech.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Ramiro's Office]

"There aren't any entrances that will accommodate an ogre. They will have to wait outside. Preferably without being too close to the building." Ramiro says, broaching no argument. The last thing they need is to be associated with a slaver if word gets out about the pet shop.

[Exbourne Manor - Main Room]

The drow nods. "I can do one better and take you right to it." He gestures for Pontius to follow him to Mortius' room.

[Earl of Purple]

Exbourne Manor- Ramiro's Office

"I shall tell him to keep the ogres at home. He'll have to make do with Eastsiders." Mortius has a nephew in Northside, a nephew in Eastside, and a nephew in Inside. He lacks relatives in Underside, though.

Exbourne Manor- To Mortius's Room

"Thank you."

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Ramiro's Office]

Ramiro nods. "Very well. Now, I think you should attend to your nephew."

[Exbourne Manor - Main Room]

Durin smiles pleasantly. Though there's a hard edge to it. "No problem. Just remember where you are for the while you're here." He walks off without further comment.