[Nexus] Riverside 12

[Gullara]

By Darklord Bright

Riverside, a small, modern city outside the reach of Remnant control. The city has always been known by one defining factor, it's status as a hive of scum and villainy. A number of factions vie for footholds in the city, though they are largely peaceful at the moment. No doubt some would jump at the opportunity to expand their influence. Riverside sits on the edge of the Nexus, so while it's still prone to the strangeness common there, it's far more stable than other parts of the Nexus. Being the hive and scum and villainy that it is, the streets can be dangerous and shady deals and dark alleys are plenty. Welcome to Riverside.

Current Events:

• The plague spread by AMEN is gradually being cured over the coming weeks.
• Southside and its inhabitants have all mysteriously vanished. In their place, AMEN and other groups have moved in and are establishing themselves there.
• An artificial sun has been erected in the skies of Westside, lifting the perpetual darkness in the area and restoring a natural day night cycle.
• A new power generator has been constructed by Evolution Industry. It provides new and extremely inexpensive power to those that choose to use it.

Northside:

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Under revision
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. This is Northside. A rich mask that hides the dirty city for what it is.

Eastside:

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Eastside is mostly a middle-to-lower class, densely populated area. It's fairly multicultural, even by Nexus standards, and inhabited by a wide range of species and cultures.
Like the rest of Riverside, Eastside has been in the hands of either criminals or supernatural factions for a long time. Now it has changed - a democratic election organized by the Democracy Now movement led to the creation of the Eastside Parliament and a Mayor. They hold the power in Eastside now, and the Hunters enforce the law within it.

Southside:

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The territory of the Court of One, Southside is an urban area heavily touched by magic. Based around the metaphorical and geomantic power of the river, the populated areas form a circle a distance around the river and its two tributaries. Within this circle is an area in which the normal laws of reality begin to alter, the changes becoming more profound the further one goes. In the very center is the Court of One itself, in a small region of primordial chaos and raw magical energies.

While the presence of such untamed magic presents danger to those who venture too far into it, the threat of crime in Southside is abnormally low due to the presence of the Devoured Legion. This knightly order has the dual purpose of administering justice and being the Court's punishment for capital crimes. Formed entirely of criminals 'reclaimed' by the magic of the Court, the Devoured Legion protects the populace as atonement for their crimes, using a series of crystalline pyramids to appear where they are needed.

The strangeness of Southside is offset for many by the promise it offers- it is not simply a place to live, but a place to change, and to move forward towards a new life. The Court of One offers power and purpose to those would take them, the ability to overcome the obstacles of poverty and despair, and the ability to let the river wash away the stains of the past.

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.

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Factions:

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• Court of One: Southside
  
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  This faction represents the will and power of the fair folk queen, Genesis, each of its main members representing and acting on a facet of her nature. While often inhuman and sometimes fearful, the Court of One strives for the betterment of Riverside and the improvement of lives within its borders, offering power, purpose, and redemption to those who would join in its patterns and work harmoniously with the Court's vision.
  
  Played by Vael or The Bushranger.
• Followers of Scaal: Northside
  
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  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.
  
  As of late, the followers of Scaal have been much less present in Northside. Most think they've gone underground for one reason or another, though nobody knows exactly what the truth is.
  
  Played by ApeofLight.
• Hunters: Eastside
  
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  The Hunters are built around the original organization with this name - a group of supernaturally-endowed human vigilantes. Now they recruit anyone willing to serve the people of Riverside. They act as the general police force in Eastside. Their uniform consists of a long blue coat with a stylized "H" on it. Their leader is Johann Pannewitz, one of the original Imbued Hunters. His title is Hunter Commander.
  
  Played by Morty
• People's Parliament: Eastside
  
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  The result of the Democracy Now movement among some members of Riverside, the People's Parliament is a democratically elected council that governs over Eastside.
  
  Mayor:
  

  Donncha O Donnail, played by Morty

  Council:
  

  Percival Obree-Banton, played by Earl of Purple
  Sedrat Quelg, played by Lost_Deep
  Brody, played by Slii Arhem
  Andrea Infanti, played by Gulaghar
  Vita Octavia, played by Happyturtle
  Trind Calanolius Evenart, played by Wolfbane

  
  The law is is enforced by the Hunters, once supernaturally-endowed vigilanties that have stepped in to serve the people of Eastside as law enforcement.
• Sacred Order of Cunningham: Citywide
  
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  The Sisters and Elders of the Sacred Order of Cunningham have a perspective based religion with a hodge-podge of beliefs pulled from science fiction and popular culture. They are not a celibate order, and in fact strongly promote marriage and sex (in that order) with the goal of having large families.
  
  Except for the orphans and their caretakers, the members of the Order do not live in one location. Families have their own homes, and go to the Cathedral for holy services or group events. You know, sort of like people treat their RL churches.
  
  Played by happyturtle.
• Tenebras: Westside
  
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  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. They aren't above unsavory methods or shady deals, but they keep a good public face.
  
  ((All vampire NPCs associated with Tenebras should be assumed to be controlled by Gulaghar unless otherwise stated.))
  
  Played by Gulaghar.

Places Within:

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Northside

• Moth Park:
  
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  About 100 acres, 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.
• 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.
• Riverside Hospital:
  
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  This hospital is the only one currently in Riverside. It was built after the old hospital burned down some years ago. As a result, it's of fairly modern design. It works just like a normal, modern hospital would with the exception of magic being used along normal medical procedures to achieve better results.
• 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.
• Temple of Dalachrech: Earl of Purple
  
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  This building closely resembles all the other semi-detached houses along this road. The temple takes up both halves of the house, however; although the building has been designed such that the halves don't match to maintain the illusion of seperate owners. It has a red tile roof and is constructed from red brick, although the left half has been painted white. There's a pair of garages and two front doors, both of which work.
  
  The temple is a private location. Please PM Earl of Purple before visiting.

Eastside

• Cosiellio's Temple: Harnel
  
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  There's a small temple here that just finished construction last week. It's a fairly plain thing, more utilitarian than ostentatious, but it's made of marble and granite, giving it a glowing white appearance in the sun, with Cos' holy symbol in a large carved statue above the front door. It's a shield with feathered wings imposed along the front, giving it the impression of a heart. It's carved impeccably; it must have been done with magic.
  
  The temple itself is relatively informal. There's a pair of priests here named Jules and Linette, though they don't wear anything like clergy vestments because Cosiellio doesn't have any sort of clergy vestments he'd prefer they wear. Jules is a half-elven man that appears to be approaching middle-age, while Linette is a teenage human; both were saved during the riverside riots, And Cos provides them with the things they need to live (money, healing, food, and rooms) as long as they maintain their functions as priests.
  
  A few of Cos' faithful are here almost all the time - given the informal nature of the temple, everybody drifts in to say a few prayers whenever they're feeling like they should, or whenever they have the time. Cos himself regularly visits, of course, and answers prayers directly.
• Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends: Earl of Purple
  
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  The shop is lit up with bright lights and neon advertising. Around the store is a secure, electrified fence and there's four watch towers in the corners. The gate is near a large, secure-looking building within which are three ogre guards. Inside lie four warehouses, a large collection of aquariums and gigantic tanks, a squat and ugly toilet block and three seperate bunkers for customers to evacuate into should something more dangerous escape, such as a smilodon from the Mammal House, a wyvern from the Reptile House, a giant carnivorous slug from the Invertebrate House or something worse. Patrolling the wide, open spaces are the occasional group of six uniformed humans armed with net-guns. Slaves can be bought here if one asks the right questions.
• Golden Flagon Tavern:
  
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  The Golden Flagon Tavern was once the main hideout of the local mafia. It was destroyed, but recently it has been fully restored. It still tends to attract the unsavory sort, but the owner keeps things civil.
  
  The tavern is very old fashioned. It's a stone building with polished, wooden supports. A fire always warms it's large hearth and the drinks always good. It makes for a comfortable atmosphere.
• Hunter Lodge: Morty
  
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  The main administration building for the Hunter force. The Hunter Commander's office is located there, as well as the rest of the administrative staff.
• Light's Heart: Shadowcaller
  
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  The citadel rises up like something taken from a sci-fi movie. The walls are golden colored, untainted by age and dirt. Like something that was just build just recently.
  Five towers have been built into the wall, standing no less then 40 feet tall, looking like they have been cut out from the same stone.
  
  Above the towers rises the citadel itself, completely square in form and made of the same golden stone it have numerous arrow slits carved out at the upper floors.
  
  Leading around it's form is a wooden staircase going from the top of the citadel to the courtyard below.The only visible entrance is the massive gate made of obsidian colored wood which stands wide open, inviting anyone inside.
• Parliament: Morty
  
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  Not far from the Town Hall, the small circular new building serves as the meeting place for the People's Parliament. It includes a large hall for meetings as well as offices for all the members.
• Town Hall: Morty
  
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  Converted from several buildings in the middle of the district, it serves as the seat of the administration. The Mayor resides there.

Southside

• Court of One: Vael
  
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  In the center of Southside is a clearing, its shape a perfect circle. It is relatively small in size, and the chaotic powers that surround the clearing and converge on it mean that it sees few visitors. Yet, here it is that the heart of the Court of One is found. Imbued with all the geomantic power of Southside, charged with the symbol power of the river, the Court of One has transcended a true form of shape, and so how it appears depends on the viewer. Some see it as a floating castle, flying above the clearing, while others see it as a pool of clear water.
  
  One might assume that this area is the physical court, a place in which the members of the court meet- and while true, it is also the court itself. While its members may rove outward and touch other areas of Riverside, or even leave the city, the will of Genesis is always manifest there. As much as her body contains her, so too does the Court of One- yet here, she is not fettered by the laws of reality, here the world is raw and unshaped, and her power is at its highest.
  
  So those few visitors who find their way here will find the power and presence of Genesis and the Court of One at their strongest. Here, the greatest and most improbable pleas can be answered, should they prove persuasive to the fey ruler.
• Maelstrom Castle: Vael
  
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  Formed of circling, twisting walls and a labyrinth of gates, this proud and fae castle stands in the middle of a twist in a river, the currents of which churn and race around it, rising impossibly into the air to form new layers of the fort's walls out of running water.
  
  Winding to the center of the structure, the river's flow partially hardens into mirror-like ice, forming a garrison in which the Devoured Legion resides. The polished ice that line the walls give views out of the crystalline pyramids in the centers of the most populated areas of Southside, and for the knights themselves, act as portals.
• Radiant Ocean: Vael
  
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  Do not the waters of the river pour into the ocean? Though each comes from a different path, they join and merge, each mingling and sharing in the same world. Though some are vast and mighty, some weak and small, their nature is the same, and in coming together, their strength is as one. All are of the same family, each deserves the same kindness and share as another.
  Let this court be an ocean. None who need its power will be turned away.
  
  Radiant Ocean is a place of generosity and wealth, entertainment and exchange.
  
  Home to the most populous portion of Southside, Radiant Ocean itself is a luxurious housing complex, its four petal-like wings of apartments separated by glass covered gardens. The central portion of the building is a market, in which imported goods and the products of the garden are sold and exchanged. The housing in Radiant Ocean is divided between those who most need it, and those willing to pay notable sums of money for a place in it, money which is then put into expanding the markets and buildings that have sprung up around Radiant Ocean.
• Solemn Depths: Vael
  
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  At the city walls, where the river first passes into Riverside, there is a deep reserve. Carved deep into stone, it first appears as just a man-made lake, but once one enters the water, they will find that it is so much more. Buildings lost to time and the changes of Riverside reappear within beside more fantastic ones born from alien imagination, the lake's depths easily holding countless tall structures that glow eerily in the darkened water, while careful currents of water create an upwards clockwise gyre but leave the center of the reserve untouched.
  
  At the still eye of the gyre and the bottom of the lake is a well lit with soft blue and green lights every so often, giving it a muted glow. Small streams of bubbles spiral out of it, their source a large number of spiraling side passages that lead into circular caverns with apparently self sustaining air pockets, and enough rocky surfaces for a human to draw themselves out of the water. Yet, going even deeper, one will encounter something even stranger- the water is easily breathable. Yet, at this depth there are also strange energies like those from the mists, capable of altering mortal form and reality around it. Still, they seem more constructed, more directed, manifesting in structured ways. From this point, however, what one encounters is no longer certain, changing readily for each new visitor.
• Wellspring Tower: Vael
  
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  A tower of stone and glass with limbs that branch out like those of a tree, Wellspring Tower is positioned in nearly the center of Riverside, twisting the water of the river up into its hollow glass tubing in a manner that produces a quiet and beautiful song. Fountains, statues of ice and topiary, and small pools of water fill its courtyard, a vibrant and natural environment in the midst of the city.
  
  On the inside, Wellspring Tower is much larger than it is without, its stretching limbs opening out into other planes of existence, containing entire worlds within its mighty arms.

Westside

• Blood Donation Clinic:
  
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  A small clinic has been established in Westside for the purpose of collecting blood from those willing to donate. The blood is then distributed to those that require it. This is primarily Tenebras vampires, but any being that requires blood for sustenance can get it here. Some blood can be given to the hospital when needed as well.
  
  The clinic itself is a small building. Inside there is a reception area, and a few different rooms for the actual procedure. There is usually one person on site twentyfour seven.
• Cathedral of the Sacred Order of Cunningham: happyturtle
  
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  The Westside Cathedral is large enough to house people for emergency purposes, but in general, only the family of the pastor and the groundskeeper live there.
  
  Pastor Rockwell is the Pastor
  Sister Janice is the Pastor's wife, and a skilled hippiemancer.
  

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• Club Pulse: Shadowcaller
  
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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.
• Doctor Stroffelnburg's Psychiatric Clinic: Reinholdt
  
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  This rather unassuming white building contains the world's finest psychiatric doctor. After the setback at his hospital that caused the loss of the use of his legs, Doctor Stroffelnburg took his savings and set up a smaller clinic here in Riverside. Walk-ins are encouraged.
• Enforcer HQ: Gulaghar
  
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  On the outside, this building almost looks like a bunker. It's a low, squat building constructed of stone. The only windows are on the front of the building and they are small. There is a fenced off area in the back that contains a number of vehicles.
  
  The lobby area is fairly bare. There are a few different clearly labeled desks to approach, depending on the reason for being there. One is for general business with the Enforcers. The wall opposite the desks is lined with chairs.
  
  Off to the left is a hallway that goes deeper into the building. An Enforcer guard stands at the entrance to this hallway at all times. At the end of the hall is a heavy steel door with a card based lock. Behind this door is an armoury that contains the Enforcer's weapons and armour.
  
  On the opposite side of the lobby, there is a similar hallway, though it's not guarded on the lobby side. At the far end there is a door that leads to an area with a few holding cells and a desk for a guard to work at.
  
  Halfway down the same hall is another hall intersecting it. This hall is lined with doors to a number of offices and other rooms.
• Evolution Industries: Darkcomet
  
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  The Westside branch of EI. The main building is a fairly nondescript, tall (not a skyscraper or anything, but still with several floors) modern one, with a large Evolution Industries logo on it.
• Evolution Industries Power Plant: Darkcomet
  
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  The Class 3 MACE unit offered by Evolution Industries is a large, static installation capable of generating enough power to supply all of Riverside with electricity, and it was Tenebras that commissioned the first of these installations from EI.
  
  The installation is housed inside a large, reinforced building. The interior has multiple levels linked by elevators and stairs, all surrounding the roughly cylindrical silver crystalline structure that is the actual Class 3 unit. It's quite the view at the top for EI's employees and the occasional tourist, and naturally there are plenty of guard rails. Naturally, office space, bathrooms, and the like are all present in the building, though obviously away from the main spiral surrounding the installation itself. Many computers and other such pieces of equipment are present in the areas around the installation, perpetually monitoring and controlling its output.
  
  The building itself is guarded and patrolled by Evolution Industries' corporate security division.
  
  All that is known to the public, but given what Evolution Industries used to do, and the identity of its head, it's possible the place is far more guarded than it immediately seems...
• Exbourne Manor: Gulaghar
  
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  Exbourne manor is rather old, though kept in excellent condition since it was restored when Tenebras moved in. The rooms are large and spacious, and most of the public areas have been painted in bright pastels and decorated with vases of flowers.
  
  The ground floor largely consists of the lofty entrance hall, a comfortable living room, and the kitchen. Ramiro's office is also on the ground floor for easy access. The second and third floor have mostly bedrooms and attached washrooms. The basement serves as rooms for the servants primarily. In a separate part of the basement is a large vault as well as an Evolution Industries Class 2 MACE Unit which provides the building with electricity. Finally, the attic contains whatever it is that creates the darkness field within Westside.
  
  The manor is surrounded by a courtyard. An iron fence surrounds it, and a number of trees provide privacy along the sides and behind the building. The courtyard is grassy and has a cobblestone trail leading to the front door. Behind the manor is a private garden. The courtyard's gate is almost always left open.
• Light of Evolution/Control Center: Darkcomet
  
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  Once the Class 3 Installation was completed, the head of Evolution Industries approached the leader of Tenebras with an answer to a question that had been asked of him before-that of bringing light back to Westside.
  
  The building at ground level is fairly normal-looking, wide but not overly tall. It is marked with Evolution Industries logos, and serves as the control and maintenance center for the site's true purpose.
  
  The crystalline sphere that serves as Westside's artificial sun, known as the Light of Evolution, floats in the air far above the building, a bright blue beam linking it and the structure. This serves to power the Light. This beam is surrounded by a translucent, shimmering blue forcefield, to prevent anyone from interrupting it.
  
  The beam is projected from a system usually at the roof of the building, and is taken in by a receiver panel at the bottom of the Light, which is how it powers it.
  
  The Light brightens and dims as appropriate to simulate a natural day-night cycle, and the beam that powers it dims with it. After all, when it is dimmer, it requires less power. In the darkest times of the night, the beam projector deactivates and the forcefield drops. The former lowers itself down into the building, and the Light floats down on anti-gravity systems with their own onboard power. The Control Center's roof contains a hatch that, at this time, opens and allows the Light to land for maintenance. During the day, this hatch is normally sealed around the energy projector that powers the Light, preventing it from being used as a secondary entrance during this time as well.
  
  Naturally, the site is heavily guarded by Evolution Security, and no tourists or civilians are allowed inside.
  
  Interestingly, Evolution Industries has issued an official warning that it is not responsible for the results of anyone flying into the forcefield around the power beam, or the beam itself should those be somehow disabled. It is noted that death or serious injury is likely to occur.
• MagMart: Lord Magtok
  
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  If the individual entering has any sort of familiarity with the other MagMart, back when it was its own building apart from Mallside, they'll probably notice that this Riverside one doesn't look anywhere near as glamorous as its predecessor. It's a modest purple brick building, the glass display windows aren't even properly bulletproof, and the smelly homeless people usually employed to wander around about the front of the store in a wacky MagMascot costume with an enormous cyborg head are mysteriously absent.
  
  That said, you can still find just about everything here that you can at the Mallside store. Curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies garlic. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon. Except in this store, the 'morale cannon' is really more of a morale bazooka, and while it's still fun to watch, it's nowhere near as charming.
• Westside City Hall: Gulaghar
  
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  The newly constructed city hall is a towering, impressive building. It is crafted primarily out of a light stone. There is an old feel to it's design, but it is very much a modern building on the inside.
  
  It opens up to a wide open lobby. The floor is a clean white and the room is brightly lit by florescent lights. Immediately to the right of the door is a reception desk where a receptionist can be found for direction during business hours. On the left of the entrance is a security desk where an Enforcer can be found. In the middle of the room is a small fountain with several chairs around it. On the far side of the room is an elevator and there are a number of other doors that lead out of the room.
  
  On the second and third floor there are a number of offices. The mayor's office is on the third floor and there is an office for the Enforcer chief here as well.

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.

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Riverside 11
Riverside X: Take a Walk on the Wildside
Riverside IX
Riverside VIII: A New Side
Riverside VII
Riverside VI
Riverside V
Riverside IV: Offside, 10 Yard Penalty
Riverside III
Riverside II
Riverside I: The Beginning

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yes, but look at you. It isn't even like in the animes." Irena replies, attempting to look away. It looked differently in the real world.

[Investigation]

Astrana nods grimly as they continue up towards the castle. As they reach the entrance however, Celestel is there to greet them. "Ah, the guard said you were coming. I need to speak to you. It involves your supposed crimes."

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia holds her hands firmly on Irena's face, not letting her look away just yet. "Well get it fixed. There's bound to be a way. Just please don't beat yourself up about it. This is nothing to worry about." She insists.

[Investigation]

Valente glances at Astrana before replying. "Um, sure. What about it?" He asks. It seems like this day is just getting more and more jam packed with things happening.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

Cole remains in the tree, rocking himself and humming until a squirrel goes to hop over him. He reaches out, snatches it with one hand, and breaks its neck.

[Lost_Deep]

[Streets]

Most people didn't seem to be all people at least. Regardless of the exact numbers, the dwenic nodded and crinkled the corners of its eyes again. "It feelx nixe having xomething one can do well, yex?" the thing said. "I have a.." here the alien thing stopped and began chittering to itself as a rather bright mix of olive and what looked rather akin to television static flickered on its shoulders and chest. "The word ix 'xibling' (sibling), yex? Gender pronounx are confuxing.. But they are a network adminixtrator or xomething like that. They don't xpeak much about their occupation xo I wax wondering if you might be able to tell me." the dwenic said.

"I don't have that xort of expertixe myxelf. You could call me a 'profexional tourix (tourist)' if that makex any xenxe." the alien said, looking off to the side as it had noted the waiter coming back, bearing their orders.

"Well, chances are that wherever your sibling works has some kind of network, either an internal network or one tied to a web page, and he goes about making sure it runs reliably and smoothly, and oversees updates and changes. The details vary a lot, but that's the basics of it." Kate thanks the waitress and then thinks a moment. "I'm not familiar with the idea of a 'professional tourist'. I understand that some people review tourist attractions for a living, but that doesn't sound quite right."

What do resort reviewers do on vacation, anyway?

[Shadowcaller]

Northside

Sometime, the veiled figure will pass a robed figure in the street. The robe is purple, and the large hood is pulled down over the eyes. The hood has the emblem of an eye on it in silver, and the way it is pulled forward gives the illusion of a cyclops.

The robed figure will try to brush up against the veiled one, and slip a thin radio into her pocket. She isn't worrying about not being noticed, but she is a fairly skilled reverse pickpocket.

Northside

The veiled figure seems too distraught to even notice it. It is as if she were in her own world, far away from this one. So she will just keep on walking. However after a while or so she will suddenly stop and pick up the radio, looking at it confused.

[Suncrest Manor]

"But I'm not sure it can get fixed Nadia. The patterns are all mumbled up now, it would be nearly impossible to straighten them up again." Irena starts explaining. "Now that you're a familiar your form is more transformable since you can like, uh, turn into energy. That's how I summoned you here and that's probably how that guy turned you into a cat so easily." She looks thoughtfully at Nadia. "Hey, I want you to try something. Try thinking yourself back into your original form. That might just work."

[Investigation]

"Yes, I had the fortune to speak to a certain mister Gasllo and we have arranged to do a trail of sort to prove you innocent of the crimes you have been accused of. Or at least the willing part. You need to give permission for Lord Harold to read your mind however. Is this acceptable?" Celestel asks with a smile.

[Lost_Deep]

Northside

*Skrk* "I understand you are interested in killing a god? No small feat. Nonetheless, I represent a group with an interest in discouraging gods with a appetite for conquest... and if you convince me that this is a big issue, the new god might... disappear."

The voice is fairly garbled by the radio, not so much that the words aren't understandable but enough that it would be very hard to recognize the voice.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Um, alright." Nadia closes her eyes and tries to think herself back to normal. It's kind of a weird thing to try and do. It might have been like her controlling water, but even that feels like it's some actual part of her.

Even so, it works. Her ears shift and change, her tail slips out of sight and vanishes, and her eyes change back to normal. Nadia touches the top of her head and looks rather surprised. "It actually worked?"

[Investigation]

"Oh, really? Um, well that sounds great. When do you want to do that?" Valente glances at Astrana again. If this is a real chance to clear his name, then it'd be very good in the long term. He still wants to get out of the city with Astrana on the short term, however.

[Terumitsu]

[Streets]

It took just a moment for the dwenic to feel like it had the gist of what Kate was talking about although the only real trip-up appeared to be the usage of gender pronouns. "I think.. It ix the.. The the the... Female ix it? Femalex which are called 'he?'" the creature asked. It appeared that this was just a subject that it found inherently confusing although it might be an aid for Kate to start figuring out what all the patterns signified given the same olive-and-static pattern starting to creep out past the jade hues again.

Letting that pass for the moment, though, the alien went on to better explain what it did for Kate. "Well.. Think of it like thix. There are xo many plaxex on xo many worldx that it can be mindboggling to try and imagine the xeer (sheer) number of culturex and workx to go and xee. Xo, ax xuch, I go out and xtudy a xertain area and itx highlightx, cuxomx (customs), landmarx, people, and xuch. I then tranxlate thexe experienxex into xomething that can be underxtood more readily and fluidly by my peoplex cultural lenxe. Uxually in the form of articlex or occaxionally in fully made guidebookx though there wax a time or two that I wax axed (asked) to xpeak on my imprexxionx on the growing cultural diverxity due to our firx xucxexxful (successful) extraxolar coloniex. We are a people that are in the unique poxition of having a highly homogenoux culture given our uplifted xtatux xo my available audienxe makex thix a rather profitable venture overall. Not bad for xomeone who wax in architextural xtudiex." the creature said as it punctured the top of what appeared to be a bright orange juice drink with numerous black little spheres at the bottom using a rather sharp looking finger. Kate might note that while it was certainly much more pointy than a human's finger, it wasn't necessarily sharp enough to cut without a good amount of force applied first.

Of course, that was assuming she was paying attention to it's fingers after a long, fleshy tube uncurled from behind it's chin and inserted itself into the hole that had just been made. If she was quick with her eyes, she would likely also take note of the apparently lamprey-like interior of the proboscis before it began draining the container; the black spheres gently distorting the tube as they were picked up one by one. If previous observations meant anything, though, the wisps and curls of royal blue and violet likely indicated enjoyment at least.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena smiles, looking slightly more optimistic. "Yeah, but your form is still stuck somewhere between cat and human though. Or lampade, whatever. So you can suddenly get cat features all of sudden if you stop thinking about it." She explains.

[Investigation]

"As soon as possible. I think both we and exbourne want to get this unfortunate misunderstanding out of the way so we can focus on dealing with the potential plague risking breaking out." Celestel replies. "We could call a representative from Exbourne right now."

Astrana looks very pleased but is letting Valente talk, she knew what he was going to say next anyway.

Northside

"Veils are clouding my visions, I can barely see through the fogs of misery. Can I get a name of the voice I'm hearing? Or are you just another phantom coming to mock me for my failures?" The figure replies.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Alright, I'll keep that in mind. I don't think it'll be too much trouble." Nadia thinks it'll be a bit more trouble than that, but she doesn't want Irena any more distressed.

[Malechenar]

"Yeah, that sounds like a great plan. Let's get it out of the way as soon as possible." Valente says, more than willingly. It'll be so nice to put this mess behind him. It'll make both his and Astrana's life so much easier.

[Lost_Deep]

Streets

"That sounds very interesting... I never thought about it that way. You're a kind of cultural analyst, I guess." She ponders that for a moment while sipping her own drink. "But, it's actually the female that's 'she.' Sorry I used a gender pronoun, English doesn't have very good gender-neutral pronouns."

Northside

"I represent an Illuminati. Do not try to find information, we are sealed against all divinatory magic. If you convince me that the god should not come into his own, I will pull what resources I can to make sure it does not."

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"You sure? It sounds like it be a lot trouble to me. What if you suddenly get fur or something?" Irena asks.

[Malechenar]

"Indeed. A representative from Exbourne will be present shortly. Meanwhile you might want to prepare yourself for a longer stay, or leave shortly. We will be closing off the castle from the rest of the world." Celestel says before wandering off. "Meet me at the forum in a hour and we will deal with this once and for all."

[Terumitsu]

[Streets]

"Ax I am finding out." the dwenic said with a hint of olive and a twitter of chittering. "I xuppoxe (suppose) that the root problem ix gender but not one that fault can be found in." it continued. "But if it helpx with pronoun axxoxiation, then juxt uxe the feminine wordx. They're the termx for the egg layerx after all." the alien said as it retracted it's proboscis from it's half-finished beverage.

Holding up the rather large coconut it (or was it she now?) had ordered, the shelled fruit received a very throurough examination before an arm was drawn back and pointed fingers were aimed at a seem in the shell. With a faint electrical popping noise and a blur of motion, the coconut suddenly sported a fresh new set of holes into which a proboscis was soon sinking and gleefully drinking away the necter inside.

[Lost_Deep]

Streets

"Allright," Kate answers. Hmm... that has interesting connotations. Logic states that dwenic males are probably very different from females, then... Kate watches the careful opening of the coconut. "That was really cool."

[Terumitsu]

[Streets]

Kate may be surprised once she finds the answer to that line of thought.

"I xuppox it might be... Moxt fruit from our planet of origin wax contained in xellx much like thix. It makex for difficult eating without xome way to open them although the xofter fruit that I've found while traveling have prexented a nixe experience. Have become inordinately fond of mango and paxxion fruit xinxe my laxt time here but it ix nixe to have xomething ximilar to home." the dwenic said with a few shades of light red sneaking up in patches on it's body.

Apparently noticing this, the alien made an apparent effort to smooth out 'her' patterns into the congenial jade it was content with displaying. "But I think that the adaptation ix rather handy in another way too. Ax you may guex (guess). Our bodiex uxe more energy than moxe other xentiant creaturex and animal product ix not nearly ax rich in ximple xugarx or other chemical compoundx for extended exixtanxe ax plant matter. Ah but now I'm getting into a biology lexxon. I am not boring you with thix natter?" the alien said as it began 'gnawing' on the flesh of the innards of the coconut with the lamprey-like teeth it had. The sloshy, almost squelching sound of the coconut meat would be faint but still noticeable.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Well, maybe, but it's something I can deal with. And maybe we can track something down to make it easier to manage." Nadia says. Stop being pessimistic, Irena!

[Malechenar]

"Okay, thank you, Celestel." Valente says. He turns to Astrana, a grin on his face. "Did you hear that. No more hiding, and I'll be able to see my family again." He pulls Astrana closer for a brief kiss. "You'll have to finally meet them."

[Lost_Deep]

Streets

"No! I find it quite fascinating," Kate replies between munching on shrimp. "Please continue."

[Shadowcaller]

Northside

"Why?" The bat-person speaks. "It's already too late now. The time of death have passed. I've seen it, the boy won't die. No matter what you or anyone else do." She explains confidently.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Mm... we should figure out what triggers it though before anything else." Irena says, being unusually reasonable.

[Malechenar]

Astrana returns the kiss. Smiling widely, finally some good news! "Maybe we could go to Gul-Thar when we leave the city then? I'd be great." She certainly seem enthusiastic about it.

[Lost_Deep]

Northside

"Oh. Because it's fated in the stars? Is that your angle? Fate?"

The voice seems to treat fate with no respect; like fate is no more than some fiction that someone made up, and uses it as an excuse.

"Will you bow to 'fate'?"

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, we'll just keep an eye out." Nadia smiles and gives Irena a kiss on the cheek. "Now how about let's get me some clothes and go and see if we can get my stuff back. I had groceries and everything when this happened." Nadia is still completely naked after all. She's not exactly hopeful that her stuff is still sitting on the sidewalk after this long.

[Malechenar]

"That sounds like a great idea. My parents will want to see me after so long, and you can meet them. It'd be a lot easier than finding anywhere else to stay to top it off." Valente says, grinning at the thought.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Sure you need clothes? Can't you stay naked while you're in the home from now on? It'll save money if you keep transforming." Irena replies with a grin, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

[Malechenar]

"Do you think they'll accept me? They don't live in the nexus after all." Astrana replies, starting to walk towards the compound.

Northside

"Do what you want. I have seen what I have seen and it can never be changed. Not even by me." The figure speaks with conviction, the other voices skepticism not something it haven't encountered before. "If you want and can destroy the gods, there are many others that deserve their fate more then this one. Their fates have not been seen by me yet so there is still a chance."

[Lost_Deep]

Northside

"Bow to your fate, then."

SKORK! The internal parts of the radio fry, rendering it completely useless.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh you'd like that, wouldn't you." Nadia playfully sticks her tongue out at Irena. "I can't get used to not wearing clothes though. I don't want to traumatize poor Eliseo when he's older. Besides, if you want me naked you just have to ask." She winks.

[Malechenar]

"Well they'll probably think you're a bit strange at first. There's no one like you back home after all. I know they'll like you as soon as they get to know you, though." Valente says with absolute confidence.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"But you will still look really hot when he's older! It's not like he will have some grandma wandering around here."

That might actually be a really good reason to wear clothes. Just imagine his teens, poor boy.

Northside

Throwing it aside the wandered sets a different course, she had something different in mind now.

[Malechenar]

"That's good to hear. You know, suddenly I'm curious what they are like. My only parents were the fourth tower." Astrana replies.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Well yeah. Can you imagine how awkward that would be?" Nadia shudders at the thought. Ick ick ick! "Come on, think on the bright side. If I get some clothes on now, maybe I'll let you take them off later." Nadia gets to her feet and tries to pull Irena up with her.

[Malechenar]

"I think you'll like them. They're good parents. Mom can be a bit, um... Well she's always wanted me to go out and find a girlfriend. So she might be a little excited." He scratches the back of his head awkwardly.

[Shadowcaller]

[Malechenar]

"I'm sure I can handle them." Astrana replies with a smile. "That they're too accomodating towards me is hardly my biggest worry."

[Suncrest Manor]

"Hey, you have been the one doing the undressing these latest days." Now it's Irena's turn to stick out her tongue. "I might be part daemon or something, but I think you're every bit of a sex addict as I am."

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

Valente laughs. "That's true. There could be worse things." They arrive at his room and he opens the door, leading the way in. "So we've got some time before the guy from Tenebras shows up. What do you want to do?" A sly grin spreads across his face.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Ah, but who can blame me with such a lovely temptress tugging at my heartstrings?" Nadia gives Irena's butt a little squeeze to get her walking. "Come on, my little devil. Let's get going."

[Shadowcaller]

[Malechenar]

"We got one hour. I probably need to pack and..." Astrana starts before she realizes Valente is up to something. "What do you want to do Valente?" If he had any ideas, they could always pack afterwards.

[Suncrest Manor]

"I think you're supposed to be my little devil. Familiar and all that." Irena replies but keeps moving. Probably thanks to Nadia's butt squeeze. "Maybe you should turn yourself into a imp next time eh? I know you look hot in horns." Of course, Irena probably think Nadia looks hot in most things.

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

"Well I don't have that much stuff here, and we'll have to wait till after to get your stuff from Exbourne anyway..." Valente puts his hands on Astrana's hips and pulls her up against him. "Aaand I may be thinking that things might be a bit awkward at my parents' house." He blushes a bit.

[Suncrest Manor]

"I think you'd say I look hot in anything. I'm on to you." Nadia gives Irena a peck on the cheek as they head upstairs.

Once they're up there, the lampades grabs some clothes and slips them on. "Look at this, compromise." She says as she puts on a one of her few low cut tops.

[Shadowcaller]

[Malechenar]

"Awkward?" The tiefling asks as she's pulled close. It occurs to me that ever since Valente was turned human again, he probably have felt just how warm the tiefling's skin is to touch. It's not exactly an unpleasant feeling though. "I can handle awkward Val. Awkward is a great relief compared to all that I have been through my life. If your parents don't reject me the instance they see my horns and tail, they're better then most people of my homeworld and I will like them just for that." Her horns can be in the way when they kiss though.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Woo!" Irena exclaims. "Boobies!" She adds, somewhat ironically. "But seriously, we need to see how this transformation thing works. Can you try thinking like... a cat maybe?"