History

The Great Collapse

The city was founded during the Great Collapse when a group of adventurers, filled with bravery, made their way into the desert while Iris Volcano was active. They founded Mirage Haven, a small town just outside of the blast range.

An inventors guild is rumoured to have built Ingenos in this era, placing him somewhere in Mirage Haven. The god has never been found, but rumour has it it still lays there, waiting for someone to discover its body.

The Divine Era

Mirage Haven kept growing, eventually expanding to a small unnoteworthy city. At least, it was until 820PGC-824PGC: The Boiling Plague broke out. The virus destroyed every city it could reach, the bigger the settlement the sooner it got broken down by the explosions of the death.

Being as unknown as it was, Mirage Haven ended up being the last settlement left in what was then known as the Aridus Desert (now The Blighted Sunscape). By the time half of it was blown to smithereens, the measures to prevent the Boiling Plague from spreading did their job and the last of its victims passed, not infecting anyone new.

A small group of Elves who had dedicated their time to praying to Solariel banded together to start an effort to rebuild the area. They summoned groups of Leshy to help the effort, and slowly but surely more groups of people began to gather to bury the ruins of Mirage Haven and build what is now known as the Gearspire Bastion.

The Industrial Era

As the city began being built from scratch, the ruins now buried, some of the Elves, which had now dubbed themselves the Blightsteel Dominion, started incorporating steamwork technology into the city. They began offering their knowledge to Ingenos, and sharing it with the other residents. This quickly led to an Industrial Revolution. Technology is now booming, everyone's daily lives enhanced by its use. Though not all are happy to see the recent rise of this unnatural craft. Especially the Canidae High Society are unhappy to see the amount of technology in the city current.

Geography

Surrounding Landscape

The landscape surrounding the Gearspire Bastion is a rough desert wasteland, ruined from the impact of 820PGC-824PGC: The Boiling Plague. The Plague has left the land infertile and empty, sustaining oneself outside of the city requires great courage and hunting skills. Rumour has it the creatures that roam the wastelands explode upon death, just like the victims of the Plague once did. It has recently been infested by devils as well, the The Infernal Inquisition setting up various camps in the wastes in preparation to win the 826PGC-...PGC: The Infernal War against the Blightsteel Dominion.

To the north of the city lies a small river stemming from the mountain range up north. The river is heavily polluted, and has mostly dried up. These mountains have not been crossed in years, for the people residing in them protect them fiercely.

East of the city is where the Venomcoil Tribe resides, a tribe of Nagaji that have yet to establish friendly contact with the city, as various correspondence missions have returned with missing diplomats.

To the south of the city lies yet another mountain range, these mountains divide the The Blighted Sunscape from the World's Eye. Strix inhabit these mountains, worshipping their god Azurel. These Strix are unfriendly, and are not looking for contact with city inhabitants.

Areas

Divinity Spires

The governmental district of the city, located on top of its central sandstone cliff. The spires are charactarised by two gigantic temples, one dedicated to Solariel, the other to Ingenos. Surrounding buildings contain the various forms of government, offices for the various factions that can afford one, and a few residences for the most important governmental figures.

Starlight Sanctum

The Starlight Sanctum is the most expensive district in the city, big and beautiful houses sprawl around the Divinity Spires. The upper class, mostly consisting of high ranking Blightsteel Dominion members, reside here. The Sanctum also contains a beautiful park, known as the Arcanum Steel Gardens, which is the main attraction of the area for those who do not live there.

Cogcroft Residences

The residential and most densely populated district of the city, the Cogcroft residences house the majority of its citizens. It mostly consists of homes, with the occasional small business and third place. The district is still being expanded to accomodate for the city's rapid growth, with new building projects to the north and east of the area.

Tentshadow Quarters

The Tentshadow Quarters are usually considered the slums of the city, filled with those who don't quite fit into its society. No buildings are found in the district, it instead being filled with tents in all shapes, sizes, and colours. Most of these tents date back to the founding of the city, though the nobility often refuses to acknowledge its existence.

Rodentia Market

Encompassing the bustling city centre, this gigantic market is the place to get everything from groceries to cursed items. Bordering the Gearsport District, the two areas don't quite have a defined border, instead bleeding into each other. The Southern City Gate is where most people enter the city, immediately entering the core of its economic prowess.

Gearsport District

Entertainment of all kinds can be found in the Gearsport District. From inns to brothels to theatres, everyone will find a day of fun when entering the area. The Mechadome towers above the rest of the city, housing various technologically enhanced sports and tournaments. Most workers will head here after work to enjoy a Blightale while betting on the day's Gearclash.

Arcane Grove

About a quarter mile outside of the city one can find its farmlands. With the local river dried up and polluted, farming is done through various magical means, earning the district its name. The Grove is divided into four sections, one for each season, and is characterised by its sizeable greenhouses, bustling with foreign flora and fauna.

Mirage Haven Ruins

Not much is known about the ruins of the town that once was, its entrance well-hidden by the founders of the city. The only thing known for sure is that Fetchling inhabit the underground ruins, having made their own little civilisation there. Rumour has it Ingenos lies buried deep within the ruins, and the one who finds him will be granted impossible technological prowess.

Climate

The Bastion finds itself in a hot semi-arid desert climate. Citizens can expect scalding summers and comfortably warm winters. Temperatures dropping below 20°C is unheard of, and citizens are recommended to stay inside during the peak of summer to prevent nasty burns when the temperatures reach severe heat.

Demography

The Gearspire Bastion's population consists of various ancestries, coming from all walks of life. What unites them is a love for the urban environment and bustling city life, as well as an interest in one of the many historical or current events from the city's rich existence.

Elves

The Elves are perhaps the most powerful within the city, ruling the Blightsteel Dominion and being heavily involved in the churches. As the most represented ancestry in the city, their interminging with others has led to a solid population of Aiuvarin (Half-Elf) as well.

Human

Humans encompass various social standings, from revered governmental figures to lowly criminals. Their role and standing in the city is as varied as their culture.

Tengu

The Tengu are well-known and liked within the city, as they are usually kind and helpful. Most of this generosity comes from their alliance with the Canidae High Society, though it is also in their nature. Attracted to the city due to its urban environment and bustling city life, they are truly suited to the Bastion.

Leshy

The Leshy have a very positive reputation in the city. They were summoned during its founding, their help being one of the main reasons the city stands where it is today. Leshy are usually met by gratefulness from the other citizens.

Rodentfolk

Runners of the Rodentia Market and owners of most of the city's economic structure, the Rodentfolk provide the area with wares and goods from all over. They are well respected by both citizens and authority.

Orc

An unlikely alliance was made between the Elven founders of the city and the roaming Orcs. They are to aid the city's protection, earning glory and a stable living in return. Orcs and Dromaar (Half-Orc) are the heads of the city watch, the army fighting the The Infernal Inquisition, and runners of some of the more aggressive sporting events held in the Mechadome. They are met with respect and have a higher social standing than their residence in the Tentshadow Quarters may lead someone to believe.

Catfolk

Most Catfolk do not live in the city itself, though they are welcomed by the residents. Those meeting a Catfolk are likely to ask them to perform a song or tell a tale they found on their travels, as they are stereotyped to be minstrels of Kaelen.

Gnolls

Most citizens stay at a distance from the Gnolls when they do enter the city, though it is hard to guess whether that has to do with their 'odd' practices or the dangerous looking game they bring into the city. They have a solid social standing with the Rodentfolk, providing meat and other creature spoils for the market in return for the newest hunting inventions.

Nagaji

The few Nagaji that have made their way to the city are met with confusion and apprehension. Though they are not treated unfairly, some citizens may struggle to separate them from the Venomcoil Tribe, who the Blightsteel Dominion are not on good terms with. Their knowledge of plants and survival is slowly starting to earn these ex-Venomcoils a better reputation.

Fetchling

The Fetchling live in the Mirage Haven Ruins, usually staying away from city life. A select few diplomats occasionally enter the city in disguise to grab supplies, though what exactly they're up to is largely unknown.

Kobold

A handful of Kobolds from the The Great Wyrm's Desert have recently made their way to the bastion on a scouting mission. They were met with great delight from the Orcs, who appreciate their openmindedness and company in the Tentshadow Quarters. Their curiousity hasn't gone unnoticed by the Blightsteel Dominion however, some members being suspicious of their true intentions.

Economy

The economy of the Gearspire Bastion is pretty self-contained as it is the only settlement in the region. Though they do trade with settlements outside of their region, this is often a lenghty process, so the city mostly sustains itself through various means. Most citizens make a decent living, working at the various shops, inns, and farmlands.

Culture

Religion

Most everyone, except for the local Gnoll population, is polytheistic, praying to the god that can aid them in their current endeavours.

Solariel and Ingenos are the most commonly worshipped gods in the Gearspire Bastion. Solariel representing hope and rebuilding, and Ingenos representing the boom of technology in the city.

Worshippers of Astradyne are also quite common, using their medical skills to treat those wounded in the war against The Infernal Inquisition and trying to find a cure for the 820PGC-824PGC: The Boiling Plague.

Holidays and Celebrations

Holiday (date)

Short description of what they celebrate like.

Entertainment

The Gearsport District is the centre of entertainment in the Bastion, housing most of the activities listed.

Gearclash

Gearclash is perhaps the most popular sport in the Bastion. It's a competition where tinkerers, known as Cogladiators, have their constructs fight against wasteland creatures and each other in gladitorial matches. Champions take home eternal fame and some very high quality materials, as well as a solid chest of gold.

Betting on these matches is very common, sparking friendly debates and competition between those who enjoy watching the matches. Part of the betting proceeds go to maintaining the Mechadome and procuring reparation materials for the Cogladiators.

Blightway Blitz

Blightway Blitz is a rough and tumble racing sport where teams of 5 compete against each other to finish a set course through the The Blighted Sunscape first. The teams build or purchase vehicles that are driven by a combination of technology and sandbending to compete in the sport. Each team consists of a driver, a bender, two trackers and a wildcard.

The driver and the bender operate the vehicle together. The driver takes place in the mandatory driver's seat, and is only allowed to leave it if replaced by the wildcard. They control the directory of the vehicle, communicating with the trackers to find the optimal route. The bender helps push the vehicle forward with their sandbending, which they may also use to sabotage other teams as long as they remain on the vehicle. Neither of these roles may cause fatal damage to other teams.

The two trackers scout out the course an hour ahead of time, and are allowed to make maps, lay traps, and sabotage other trackers. During the Blitz they continue to roam the track, communicating with the driver to secure victory. Trackers are not allowed to cause fatal damage to other teams.

The wildcard is as the name implies a wildcard. The only rule they abide by is that they are to enter the track on the vehicle. They are allowed to enter at the same time as the trackers, though that risks other trackers sabotaging your team's vehicle. They are allowed to swap with any other role, taking their place but not their rules. Incognito wildcards are thus very common. The wildcard is the only role that is allowed to inflict fatal harm, though they must inform one of the many healers when they have done so to avoid deaths.

Battleforge Arena

A fighting tournament run by the Orcs, the Battleforge Arena is the most brutal sport in the Bastion. Participants fight to near death in a bracket-style tournament, resting only 10 minutes in-between rounds. As is usual for the Bastion, technology is once again allowed. Those who are capable of creating them may use clockwork limbs or armor to further enhance their fighting prowess. Those who enter the arena without such inventions garner great respect for their bravery, or stupidity, depending on who you ask.

Transport

Inside of the city, it is most common to walk or ride large beasts or constructs. The streets are simply too narrow to allow the bigger vehicles to roam free, though certain roads within the Gearsport District do allow the vehicles to drive around, these are few and far between.

Outside of the city, most folks get around by using various vehicles akin to those used in the Blightway Blitz sport. From dune buggies to quads to windsail planks, most vehicles use a combination of clockwork and sandbending to get around. Those who cannot drive or afford such vehicles tend to get around on sand-based beasts and other creatures. It is uncommon to traverse the area by foot, as this is considered inefficient and dangerous.

Governance

The city is governed by The Sun's Council consisting of high priests of Solariel, high priests of Ingenos, the Founders, and a handful of the most influential merchants and army generals. Most decisions are made by the founders and enforced by the remainder of the council, and the general populus doesn't have much of a say in the politics.

Those wishing to acquire a government job will first have to climb the ladders of society, or be awarded such a place by doing the city a great favour.