Oraulan North Condemned Zone: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|This place is just a glimpse of what's to come for the rest of the galaxy if Virtuoso keeps going unchecked.|Clover}} | |||
Many homes are equipped with automatic defenses scrounged up from old military equipment leftover from as recently as the [[Virtual Wars]]. Even today, one can still find unexploded ordinances, weapons and decommissioned combat robots decades after the fighting stopped in the area. | Directly north of [[Port Oraulan]], the '''Oraulan North Condemned Zone''' is a series of skyscrapers and other structures that were severely damaged by the [[destruction of the Star Lift]] when debris rained down and struck the area. Unlike the [[Oraulan East Condemned Zone]], the population density of this area is comparable to an average metropolis on [[Yeddo]]. Most of the population survived the incident due to being able to evacuate into temporary underground shelters. Unfortunately, their homes and most of the industrial infrastructure was destroyed, dramatically reducing the standard of living in the area. | ||
==History== | |||
Towards the end of the Virtual Wars, the [[Federation of Stellar Systems]] lost control over the region after the destruction of key industrial districts that supplied crucial resources. Due to logistical issues and being unable to handle a mass amount of refugees, the Federation was unable to relocate the population, leaving most of them still stranded in the area. Thus, the locals had to create makeshift houses out of ruined structures and scrap metal. Former high rise office buildings were converted into apartment complexes while broken elevators were converted into simple lever operated pulley systems. Many homes are equipped with automatic defenses scrounged up from old military equipment leftover from as recently as the [[Virtual Wars]]. Even today, one can still find unexploded ordinances, weapons and decommissioned combat robots decades after the fighting stopped in the area. | |||
Following the Federation's failure to gentrify the region, [[Virtuoso]] took the opportunity to provide resources where the Federation could not. In doing so, however, Virtuoso essentially gained territorial control over the region and began to operate it according to its own interests. They aggressively established a foothold, using [[Virtus]] robots to begin systematically claiming territories from bandit gangs. The process was slow, however, leading many to believe that Virtuoso is allowing these bandits to run rampant on purpose. | |||
==Government== | |||
Virtuoso has effectively seized control of the civilized parts of the region, attempting to shape its culture in a way that's desirable for their goals. The area operates as a welfare state. All citizens who register themselves receive universal basic income, food synthesizers and access to the [[vrNet]] completely for free. However, with stable job opportunities lacking, accumulating wealth is considered next to impossible. Most people scavenge for parts to make additional cash while those with a degree of combat prowess will take up jobs as [[Rampant]] cleaners or as bounty hunters. Remote work is not unheard of, but it is difficult to verify one's address in the Condemned Zone. | |||
Virtuoso remains incredibly aggressive when it comes to advertising. They want to entice people to use their services such as the cryptomines or make use of their own products. In any sort of area with functional electricity, Virtuoso advertisements are blasted at full volume with bright flashing lights. They take full advantage of not being bound by the Federation's consumer protection laws and aggressively advertise their services. They even broadcast ads into people's dreams. | |||
==Culture== | |||
For many that live here, priorities are survival and distraction. Some hope to make enough money to be able to leave the region, but the bandit gangs and fraudsters make sure that few ever get the chance to actually leave. Some people even try their luck at the Triple Six Casino, hoping to score it big. | |||
Virtual reality is often an escape from a difficult life of foraging for scrap. While Virtuoso does provide free entertainment, the quality for many leaves a lot to be desired. Many people choose to import entertainment from elsewhere, often through illegal downloads. | |||
==Points of interest== | ==Points of interest== | ||
===Lucky Hotel=== | ===Lucky Hotel=== | ||
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The casino is also a front business for the [[Soul Brokers]]. Projecting all the way from [[Frey]] is an AR avatar of [[Wolfgang Mephisto]] who actively seeks out signing contracts with unwitting, desperate people looking to turn their life around in exchange for their soul. | The casino is also a front business for the [[Soul Brokers]]. Projecting all the way from [[Frey]] is an AR avatar of [[Wolfgang Mephisto]] who actively seeks out signing contracts with unwitting, desperate people looking to turn their life around in exchange for their soul. | ||
===Good Samaritan Arcade=== | ===Good Samaritan Arcade=== | ||
Provided as humanitarian aid during and after the war, the | Provided as humanitarian aid during and after the war, the Good Samaritan Arcade was constructed by Virtuoso as an entertainment facility to help restore the Condemned Zone. Visitors can watch movies and play video games here, although the selection of media is of highly debatable quality. It is completely free to use, but the catch, of course, is that all personal interactions and activities are recorded and used as training data in Virtuoso's AI systems. To many, it is considered far less intense and less risky than the Triple Six Casino. | ||
===Cougars' Den=== | ===Cougars' Den=== | ||
A club where one may find exotic dancers of the cat [[hybrid]] variety. Catgirls all the way from [[Al-Ghato]] come to places like these, looking for mates. However, the place is also a forward base of operations for the [[Panthera Sisterhood]]. Patrons who misbehave or get too rowdy have their drinks spiked with a poison that causes them to die in an embarassing way. | A club where one may find exotic dancers of the cat [[hybrid]] variety. Catgirls all the way from [[Al-Ghato]] come to places like these, looking for mates. However, the place is also a forward base of operations for the [[Panthera Sisterhood]]. Patrons who misbehave or get too rowdy have their drinks spiked with a poison that causes them to die in an embarassing way. | ||
Despite the nature of the club, the Cougars' Den does have standards. Age is checked before entry, and anyone seventeen human years and under is kicked out and barred from entry until they turn eighteen. | Despite the nature of the club, the Cougars' Den does have standards. Age is checked before entry, and anyone seventeen human years and under is kicked out and barred from entry until they turn eighteen. | ||
===Chrome Hand Bar=== | |||
A bar for androids that serves holographic food and drinks. Because no solid food or drink is actually served here, the only way a human can enjoy its services is to use an avatar. The bar has a history going back to Virtuoso's early days as a more genuine humanitarian organization, but since then, the bar has naturally received a bad reputation for being associated with them. | |||
===Alruba Dam=== | ===Alruba Dam=== | ||
An old dam that provides a local power source for the region. Bandit gangs fight for control over it. | An old dam that provides a local power source for the region. Bandit gangs fight for control over it. | ||
Latest revision as of 22:04, 11 March 2026
- "This place is just a glimpse of what's to come for the rest of the galaxy if Virtuoso keeps going unchecked."
- ―Clover
Directly north of Port Oraulan, the Oraulan North Condemned Zone is a series of skyscrapers and other structures that were severely damaged by the destruction of the Star Lift when debris rained down and struck the area. Unlike the Oraulan East Condemned Zone, the population density of this area is comparable to an average metropolis on Yeddo. Most of the population survived the incident due to being able to evacuate into temporary underground shelters. Unfortunately, their homes and most of the industrial infrastructure was destroyed, dramatically reducing the standard of living in the area.
History
Towards the end of the Virtual Wars, the Federation of Stellar Systems lost control over the region after the destruction of key industrial districts that supplied crucial resources. Due to logistical issues and being unable to handle a mass amount of refugees, the Federation was unable to relocate the population, leaving most of them still stranded in the area. Thus, the locals had to create makeshift houses out of ruined structures and scrap metal. Former high rise office buildings were converted into apartment complexes while broken elevators were converted into simple lever operated pulley systems. Many homes are equipped with automatic defenses scrounged up from old military equipment leftover from as recently as the Virtual Wars. Even today, one can still find unexploded ordinances, weapons and decommissioned combat robots decades after the fighting stopped in the area.
Following the Federation's failure to gentrify the region, Virtuoso took the opportunity to provide resources where the Federation could not. In doing so, however, Virtuoso essentially gained territorial control over the region and began to operate it according to its own interests. They aggressively established a foothold, using Virtus robots to begin systematically claiming territories from bandit gangs. The process was slow, however, leading many to believe that Virtuoso is allowing these bandits to run rampant on purpose.
Government
Virtuoso has effectively seized control of the civilized parts of the region, attempting to shape its culture in a way that's desirable for their goals. The area operates as a welfare state. All citizens who register themselves receive universal basic income, food synthesizers and access to the vrNet completely for free. However, with stable job opportunities lacking, accumulating wealth is considered next to impossible. Most people scavenge for parts to make additional cash while those with a degree of combat prowess will take up jobs as Rampant cleaners or as bounty hunters. Remote work is not unheard of, but it is difficult to verify one's address in the Condemned Zone.
Virtuoso remains incredibly aggressive when it comes to advertising. They want to entice people to use their services such as the cryptomines or make use of their own products. In any sort of area with functional electricity, Virtuoso advertisements are blasted at full volume with bright flashing lights. They take full advantage of not being bound by the Federation's consumer protection laws and aggressively advertise their services. They even broadcast ads into people's dreams.
Culture
For many that live here, priorities are survival and distraction. Some hope to make enough money to be able to leave the region, but the bandit gangs and fraudsters make sure that few ever get the chance to actually leave. Some people even try their luck at the Triple Six Casino, hoping to score it big.
Virtual reality is often an escape from a difficult life of foraging for scrap. While Virtuoso does provide free entertainment, the quality for many leaves a lot to be desired. Many people choose to import entertainment from elsewhere, often through illegal downloads.
Points of interest
Lucky Hotel
Lucky Hotel was originally a pristine luxury skyscraper hotel, but during the Virtual Wars, it was converted into a makeshift apartment building to house refugees escaping from the rest of the Condemned Zone. It has since fallen in its luxurious status, but it is one of the more livable areas within the region. The hotel is 76 stories tall, and with the elevators broken, inhabitants must either take the stairs or use makeshift pulley systems.
Triple Six Casino
Curiously enough, the Triple Six Casino is one of the few fully restored buildings following the Virtual Wars. It stands out among the ruined cityscape with its bright, shining colors. Many are tempted to take part in it, hoping to score big enough to be able to move out and restart their lives elsewhere. The casino also offers indefinite free food via matter synthesizers to entice even the most skeptical of individuals into trying their luck.
The casino is also a front business for the Soul Brokers. Projecting all the way from Frey is an AR avatar of Wolfgang Mephisto who actively seeks out signing contracts with unwitting, desperate people looking to turn their life around in exchange for their soul.
Good Samaritan Arcade
Provided as humanitarian aid during and after the war, the Good Samaritan Arcade was constructed by Virtuoso as an entertainment facility to help restore the Condemned Zone. Visitors can watch movies and play video games here, although the selection of media is of highly debatable quality. It is completely free to use, but the catch, of course, is that all personal interactions and activities are recorded and used as training data in Virtuoso's AI systems. To many, it is considered far less intense and less risky than the Triple Six Casino.
Cougars' Den
A club where one may find exotic dancers of the cat hybrid variety. Catgirls all the way from Al-Ghato come to places like these, looking for mates. However, the place is also a forward base of operations for the Panthera Sisterhood. Patrons who misbehave or get too rowdy have their drinks spiked with a poison that causes them to die in an embarassing way.
Despite the nature of the club, the Cougars' Den does have standards. Age is checked before entry, and anyone seventeen human years and under is kicked out and barred from entry until they turn eighteen.
Chrome Hand Bar
A bar for androids that serves holographic food and drinks. Because no solid food or drink is actually served here, the only way a human can enjoy its services is to use an avatar. The bar has a history going back to Virtuoso's early days as a more genuine humanitarian organization, but since then, the bar has naturally received a bad reputation for being associated with them.
Alruba Dam
An old dam that provides a local power source for the region. Bandit gangs fight for control over it.
Waterworks Caverns
A series of undeground caverns where several sewer pipes connect, thought to flow to and from the Alruba Dam. It is only accessible via maintenance entrances, most of which have been closed off. A vigilante named Clover has set up a base here and posseses a stash of Torus technology to give him an edge against his opponents.
Cryptomines
Several buildings located throughout the Condemned Zone were constructed out of nanobots by Virtuoso, and thus, stand out architecturally. These were created by Virtuoso supposedly to provide humanitarian aid to those who lost their jobs and/or places of work due to the war. All are welcome to participate in the cryptomines to generate data. Those who volunteer are placed inside a virtual reality simulation which stimulates their neurons into generating the cryptographic data and in exchange, providing pleasurable experiences in the virtual world.
While far less profitable and efficient than anything Virtuoso has at home at Torus, the primary purpose of the Cryptomines is to humanely remove the poor and homeless from the streets.