Always Praying
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
SECURITY
Medium (Overall), While certain locales with District 11 can certainly afford to invest in higher levels of security, whether that be CorpSec or a private outfit, there still exists large swathes of territory that enforcers of CAD prefer to stay clear of. In this district, you are as likely to run into a complement of heavily experienced and armed veteran CorpSec officers enjoying the sunset years of their career in a cushy position as you are to run into a den of cyberpsychos offended by your factory default flesh.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
All of Denon knows that the lower the number of a District, often the older it is. However, give something enough time, old things can become new again.
As far as records go, District 11 has very little information attributed to it that survived the years of strife and disease during the 400-Year Darkness. Due to its fairly small territorial allotment, its native population was all but destroyed, so it took longer than some of its neighboring districts to re-establish itself. Government administrations came and went, and District 11 provided little more than a gap in holonet services for public transportation traveling to a more prosperous part of the planet. This meant that almost no one was looking there, which made it perfect for opportunists looking to fill that vacuum or clandestine projects to escape the notice and scrutiny of overly righteous regulatory bodies.
Within the depths of District 11, the intertwined histories of Gemini Strand, Fortune's Warren, and Hentz Avenue tell tales of resilience, reinvention, and the allure of the unknown. Emerging from the shadows of the 400-Year Darkness, these distinct locales have transformed from forgotten corners into vibrant epicenters of Denon's metropolis.
Gemini Strand, once home to nefarious CAD labs, was reclaimed by local cyberpunks who converted former clinics into cyber-parlors for body modding. This vibrant sector teems with life as denizens seek thrilling entertainment and indulge in the allure of the forbidden. Its parallel avenues are lined with low-income tenements, where working-class families navigate the intricate web of crisscrossed alleyways, their lives intertwined with the pulse of the Strand.
Fortune's Warren, named for its labyrinthian streets and the fortunes that are won and lost, boasts a mix of casinos, bars, nightclubs, and seedy establishments. In this district, dreams collide with harsh realities as desperate gamblers and underpaid employees navigate the ever-changing odds of fortune. CorpSec and private security forces strive to maintain order, though the boundaries of legality are often blurred, leaving room for the ruthless pursuit of profit and power.
In stark contrast, Hentz Avenue stands as a symbol of indulgence and privilege. Affluent residents revel in classy restaurants, high fashion labels, and exclusive clubs, enjoying a life of luxury funded by the wealth that trickles down from Denon's elite. The neighborhood exudes an air of opulence, guarded by Corporate Security officers outfitted in their finest uniforms. Its allure draws those seeking a glimpse into the world of the rich and powerful while carefully maintaining the boundaries that separate the haves from the have-nots.
As District 11 embraces its newfound identity, its history serves as a reminder of the district's capacity for reinvention and transformation. Within its boundaries, the old and the new intertwine, creating a tapestry of intrigue, opportunity, and the echoes of forgotten struggles. This metropolis within Denon's sprawling landscape invites both the daring and the curious to explore its enigmatic depths, where the past converges with the present and where the dreams of yesterday pave the way for the possibilities of tomorrow.
- Intent: Celebrate the contributors of Darkwire's recent lore-building contest by featuring the products of their creativity in a new shared setting on Denon, District 11!
- Image Credit:
- https://www.bdcnetwork.com/blog/how-has-shopping-changed-over-past-100-years-look-evolution-retail
- The Two Dragons Casino by Vizlab Studios
- Cybernetic Lab by Alex Alexandrov; Cyber Cafe by u/artmanryan
- Canon: N/a
- Permissions: Contest Submitters in Darkwire Discussion,
Das
Gemma Hentz
AMCO
- Links: N/a
- City Name: District 11 (officially), The Double Down (colloquially)
- Classification: Metropolis
- Location: Denon
- Affiliation: Corporate Authorities of Denon, Darkwire, The Family
- Population: Heavy (Overall)
- Demographics: Most residents are primarily human/near-human, but all kinds of species flow through and out of it as tourists, staying for several days to months depending on circumstances (read: expendable income). There are some unintentional residents that reside in the district but have no permanent residence (or at least, no financial means of returning to them), especially in Fortune's Warren.
- Wealth: High (Overall)
- Stability: High
- Freedom & Oppression: District 11 exudes an atmosphere of relative freedom. While there are corporate authorities and affiliations present, the ruling body does not directly meddle with how society operates in the district after its failure in Gemini Strand. The people enjoy a level of freedom in their daily lives, with minimal fear of the Direx Board compared to some other districts. Unusual activities and cybernetic enhancements are generally permitted, contributing to the district's vibrant and diverse atmosphere.
- Description: A captivating cityscape shaped by a mixture of resilience and reinvention. Its streets and structures bear the echoes of a troubled past, where time has etched its mark on weathered facades and crumbling edifices. Amidst the faded grandeur, new life emerges as the district becomes a canvas for urban renewal and hidden potential. The architecture tells stories of bygone eras, while the interplay of light and shadow creates an aura of mystery and intrigue. District 11 is a place of contrasts, where forgotten corners hide untold secrets, and the bustling energy of its inhabitants breathes life into every street and alley. It is a district on the cusp of transformation, where the old and new intertwine to create a unique urban tapestry.
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Named for the pair of parallel avenues that run the length of the sector, the Gemini Strand is a reclaimed section of District 11 that once housed several nefarious CAD labs dedicated to reversing cybernetic implants. After the initiative went bust and CorpSec withdrew its interest in the area, local cyberpunks reclaimed the Strand for themselves. Former clinics have been retrofitted, operating now as cyber-parlors for body modding. For less cybernetically-inclined visitors to the Strand, other colorful forms of entertainment can be found; Dive bars, spice dens, and fight clubs are around every corner, provided you know where to look. Beyond the main drag are dozens of low-income tenements that cradle the edges of the Strand, connected by crisscrossed alleyways that form a web of footpaths and backstreets.
- Population: Moderate, More Denonites pass through the Gemini Strand than those who actually call it home, mostly on their way to more important (and less seedy) destinations in District 11. The majority of the Strand's permanent residents make their homes in the tenements found along the avenues. Many are working-class families, relying on access to the Strand as a means of dispersing through the rest of District 11 with ease.
- Wealth: High, Cybernetic enhancements aren't cheap, especially the illegal mods that make up a large portion of the Strand's market. Between the resident junkies constantly upgrading their gear and the ever-flowing clientele from the rest of Denon, the Strand sees a steady stream of Credits.
- Security: Medium, While CorpSec has been known to respond to reports of explicit criminal activity in the Strand, they tend to steer clear of their former sector when it comes to regular patrols. The people who worked together to reinvent the Strand as a safe haven for cyborgs still watch over their sector today, protecting their own and those who seek refuge among them.
- History: The Gemini Strand began as a social pet project of the Corporate Authority, an attempt to curb what they deemed to be 'excessive and dangerous' body augmentations among a growing population of cyberneticists. Initially, the program saw success; Dozens of 'dangerous' cyborgs and augmented Shadowrunners found themselves stripped of their mods, crammed into congested tenements, and left to suffer the side effects of the Corpo scientists' wholesale malpractice.
Eventually, though, the CAD found other avenues for routing out cybernetically enhanced agents, resulting in the abandonment of their cyberjunkie rehabilitation clinics and the Strand as a whole. With the power vacuum just waiting to be filled, the maimed and forgotten cyberpunks reclaimed the Gemini Strand. Great lengths were gone to in the plight to reverse the damage done by their corporate overlords, but when it was all said and done, the Strand became a proud sector where all cybernetic Denonites can feel at home.
Whether you're a modder looking for your next implant or just a worker in need of a drink, the Strand has exactly what you need.
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Fortune's Warren is named for its dense, almost labyrinthian streets and the fortunes that are allegedly made here. It is a great place to make (or more often lose) a fortune. Casinos, bars, nightclubs, and seedier establishments are found on every street, and a mixture of elevators, shuttles, and trams produce a constant stream of new customers. Finding fun is decidedly easier than finding profit. The further up one goes the tidier and wealthier the Warren gets - conversely, the lowest reaches are violent, dirty, and marked by palpable despair. Some Corpos make their way down to the depths, usually for legally (and morally) questionable purposes. Smart Corpos bring bodyguards.
- Population: Crowded, Fortune's Warren is filled to bursting with well-to-do gamblers with money to lose, desperate people trying (and more often than not failing) to beat the odds, and underpaid employees just trying to make it to their next paycheck.
- Wealth: Medium, Vast amounts of wealth flow through Fortune's Warren, but very little trickles down to the poor. In stark contrast to the ads, Fortune's Warren is more often than not somewhere dreams go to die. The loan sharks, drug dealers, and assorted scoundrels operating out of the ward are more likely to make a fortune at the cost of 'a few kneecaps' and 'the odd gunned-down debtor/rival/tourist'.
- Security: Medium, CorpSec keeps the peace in Fortune's Warren, protecting citizens (aka consumers) and valiantly upholding the law. Allegedly. In reality, security is mainly handled by the surprisingly well-armed private security forces of the ward's largest casinos and certain 'respectable' gangs. You know, the ones that make consistent donations to CorpSec. This security solution does a good job of protecting the interests of local 'stakeholders' (aka property owners) and preventing violent crime (outside the poorest parts), but due process is somewhat lacking.
- History: The transformation of the ward into Fortune's Warren started off with a pair of competing (allegedly) casinos - the Pearl of Fortune and the Golden Maze. Both still operate, though it is an open secret that they are now (and always were?) owned by the same conglomerate.
As other businesses cropped up to support and compete, the ward changed. Slowly at first, then very quickly.
Tenants were evicted on tenuous grounds to make room for construction projects, communities were broken up, and the more uncooperative gangs were slaughtered wholesale by a mixture of CorpSec officers and heavily-armed mercenaries. As the expansion continued, it began to spread down, once more uprooting some of those who had been forced out to make room for the fancier establishments 'upstairs'.
The end result was an apt reflection of Denonese society as a whole - the top is wealthy, clean, and thoroughly profit-driven, the middle is dingier but equally mercantile, and the bottom is filled with the desperate and impoverished. If the latter wanders into the former, they are more likely by far to be given a pummeling by a casino mercenary and a stern warning not to 'loiter' than they are to receive any sympathy.
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An affluent neighborhood that places an emphasis on indulgence. It features classy restaurants, high fashion labels, showrooms displaying luxury crafts (speeders/transports/yachts), a theater, and an art museum. At the center of the neighborhood is an exclusive club funded by the President of the First Bank of Denon, Gemma Hentz.
- Population: Moderate, Given this ward's exclusive nature, most of the rabble common to Denon is strictly kept out. However, Denon's a big planet full of many rich super-donors, so the population density here even's out when you consider the house servants keeping their seventh seasonal luxury mansion clean...
- Wealth: Wealthy, Home ownership is an extremely rare privilege on Denon, and all the residents enjoy the benefits of a net income that can afford that privilege.
- Security: High, Regularly patrolled by the finest Corporate Security Officers, outfitted with their dress uniforms typically reserved for high-class social functions, but no less armed than their street counterparts.
- History: This neighborhood was constructed with the posh in mind. It is a new destination for wealthy tourists and members of the CAD elite to unwind. Corporate Security has a noticeable presence to keep things orderly. Rumor has it that Gemma Hentz had a heavy hand in the development of the Home Owners Association that surrounds her exclusive Club in the center of the neighborhood.
SECURITY
Medium (Overall), While certain locales with District 11 can certainly afford to invest in higher levels of security, whether that be CorpSec or a private outfit, there still exists large swathes of territory that enforcers of CAD prefer to stay clear of. In this district, you are as likely to run into a complement of heavily experienced and armed veteran CorpSec officers enjoying the sunset years of their career in a cushy position as you are to run into a den of cyberpsychos offended by your factory default flesh.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
All of Denon knows that the lower the number of a District, often the older it is. However, give something enough time, old things can become new again.
As far as records go, District 11 has very little information attributed to it that survived the years of strife and disease during the 400-Year Darkness. Due to its fairly small territorial allotment, its native population was all but destroyed, so it took longer than some of its neighboring districts to re-establish itself. Government administrations came and went, and District 11 provided little more than a gap in holonet services for public transportation traveling to a more prosperous part of the planet. This meant that almost no one was looking there, which made it perfect for opportunists looking to fill that vacuum or clandestine projects to escape the notice and scrutiny of overly righteous regulatory bodies.
Within the depths of District 11, the intertwined histories of Gemini Strand, Fortune's Warren, and Hentz Avenue tell tales of resilience, reinvention, and the allure of the unknown. Emerging from the shadows of the 400-Year Darkness, these distinct locales have transformed from forgotten corners into vibrant epicenters of Denon's metropolis.
Gemini Strand, once home to nefarious CAD labs, was reclaimed by local cyberpunks who converted former clinics into cyber-parlors for body modding. This vibrant sector teems with life as denizens seek thrilling entertainment and indulge in the allure of the forbidden. Its parallel avenues are lined with low-income tenements, where working-class families navigate the intricate web of crisscrossed alleyways, their lives intertwined with the pulse of the Strand.
Fortune's Warren, named for its labyrinthian streets and the fortunes that are won and lost, boasts a mix of casinos, bars, nightclubs, and seedy establishments. In this district, dreams collide with harsh realities as desperate gamblers and underpaid employees navigate the ever-changing odds of fortune. CorpSec and private security forces strive to maintain order, though the boundaries of legality are often blurred, leaving room for the ruthless pursuit of profit and power.
In stark contrast, Hentz Avenue stands as a symbol of indulgence and privilege. Affluent residents revel in classy restaurants, high fashion labels, and exclusive clubs, enjoying a life of luxury funded by the wealth that trickles down from Denon's elite. The neighborhood exudes an air of opulence, guarded by Corporate Security officers outfitted in their finest uniforms. Its allure draws those seeking a glimpse into the world of the rich and powerful while carefully maintaining the boundaries that separate the haves from the have-nots.
As District 11 embraces its newfound identity, its history serves as a reminder of the district's capacity for reinvention and transformation. Within its boundaries, the old and the new intertwine, creating a tapestry of intrigue, opportunity, and the echoes of forgotten struggles. This metropolis within Denon's sprawling landscape invites both the daring and the curious to explore its enigmatic depths, where the past converges with the present and where the dreams of yesterday pave the way for the possibilities of tomorrow.
