The Underealm
In a sprawling, dark Gothic industrial city, where the sky is perpetually cloaked in roiling black clouds and the occasional flicker of silent lightning, a grim and foreboding atmosphere prevails. Chimneys from the countless forges and factories belch black smoke into the air, which mingles with the ever-present smog that whirls around the city like a living entity. The cobbled streets and black slate roofs glisten with the grimy black rain that falls almost constantly, creating an oppressive and haunting environment. Flickering gas lanterns are the only sources of light, casting eerie shadows and illuminating the gloomy streets with a weak, wavering glow.
The city is divided into numerous districts, each named after cities from the mortal realm in a mocking parody. This vast, sprawling metropolis was conquered and transformed by the Craven King, who has imposed his dark vision upon the land. Under his rule, the city has become a place of shadows and secrets, where the supernatural and the mundane coexist in a delicate and dangerous balance.
Zombies lumber through the streets, bearing goods for their Necromancer masters. These undead laborers are a common sight, their vacant eyes and decaying flesh a stark reminder of the city's macabre nature. Vampires, acting as the city's constabulary, police the streets with an iron fist, their pale faces and sharp fangs hidden beneath heavy cloaks. Gangs of humans fight over territory, competing with their supernatural rivals in a never-ending struggle for dominance.
Huge, archaic, rusting clockwork growths can be found throughout the city, their intricate gears and mechanisms slowly turning and creaking. These mechanical monstrosities grow at alarming rates, their origins and purposes shrouded in mystery. The city's inhabitants have grown accustomed to their presence, though many still view them with a mixture of awe and dread.
The Black Rain, a constant presence in the city, is a grimy, polluted precipitation that collects in stagnant pools. Prolonged exposure to the rain causes burning rashes to form on the skin, and as a result, heavy rain-resistant hats and coats have become popular among those who can afford them. The rain adds to the city's oppressive atmosphere, turning the streets into a slick, treacherous terrain.
Patches of deadly smog roil through the city, choking anyone caught out in them. Artificers have created masks to protect against the smog, but they are expensive and not everyone can afford them. The smog, combined with the Black Rain, makes survival in the city a constant challenge, adding to the sense of foreboding that hangs over the metropolis.
Several factions vie for power and resources within the city. The Fallen, dark-winged fallen angels, seek to reclaim their lost glory, while Banshees, appearing as female Ael in their corporeal form, transform into spiteful creatures when angered. Their faces are wreathed in wild tangles of hair, and their bodies are clad in wispy rags that flutter and stream around them.
The Necromancers, dark mages with power over the undead, hold significant influence, their dark arts enabling them to control the city's zombie labor force. The Constabulary, an all-female cadre of vampires, acts as judge, jury, and executioner, maintaining order through fear and intimidation. Dog Boys, feral gangs of werewolves, prowl the dark alleys, robbing and murdering their victims with ruthless efficiency. The Morticians, quasi-priests who inter the dead, offer a semblance of spiritual guidance in a city steeped in darkness. Meanwhile, the Cutters, highly organized human street gangs, peddle black market goods and fight over turf, adding to the city's chaotic and dangerous environment.
Currency in the city is divided into several denominations: 1 Copper Penny (CP), 1 Shilling (SP), 1 Farthing (EP), 1 Crown (GP), and 1 Guinea (PP). This system of money reflects the city's structured yet fragmented economy, where resources and wealth are unevenly distributed.
Pubs are found on most streets, offering a brief respite from the Black Rain and choking smog. The gentle glow of light through frosted windows creates an inviting atmosphere, drawing weary souls inside. Raucous laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the melodic plonking of a piano greet anyone entering. The stench of pipe weed, stale alcohol, and sweat pervades the air. A friendly smile from a well-dressed barman and a tepid pint of flat beer await those who hand over their copper pennies.
Mortuaries, shop-fronted workshops, are home to the Morticians who inter the dead and revive those who can be saved. These quasi-priests play a crucial role in the city's macabre society, offering their services to both the living and the dead. Each district has a Constable Station where the appointed constable can be contacted, complaints and queries can be addressed, and temporary holding cells are available.
Factories operate 24/7, belching black smoke into the air as a stream of workers file to and from the factories when the great whistles blow. Handsome Cabs, driven by clockwork operators, ferry paying passengers around the city for a silver shilling per passenger. The Underground, with numerous stairways leading down from street level into tiled corridors, provides another means of transportation. Turnstiles open for a shilling, and those who try to enter without paying are grabbed by a gigantic spectral hand and thrown back down the corridor. Platforms with metal plaques bearing the names of the subway stations adorn the walls, guiding travelers through the city's subterranean network.
In summary, the city is a vast, sprawling dark Gothic industrialized metropolis, where supernatural beings and humans coexist in a delicate and dangerous balance. The city's numerous districts, flickering gas lanterns, and ever-present Black Rain and smog create a haunting and oppressive atmosphere. Several factions vie for power and resources, while pubs, mortuaries, constable stations, factories, and the underground provide the necessary infrastructure for the city's inhabitants to survive in this foreboding environment.