Berlose

Berlose is the main setting of The Lotus Chronicles, and one of the four City-States. It is a port city on the east coast of what was once North America. It has an approximate population of 300,000, nearly one sixth of which has been conscripted into its standing army. It is the second largest City-State by population size, and is in constant conflict with Nashe and Gregos.

History
The ruins of a city protected by Storm Blades were discovered in 199 PW by descendants of post-War survivors led by Alaric. There are many conflicting accounts, but it is said that it was originally controlled by Senir, before being taken by force.

While not common knowledge, Alaric and his people committed an act of genocide on that area's inhabitants, killing anyone not of their own number, and refusing to negotiate. While the city was substantially damaged by the War, it was safe from the effects of an EM-Storm, and the wild weather patterns resulting from them, and Alaric did not want word leaving the area that such a haven existed.

After securing much of the city, Alaric began to have his people settle and rebuild what they could. However, his followers were ill-equipped to handle construction efforts, and lacked proper training to do so. They were far more used to scavenging and living off the land than working a trade, and as a result, dozens of their original number died within the first few weeks of reconstruction attempts. Realising that many were beginning to look unfavourably on him, Alaric set his two children in charge of the efforts so as to deflect blame away from his own failures.

Competing Methods
The two children, Caleb and Belle Rose, had differing ideas on how to rebuild the city and inspire their followers. Caleb promised the rewards to whomever could dig up useful salvage in the ruins, while Belle Rose believed in a more direct approach. Those that failed to follow her orders and work for the good of the tribe were made examples of and punished publicly.

Wanting to see which of the two approaches yielded the best results, Alaric divided the tribe and city into three portions. Caleb and his followers would take the northern section of the city, Belle Rose would take the southern, and Alaric himself would hold the centre in a main encampment with his most loyal followers and reap the rewards.

Belle Rose secured the docks on the southeastern edge of the city, and began to fish, while Caleb began a massive reconstruction effort in the north end, promising reward and enticing his followers with payment as they worked. Caleb's efforts proved to be more effective in the short term, discovering Pre-War factories and valuable salvage that had been preserved, while Belle Rose was only able to gain the bare necessities to continue settling in her area.

It's unclear as to what happened next, as accounts greatly differ on the subject. Some claim that Caleb's own followers rose against him when he was unable to provide further payment, while others suggest that Belle Rose had him assassinated as she viewed him a threat to her position of inheritance. Still other theories suggest that Alaric himself killed Caleb, fearing his son was growing too great in power and stature.

Official records state that Caleb's second-in-command, a man named Skag, orchestrated a coup and murdered Caleb. Regardless of which theory one subscribes to, it is known that Caleb was decapitated, and his head was set as a trophy at the edge of his followers' camp.

In response to this, Belle Rose took on a new name, calling herself Seirath. The word roughly translates as 'demon' and 'tempest' in Sennish, and she hoped to prey upon fears of vengeful Senir coming to retake their land. She spread fear among her followers, inciting them against Skag, and forcing them to work harder than ever lest their enemy come for them unprepared. Belle Rose at last had what she needed - a direction to drive her people beyond basic survival.

For years, the northern sections of the city that would then be named for Belle Rose -- the name changing to Berlose over time due to metaplasmic encitilisation -- were frequently warred upon by her descendants. This would ultimately transfer into class warfare, as the peoples of the area that became to be known as Skagway would be desperate scavengers, looking for any opportunity to survive their circumstances. They became the underbelly of the city, frequently blamed for their own financial problems, and the strain they put on Berlose as a whole just by existing.

The Seirath Line Continues
Belle Rose would transfer the title of Seirath to her offspring as a surname, and it became tradition for her family line to be the leaders of the city, regardless of skill, intellect, or temperament. Before her death of natural causes, Belle Rose declared a curse upon any who would dare raise hand to the rightful heir of Seirath, and while many viewed it as superstition, it was enough to keep most in line.

Before passing on her title, Belle Rose also said that the souls of beasts lived within her offspring, and that they must be tested and moulded to allow their bestial natures to be controlled. She set up life or death trials for her children upon their twelfth year, ensuring they were worthy of following after her.

While no ruling Seiraths were ever assassinated, many fell to mysterious illnesses, only to be replaced by the next in line.

These trials would continue from Seirath to Seirath for nearly a century until Edmund Seirath decided not to test his son, Jarvis. Jarvis would go on to be the first Seirath since the city's founding to be untried. Jarvis elected to begin treating the people of his city more amicably, promising fair wages. He started this initiative by making a tour of Skagway, where he was then murdered by its denizens and renewing the animosity between the Seirath line and that section of the city.

His son, Tobias Seirath, would then inherit the position of leader of Berlose at the young age of twelve years old. It is said that Tobias then tested himself, forcing himself into a ritual trial to harden his heart and strengthen his arm, but such reports may merely be fancy.

The Restructuring of the Government
Young Tobias proved to be an able and intelligent leader, despite his age. He forced an education upon himself such as no previous Seirath had received, forgoing ancient tribal ways and taking on tutors to teach him of the old world before the War. Within ten years, he had completely redesigned the government, and instead of a Council of Elders, he replaced them with the Ministries and the Elite.

Tobias has greatly expanded the borders of controlled territory of Berlose during his time as First Minister, and has shown to be adept at deft political manoeuvres.

City Government
The government of Berlose is currently divided up amongst eleven Ministries, each headed by a Minister and member of the Elite. These are, in turn, led by the First and Second Ministers of the government.

The current government body is:
 * Tobias Seirath, First Minister
 * Roland Seirath, Second Minister
 * Decon Moore, Minister of Agriculture
 * Franklin Jones, Minister of Police and Internal Affairs
 * Alaine Link, Minister of Treasury and Commerce
 * Chase Verne, Minister of Public Works and Transportation
 * Chen, Minister of Public Relations
 * Tolliver Kincaid, Minister of Foreign Defense
 * Belle Seirath, Minister of Education
 * Derrin Jenkins, Minister of Research and Development
 * Josephine DeWilde, Minister of Energy and Conservation
 * Lucinda Prince, Minister of Health and Safety
 * Amir Nawzad, Minister of Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Espionage

City Districts
The city itself is divided into thirteen official districts.

The Pinnacle
The Pinnacle is the home of Seirath Spire. While it takes up much of the territory in the centre of Berlose, much of it is unoccupied. No building within three city blocks of the Spire is allowed to house occupants of any kind, and trespassing on this property is dealt with harshly by both the Redbands and the Lotuses.

Seirath Spire itself is a large tower in the middle of the Pinnacle, appearing almost like a sword driven into the ground from a distance. The Spire houses the city's government, and functions as the home for the Seirath family itself.

Kazari
Kazari is the main residential district for many of those who work directly in the Spire, or have high ranking positions around the city. It is in nearly full repair, and has access to electricity, plumbing, and all the best amenities the city has to offer. It houses four of the city's five libraries, and both of its museums.

Much of Kazari's northern end is abandoned, but regularly patrolled by Redbands to prevent squatting.

Redhome
Redhome is the stronghold of Berlose's police force, the Redbands, hosting many of their number in both barracks and precincts, and providing affordable housing to the families of Redbands. The district is filled mostly with duplexes, brownstones, apartment buildings, and small stores to provide conveniences to those that live there, but approximately a quarter of the area is in disrepair.

The Gates
The Gates are the only entrance in and out of Berlose aside from the Docks. While both the army and the Redbands have a presence there, they are mainly protected by a Wall Guard under the leadership of the Second Minister, and are neutral in all disputes.

The Gates houses a customs office, many merchants hoping to do business with travellers, and the train station, which provides routes of travel to both Gregos and Nashe.

The Market
A warren of back alleys, poor planning, and makeshift walls, the Market is the main hub of commerce in Berlose. While not strictly Seirath-sanctioned, it is generally agreed upon that the Ministries look the other way where it comes to the bartering and trade of the Market is concerned.

The main section of the Market is surrounded by a chain-link fence which is draped with canvas into a makeshift tented area to keep White Shapes at bay during the night hours. It is patrolled frequently by Redbands, who look for any possible reason to shut shops down that do not pay protection fees.

The Market is also home to the Velvet Palace, a prominent brothel that many come from all over the city to indulge in.

The Factory District
This section of the city is almost exclusively used for the factories and warehouses of Berlose. Most of its industry is centred here, and as a result, it is a soot and smog-choked area, with much of its population in poor health due to poor working conditions. The area closest to the Docks also functions as a cannery for any fish caught, and is said to produce a distinctly unpleasant odour.

As it is a prime area for attack, much of Berlose's military that is within the city walls is stationed here, protecting it from foreign threat.

The Working Circle
This area of the city houses simple craftsmen, such as carpenters, tailors, smiths and so forth. While their shops are strictly regulated under Seirath control, and their employees must all be licensed, the need for their positions is seen and as a result they enjoy paying fewer taxes than most citizens of the city. Any Redband found attempting to extract protection fees from one of these labourers is subject to public flogging. Any citizen found to be working one of these positions without proper licensing is exiled from the city, and any outsider who does so and has not yet earned citizenship is publicly executed.

The Docks
The Docks are primarily used for import and export of goods through the city, however it also hosts a significant fishing industry, with much of the city's supply of meat coming from it.

Hope Ascending
Hope Ascending is best described as the 'technological playground' of Seirath. All manner of experiments, both benevolent and unethical, are conducted on its premises, all in the name of furthering the city's needs and rediscovering knowledge lost during the Great War.

This area is a large, fenced off complex, and is strictly forbidden to all but a few citizens of the city. It is strictly patrolled outside by both Redbands and members of the military, and houses its own security force. As well, Lotuses are known to frequent the area on random patrols and inspections.

This district is run entirely at the command of Derrin Jenkins, however his authority is viewed with thinly veiled contempt by other members of the Elite in most cases.

Firstlight
Bordering Skagway and the Pinnacle, Firstlight is an odd mix between the comforts of the city at its best, and the ruin and dangers of its northern counterpart at its worst. Many citizens that live in Firstlight just try to keep their heads down and escape the wrath of the Seirath family, and their known grudge against Skagway.

Firstlight is home to the diner Better Days, which is frequently patronised by the Lotuses.

Skagway
A ruin of neglect and casualty of a grudge that's lasted more than two centuries, Skagway enjoys none of the benefits the rest of the city does. While other districts may compete for working utilities, those living in Skagway must fight for even the basics to survive. Many homes in Skagway are little more than barely standing debris.

Frequently the crime of being born in Skagway results in not being able to obtain employment in any other section of the city, and those that live there, called 'Skags', are seen as less than human. As a result, the population of Skagway has degenerated into roving gangs. These gangs compete and vie with one another for scrap, and many forage for rodents to eat, or steal from the Market. Those more brave climb the northern wall of the city to hunt for food, but few are successful. Any profit or food these gangs obtain frequently must have a percentage of it offered up as tribute to whomever the current Lord of Skagway is, a petty crime lord. The current one is Lord Byron.

Freaktown
Treated almost as poorly in Skagway, and worse in others, is Freaktown, a walled off compound in the northwestern corner of Berlose. Few know the state of this portion of the city in recent years since Sable has taken charge of it, but it is believed to be in poor repair, with no access to utilities such as water or electricity. How its people survive without contact with the rest of the city is unknown, though many attribute it to the unnatural conditions of its population.

The section of the city is flanked by the city wall on its northern and western sides, and by an improvised wall made of scrap and refuse commonly referred to as the Junk Wall. There is no door allowing exit or entry from Freaktown.

Almost the entirety of Freaktown is made up of Freaks, people who inherited a genetic mutation from an ancestor who'd been modified in such a way during the War, or an unfortunate survivor of experiments in Hope Ascending. These survivors are well compensated by the Ministry of Research and Development upon being turned from their doors, and every single one is a volunteer, but many still feel bitter at their treatment, and much resentment and hatred flows through Freaktown for the conditions that have been put upon them.

Freaktown is the only section of Berlose not subject to Seirath rule. Neither its military nor Redbands have ever been able to find purchase within, and the Lotuses prefer to keep the quiet neutrality that has been in place in recent years, refusing to stir up conflict by entering its borders.