Klub Norilsk II
Located in Krytrigrad, Klub Norilsk II is one of the oldest, non-industrial businesses in the entire Valles Marineris. Though it serves primarily as a casino and gathering place for locals, as it always has, it remains an interesting snapshot into the history of the Martial colonies, and provides a much more personal, individual-level view into the past than history books or traditional museums generally do.
Founded in the early years where the VM was primarily an industrial and logistics hub, and taking its name from the notoriously polluted nickel mining town of Norilsk in Russia, Klub Norilsk II got its start as part of an illicit gambling ring, and quickly became the main social hub for Krytrigrad (in those days still known as Outbase Rim 3). Though unsavory in many ways, it provided a respite from the crushing monotony of life in a processing outbase, and a common space for the people of Outbase Rim 3--many of whom were Russians from industrial towns like Norilsk--to share and express their grievances away from the eyes and ears of their employers. It soon gained a measure of legitimacy, re-marketing itself as a brewery and dance club, which ultimately only allowed for the expansion of its illegal activities, having calmed the wary eye of the authorities. For many years, it ran not only illegal gambling, but became the VM's main hub for smugglers, black market sellers, and even revolutionaries.
After Mars gained independence, Klub Norilsk II would shift towards legal gambling, though it still retained an underworld clientele for many years, though its importance would eventually taper off as goods restricted under colonial rule became more available, regulations were relaxed and population in the Coprates Chasmata dropped. The establishment has faded quite a bit from its former glory, though its historical importance has managed to keep it afloat into the present day, where it eeks out an existence caught between its strange dual roles of local gathering spot and tourist attraction.
Founded in the early years where the VM was primarily an industrial and logistics hub, and taking its name from the notoriously polluted nickel mining town of Norilsk in Russia, Klub Norilsk II got its start as part of an illicit gambling ring, and quickly became the main social hub for Krytrigrad (in those days still known as Outbase Rim 3). Though unsavory in many ways, it provided a respite from the crushing monotony of life in a processing outbase, and a common space for the people of Outbase Rim 3--many of whom were Russians from industrial towns like Norilsk--to share and express their grievances away from the eyes and ears of their employers. It soon gained a measure of legitimacy, re-marketing itself as a brewery and dance club, which ultimately only allowed for the expansion of its illegal activities, having calmed the wary eye of the authorities. For many years, it ran not only illegal gambling, but became the VM's main hub for smugglers, black market sellers, and even revolutionaries.
After Mars gained independence, Klub Norilsk II would shift towards legal gambling, though it still retained an underworld clientele for many years, though its importance would eventually taper off as goods restricted under colonial rule became more available, regulations were relaxed and population in the Coprates Chasmata dropped. The establishment has faded quite a bit from its former glory, though its historical importance has managed to keep it afloat into the present day, where it eeks out an existence caught between its strange dual roles of local gathering spot and tourist attraction.
Type
Casino
Parent Location
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