Black Bottom

The City of Chance, The Big Ebony, The Fool's Paradise; Black Bottom has many alias, but it was originally named so as a kind of insult to the people that lived there; in the age of King Balaste, the people of Black Port, as it was called back then; Were so poor that hardly any of them wore shoes, thus bruising and staining most of the residents feet with distinctly black soles; eventually the cutting name became more colloquially popular than the actual name, and the small village embraced the name as a sort of dark joke; but eventually Saldoric, a young fisher's son born from a long line of Balaste's bastards, carved from within the small village a bloody swath that would turn it over a decade from a simple city into the capital and seat of a barony. Saldoric Black created the largest Barony in the Kingdom of Andrim by raiding and destroying Korrig as well as the vast eleven capital of Moraga. Only when both were completely absorbed and their populace and gold assimilated into his ever expanding city, the baron turned his eyes towards the sea for even more gold. Eventually the Baron, driven mad by his own greed or the power he held became a detriment to everything he had worked hard to build. In his old age, he slowed, let his guard down, his advisors took advantage of this at the end of a dozen knives, out of this dark act,The Trade Council of Black Bottom was formed.

The dark grey skies over black bottom probably inspired its gothic look, rumour has it early architects were inspired by some Kaldorian designs, in any sense it is a massive sprawl of buildings, cities and a few towers; It is the third largest City in Andrim and home to the largest port in Andrim and possibly all of Orund. The whaling industry here preys upon the illusive Oma, a whale the produces a blubber that is charged with arcane energy, it can be refined into a powerful fuel in an oil form; The people of black bottom embraced this industrial revolution and have integrated the Oma oil into every aspect of the city, from the construction golems that are powered by the large tanks on their back to the street lights being a light tinge of blue as they glow permanently with the light of the oil. This technology has put Black Bottom at the forefront of Andriamian science, it is easily the most advanced city in the country. It partially owes this thanks to its rulers, a group called The Trade Council of Black Bottom , they usurped and replaced their baron many years ago deciding that this much land could not be trusted to only one person. Since some of the cities most elite tend to also compose the trade council Black Bottom has a bit of a caste system, as well as several districts within the city that separate both industry and people of various status.These districts contain neighborhoods and boroughs of their own, each presenting its own cultural take on the city of chance.
The Ivory district is the most central of black bottom, home to the Ivory Watchtower, a giant clock tower that rings out every hour on the hour, it is the central headquarters of governmental affairs of the Black Coast. The other buildings in the Ivory district are fancy wine and cheese shops as well as homes of the people rich enough to afford homes in such an expensive part of the city. The Trade Council employs a vast array of knights and watchmen to enforce their will upon the city as well as collect taxes; they also employee a special type of knight called a Marine, these chosen enforcers protect the Port District of Black Bottom and do their best to combat the piratical scourge of The Bang Syndicate and others who look to ransack visiting trade ships
The Market district holds a series of rows of buildings of shops as well as street side vendors setting up tents and stands, almost anything one needs can be found for sale here, you simply need ask. It is connected directly with the most profitable part of the city, the Port District; it is also home to many Inn's and notable bars including Salnok's Chagrin a bar in the city notorious for its strange bartender, and the fact that is haunted by ghost; ghost that love to share a drink with patrons of the bar. More contemporary adventurers and tourist may find themselves in The Dreary Jug, a popular Inn and Pub located centrally in the Market; Those shady types, especially those that practice the Arcane and Occult could find themselves in Derrig West 's renowned pub The Old Ways, where the cities mages and warlocks pontificate their fates over black tea and a strange drink called Bliss. Those looking to spend their coins on something other than food or drink may find themselves in any of the cities numerous clothing shops, shoe cobblers, candy makers or even Dren Malachite's Magicarium; a shop full of wonderous items gathered from all corners of the world by the legendary former Concierge member
The Port District is the largest in black bottom, a massive, miles long stretch of docks and piers lead out into the Black Sea from the side of the city, the docks and piers were just added onto and over time became almost an extension of the land itself, boasting several inns and taverns for passing sailors that would like to hang their hat. Tons and tons of fish and Whale are processed through this district daily, and the smell is very distinct. The port district is also directly connected to a neighboring port called "Free Port" the free port is an area specifically for boats for hire, travelers from all over seek out the most daring captains of the black sea to take them near or far, from just down the coast to the Salt Spires or all the way to Shale, a captain and ship for every journey can be found within; for the right amount of gold of course
The Meat District is a warehouse district full of agricultural slaughterhouses and canneries, Black Bottom does not naturally get much sun so crops and food sources are limited, being able to can and cure their meat is a way of life within black bottom, most people from the city enjoy the food greatly, from the famed Sweet's Potted Meats to Old Salty's Mint Sardines; the local canneries have kept Black Bottom citizens fed during even the harshest of winters, and while the local cuisine may have suffered as a result, the canneries themselves are held in a position of near honor for both the jobs and food they provide to the otherwise destitute citizens of the Meat.
The Burrows is the poorest district of black bottom, home to much of the organized crime within the city. Many poor folk live in this district, the roads are unpaved, the housing row is located near a sewerage run off for the other districts, and you're more likely to be stabbed than smiled at if visiting the shadiest part of black bottom at any dusk hour. If this is the part of the city you call home though, youre likely to be looked after and well fed as long as food is available, the citizens of the burrows have next to nothing, so they look out for each other. Unfortunately their status leaves many of them at risk for the cities gangs, making the Burrows one of the most ripe recruiting grounds for the criminals of the city looking to take on new young hands.

Black Bottom's Port District at Dusk

The Black and White Journal

The Black and White Journal is the foremost journalistic publication on the western coast of Andrim, so popular that nobility and any who can afford to have it couriered across the country (or even to Shale some say) subscribe to its monthly publication, the paper is available in weekly editions locally, with the monthlies being cumulative volumes of the four previous weeks along with special articles from both popular authors on staff such as; Reuben Cosmonna, Beck Trazmora , Ellisken Berg and guest speakers from all over Orund. Beck Trazzmora is famous for their interviews with some of Andrim's most interesting people, the legendary catalog includes members of The Trade Council of Black Bottom, famous mages like Taze and Reaver, and tournament winners such as Sir Eberen and Erron Black. Currently, the paper is ran by Chief Editor Thomas Berg, a half dwarvian life long Black Bottomer.
The backbone of the Black and White Journal however are the Paper Brigade, a group of boys that wear distinct military style caps and ride machines through the city delivering the paper both to peoples homes and to the various corners of black bottom, some serving as simple couriers and others as full time street peddlers of the publication. There are whispers however, on the lips of many in Black Bottom, that its a bad idea to fall behind on your subscription cost to the paper, or cross them in any other way; less they face the wrath of some boys in the brigade much larger than the others...

The other ruling class

Black Bottom has always had a severe problem with crime, sporadic and random, piratical and organized. Though in recent years, the gangs of black bottom has formed a network of organized crime that has essentially engulfed the city, primarily The Burrow and The Meat districts. The Trade Council focuses much of their efforts on the ports, the ivory and the market district. These lesser distracts, including certain parts of the port fall to the unofficial secondary ruling class of Black Bottom; The five gangs that control these streets and the leaders that they represent.
Bang Syndicate: Black Powder smugglers, they steal powder from ships visiting the ports, and trade it illegally throughout the city and beyond. Their members are known for carrying at least one bomb on them at all times, and when they want to send a message they usually do so by blowing something up. They are led by Knock Knock Jones, a Goblin with big arms and pension for cigars and pyrotechnics.
The Kaldora Nostra: A group of slick talkers, they own many of the bars and gambling dens within the meat district even have bought their way into parts of the market district; Descendants of Kaldorian Immigrants who came to black bottom hundreds of years ago in the first voyages between the two nations; they have had a long time to establish their dominance over many of the illegal operations within Black Bottom; primarily profiting from their gambling dens, prostitution within their bars and inns, and a large portion of the illegal drug trade. The Nostra operate by an ancient code, and retaliate very violently and mercilessly. They are known for sinister plots, killing not only those that cross them but often their families as well, and the brutality of the violence in which these deeds are carried out. They are led by a structured hierarchy of captains or generals that answer to one man, Don Lucianno Detoro, a mysterious figure rarely seen outside of his mansion in the ivory district, preferring to lead from afar.
The Rat Hatters: Bottom feeders who operate out of the sewers of the meat district, often the ridiculed by other gangs for their general hygiene as well as being seemingly the weakest gang in Black Bottom the Hatters always seem to be around, ever growing in number and taking in many a child off the street to join their ranks. They will do just about any job for coin, and not much coin at that. Just dont expect the job to be handled with finesse. They are led by Plague Boss Bogard; little is known about the plague boss, though some say he himself is half rat and half man, rarely if ever leaving the depths of his sewer layer.
The Cleaver Street Gang: Cleaver street runs from the burrows all the way to the meat district; If you live on that street and youre capable of holding a knife youre most likely in the Cleaver Street Gang. Famous for their street fighters and illegal boxing circuits ran in the back alleys of the city as well as their uncanny skills with knives; The Cleaver's are easily recognized by their blue vest or blue sashes they were proudly, considering themselves a kind of city watch of the lesser distracts they offer protection to local businesses from the other gangs, for a fee of course. Cleaver Street runs all the way through the meat district, and ends at a butcher's shop called Dunbar's Meat Market. The Owner there is William Dunbar, also known as Sweet William Dunbar, the leader of the Cleaver Street Gang. He is said to be an incredibly brutal and fierce-some fighter as well as a cult of personality. Since he took over the gang from his predecessor he has aggressively pushed the gangs status upward, positioning himself in direct competition with only the Nostra, who do not take the Butcher's presence lightly.
The Blacksalt Boys: The Blacksalts are a group of nerdowells who make up the only gang of the port district, mostly shaking down old boats and old sailors for petty money, they occasionally find a boat worth hijacking carrying something of greater value. Theyve been known to swim right up to a ship and just climb aboard at night as its crew sleeps if its parked a little too far from the port districts more guarded areas. They often clash with the Bang Syndacite; a rivalry that recently resulted in a ship being blown in two in the harbor, forcing a larger guard presence than ever of legitimate city watchmen and even some knights of the Tide. The Blacksalts are led by Black Beatrice; a half orc woman who captains a large vessel called the midnight rider that very rarely is seen in port, preferring to anchor just outside the city when not on some voyage of piracy.
The Ceaseless Syndicate operates out of black bottom as well, but maintains their presence as a for hire theives guild, electing to stay out of any other aspects of crime in the city, a convenience the Nostra has paid for for the past 100 years, a convenience that does not come cheap. They have occasionally been offered the role of proxy in war between two of these crime families but elected to honor the agreement with the Nostra.

Type

Metropolis