Outremer

No place in Seattle has changed as much since independence as Outremer. Outremer has had a dragon move in, is closer to the SSC than the mainland city, and had a large (approximately twenty percent) jump in population since the ’70s and rolled into the ’80s. Those are just the surface items and don’t address the action behind the scenes with MCT, the Yakuza, corporate facilities joining the population, and curious deals and arrangements being made with the SSC.

The district covers five primary islands as well as several smaller minor islands including three artificial, extraterritorial islands made by megacorps over the years. The overall atmosphere of Outremer is one of independence. While Seattle was long an “island” of the UCAS in the NAN, Outremer was an island (or collection of islands) within the metroplex that was always within easy reach of the NAN. They kept separate and they liked it. One of the most frequent comments on Outremerians, “They forget they’re part of the Metroplex,” is true and only seems to be getting more accurate.

They are politically different than the other districts in that they don’t have a mayor. They are led by a council - a corporate council, to be specific - but things changed with independence, mainly because of the Sea Dragon. While MCT was still all for the council as it was, the Sea Dragon was investing massive amounts of resources and efforts to secure independence and Governor Potter made a lot of deals that favored her most powerful ally. The district now has a district council with eleven members: one representative from each of the five main islands, one representative from each of the four major corporate presences, the Sea Dragon’s representative, and a single universally elected official. This collection of nine councilors determines their overall views, then they vote on a city council member, and they send that single elected official to the Seattle Council.

That 20% population jump mentioned earlier is a combination of three factors. First, MCT has been moving citizens in for years, growing their population and increasing the overall corporate affiliation of the district. The second factor is the inclusion of the populations of several corporate-made islands into the district, thereby applying their population to the population of this district. While they’re still one hundred percent extraterritorial, they’re also a part of the overall population of the new nation-city. The final element was the arrival of the Sea Dragon and a massive influx of her people - mostly to Fox Island, but also some people on Blake Island.

The islands in the Sound have always been a bit distant and with the latest changes and their growth as the heart of the Sea Dragon’s presence they are growing and changing at a ridiculous rate. Aspects of the SSC are not happy about this and fear the Sea Dragon is just building a base to take more parts of the Olympic Peninsula, a fear fueled by Ghostwalker’s actions in Denver. Power players already on the islands are working politically and in the shadows against the Sea Dragon’s efforts and are making dangerous deals with the SSC for additional support, as they have mutual enemies. The thing is, all of that is being allowed by the Sea Dragon, as she is running shadow ops against her foes to reveal they are working “against Seattle,” in her words, by working with the SSC.

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge is the second largest but most populous island. Once known as a haven across the Sound for the rich, it is now balanced tenuously between monied haven and corporate enclave for Mitsuhama.

MCT spent scads of nuyen to develop the eastern coast of the island (around Eagle Harbor, facing Downtown) and brought over many of their own executives, top researchers, and other important personnel.

The rest of the island is a mix of lavish estates, sprawling patches of natural land (often owned by those estates), and the occasional cluster of small retail operations, usually surrounded by menial residences where local workers live.

Bainbridge Island Statistics

Population: 41,200

Human: 38%
Elf: 33%
Dwarf: 3%
Ork: 24%
Troll: 1%
Other: 1%

Per Capita Income: ¥147,000

Corporate-Affiliated Population: 87%

Hospitals & Clinics: 2

Average Security Rating: Gold

The Vibe

Life on Bainbridge is one of living in privilege or serving the privileged. There’s a very narrow band of individuals in the middle who aren’t lavishly rich or working poor but most of them are simply trying to put up a front to impress someone or have somehow managed to keep their home after MCT came in to sweep up tons of property for their people. MCT means Yakuza, and that means the Yaks need people to make money off. They make a lot off the MCT citizens, but they like having other revenue sources as well.

MCT also means Mitsuhama culture. While there are bastions of cultural diversity, the bulk of this area is strongly reminiscent of JIS (the Japanese Imperial State). That means significant discrimination against orks, trolls, women, and non-Japanese individuals. It’s ugly, but it’s acceptable to many who have been indoctrinated into the culture of this Japanacorp. On top of that, Bainbridge seemed tailor-made to accept the company line because it had been growing staunchly more conservative with each passing year, mostly due due to the increasing pressure from mainland Seattle. There’s almost a siege mentality among locals on the island, fearing the metroplex’s urban sprawl with pour across the Sound and infect them.

This place is not the kind of real estate people in the shadows look for when attempting to settle down somewhere. There are way too many people looking for way too many ways to get dirt on a neighbor for them to manage there for long. For the short term, though, it can work. Especially since the Yakuza is entrenched, and as long as you aren’t on their drek list you can get a bolt hole in this sweet patch for some decent nuyen. They don’t want you bringing trouble, though, so keep that drek on the other side of the Sound.

Speaking of trouble: Bainbridge carries a solid Gold security rating across the island, and Lone Star has so little territory to actually cover that they respond quick. MCT owns so much extraterritorial dirt, it’s left Lone Star with a few narrow swaths on the east side (most people call them streets) and then the sprawl of estates across the rest of the island. To cover this, they have a bulky budget due to the property values and the people who live here. This budget goes to staff and gear, with a heavy focus on riggers to send out drones for rapid response and deckers to keep all that electronic nuyen and incriminating data from slipping into the wrong hands.

If you’re coming to Bainbridge, be prepared to fit in. MCT and Lone Star, along with the Yakuza, are going to be keeping their eyes peeled for potential trouble in a place like this thanks to MCT and the Sea Dragon being one step away from a shadow war. Make sure you bring a good face and several certified credsticks to slip into the right hands if trouble finds you.

Major Neighborhoods

Eagle Harbor

The heart of the new built-up Bainbridge, this harbor is the main ferry link to Downtown.

It’s also the new hub of commercial shipping onto the island, and it takes shipping from both across the Sound and outside the region. Tons of work breaking into the new docks and “testing out the security.” The construction sites, because the place is still expanding, are frequently targeted to delay progress.

Patrols in the area are triple-layered with Lone Star, MCT, and Seattle’s coasties. Though you can get them to get in one another’s way pretty easily.

Port Madison

At the north end of Bainbridge is a nice, deep inlet that is lined with opulent mansions and tons of surveillance to protect said mansions. It's the neighborhood where if a Seattlite lives they can easily say that they've "made it," with a few local sports stars and celebrities having well-known roots in the area.

The security here is decent to protect the mansion dwelling resident's equally excessive yacht accessories safe. The Port Madison Yacht Club, Sailing Association, and a few other outstations of recreational excess make their home here, too, which means that it isn't entirely safe from ne'er-do-wells - those that do pick Port Madison are usually the type to blend in with "the help" and not cause too many problems, because the kind of money that lives here keeps a grudge.

Manzanita

About the only reason most east enders head to the west side is to visit this area. The ultra-rich here call up north “Poor Madison,” and the size of their yachts tells you why. This place is huge money.

It’s also got security up the drekpipe to protect the wealthy elite from being seen doing the dirty things they do here.

It features gambling, nightclubs, brothels, drug dens, and plenty of lavish private rooms to party it up if you don’t want to get the yacht dirty. Then again, who cares, the crew cleans it up!

This place is wild most nights and the weekends are always massive blowouts.

Places of Interest

Agate Pass Bridge

Type: Border Crossing

Location: State Highway 305 Northeast, Agate Point

Description: This bridge links Bainbridge directly to Salish-Shidhe Council lands and is a major customs checkpoint for both Seattle and SSC border patrol forces.

Its considerably less militarized than the mainland borders, though, and thanks in part to Bainbridge's wealthy residents there's an air of casualness to it all, with both the SSC and Seattle forces dressed down from armored vests and instead looking a little more "officer friendly."

Its a prime smuggling route for the Yakuza onto the island, and other small-time smugglers can use it with their permission. This also means that with the right verbiage, you can usually bribe your way across the border, just make sure you’re paying the right way.

Carry certified sticks, as they don’t take electronic transfers. Way too many problems with tracking.

Agate also has a way across at night if you’ve got good balance and nightvision. You can walk the underbridge from one side to the other with relative ease.

Just keep your cargo load low, as there are a few tight squeezes.

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

Type: Museum

Location: 550 Winslow Way East, Eagle Harbor

Description: Located more or less right outside the ferry terminal, the Bainbridge Island Museum of art is a contemporary art museum with rotating exhibits with a focus on local artists.

That essentially means that it was never destined to grow too big, especially compared to some of the museums on Vashon but its one of the few places in downtown Bainbridge where you can be sure that the yakuza aren't listening simply due to the fact that very little of the museum warrants organized crime attention.

There have been a few art heists in the past but the focus on local artists meant they were more like petty theft of a personal variety than anything else.

Day Road Animal Hospital

Type: Clinic

Location: Northeast Day Road, Manzanita

Description: Surprisingly, even in the shadow of the 1% there are crimes that a street-level thug can accomplish. Those that fail on the follow-through and find themselves injured typically go to the Day Road Animal Hospital.

If and when you need to be discreetly patched up, you need to ask for Hannah Nakatani, a vet tech who is more than willing to patch anyone up for the cost of materials and labor.

She's the estranged daughter of a yakuza heavy-hitter who lives lavishly on the 85th floor of Manitou Tower, so even if she patches up yaks on the side she isn't the sort to rat you out to the organization.

Greenwood Retreat

Type: Hotel

Rating: ★★★★★

Price: ¥850

Location: 5515 Northeast Tolo Road, Tolo

Description: Once a cozy little bed and breakfast, Greenwood Retreat is now a multi-level spa catering to the excessively wealthy and it offers pretty much everything short of anti-aging genemodding, all just a short drive southwest of Manzanita.

Those who are willing to pay can get in-suite minor cyberware maintenance or bioware installation by its in-house cybersurgeon. Unique with Greenwood Retreat is the four meter tall defense system around the property which was originally meant to negate exterior noise and keep the hotel as quiet as if it were still an undeveloped B&B.

A fun side effect of this system was that it acts like a fairly powerful jammer to any drones wanting to pass through.

Manitou Tower

Type: Residential Skyraker

Location: Northeast Timberlane Place, Manitou Beach

Description: One of the many new towers in the built-up section of Bainbridge, the Manitou Tower is special due to its unique connection to the Yakuza.

Owned and operated by MCT, and therefore extraterritorial, this tower is home to some of the most powerful underworld figures in all Seattle. Tario Matuki lives atop the tower in a penthouse that is called the 99th floor but actually takes up three floors above it.

From 98 down to 70, Matuki pits his shategashira against one another, as whoever lives higher sits higher in the organization.

From 69 down to 10, wakagashira-hosa are smattered among the regular MCT citizens and Seattleite renters.

The Landlord - yes, an unoriginal street name - offers boltholes and dosses inside Manitou and other towers. He’s cool with everyone as long as your nuyen is good. He’ll even let you doss down if you’re hot with the Yaks. It’s your job to stay out of their sight. Your nuyen buys the space. His kindness buys discretion. Screw him and he’ll burn you down.

Pegasus Coffee House

Type: Cafe

Cost: ¥¥

Location: 112 Madison Avenue North, Eagle Harbor

Description: This waterfront cafe resembles a hipster's dream more than anything else but it offers slightly overpriced soykaf - well made, at least! - and an unbelievably cozy atmosphere while being right on the water.

It's locally famous for its greenery which looks like it's about to overtake the side of the building and for the local shaman scene, all of which absolutely love the vibes of the place.

Proper Fish

Type: Seafood Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥

Location: 112 Madison Avenue North, Eagle Harbor

Description: From the outside, Proper Fish doesn't look like anything special but on the inside the smell of vinegar is practically so strong it could be considered torture.

This British-style fish 'n chips joint has standard seafood fare as well as a substantial seafood list but few know that its a hang-out for the Bainbridge chapter of The Ancients, who are particularly low-key about their activities.

The Crown

Type: Nightclub

Location: Roe Road Northeast, Manzanita

Description: Aptly named, The Crown is the hottest nightclub in Manzanita available only to those who are well-dressed, beautiful, or stupidly wealthy.

The owner, a wideset troll named Migeul Zweig, was a music producer about ten years ago but retired after making it big with a few choice collaborations and investing his money. It paid dividends and he bought The Crown right as the last owner was allowing it to stagnate.

Now Miguel has done about what you'd expect, modernizing it into a four-floor monstrosity of partying both private and public with celebrity DJs, influencers, actors, and rich nepobabies whiling away their lives and enjoying all manner of drugs that Miguel has allowed the local yakuza to offer in the club.

The Marshall Suites

Type: Hotel

Rating: ★★★

Price: ¥195

Location: 350 High School Road Northeast, Eagle Harbor

Description: This three-star hotel is known for its spacious rooms which harken back to turn-of-the-century vibe and the hotel itself is popular with travelling businesspeople and Mr. Johnsons thanks to its proximity to the city center.

Venus

Type: Brothel

Location: Silven Avenue Northeast, Manzanita

Description: A combination of brothel and drug den, Venus masquerades as a high-end cabaret where you can drink, eat, and watch fantastic shows.

That much is true, albeit if you're in a certain income bracket or know the right passwords to offer at the coat room you're allowed above the box seats and onto the third floor where a spacious, modern lounge of black glass and dancing holographics is curved around an indoor fountain.

The lounge is a glorified brothel and it offers all sorts of flavors from the usual to the unusual but there's a distinct focus on quality and variety and the impression given is that its a place run by someone who was once in the seat of a working girl. The prices are also astronomical and scale depending on what you're there to do, be it enjoy the pleasures of the flesh or get a gorgeous thirty year-old sex worker to become a temporary therapist, but they've got a reputation for making the entire transaction feel less transactional.

Seabold Casino

Type: Casino

Location: Silven Avenue Northeast, Manzanita

Description: Dominating Manzanita's skyline is the Seabold Casino, a hotel and gambling complex that offers only the best in high-stakes gambling and only high-stakes gambling.

It's made less for the hotel aspect and more as a central party location, hosting all manner of weddings, birthday parties, sweet sixteen parties, high school graduations, and more for the wealthiest 1% of the Seattle Metroplex.

To accomodate demand, the main hotel tower has four self-supporting "arms" in each cardinal direction, albeit separated each by about ten floors just so that parties don't overlap one another too much.

They contain full dance floors, pools, and full service bars so that simultaneous parties can enjoy the outdoors at the same time.

Vashon Island

Pretty people and dirty deals. That’s the best way to describe Vashon.

Named for James Vashon, a friend of George Vancouver (it pays to have powerful friends), but now best known for the Vashon Island fashion line, this place has a storied history that no one cares about unless it’s being worked into this year’s look.

As the largest island (thanks to Maury being part of Vashon), it’s got sprawl space. Thanks to being governed by taste, they don’t have big ugly skyrakers, only thin towers made for art more than efficiency.

That’s Vashon!

Vashon Island Statistics

Population: 40,170

Human: 35%
Elf: 44%
Dwarf: 3%
Ork: 18%
Troll: <1%
Other: <1%

Per Capita Income: ¥141,000

Corporate-Affiliated Population: 82%

Hospitals & Clinics: 1

Average Security Rating: Platinum

The Vibe

Vashon is the center of fashion and style. It’s home to more simstars, models, musicians, P2.1 stars, and other varieties of pretty people than anywhere else in the sprawl. Or at least it’s “home” in the terms of their primary residence in order to say they are Vashonites (“Vashonistas” as a slight). They’ve got houses in plenty of other locations, of course.

That collection of pretty power pervades the island’s ethos. The beautiful people walk the streets like it’s a catwalk, while those who fawn and serve follow like a parade of sycophants. Outside the public eye, everything shifts to high-security estates and protected grounds in order to gain some privacy. Massive galas and parties are held on the regular and get bigger and bigger throughout the year, until they culminate in a competition to see who can throw the biggest winter and New Year’s bashes.

That’s the thing about Vashon. It’s a dichotomy. A collection of dichotomies. Everyone wants to be seen but also maintain their privacy. Everyone wants to be seen as independent and strong but surrounded by private security. The powers want to maintain the natural beauty of the island, but they still want to develop and grow. Then there’s the ever-present divide of our world: the haves and have-nots. Here, the have-nots try extra hard to look like a have.

Image is the most important thing to almost everyone on Vashon. That desire to be on display makes working on or visiting Vashon harder than one might think. You look suspicious if you aren’t either fashion-forward or gawking at the pretty people - two things most runners are not particularly known for.

When you come for work, know that the security you see is probably less than a quarter of what’s really there. You may see the bodyguard, but there are two others blending into the entourage and others working remote. Plus, the number of ruthenium drone permits on Vashon is outrageous. The pretty people want them to stay hidden to avoid contaminating their image. No one on Vashon wants an ugly drone in their shot. When you see that pair of tin stars in the cruiser, you should keep an eye out for the drones they are running in the area for surveillance.

Major Neighborhoods

Vashon Island Shopping District

In the heart of urban Vashon is the place everyone goes to be seen looking good and spending scads of money.

Fashion magnates from around the globe all have shops, and in not a one will you ever see a price ARO.

The rich can be seen, heard, and spied on down here. Well-planned extractions have been known to occur, but most shadow-ops in this retail hub involve data on the next fashion trend.

Vashon-Maury Entertainment District

Built down in the tunnel system between Vashon and Maury, this collection of shops, show venues, restaurants, and bars has continued to grow, adding hotels and a pair of casinos. It’s popular with tourists and local workers, as well as fixers and Mr. Johnsons who appreciate the out-of-the-spotlight environment.

It’s growing each year and the district hauls out more and more bedrock to build spaces. It’s hauling out a lot more bedrock than seems necessary, but that’s probably because the district is a cover for several labs run by Aqua Arcana and Proteus AG. They aren’t listed anywhere, but the shadows know.

Places of Interest

Camp Sealth

Type: Youth Camp

Location: 4500 Southwest Camp Sealth Road, Spring Beach

Description: It would be nice to say this is a former Brackhaven youth camp where he trained and brainwashed the next generation of Humanis scum, but there’s nothing “former” about it.

It’s one of the few nasty black moles on the otherwise ethereal beauty that is Vashon. You can feel the shift in the air when you’re anywhere near this place.

Fashion and fun turns to fearmongering and fascists. These guys come out for field trips on occasion and cause all manner of problems. If you see them rolling around or hanging out in a spot you’ve got work in, practice patience or distract them to go somewhere else. They bring trouble and have the money to skip out on the consequences or call in backup.

The Sons of Sauron have been looking for a chance to burn this place to the ground but the camp keeps such a clean image and has so many young men around that any attack would be spun quickly into problems for the metahumans of Seattle.

Monastery of the All-Merciful Savior

Type: Monastery

Location: 9933 Southwest 268th Street, Maury Island

Description: The Monastery of the All-Merficul Savior is one of the few remaining Russian Orthodox monasteries outside of Asia.

The “Vashon monks,” as they are known, are famous for roasting and hand-blending their own brand of specialty coffee and producing their own handmade soaps. Recommended is the Byzantium Blend, one of the best Greek-style coffees you can find in North America!

The Vashon Monks also operate a small cafe on the grounds which is open to the public during standard business hours where they offer their coffee blends and usual cafe foods, including some of the best baklava in Seattle.

Pacific Research Laboratories

Type: Research Facility

Location: Southwest 235th Street, Magnolia Beach

Description: Also known as the "Bone Factory" by the locals, the Pacific Research Laboratories is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Shiawase Corporation and a major employer on Vashon Island.

Pacific Research Laboratories developed some of the first artificial bone substitutes and later bone-lacing techniques.

It isn't quite as cutting edge as it used to be when it was independent, but its working hard to regain its place on the top of the hill. After years of cybernetic bone replacement and enhancement, there’s a lot of money going into research into dermal bone depositing (the kind you see in some metahumans and paranaturals) and alternative bone growth stimulation, which is fancy terminology for getting bones to grow in different patterns and structures, often incorporating materials other than calcium at the cellular level.

Snapdragon

Type: Vegetarian Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥

Location: Southwest Bank Road & 103rd Avenue Southwest, Vashon Island Shopping District

Description: Snapdragon is a fairly popular vegetarian restaurant that caters to Vashon's trendy populace for a generally reasonable price. Its mostly a bakery but it offers all sorts of baked goods as well as pizza, soups, and nova hot outdoor seating which is like honey to flies for Vashonista bloggers.

Their cinnamon rolls are famous and plastered over social media as their cylindrical shape makes them uniquely photogenic among influencers.

The Marjesira Inn

Type: Hotel

Rating: ★★★★

Price: ¥325

Location: 25134 Vashon Highway Southwest, Shawnee

Description: One of Vashon Island's few historic sites, The Marjesira Inn is almost 200 years old. It shows its age (in a charming way) but the creaking of old wood inspires stories of the lives that Pacific Northwesterners used to have in the early 1900s.

Its small but idyllic, quiet, and very out of the way. It even boasts a small boat launch and its own private moorings for houseboats - although with the tides those on houseboats will need a smaller vessel to come ashore and enjoy the Marjesira's in-house restaurant of the same name.

The Spot

Type: Park

Location: 9500 Southwest Burton Drive, Burton

Description: Jutting out into the crook-shaped Quartermaster Bay is a peninsula with a thick patch of woodlands that was once Burton Acres Park but is now known only as the Spot. The astral in this place is hot. Like, nova hot.

Awakened of all walks find their way here for meditation and study, but it is best known for its arcane battles and as a place to more easily access the metaplanes.

Several spirits make this place their home. They’ll take work watching your body when you’re off in the astral or a metaplane.

A few are even powerful enough to offer access to the metaplanes for those who don’t have that talent themselves.

The Ruby Brink

Type: American Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥¥

Location: 17526 Vashon Highway Southwest, Vashon Island Shopping District

Description: The Ruby Brink is one of Vashon Islands trendiest - and strangest - restaurants on Vashon.

The first floor is much as it was circa the 2020's: a butcher shop behind a counter that also serves cocktails and locally-sourced (if a little pricy) plates of food.

Even with the changing times the space has remained vintage, banking solely on the incongruity of having a butcher shop that can serve you an appletini, four pounds of roast beef, and a fried egg sandwich. The kitsch of it hasn't seemed to lose any of the youths of Vashon and the food is good, making it a sure thing that the Ruby Brink isn't going anywhere.

Vashon Island Clothing Company

Type: Corporate Headquarters

Location: 97th Avenue Southwest & Southwest Bank Road, Vashon Island Shopping District

Description: A Shiawase subsidiary, Vashon Island has been on the cutting-edge of fashion for the past forty years.

It made its big debut with many neo-gothic and retro-deco designs but quickly (and endlessly) branched out into other areas, although never straying from its original alt-fashion mission.

It maintains its first outlet store a few blocks down from this building, which is their main offices and design house.

Club Reflex

Type: Nightclub

Location: 33 Underground, Vashon-Maury Entertainment District

Description: One of Vashon Island's hottest clubs, albeit one that isn't closed off only to the "in" crowd. A lot of locals like to pretend its another Underworld 93 but Club Reflex has way too many industry plants in its usual musical lineup to be anything authentic.

That doesn't stop the club from always being full, though, as it takes up an enormous floorspace in the Vashon-Maury Entertainment District underneath Vashon itself.

Its equally popular with locals and tourists and is a known spot to cruise for illicit substances if you lack any contacts, although only outside the club itself.

Society Grocers

Type: Grocery Store

Location: Southwest Bank Road & 99th Avenue Southwest, Vashon Island Shopping District

Description: Society Grocers chains are a luxury grocery store that just aren't seen often much anymore. Very few foods sold here are anything but farm fresh, with the bread baked daily and the meats themselves butchered into sizable chunks in the back before they make it to the meat counter to be portioned up into more appropriate sizes.

The clerks are all friendly and bag your groceries for your servant and even walk them to their car and expertly pack them into the shitbox that your servant feels embarrassed about still having despite working for such a rich piece of work.

Society Grocers also has an in-store cafe and in-store restaurant, as well, and while walking the aisles you'll often see employees set up at booths containing free samples of foods they've created from their curated menus which Society Grocers releases a weekly newsletter for as a means of getting the hyper-wealthy interested in something that their household cooks can make later.

Fox Island

Change is hard.

From tribal troubles to dragon domination, Fox is shifting and while it creates stress for many outside the island, it is creating stability on Fox itself.

The Sea Dragon has moved in significant assets, but she’s trying to keep many parts of the Fox flavor in place. For tourists and outsiders, it looks and feels better - safer.

For residents it’s the same island, just a different shadow guarding over it.

Fox Island Statistics

Population: 11,270

Human: 42%
Elf: 11%
Dwarf: 14%
Ork: 17%
Troll: 5%
Other: 11%

Per Capita Income: ¥34,000

Corporate-Affiliated Population: 13%

Hospitals & Clinics: 1

Average Security Rating: Copper

Population Shift

Fox used to be an island of mostly Native Americans of Salish persuasion but with Sea Dragon, her followers, astral entities, and dryads pouring into Fox at a massive rate (with no sign of slowing down) Fox has seen its identity eroded pretty considerably.

Native festivals and gatherings that have been around for years are being gently transitioned to blend with other festivals with a more diverse cultural base.

The native communities on Fox are none too happy about it, either, even though Sea Dragon is taking an exceptionally soft hand with the whole affair, that doesn't stop the growing pains.

The Vibe

Fox feels like change. New construction. New faces. New ideas. Their population is growing, and it’s not the ordinary mix. The Sea Dragon came with her people and those people include not just standard metahumans but also free spirits, changelings, merrow, drakes, at least 2 other sea dragons, and numerous sentient species from our own realm and planes beyond.

All these different cultures and new faces have created a buzz on the island. They come together, blending cultures and traditions in order to create a new flavor - a flavor they want to spread across the globe. Anyone with ears and eyes on other cities that experience the Sea Dragon’s touch can feel the same vibe. This is the only spot in Seattle with this feel right now, and it’s a massive if idiosyncratic draw, pulling in locals with a desire to see a different future and pushing away those who just can’t handle the fact that one of the local festivals is celebrated entirely on the astral plane.

With all this influx, construction (especially housing) is in a bit of a boom but not as large as one would expect. Instead, a new field has developed linked to the construction field: astral construction. Firms like Unseen Builders, Astral Abodes, CityScapes, and Planar Planning are all constructing astral homes for residents of the dual-natured or primarily astral-dwelling variety. They often look bland on the physical but on the astral they are homey, cozy, and pleasant.

Neighborhoods where these pop up are a bit creepy for non-sensitive folks. They rarely bother with streetlights and at night they look almost like abandoned cities. By day they still look a bit desolate. Some astral entities have taken to renting space to physical occupants who are okay with it and who don’t mess up the astral space they live in.

This has been a huge draw to the area for dryads. Their numbers have quintupled in recent months. The relationship is also pretty communal as the dryads are big into keeping a clean astral and work to avoid any form of negative influence in their homes.

One big thing to consider for the island is the numbers. The population of this island has grown faster than any other in Outremer. This is increasing their voting power and pushing Fox’s influence up over that of some of the other smaller islands.

Major Neighborhoods

The Forest Lodge

This place is becoming a bit contentious lately as the Native American shamans who control it are feeling pressure from other influences on the island.

All of Fox has historically favored shamanic magic on the astral plane. The new arrivals are pulling from that and thus are pulling energy from the edges of what locals call the Forest Lodge. It’s not a formal lodge but instead the central patch of woodlands on the island, owned by local shamans. It allows other shamans to set up temporary lodges as needed.

It was loosely controlled for a long time, with the password being given fairly freely, but lately the password has been given to fewer people, and they’re under orders not to pass it along. The spirits that patrol the woods are also less forgiving when they find intruders.

If you’re a shaman and you can get the password, this place is great. Everyone else, stay away.

East Wall

Once a pirate haven, East Wall has new residents. These residents promptly - and violently - removed the local pirates from the area while no one else was looking (and they didn't leave any evidence of the act behind).

East Wall is now home to T’skin’zik, a leviathan, and his minions. Rumors of treasure being moved into the area abound and curious adrenaline junkies have already made a few attempts at getting in for a look.

The Sea Dragon is regularly spotted in the area as well, likely meeting T’skin’zik. For now, the lesser leviathan is content to set up shop, but I’m sure there are longer-term plans in the works.

Places of Interest

The Tunnels

Type: Transit System

Location: Hyak Way, Fox Island

Description: Fox’s portion of the tunnel project here was never a welcome addition. They didn’t want “easy access” to McNeil or the mainland. Not liking the project did not keep money from going to its construction and progress being made.

The tunnels to both the mainland and McNeil were both completed but when the project got canceled, there was an accident and the tunnels all flooded. The flooded tunnels were recently sold and are now the property of the Sea Dragon. It’s her lair, and also the home of her merrow minions.

The Koshari were using the mainland run as a smuggling pipeline using aquatic drones and small submersibles. They’re not happy the Sea Dragon came in and took it away, and they are making their displeasure known. They pay bounties on merrow tails, and some folks have taken them up on it.

Fox Island Historical Society

Type: Museum

Location: 1017 9th Avenue Court, Fox Island

Description: With the culture clash that's currently occurring on Fox Island as the new residents seem to be overwhelming the old, its no surprise that the Fox Island Historical Society has seen a massive uptick in funding, volunteering, and effort put in from the local Salish and Anglo-American communities on the island.

Its a rare showing of solidarity between the two usually at-odds communities, and the one-story museum has been able to recently fund an outbuilding expansion and a second level after a fundraising period of just two weeks.

While the historical society itself doesn't discriminate between new or old residents, there is some significant push from newer residents who see the locals as stubborn and obstinate, and the historical society itself as standing in the way of progress - chiefly their progress.

McNeil Island

A prison of green and greed, McNeil has never had the best rep. About 2,000 of its free residents live in Reflection, which is pretty much a Lone Star company town. Some 98% of the people living there are Lone Star employees.

A smattering of people live in Reflection’s Edge, a small neighborhood outside the wall around Reflection (yes, it’s a real wall). The bulk of the remaining population are incarcerated and actually outnumber free residents three to one.

About 100 live on private property outside Reflection but most of those are retired Lone Star or ex-military.

Several of those residents are actually former inmates. They got decent enough jobs when they were on work leave so they just stuck it out and don’t feel like moving back to the mainland and looking for work with a criminal SIN.

McNeil Island Statistics

Population: 7,210

Human: 31%
Elf: 3%
Dwarf: 2%
Ork: 45%
Troll: 18%
Other: 2%

Per Capita Income: ¥13,000

Corporate-Affiliated Population: 12%

Hospitals & Clinics: 1

Average Security Rating: Silver

The Vibe

McNeil life is a strange world of separation, due to both the walls on the island and the water around it. While the prison dominates people’s views of the island from without, on the island, McNeilians are a strict but hopeful lot who see their island as a quiet refuge from the stressors of the mainland life. They see the town of Reflection as a place of solitude where you can live and support the futures and rehabilitation of the prisoners at the two facilities on the island.

Or so the new politicians want you to believe as they try to sell McNeil Correctional Center and the Annex at the McNeil Correctional Center as the ideal of rehabilitation prisons.

The reality is more on the strict side, as the overworked Lone Star Correctional employees who populate the bulk of Reflection keep a wary eye out for trouble when they aren’t partaking in some form of recreational or pharmaceutical escape to get through their daily lives. Non residents are rare on McNeil, as the island doesn’t have a big tourist draw. Outsiders on the island are usually there to visit a prisoner during visitation hours. The Annex has visitation daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a ferry schedule is set to being people on and off the island for this purpose. Some motels are present for those staying for more than a day. The main Correctional Center has visitation on the weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again, the ferry schedule goes along with these hours to get visitors off McNeil.

Major Neighborhoods

Reflection

Reflection was built up when the population spiked in the ’20s.

It’s got a wall to protect its citizens from a potential mass prisoner escape and invasion but when inmates started being released to live on the island and more people came to live on McNeil, a small additional town was built outside the wall. That’s Reflection’s Edge.

Inside Reflection you can tell the bulk of the residents are LSCS employees. The construction of Reflection left several other small coastal strips of shops abandoned. They’re occasionally used as LSCS training facilities and are common hiding spots for inmates who somehow forget they’re imprisoned on an island.

Reflection's Edge

Reflection's Edge has been glacially but steadily expanding since Reflection's wall was finished in the 2020's.

It's small and has a collection of quaint shops and all the necessities of modern life and those visiting the MCC usually end up staying in one of Reflection's Edge motels out of convenience and price - especially if they don't like the Lone Star, as most of Reflection is Lone Star employees and their families.

Places of Interest

McNeil Correctional Center

Type: Correctional Facility

Location: North 20th Avenue, McNeil Island

Description: The MCC has been in operation since the late 1800s. The MCC was relocated to the center of the island when the Annex became the new name for a remodeled original MCC on the south coast. It’s confusing for some, but locals know the history.

Both the Annex and MCC are Lone Star cash cows, and they take prisoners from everyone—UCAS, Seattle Metro, AAA megacorporate, it doesn’t matter. They issue them LSCS criminal SINs, and the prisoners’ upkeep is paid by whatever body sent them. When inmates are released, they need to update their native SIN or get stuck living with the LSCS criminal SIN until their probation is done. At that point, they’re remanded to the local municipality or their former SIN issuer for a new or reissued SIN.

Both facilities are operated by Lone Star Correctional Services (LSCS), and they kept that contract even in the era when Knight Errant held the municipal police contract.

The Annex at MCC

Type: Correctional Facility

Location: Still Harbour Road, McNeil Island

Description: The Annex is a newer addition intended for minimum security inmates. It operates a large number of work programs and even has inmates approved for partial release.

All prison transportation to the mainland goes through the Annex, as they have a small dock. The prison is growing their reputation as a rehabilitation facility rather than a place of punishment, and several success stories have reintegrated into local society as proof of the worth of their methods.

Both the Annex and MCC are Lone Star cash cows, and they take prisoners from everyone - UCAS, Seattle Metro, AAA megacorporate, it doesn’t matter. They issue them LSCS criminal SINs, and the prisoners’ upkeep is paid by whatever body sent them. When inmates are released, they need to update their native SIN or get stuck living with the LSCS criminal SIN until their probation is done. At that point, they’re remanded to the local municipality or their former SIN issuer for a new or reissued SIN.

McNeil Tunnel North

Type: Transit System

Location: Coastal Road & Still Harbour Road, McNeil Island

Description: This is part of the never-completed system that has been mentioned in other spots.

This one has become another Seattle home for the Sea Dragon, as she bought the property from the city shortly after they declared independence. The island got a healthy shake after the tunnel collapsed below the bedrock, and the tunnel entrance, a massive spiral drive, flooded.

Lone Star is not exactly thrilled, but it’s at least one less escape route they need to watch.

Madrona's Shade

Type: Motel

Rating: ★

Price: ¥80

Location: Commercial Street, Reflection's Edge

Description: A fairly simple one-star motel on McNeil Island, Madrona's Shade is geared towards travelers - specifically those staying overnight in services of visiting someone at the Annex or McNeil Correctional Center.

It has clean sheets, a working ice machine, but very little else of note other than habitually never asking questions and being a dirt cheap hole.

Some caution for those using it as an extended stay - McNeil being what it is, you probably shouldn't have anything you don't want to be caught with if you're going to go that route.

Meeker Road House

Type: American Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥

Location: Commercial Street, Reflection

Description: Named after pioneer Ezra Meeker, the man who made the Oregon Trail, the Meeker Road House is an American restaurant that serves oversized soyburgers and a smattering of deep fried foods that the local Lone Star correctional officers love.

As the eventual end of Ezra Meeker's trail led to him building a homestead on McNeil, the road house is decorated in AR on the inside to be the visage of a homey pioneer homestead, complete with the staff wearing period accurate garb - as AROs, at least!

OmniStar Development & Design

Type: Corporate Headquarters

Location: West 37th Place & West 37th Street, McNeil Island

Description: This brand-new state-of-the-art facility is on the southwest side of the island.

It’s no surprise that the construction labor utilized inmates, though the final setup needed more skilled workers.

The facility is home to a consolidated think tank from the best and brightest among Lone Star, DocWagon, and Manadyne. They do vehicle design and research, medical systems, arcano-medical techniques, and equipment.

It’s a hot target for runners, but it’s located on a very secure island, so if you get a contract on it, negotiate for more pay.

Phoenix Arms

Type: Weapons Manufacturer

Location: Still Harbor, McNeil Island

Description: The thing about elves is they get that subtle extension on the norm life span and suddenly they lock themselves into a niche and no one can pry them out. That’s Phoenix.

His company, Phoenix Arms, has been around for ages, is widely (and positively) regarded, and is still making custom arms and ammo for collectors and discerning killers around the globe. He’s a resource for non-custom kit as well, since he knows arms dealers on every continent.

Phoenix also has enemies in the same quantities and uses the added security of being in the “aura” of McNeil as protection. His home and shop are actually in Still Harbor, but he brings that home, a houseboat, over to Reflection frequently enough where he holds meetings and ships packages.

Reflection Hotel

Type: Hotel

Rating: ★★

Price: ¥100

Location: Commercial Street, Reflection

Description: The nicest hotel on McNeil, the Reflection Hotel offers the most bang for one's buck on the entire island: it has larger extended stay rooms with kitchenettes, an entire floor of capsule rooms, and there's even an indoor pool.

Compared to something on the mainland, the Reflection Hotel looks like steaming drek: the building is aged and most of the amenities are at least ten years older than they should be, nevermind that the turndown service is slow and the breakfast on offer is clearly microwaved soy. Yet if you're on McNeil, you literally cannot do better than this.

At least the rates are fair.

The Guardian Bar & Grill

Type: Bar & Grill

Cost: ¥

Location: North 10th Avenue, Reflection's Edge

Description: The Guardian is a mid-size bar just outside the walls of Reflection which, honestly, doesn't produce much of anything special besides community. The alcohol is all off-brand, the food is on the cheaper end of diner food, and even the atmosphere stinks because the building itself looked dated and cheap circa 2060.

What does make the Guardian special is that its run by an ex-Lone Star officer, specifically one Danielle Ford. She acts as the closest thing McNeil Island has to a fixer and has so many friends on the island from her prior job that very little happens on McNeil without her knowing about it.

It's an unspoken rule but Ford and her employees all give the cold shoulder to current Star officers, so The Guardian has become an ex-con joint where you can get all manner of illicit substances and even a few smuggled goods now and again.

Anderson Island

On Anderson, age is just a number. Often one that means nothing, because money can buy youth these days.

The median age of the population of Anderson Island has slowly grown over the decades from 50 to 58, with only slight dips here and there. The community is increasingly made up of wealthy older people, many of them well into their 80s or 90s thanks to modern léonization and gene therapies. They’re heavily incentivized to hold on to their properties which continue to appreciate in value, and to resist any effort by the metroplex to “open up” Anderson to heavier settlement, which includes blocking the building of any large community housing on the island.

It’s got a quiet reputation and hides several corporate research facilities that are frequent runner targets but the local money funds the cops like nobody’s business. Seeing a Dodge Goliath running at you is commonplace.

Anderson Island Statistics

Population: 4,150

Human: 38%
Elf: 22%
Dwarf: 27%
Ork: 11%
Troll: <1%
Other: 2%

Per Capita Income: ¥137,000

Corporate-Affiliated Population: 77%

Hospitals & Clinics: 1

Average Security Rating: Gold

The Vibe

It’s like an old folks’ home, except all the old folks have the cash for leónization. The working poor are an unseen class, while the locals live out the dreams they never managed in their lifetimes - including some seriously twisted drek.

The locals have the cash for private security, and they burn it on the best. Just a fair warning: if they’re going after you non-lethal, don’t return the favor out of some gold-hearted moral desire for a fair fight. They want you alive so they can feed you to the wolves. Rumors talk of runners who are sent to Anderson on milk runs only to get pinched by security and never heard from again. Used as living entertainment, they’re hunted, fed to paranormals, or just played with to feed the twisted desires of the other rich frags on this island.

Just so you know, they also have very little local economy left. The servant class are usually fed by their bosses. The rich order in all they need and the small transient servile population knows not to end their workday on the island. The corporate facilities on the island are fairly self-contained and the rare occasions when intermingling occurs, it’s strange parties full of stressed-out wageslaves and rich youth trying to piss off mommy and daddy (and it’s still happening when they’re in their forties and fifties).

Places of Interest

Anderson Island General Store

Type: Convenience Store

Location: 10202 Eckenstam Johnson Road B, Anderson Island

Description: As the residents of Anderson Island have a particular idea of what the island's image should be, the island's only convenience store is more similiar to a 24-hour deluxe department store.

What little that isn't flown in privately or by delivery services is found here and almost all of it is name brand, high-tier luxury goods that most working at the store couldn't reasonably afford.

You'll often find younger residents outside whiling away the hours like the bored rich kids they are or, inside, the rich parents of those same kids enjoying the local news while picking up a waygu beef steak breakfast sandwich before tucking into reading the local screamsheet in the general store's proffered seating, all of which are massage chairs with climate settings.

Agate Beach

Type: Public Beach

Location: Agate Beach, Anderson Island

Description: This spot is a smuggler haven. They roll in on the beach in the dark of night, drop off their cargo, and get rolling before anyone’s the wiser.

Some wonder what the rich have smuggled in, but you don’t really want to know. They’re rich, depraved, and whatever it is it violates the moral code of even the most depraved shadowrunner.

One smuggler dropped off a crate measuring 1.2m by 0.25m by 2m. Inside were women. And some monster on this island had them delivered in a crate.

The Riviera Garden

Type: American Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥¥¥

Location: 11019 Country Club Drive, Anderson Island

Description: Located on Josephine Lake and technically separate from the Riviera Golf Course and its associated country club, The Riviera Garden is a first-class American restaurant that excels in serving the aging wealthy.

That means that they basically serve a menu that's half modern, new, and interesting (which is always what is fed to critics) and half ten to twenty year-old throwback trends and modern iterations on comfort food.

At the Riviera Garden the only synthetic fillers you'll find are in a 95 year-old leónized ass cheek so while it may be pandering of the highest order, the owner and head chef simply don't sacrifice an inch for quality.

Trattoria Pagilacci

Type: Italian Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥¥

Location: 110th Street, Anderson Island

Description: This luxury-style Italian restaurant is a North American chain that spans as far down as the CAS all the way up to the Seattle Metroplex. While the branding and the name might scream "Italian-American" the cuisine they serve is largely focused on southern Italian comfort foods which are dressed up on a nice plate, made well, with reasonable portion sizes.

A large part of the Trattoria Pagilacci's success is due to its ambience, which it achieves with first-rate waitstaff and an interior thats made to look like an honest-to-goodness Italian bistro.

Riviera Golf Course

Type: Golf Course

Location: 11016 Country Club Drive, Anderson Island

Description: This place is a battleground, but using woods, wedges, and irons instead of bullets and spells.

Locals discuss deals worth more than aircraft carriers between hideously inaccurate drives and putts.

They make deals on the greens and a few have made their final swings on the 18th hole as some never leave a round unfinished.

Getting in takes money - a lot of money. But day passes are often granted to servants to scout or check green depths or pit sand density.

Wildwood Inn

Type: Hotel

Rating: ★★★

Price: ¥350

Location: 8808 Villa Beach Road, Anderson Island

Description: The Wildwood Inn caters to Anderson Island visitors, mostly those who are part of a golf entourage or the employees of a wealthy patron staying with another resident of Anderson Island.

It offers everything you'd expect, with average-sized rooms that evoke a comfortable rustic tone and each room even has a good view.

The amenities might need some updating (rumor has it they're purposefully aging to ensure no one stays too long) but everyone whose stayed at the Wildwood Inn has had a positive experience thanks to the local tours, fishing, and golfing.

The Minor Islands

This includes Ketron, Blake, Nikko, Tanjo, and Thesis. These five small islands have unique characteristics and independent ownership, pulling them from the overall governance of Outremer as they aren’t consolidated in the slightest.

The overview of all of them is that they all sat independent when the UCAS was in control, but Governor Potter managed to work out a series of deals to get them to join the census and Seattle.

Check out below for more!

Minor Island Statistics

Population: 19,000

Human: 58%
Elf: 17%
Dwarf: 5%
Ork: 11%
Troll: 1%
Other: 8%

Per Capita Income: ¥63,000

Corporate-Affiliated Population: 95%

Hospitals & Clinics: 3

Average Security Rating: Gold

Islands

Ketron Island

Ketron was a chill little place to hide out and live quietly until recently.

Ketron is just off the coast, between Tacoma and Anderson. It’s small and was quaint with just a few residents who wanted to live away from the hustle and bustle. At least until a serial killer got snagged there, and now it’s a tourist trap for Mayan Cutter fanatics.

Now it’s got a constant stream of serial killer enthusiasts checking it out and local businesses have catered to them to get the nuyen they bring. The Mayan theme all over gives it an almost Aztechnology feel, but the number of lawsuits they’ve got pending says they want nothing to do with this place.

The small-town strip at the north end offers a small ferry service and town tours. Some growth has occurred in population numbers here as a few apartment and condominium complexes have been built. The island has a construction limitation, as no buildings can be higher than three stories. They don’t want massive towers, and they require any uprooted tree to be replaced.

Blake Island

Blake was a state park for years but about a decade back it was sold to a private investor. That investor turned out to be the Sea Dragon and Blake was recently outed as the first foothold of the Sea Dragon. It’s small, and almost all of the official residents are aquatic or amphibian.

The island is riddled with caves, either made by the Sea Dragon or discovered by her. Those caves are also now home to a large alchera. The Sea Dragon brings over arcanists to study it regularly and has moved a small population of changelings, spirits, sentient non-metahumans, and extraplanar entities to the island, but it has no formal residences or town.

Occasionally adventurous tourists land and stroll around, but since the news of the Sea Dragon’s ownership got out those numbers have dropped.

Nikko Island

Located to the north of Bainbridge just off the Salish coast, Nikko Island is a manmade island built by Shiawase to act as a research and development center and to flex their heavy industry muscle.

It’s not a regular place to visit to non-Shiawase personnel and it also has a reputation as a home for cast-offs from the traditionalist Shiawase culture. It holds those who have profit value but do not conform to the norms of Shiawase’s expectations.

That means its a hair more welcoming to non-Japanese, metahumans, and non-traditional lifestyle individuals (from the strict views of traditional Japan).

Tanjo Island

Tanjo is Evo’s answer to Nikko and a demonstration of the vast differences in the current level of Evo’s aquatic engineering techniques and Shiawase’s. Nikko is just off the coast and sits on a shelf in the Sound. Tanjo was constructed from the deepest point Evo could find, and they built it without obstructing cargo traffic lanes. It’s still an island, as it is built from the floor of the Sound, but it sits out in Elliot Bay, its deepest foundational pylon sunk into the seafloor at 185.1 meters.

The top looks like an island about a kilometer across, but below the surface is a series of tree-trunk-like structural lattices filled with research labs, an underwater hotel, resident apartments, aquatic farms, storage structures, and tons more.

On the surface, Tanjo looks like any normal island. It has a nice lip of beaches and harbors, one of which leads to a central bay. The slight rise to the center is littered with evergreen trees and local flora, and the roads around the island wind through the woods and terrain as if it was a real island and not completely planned by metahumans. The main town has a popular strip right when you step off the ferry, full of bars and restaurants that draw tourists who enjoy the wild atmosphere. Below the surface is an abundance of research labs that Evo leases to other corps.

Thesis Island

Thesis Island is located not far off the small shoreline of Fort Lewis (and technically should be part of Fort Lewis, not Outremer), but the islands out there are all lumped into Outremer - ignoring Hat Island, since no one cares about Hat Island.

Thesis is Ares’ island, and they’ve been looking to sell it, but no one is buying right now. Several parties are interested, but they’re all waiting for Ares to either collapse completely or to be desperate enough to sell it for a sweet deal.

It’s smaller than many of the other artificial islands and is now practically half-abandoned. It’s got a dying ghost town vibe as Ares has pulled much of their staff to other locations and trimmed non profitable projects, which this place was full of.

Ares still keeps a skeleton crew there to provide security and monitor current projects.

Thesis’ current gatekeeper is Major Michelle Brint of Hard Corps. She’s the head of the security detail on the island. The fact that Hard Corps is the island’s security is telling of where this island sits in the Ares hierarchy of importance. Major Brint is well aware of her dead-end job and thus has a couple side gigs set up from Thesis. She lets some “worn out” arms slip off island rather than hit the furnace. She also does a monthly invitational for locals looking to win a survival prize.

Places of Interest

Aqua Serenity Hotel

Type: Hotel

Rating: ★★★★

Price: ¥785

Location: Tanjo Island

Description: The jewel in Tanjo Island's hospitality crown, the Aqua Serenity Hotel is cut in half lengthwise with the waterline, with its rooms intended for metahuman habitation split between surface level rooms and sub-waterline rooms that look out into the surrounding waters. They also look into the other half of the hotel which is completely submerged and offers the same amenities and the hotel boasts a completely amphibious staff to meet the needs of each guest as they come up.

The decor is, in a word, otherwordly and it routinely ends up in listicles and screamsheets as a Seattle "must visit" location.

The hotel concierge, Kitrin, is a very helpful free spirit. She connects people with activities across Seattle and has a strong knowledge of Tanjo, Outremer, and all the coastal regions around the Puget Sound.

Kitrin is a spirit of the Salish Sea, which is the great body of water that the Puget Sound is part of. She’s directly connected to the waters and all their coasts. Protection of the region is key, and she has been known to sway the opinions of scientists who risk damaging the waters with their experimentation.

Blake's Alchera

Type: Alchera

Location: Blake Island

Description: No one has actually managed to get down into the deep of the alchera other than those Sea Dragon has hired.

Rumors as they stand state that the alchera leads to a place where casting magic is volatile and difficult, and then beyond that access to a metaplane of water filled with crystalline cities.

Cutter's Cave

Type: Bar

Location: Ketron Island

Description: Cutter’s Cave on Ketron is the hub of island madness.

Everyone goes there when they are on the island. It’s built from a former garage that they claim was the Mayan Cutter’s, but proof is thin. Shadow work on the island, which does happen, often gets contracted here, as it has enough traffic to cover up runners coming in. Unless you can’t blend in, then stay in the boat and let your front person do their job.

Maya at the Cut runs the place and she’s the best source of islander data you can find.

Onigiri

Type: Fusion Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥¥

Location: Tanjo Island

Description: Named so for the shape of the restaurant itself - a huge, rounded glass triangle sitting at the top of a picturesque emerald hilltop - Onigiri is a world-class Russian-Japanese-African restaurant that usually are only found inside of Evo arcologies or enclaves.

Onigiri has an emphasis on the Japanese side of cuisine, with the Russian and African elements coming in as complimentary and often as uniquely new fusion dishes. Of particular note is the the steak and irio Japanese curry as well as sukama wiki ramen and the chicken muamba rice balls.

Saltwater

Type: Bar

Location: Tanjo Island

Description: Despite the name, Saltwater is a fully terrestrial bar which caters exclusively to non-aquatic peoples, usually metahumans.

The theme of the bar is the deep ocean and its lighting reflects the darkness of the depths, accented mostly by sparse pieces of lighting and AROs which add atmosphere and make it a great place to feel like you're in a much smaller bar than you are.

Shoreline

Type: Nightclub

Location: Tanjo Island

Description: Shoreline is a half aquatic club frequented by almost everyone who comes to the island or lives on it.

Its theme is fresh, and the presentation is next level. The aquatic portion is accessible from the normal interior, but it also has its own aquatic entrance that air-breathers occasionally use just for a little thrill.

Sushi Imamura

Type: Japanese Restaurant

Cost: ¥¥¥¥

Location: Nikko Island

Description: This Michelin-star rated sushi restaurant is the prize of Nikko Island and a big taste of home for the majority of the residents.

The dining room itself only seats 20 individuals and the owner/head chef Izanagi Imamura only opened it up in 2082 after finishing his 18-year long tutelage at a famous Neo-Tokyo sushi joint.

Sushi Imamura's bar is located in the wall itself, providing a separate izakaya-style experience for those willing to sit down in the adjoining alley where the kitchen is. It's not glamorous but it has almost double the seating of the interior and seemingly seeks to evoke the cramped, comfortable eateries of modern Japan.

Its a popular meeting spot for Teno Ikisawa, a a local infobroker with connections to the Yakuza.

The Invitational

Type: Illegal Recreational Event

Location: Thesis Island

Description: This illegal underground fighting ring happens once a month, and with Seattle's independence a lot of ex-military are keen on it.

Between 10 and 30 contestants come to Thesis and fight it out to reach a goal point. Reaching the goal is a minor prize reward but then a fight to the finish is instigated for the final winner.

These are not blood matches, and killing is not necessary. Every contestant is given a collar camera, and all they need to do is record their opponent as unconscious, verbally surrendering, or dead (the cam has also has a biomonitor to report death). Brint prefers less death because it’s easier to clean up.

The contestants are not the only obstacles on the island. Plenty talk about mysterious deaths or strange feelings when in the woods. Be wary if you take this gig.

The North Star

Type: Nightclub

Location: Tanjo Island

Description: The North Star is the "lowest" of Tanjo Island's multiple entertainment offerings. It's a step up from most locations on mainland Seattle but it pales in comparison to buildings just across or down the street.

What sets it apart is its affordability and hours - the North Star is a miniature Red Light District in a five story building, with two underground levels dedicated to amphibious pursuits as well as an indoor freshwater lagoon and jacuzzi for added opulence.

North Star also offers practically every vice imaginable short of killing someone. Prostitution and drugs especially are well-controlled by a gang personally recruited by the management, all of which have been given the blind eye by security.

Its open late, its kind of tacky, and the music selection never strays from the Top 40 but the building is lit up all night and it keeps people coming through the door.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse