The City of Olympia
The city of Olympia is a bastion of hard won culture and civilization. It is not without its own internal issues with crime, violence, and struggles between those who have access to money and those who do not; however, any member of the city will put those aside the moment things from beyond the city begin to threaten. Beyond the walls, manned by the GateWatch, lay the untamed Wilds. The average Olympian has never left the walls, and stories run rampant about what that world must look like. Stories tell of great, canyon-like, abandoned cities from before the Horrors, of roving tribes of savages, of broad, open areas, and of course, legends of tomb raiding long forgotten Arks for the secret histories of the world and the LOStech of prior generations.
Demographics
Government
The governing body of the city is the Council, which is made up of two elected representitves from each of the Octants as well as three Gatewardens.
All citizens and visitors to the city are required to follow the Basic Laws of Olympia as set forth by the Council.
Defences
The Ward Walls
Olympia is surrounded by two sets of walls. The Outer Ward Walls, which are partially carved into the side of the mountain and encircle the entirety of the city, providing protection from both Raiders and Horrors. And the Inner Ward Walls, which surround only the Octants, dividing the city between Inner and Outer, though there are no longer any gates that prevent access and most roads travel freely between the two.
Security
The Oracles provide city-wide protection Inside the Ward Walls of Olympia. They have stations within each Octant and have a strong presence in places like Hermes, Zeus and Aphrodite. In addition to the Oracles, private security and 'neighborhood watch' type groups can be found throughout the Boroughs and Octants.
Outside the Ward Walls, the city is protected by the GateWatch. Any exit or entrance into the city requires access via a checkpoint, though getting in is more difficult than getting out. In addition to the gates themselves, the Gatewardens also man lookout towers just outside Olympia to keep watch for Raiders and Horrors that may attempt to attack the city.
Industry & Trade
The majority of industry and trade happens within the Ward Walls of the city. Each Octant has its own products and services they export to the other Octants and the economy is perpetually in motion. Less often, trade happens between Olympia and Tribes or Communities within the Wilds, providing much-needed items for medical, defensive, or technology purposes.
Infrastructure
Octants & Boroughs
The city of Olympia is divided into 8 sections called Octants, as well as the central Hub, each with its own unique function. The Octants primarily are places of business, though most have some residents that live above shops, within small urban communities, and in apartment buildings. The Octants are surrounded by the Inner Ward Walls.
Just outside the Inner Ward Walls are the districts that house the Boroughs. These communities developed over time and have their own individual cultures and function as suburbs and neighborhoods for their nearest Octants. Generally speaking, people tend to live in a Borough near the Octant where they work, though this is not always true. At the outer edges of this area are the Outer Ward Walls, which press up against the mountains on the northen half of the city and allow exit into the Wilds in the south (within Ares jurisdiction), and are protected by the Gatewardens.
Transportation
CityLink
The average person uses public transportation to travel throughout Olympia. Called the CityLink, these trains travel to every Octant, with multiple station stops at each, as well as beyond the Inner Ward Walls to the Boroughs. Most Boroughs have at least one station near by, though the further out toward the Outer Ward Walls you get, the less likely you are to find a station within close walking distance.
Inter-Octant Travel
Many Octants, and some Boroughs, have their own internal transportation available, such as trams, people movers, and carriages.
Private Transportation
In additon to the CityLink, bicycles and motorcycles are not entirely uncommon modes of transportation within the city. Small cars, trucks, and vans exist, but are very expensive and some areas of the city are barred to vehicles.
Outside the City
With a distinct lack of paved roads, the primary modes of travel through the Wilds are via horse, motorcycle, or ATV. The GateWatch is known to possess some larger vehicles, armed and armored, but these are rarely seen.
Districts
In Olympia, the primary areas of the city are referred to as Octants. These 8 Octants and the Central Hub, located inside the Inner Ward Walls, house the majority of the jobs within the city. Just outside of these areas, located bewteen the Inner and Outer Ward Walls, are the Boroughs. Octants and Boroughs vary in population size but typically can be considered to follow the guidelines below.
Small: a village or small town (1,000-9,000)Medium: a town or small city (10,000-99,000)
Large: a city or metropolis (100,000+)
Hermes
The center of Olympia, it is the communications and informational hub of the city. This central 'downtown' is surrounded by the 8 Octants had has no Boroughs.
Zeus
The main seat of government for Olympia, home to the courts, internal law enforcement, and the governing Council of the city.
Boroughs
Dionysus
The octant that never sleeps, it is the entertainment capital of Olympia.
Boroughs
Aphrodite
Luxury goods and services are the purview of this Octant, where the wealthy treat themselves to the finer things.
Boroughs
Apollo
The place to find knowledge, higher education, and the latest research.
Boroughs
Ares
The home of the GateWatch and primary defenses for the city.
Boroughs
Hephaestus
Technological innovations, industry, and production of goods is the focus of this Octant.
Boroughs
Demeter
This octant provides all of the raw plant and animal products for the city, with agriculture and livestock.
Boroughs
Hades
The octant that handles the waste processing, from trash and recycling to interring the dead.
Boroughs
Guilds and Factions
With the 8 Octants and a multitude of Boroughs, many factions call Olympia their home.
Religion
The primary, and only recognized, religion in Olympia is a loosely organized faith called The Light. In order to avoid many of the issues of ages past, The Light has no set clerics or priests, no official religious leader, and no particular iconography yet still functions as a community of people whose goal is to work together for a better Olympia.
Gangs and Organized Crime
As with any major city, organized crime and gang activity are an unavoidable issue. They flourish in the dark alleys and the shadows, and range from small groups just trying to survive to complex organizations with tiered rankings akin to a corporation. In general, these groups can be found just about everywhere, though they are careful to keep their activities quiet.
History
Originally established in the year 0 DF by the Founders, the city has grown exponentially in the three centuries since. It has not always been peaceful, however. A period of civil war tore the hardwon peace of the city apart between 102 and 104 DF as arguments over who should control the city devolved into open bloodshed and fighting. The eventual Reunification of the city, however, brought its inhabitants closer together to work toward a common goal.
This newfound togetherness was tested beginning in 110 DF as outside forces began to assault the city in the hopes of taking it for themselves, only to be rebuffed time and again. Known as the Siege Period, it lasted for nearly a century as the city worked hard to secure its defences and construct what would become the Octants. Eventually, however, the assults ceased and the city was able to truly focus on its advancement.