Requiem
OOC Note: Requiem is the setting of Dystopia Rising: New York. For more information about the game, please visit their official website HERE.
Summary
The town of Requiem was founded by a number of outcast and criminal clans from neighboring areas that independently settled the former 'no-man's-land' known as The Fold, and soon after formed a loose confederation by Treaty. They formed the town of Requiem to be a 'neutral ground' and place of doing business that all Families could share, located a short travel distance away from each of the respective Family's primary holdings. Requiem itself has re-located on several occasions, keeping the name, general compositions, and legal frameworks each time.
By law, there are at most 13 'Families', divided into 'Patron' Families which are independent, and 'Ward' Families which are sworn to a higher Paton Family as vassals. In practice there are also several minor groups that vye for influence and the opportunity to become Families. Ruling over the settlement (and, nominally, The Fold as a whole) is the High Lord Executioner, who serves as a dictator with the authority to execute any individual for any reason they deem pertinent (hence the name).
At the end of each Summer, during an event known as Honor's Fall, the laws are suspended and the Families take out their past grievances on one another and compete in a murderous competition to eliminate all but one of the Family Heads in an attempt to gain influence and vye for social standing. The Family that has the last Head still standing can appoint a new High Lord Executioner.
Town Infrastructure
Requiem is a small collection of compounds mustered in the vicinity of a shared Great Hall. Most of the compounds are controlled by individual families, who see to their facilities and security separately. The town has no exterior wall or border defense, and as a result regularly suffers from incursions by hordes of Undead and Raider war parties. Power infrastructure for the settlement is likewise decentralized, with each compound having its own power generation. There are a few communal water pumps that also service shared bathouses.
Local Families
The Anastasia Dynasty
The dominant Family of The Fold, as well as the Family that controls most of the area's connections to the underworld of the Merican Spanse. The Anastasia Dynasty has help the position of High Lord Executioner since its inception, managing to hold onto it at each Honor's Fall so far.
The Boone-Helm Collective
Consisting of maniacs, cannibals, and twisted 'artists', the Boon-Helm serves as a refuge for those with practices too extreme for 'normal' society. In addition to wanton violence, they are known for their 'art exhibitions', with pieces frequently made from the flesh of their enemies (and sometimes, allies).
The Bloodwraiths
Tribal mercenaries with an expertice in fighting the Undead, particularly large monstrosities and the products of foul experimentation (such as those of the Zodiac Collective). They serve as the premeir Undead exterminators in Requiem and are a crucial element to the defenses of The Fold.
The Molon Collective
Made up of reclusive hermits, outcasts, and loners, the Molon Collective oversees the health and stability of the local Mortis Amaranthine. They hold a particular disdain for Grave Robbers and others who interfere in the natural cycle of Life and Death.
The Nostras Dynatsy
A militaristic group with an antagonism for the Anastasia Dynasty that recently battled their way into a Patron Family position in a protracted war against the settlement of Requiem, the Nostras now participate actively in the power-brokering and jockeying of political Families within The Fold.
The Stevensons
An isolationist collective of dedicated Nuclear Family adherents, the Stevensons focus on agricultural and infrastrutual development, as well as foraging and salvaging of resources. They are responsible for many of the Public Works throughout The Fold.
The Tarrarians
Tunnel dwellers primarily made up of self-described 'monstrous' strains, they oversee the security and maintanance of the tunnel networks beneath Requiem for both legitimate and illicit use. Their mastery of the tunnel networks makes them adept smugglers and logisticians.
The Volkov
Generally seen in blue hooded robes and white porcelain masks bearing a painted nightshade flower, the Volkov are The Fold's prime information brokers and spies. Having fingers in all corners of Requiem's politics, few in The Fold are better at keeping their own secrets and uncovering those of others.
The Zodiac Order
A collection of madmen and 'luminaries' who have sacrificed much of their individuality in order to join a psionic subconscious, the Zodiac Order are known for delving deep into the mysteries of the world and, particularly, the nature of the Undead.
Wastlander-Led Families
The Anderson Ambrosios
A generally hospitable group dedicated to kindling the flames of Faith within Requiem (where preaching is outlawed), the AA's (as they are commonly known) provide shelter, sustainance, and blessings to locals and travelers of all Faiths while lobbying politically for greater tollerance of faithful practices.
The Brokentooth Clan
Originally a tribe of Northern Lascarians, the Brokentooth Clan is now one of the longest seated Families, and takes a particular interest in providing protection and hospitality to citizens of Requiem without Family membership.
The Devils
Primarily concerned with patrolling the roads in and out of Requiem in order to keep trade routes secure, The Devils are a rough-and-tumble group of Diesel Jocks and their associated that follow a traditional 'ride club' culture and structure.
The Lonely Streetz
A chapter of a broader Wasteland gang originating out of Old York, Lonely Streetz fashions themselves as the premier providers of vice and entertainment within Requiem.
Other Major Groups
None Currently Known
Wastlander-Led Establishments
ACME Labs
Local Laws
- Requiem is open to all who can enter. If someone breaks the law within its borders, kill them. So says the High Lord Executioner.
- If a citizen is murdered, the killer shall be killed in kind. If a Family Member is murdered, the killer and one of their closest associates shall be killed in kind. So says the High Lord Executioner.
- Theft and destruction of property is fined at the return of or the worth of the property. If it is a Family Member’s property the fine is doubled. So says the High Lord Executioner.
- Lying, willfully or due to willful ignorance, by deceit or omission, to the High Lord Executioner is punishable by death. So says the High Lord Executioner.
- Speaking the names of any Family that no longer has bonds to the living world is punishable by death. So says the High Lord Executioner.
- In all matters, all laws are superseded by the will of The High Lord Executioner except the Rite of Honors Fall. So says the High Lord Executioner.
Mortis Characteristics
The Mortis Amaranthine in and around Requiem is, to put it mildly, not well. The constant cascade of murders, violent conflicts, and paranoia have rolled together to greate one of the least stable and safe Mortis Amaranthines in the Wastes. Known for regularly collapsing morgues, spewing forth hordes of mutated Undead, and occasionally spawning huge Undead Monstrosities (sometimes assited by the efforts of the Zodiac Collective), the local Mortis has rarely (if ever) been in what could be considered a 'healthy' state. Any individuals performing any manner of Grave Dives or ther similar proceedures are advised to exercise extreme caution (both from what they may encounter as well as from the likely retaliation from the Molon Collective).
Contributing Authors: John Bastille
