Golden Slice
A gilded slice of fortunes won and fortunes lost.
The Southern Canton of the Kirinal Concordance Zone, popularly known as the "Golden Slice" covers the southmost wedge of our circular Zone. It is overseen by the High Table, an oligarchic assemblage that ultimately follows the directions of House Molndal. Fortunes are made and lost there every day in corporate board rooms and at the gambling tables in the many casinos.
People will tell you that you have to be of noble birth to matter in the Golden Slice, but they're wrong. Coming from a noble house helps, but if you're rich, they don't care who your daddy is. I visit to gamble on the Gilded Way or watch a show. I get free drinks, based on some'a my past exploits, but I know better than to trust anyone!
The most southern region of the Kirinal Concordance Zone, known as the Golden Slice, is officially controlled by the High Table. Unofficially, everyone knows that House Molndal actually rules with impunity. Those who sit at the High Table know to take their cue from the Duke or risk the loss of their position, power, or even their lives.
Wealthy families from around the world and multiverse gather in the Southern Canton to take advantage of low taxes and lax regulations. They encourage investment with laws that protect landowning citizens, and encourage the flow of money through their gambling houses. Hunting villas dot the Outer Ring of this Canton and the parties and festivals held there are legendary throughout the Zone.
If you can afford it, the Golden Slice is a gilded heaven on Erathia.
The Arch of Abundance
The gold-leafed Arch of Abundance provides access through the southern reach of the Pit Wall. It is acknowledged to be the most beautiful Gate in the Zone. The gaudy door is adorned with sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting the victories of the Legions of Light. Some question the wisdom of using decorations that can double as hand-holds to defend against multiversal invaders, but the Defenders stationed on the Wall have planned for that..
On Days of Peace, the doors are thrown wide open and those who can pay the toll can cross into the manifest. The tolls on people and tariffs on goods crossing the Arch are a major source of income for the Canton.
On Days of War, the gates are sealed and the Arch's decorations are covered in a golden field of force, still visible as a source of inspiration for the Legion and to awe and intimidate their foes.
The people of the Slice most enjoy when the Gates are thrown open after a successful Day of War and the triumphant Legionnaires and CDL Players come through to the ovations of grateful citizens and fans.
The Triumph of Sir Jasper Thorne
The day's competitions had ended JT and the Roses left everyone else in the dust. They'd made the trifecta: highest score, biggest body count, and richest haul. I'd bet big on them, and Lord Jasper Thorne had just made me a pile of gold!
Lucky me, I was on duty at the Southern Gate, the first to greet the victors as they returned to the Gilded City.
They came into view as the sun dipped towards the rim of the Pit, a line of weary warriors glowing in the setting sun. The Roses rode ahead of the column, laughing and drinking from half-empty wineskins. Their carts overflowed with spoils, strange technology and the riches of the other world. Even the plundered beasts were strange things, scaled oxen with burning green eyes.
In front of them all strode a smiling man with red skin, hat tipped rakishly, and a gilded saber at his side. Lord Jasper Thorne, the tiefling of the hour. He waved jauntily to the crowd of soldiers and reporters gathered at the Arch.
When he reached me, I snapped to attention and saluted. I tried to hide my grin, but he caught it anyway.
"That's the smile of someone who's made some money, innit!?"
"Yes, my lord! I put my life savings on you and the Roses, and you proved me right!"
His smile grew even broader. "Good man!", he clapped my shoulder. "The Light shines brightest on the faithful!"
Then he was gone, striding through the Arch of Abundance as the crowd parted before him. He rode the cheers like a wave. He seemed to grow brighter, each step leaving behind afterimages of gold.
He vanished into the gleaming city.
Now, how should I bet on tomorrow's games? JD and the Returners are on the schedule, and that Veoric supposedly changed his pact again. I could double my money!
Bulwark of Light
The spires of the Bulwark of Light rise from the southern edge of the Kirinal Pit like a grove of spears. They are constructed from light gray marble and embellished with gold and blue roofs and banners. At dawn and dusk, an optical illusion causes the entire structure to glow red while the roofs turn black.
The Bulwark is manned by the Legions of Light, members of the Order of Light nominally devoted to Rampol, the God of the Sun. The Legionnaires are almost exclusively humans and tieflings. They are supplemented by Scalykind troops from the Bluestar Alliance who serve as shock troops.
The Rosy Postgame
Lord Thorne, how were you feeling when the cyclopes showed up?"
The red skinned tiefling replied with a soft voice that belied his martial prowess, "It was summat we'd prepared for since the Manifest revealed. The signs pointed to giant spoor. The rookie, Lanta, prepped our artillery defense, and it paid off. I'm real proud of her!"
"Lord Thorne, we saw footage of you on the front line, what do you say to those who call your tactics too risky?"
He smiled, flashing the megawatt grin that was on a thousand recruitment posters. "I'd say to check the scoreboard and tell me if I was risky, or if I was right. Early in my career, you guys said I was reckless and short-sighted. Now you call me gutsy and decisive. All I can say is, I've been the same fighter all along!"
"There's talk of you being promoted to Lord Commander. Care to address that rumor?"
He adjusted his gilded saber and glanced up to the current Commander in his balcony. "I'm in the middle of the season here and I'm just focused on winning." He nodded up to the Bulwark, "Lord Commander Hringo's been doing a great job for the past two decades, and he's the Grand Duke's nephew. I can't worry about that. I'm just focused on the next Day of War."
"One last thing, Lord Thorne, rumor says the Roses are celebrating tonight at the Bayani-Sun Casino. Should your fans expect an appearance?"
The tiefling looked right into the crystal ball with a smirk, "It's on the list, but let's be honest, most of you won't get in where I'm going!"
Aurumopolis
The Gilded City of Aurumopolis is the playground of noble houses and wealthy merchants. Known as the "Gilded Zucchini" and "the Coin", it's the financial center of the Zone. Aurumopolis hosts multiversal banking houses and gambling halls alike. If something is for sale, you can find it in the Coin.
The holy temples of Solargate sit a few blocks away from the casinos of the Gilded Way, and some say that the Profit Houses make more mony than the gambling dens and brothels combined.
Working class people fill The Cannery and Wool Road where factories and foundries process goods harvested from the Manifest.
Roses & Thorne at Play
Excuse me sir, is this Lord Thorne's table? Has he been by tonight?"
I looked up at the fawning couple, a pair of dwarves, rolling in coin, by the beer they were drinking, but nouveau based on their bad tailoring and hoop boots.
I put on my biggest business smile. "Nice to meetcha! Name's Sly Spenser and this here's my table! But you're right, young Jasper does sit here when he visits the casino!"
Their eyes went wide. "You know Lord Thorne?!"
"Know 'im?" I laughed, "I practically raised 'im! He was just an urchin running odd jobs for me around the Zucchini afore he hit it big!"
An explosion of noise clattered down from upstairs where the riffraff were packed in shoulder to shoulder. The boy's high clear voice rang out. All eyes turned to the handsome tiefling as the crowd parted.
"Speak of the devil." I murmured to the dwarves' backs as they rushed forward for handshakes and autographs.
He caught my eye and nodded, the corner of his mouth twitched. I leaned back, admiring how he worked the room. He knew every dealer and regular by name. When the tumult hit its peak he raised his mug, "First round's on me!"
The room erupted. As the crowd crushed the bar, he slid into my booth.
"Spence! We hit it rich! You should see all the..."
"I already have it tallied up," I interrupted, "Congrats! You made your vig!"
Jasper visibly relaxed and signaled to the bartender, a brain in a jar who mixed drinks with telekinesis. "This One! My usual!"
"The months over in a few days." I said as I stood up to leave. "Don't be late again."
As I stepped away and my crew silently shadowed me, I heard him say. "I've got a wife and kids waiting at home. I'll see you lot on the training grounds!"
I'd seen it a hundred times, a young buck burning bright before burning out. But I made my money. Every time. Jasper Thorne would be no different.
Brass Crossing
The town of Brass Crossing sits on the Outer Ring rail directly south of Aurumopolis. It serves as a supply hub and staging ground for the wealthy hunting lodges and opulent villas scattered across this stretch of the Golden Slice. The tradesmen, suppliers, and laborers who keep the Coin running live here when they're not tending to their bosses.
Life in the Crossing is busy and unpolished. Its people value honesty, craftsmanship, and hard work. They're never afraid to get their hands dirty.
Jasper's Homecoming
I had spent all of my winnings on strong drink and stronger whores. All for my crew, nothing for me. I took what joy I could from their revels. I was too empty to feel anything myself. I had delayed long enough. It was time to go home.
I walked the Golden Road south to Brass Crossing in the dark under a starless sky. No sword in my hand, no pistol at my side. I'd lost my scapulars and wards at the gambling tables sometime before midnight. If a dark spirit or aswang found me, I wouldn't have fought back.
I reached the Crossing a few hours before dawn. I wandered through its tidy streets, looking for anything to delay the inevitable. Nothing was open, only bakers stoking their fires for the morning's bread.
Unwillingly, I came to my lodge. I remembered how proud I'd been when I bought it. How it bustled with servants and life. Now there were no lights, the garden was overgrown, and the door was ajar.
As I crossed the threshold, I whispered, "Lovely, I'm home."
No answer of course. As promised she was gone, and our children with her.
"Welcome home, Lord Thorne!"
Of course, I recognized the voice.
The Devil sat in my chair, drinking the last of my bourbon, and reading a letter addressed to me.
"Titivilus", I sneered, "I already sold you my soul. What else could you possibly want?"
"Lord Thorne! I know you're upset, but that's no excuse for bad manners!"
He stood and handed me the glass and the letter. "I'm simply here to check in on my investment! Sad cuckolded souls are way less valuable than happy ones!"
I scanned the letter. Lovely had left me for a rich lord back in Molndal. Our children had been cloistered away on her parents' estate. I tossed the letter in the fire.
"I'll apologize to you like I did to my wife. I'm sorry I'm a spendthrift. I'm sorry I owe more than I could ever repay to loan sharks. I'm sorry I was never home. But I was never unfaithful." I spit on the floor and looked the Devil in the eye. "And I hope you choke on my soul when you finally take it."
"Oh Lord Thorne," Titivilus grinned, baring his fangs. "I gave you wealth, fame, and a lovely wife, only for you to fritter it away on baubles and your so-called friends. What would you say if I could make you richer and even more famous?"
A laugh barked out of me. "What else do I have to give? I've got nothing left."
The devil's grin widened, "Now this is where it gets interesting!"
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