The Cities
Alaxis
An important Obscure City located in the Eastern part of the Continent, north of Urbicande. Described as “sulphurous”, it is famous for its unending carnivals and celebrations 1. Its government is most complex and riddled with intrigues 2. The city is criss-crossed with numerous canals and its emblem is a cross 3. In the days of The Tower, Alaxis was known for its sleek minarets 4, but centuries later they had been replaced by enormous buildings in a gothic style, with a multitude of arches, rosace windows and ornate domes. Many traces of what we would call a mauresque kind of architecture do however remain 5. The man who realised this transformation was Paul Dufournet Horeau, for whom a monument was eventually built 6. The Temple of Valentini is one of the oldest known remains in the Obscure World 7, but Robick mentions that the top of the Second Hill, where it is built, was not left in ruins
Brüsel
(Pronounced Bruh-zel)
Brüsel is of the largest of the Obscure Cities. Located in the north-western part of the Continent, on the shore of the Neptunic Ocean. Formerly under the rule of Muhka, now directed by a College of Échevins [Deputy-Mayors] headed by a Burgermeister. French and Flemish are the main spoken languages. Starting in 736 AT, the city was completely reconstructed, but this change took many years to accomplish, and only at the cost of immense difficulties 1. According to Urbatect Eugen Robick the city is good for a detour. Especially the difference between the mighty Palace of the Three Powers and the small streets below is well worth a visit 2. Short after the visit of Eugen Robick the city started several building projects. “It is more cost efficient to do several projects at the same time, then sequential.”, according to George Snul 3. The river Senne was over-roofed, neighbourhoods were demolished and skyskrapers were build. Most projects were lead by Freddy de Vrouw. Soon the building plans ended into a chaos of corruption. The corruption scandal brought the city to the edge of bankruptcy4. After many years of trouble they finished the works, giving Brüsel a new face.
Brüsel is of the largest of the Obscure Cities. Located in the north-western part of the Continent, on the shore of the Neptunic Ocean. Formerly under the rule of Muhka, now directed by a College of Échevins [Deputy-Mayors] headed by a Burgermeister. French and Flemish are the main spoken languages. Starting in 736 AT, the city was completely reconstructed, but this change took many years to accomplish, and only at the cost of immense difficulties 1. According to Urbatect Eugen Robick the city is good for a detour. Especially the difference between the mighty Palace of the Three Powers and the small streets below is well worth a visit 2. Short after the visit of Eugen Robick the city started several building projects. “It is more cost efficient to do several projects at the same time, then sequential.”, according to George Snul 3. The river Senne was over-roofed, neighbourhoods were demolished and skyskrapers were build. Most projects were lead by Freddy de Vrouw. Soon the building plans ended into a chaos of corruption. The corruption scandal brought the city to the edge of bankruptcy4. After many years of trouble they finished the works, giving Brüsel a new face.
Mylos
The most frightening of all Obscure Cities, where workers are integrated to the machines and production takes precedence over everything else. Its brick architecture is quite bland, and a multitude of chimneys constantly spew clouds of thick black smoke. Located on the west coast of the Continent. Hometown of the Von Rathen family. Mary is sent away from the city as the bad quality of the air might be the cause of her leaning.
Samaris
An Obscure City that sits almost exactly on the Equator, close to the Sea of Silences, hence its damp climate. A protectorate of Xhystos, ruled by a Governor, it has for emblem the Drosera and it is apparently physically impossible to take photographs. The city was already in existence at the time of the construction of The Tower. It is quite isolated and difficult to reach; those travellers who come back are often struck by the Samaris Effect.
Sodrovni
A major City located north of Mylos, capital of Sodrovno-Voldachia. Its winters are very severe, and there is a whole network of underground passages for the convenience of pedestrians. Mary Von Rathen visited the city after she left the boarding school. Here she met the Robertson Circus.
Urbicande
The inhabitants of The Tower may have possibly known a town of that name around AT, but the “City of Cities” was officially created only in 673 AT, when the towns of Bartoline and Urania joined together. The currency did not include banknote, but only square coins. Only the South Shore was reconstructed according to the plans of Robick, traffic across the Drouma river being severely restricted. Strangely, it was the South Shore that got the most sun, while it should have be the reverse; since the city was built at the bottom of a ravine located north of the Equator. This phenomena may have been a side-effect of the presence of the Cube which, in 735 AT, grew into a Network that covered the city, then the whole Continent. Urbicande was a town built to be impressive, and it did not age gracefully. It was shaken flat by an earthquake in 738 AT.