SHADOWS ANGELUS III
AN OVERVIEW OF ANGELUS
Features of Angelus
Angelus is a city literally built upon a foundation of advanced technology. The level of advancement in Angelus is higher than nearly anywhere else in the world outside of government or corporate research laboratories. Items such as the ubiquitous databand are common on the streets of Angelus, but coveted and rare elsewhere, for example. VTOL air vehicles are also becoming more common, although normal ground vehicles remain in the majority. Two of the city's most iconic images are its distinctive skyline and a glimpse of Diogenes Street in Gamma Sector, all aglow with neon and LCD advertisements—many such screens attached to small floating blimps that constantly crisscross the region.
Another well-known feature of Angelus is the frequent rain and/or fog that permeate the city. Massive turbine-like engines known as “hydrolizers” keep the city afloat and safe from the vagaries of the ocean, but in turn, these devices are responsible for the odd weather patterns that continue to plague the city. Hoods, cloaks, and long gloves are all in fashion for Angelus dwellers, but petitions to the city government remain unheard—until a better system is found to keep the city afloat, the hydrolizers will remain a daily part of Angelus life.
The hydrolizers not only keep the city in one place—they provide a means to move the city (albeit at a nautical snail's pace!) out of the path of incoming hurricanes for safety reasons or to maneuver so that the city's fishing and salvage operations will run more efficiently (and more friendly to the ocean's environment). The city moves on a seasonal basis, although emergency maneuvers have occurred at least twice in its history. Most Angelus citizens don't even notice when the city is in motion, but there are telltale signs that longtime residents have learned to recognize.
City Sectors
Angelus is divided up into 12 main sectors, each one designated for a specific purpose. Occasionally, sectors will outgrow themselves and will be absorbed or divided up. Residents of the crowded Iota Sector, for example, are lobbying (unsuccessfully) for additional space.
Here is a list of the city sectors along with some of the highlights of each:
Alpha Sector
Alpha is where the rich and powerful of Angelus live. Much like Beverly Hills in old Los Angeles, Alpha Sector is famous for celebrities, mansions, and luxury shops that are far outside the price range of most middle-class citizens. Many gated communities and golf courses can be found here along with a high percentage of private security firms and banks.
Highlights: The Von Riemann Opera House is world-renowned as one of the finest and most opulent theaters ever constructed. Rumors abound that secret passages and hidden trapdoors are scattered throughout, but for the majority of visitors prefer merely to attend gala events held monthly.
Beta Sector
A middle-class residential district.
Highlights: Beta Sector is home to the "lucky" 13th Precinct of XSWAT and to the Kannagara Jinjya Shinto Shrine, a transplant from vanished California.
Gamma Sector
A shopping district modeled on Tokyo's Ginza and Shinjuku markets, Gamma Sector is a hyperactive beating heart of commerce in Angelus. Anything for sale can be found here in Gamma Sector, and many of the city's most advanced technology winds up either shilling for its cousins or on display for the right price.
Highlights: Along with several notable nightclubs, the Angelwing Cathedral can be found here.
Delta Sector
Angelus's industrial district, Delta Sector employs a significant portion of the citizenry in various factories and construction yards here. Everything from luxury cars to power loaders to micro-transceivers are built and packaged inside this sector.
Highlights: St. Francis Hospital, highly-awarded for its quality medical care, can be found here. In addition, the largest city park is in this sector as well—Phoenix Gardens.
Epsilon Sector
A low-rent district, Epsilon continues to struggle out of the "ghetto" description. Many apartment blocks and cheap housing can be found here.
Highlights: A portion of Epsilon is known as "Chinatown", although that name is somewhat misleading. Ethnic Asians from all over the world have congregated here to form a small pocket inside Angelus unlike any other. Sushi bars sit next to Chinese herbalist shops next to Thai hairdressers. Rumor has it that many of the residents of Chinatown practice Eastern magic.
Omega Sector
Formerly Kappa Sector, a terrible accident has saturated the region with radioactive material. Omega Sector is a restricted zone and is off-limits to all citizens.
Highlights: Kappa Sector used to be well-known for its beautiful statue garden that inspired several poems and songs. That once-dreamlike place now only exists in recorded format.
Zeta Sector
The center of technology in Angelus revolves around Zeta Sector. Computing firms, technology corporations, and specialized service groups all make their home here.
Highlights: The University of Angelus has its main campus in this sector.
Iota Sector
Another middle-class residential district, Iota is beginning to become somewhat crowded with new homes and businesses. Traffic in the region has become a particular concern.
Highlights: The Hyperdome stadium, home to the popular Lace & Steel fighting tournament, is at one end of this sector.
Omicron Sector
Skyscrapers and polished chrome reflect the corporate district of Omicron Sector. The main offices for many world-spanning mega-corporations can be found along Archimedes Avenue.
Highlights: Omicron hosts the D11 (pronounced dee-one-one) Racetrack. Hoverbike races are particularly popular at this venue.
Sigma Sector
Sigma Sector is the hub around which the rest of Angelus revolves. The home of City Hall, all major government offices and foreign embassies are placed within Sigma Sector. Clean and well-lit, Sigma is an attractive location for couples and visitors.
Highlights: The city capitol and XSWAT HQ are here in Sigma Sector. In addition, the Darwin Memorial Art Museum is a popular tourist destination and hosts galleries from some of the world's most finest and creative artists.
Phi Sector
Another middle-class residential district, Phi is a troublesome district where many rallies and political demonstrations begin. Phi has the highest crime rate of all sectors.
Highlights: The Tourney Field, a theme bar, has its main location here. Other well-known bars include Chesty's, Irish Glen, and Saturday Nightz.
Rho Sector
The tale of Rho Sector is a tragic one—originally, Rho was scheduled as a massive construction project to create a self-sufficient pan-corporate arcology intended to bring new jobs and dramatic growth to the city. Unfortunately, the funding for the project dried up in a maze of scandal and embezzlement, leaving the project abandoned halfway through. Rho Sector today is a low-rent ghetto with large amounts of crime and poverty. A few enterprising residents of Rho Sector have begun to turn things around with a revitalization program and have turned Hawkins Alley into a relatively safe and trendy region.
Highlights: Sterling's Steakhouse is reputedly the best restaurant in the city.
Other Regions
The Wharf District is like a ring surrounding the rest of the city. Composed entirely of ports, wharfs, warehouses, and other such naval facilities, the Wharf District is vital to the city's operation. Fisheries and shipyards employ a large number of city residents, and power loaders work 24/7 loading and unloading ships.
Offshore, there are quite a few floating casinos and other unusual attractions. At least one artificial island has been constructed specifically for Power Armor bouts, both in nonlethal competitions (jousting, stunt "obstacle course" runs, and so forth) and lethal arena-style matches.
Lastly, the city's construction incorporates a system of access tunnels and maintenance areas that are (erroneously) collectively called the "steam tunnels." Criminals commonly refer to this region as the Underworld. Periodic sweeps by city workers are intended to reduce squatters, but significant gatherings of malcontents and criminals have been detected in the past hiding out down in the steam tunnels and it is suspected that this region facilitates a healthy smuggling trade.
The Twilight Skyline of the City of Angelus
Return to Shadows Angelus II