Fort James
The smallest of the Western city-states, Fort James is also the newest, established in the early 12th century by the James Clan to exploit trade between the northern and southern Hemispheres. The original settlement was located several kilometers east of the Gamma Maglev, built around a sinkhole that provided water from the MacAllen Network. Over the cycles that followed the settlement grew to encompass the impressive station and its attendant support industries, becoming the hub of a vibrant regional economy centered on transport and cereal processing. By the 14th century James dominated trade across the eastern portions of the Great Western Plain and into the Marathon Basin, and served as a local capital for many colonial interests.
With Earth's withdrawal, the settlements riches attracted many unsavory groups who sought to rob the settlers of their wealth. The township was raided many times, sustaining considerable damage and prompting the establishment of a local militia and the construction of rudimentary fortifications. The cost of defending its interests sapped James' economy and the city's rulers welcomed alliances with their neighbors, slowly establishing order in the region. They were a little wary of moves to unify the settlements of the Great Western Plain into a massive Confederation, the WFP, but were eventually persuaded that their loss of influence would be more than offset by regional stability. Indeed, James' economic importance guaranteed it a place among the settlements selected as regional defense hubs and fortified, and there was even some discussion about making James, now Fort James, capital of the new WFP. Fort William eventually won out, though James remained the center for Western commerce.
In the War of the Alliance, the city-state's role as a transport nexus made it a major target of the CEF. Fortunately, the bulk of the Earth forces concentrated on the UMF and the Mekong Dominion, and so efforts to seize the city-state were halfhearted. Nonetheless, the colonial troops were able to penetrate the defenses and take control of much of the city before they were finally driven out. The bitter street-to-street fighting devastated the city, and large areas have been rebuilt over the last 20 cycles. So far, the city-state has escaped direct attack in the Interpolar War though the economic fallout from the conflict has been devastating. A center for black-market trade, Fort James has also been the site of several battles between the Wounded Knee cartels, though the heavy WFPA and WIA presence has persuaded most of the Wounder groups to take a more cautious approach.
Demographics
Something old, Something new
The principal transport hub of the WFP, Fort James attracted a vast number of immigrants, and has the highest proportion of new clans in the league. This has colored public perceptions of the First Clan/new clan divide and newcomers are held in equal regard to those who can trace their roots back before the formation of the WFP. Almost. Several First Clans remain adamantly opposed to the influence the immigrants have gained but, faced with new clan dominance of finance and industry in the city, they have had little choice but to accept them as equal partners. This friction tends to manifest itself in subtle ways: seemingly innocuous snubs, accidental omissions from guest lists and the like. The First Clans are careful to avoid giving direct offense, but they leave little doubt about their regard for what they perceive as interloper clans.
The dominance of the new clans influences Fort James in other ways too. Excepting the most hidebound First Clans, the population is open and accepting of newcomers, in stark contrast to both Fort Henry and Fort William. There is a willingness to go out and make new acquaintances, particularly among new immigrants to the city and most new arrivals can expect to be adopted into an existing clan. Several clans have, however, been accused of doing this for less than altruistic motives. Rather, they head-hunt newcomers to the city to advance their own cause. Members of the Peters Clan have the worst reputation for this, often going though records of new residents to seek out those who have new and unique skills, then offering them a "deal" to join the clan. Though supeificially advantageous, these deals rarely benefit the immigrant in the long term, turning them in many regards into indentured servants.
Fort James has a strong youth counter-culture, spurred on by the constant influx of disaffected juveniles (minors are rarely consulted about moving to the Protectorate). As in Fort William, shock is central to this youth rebellion but Fort James' small size has prevented the establishment of a fully-fledged "shock culture" in the city. Instead, it is limited to the city's music scene, particularly the clubs and discos of the Calle del Norte and the Calle de Don James
Government
Let them eat bread
The First/new clan divide is at the heart of political machinations in Fort James, but it is far from the only conflict in the city-state. The Enfranchisement Movement is very active in local politics, working to represent the interests of new immigrants and the city's clanless. The movement itself is undecided on the best course of action, and its disparate member-organizations are often as not at odds with one another. At the instigation of Southern agents, the Libertine Sect has staged a number of terrorist attacks against WFP and CNCS targets in the city. They have also targeted several rival groups, throwing the Movement's agenda into chaos and confusing the WIA investigators who, until the attacks on the Western Democratic Alliance offices, believed they were dealing with SRID saboteurs or a Mekong Ghost Squad.
The rise in unemployment caused by the war has prompted a major increase in tensions in the city, resulting in a number of protests among the citys clanless.
Industry & Trade
- Transport
- Foodstuff
Transport Economics
Viewed from the air it is readily apparent that Fort James is the transport hub of the WFP. The city-state appears to be encircled by a web of roads and railways and bisected by the elevated Gamma Maglev. It comes as no surprise that Western Railways, the largest rail company in the CNCS if not on Terra Nova, is headquartered in the city. Western Rail prides itself on the range of destinations it sewes and the cost-effective, if not quick, service. Its greatest source of revenue is bulkshipment of goods, and the low price of such transport means it is often more cost effective to ship goods to Fort James for processing than it is to build local centers.
A classic example of this is cereal processing, most of which is done in vast processing plants alongside the railway lines in the southern sectors of the city. This is turned into flour, animal feeds and a wide range of ready-to-eat products, and has also led to Fort James becoming the baking capital of the CNCS. Most use proprietary blends of flour, producing a wide range of breads, cakes and pastries that are much sought after across the north. Most popular are those flavored with liqueurs or Fort James Special, a sweet whisky produced locally by the Mendez distillery.
Many trading houses are also based in Fort James to exploit the city's road, rail and maglev connections. With the closure of the Gamma Maglev a number have fallen on hard times, resulting in a major upswing in unemployment in the city. Others have transferred their business to the Westridge Railway or to overland caravans destined for Port Arthur. Officially the Protectorate government condemns such actions but in reality have used trade caravans to smuggle agents to and from the South.
Points of interest
Commerce and trade dominate Fort James and have done much to shape the city-state and its inhabitants. Badly damaged in the War of the Alliance, large areas of the city are newly built. Though the rugged Western architecture typical to the forts is common, several design companies have worked to produce a more aesthetically pleasing city than either Fort Henry or Fort William.
Palacio de Crystal
Built in TN 1627 to mark the double anniversary of the city-state's founding (500 cycles) and the WFP's formation (100 cycles), the Glass Palace was intended as a temporary home for the anniversary celebrations and the attendant exhibition. It was scheduled for dismantling after three cycles, but popular appeal resulted in its retention as an exhibition center. Trade exhibitions are the staple of the complex, but political rallies and conferences such as the annual gathering of the Confederation of Western Industry use some or all of the halls. Furthermore, the Palacio is a popular concert venue and attracts many big-name acts from across the CNCS. The proximity of Fort James to the Badlands has prompted a large number of cancellations and relocations to Fort William. Fortunately, the center's owners, WestEvent, also own the Doughty Center in Fort William to which many of the events have relocated, and thus have survived the economic slump in Fort James.
There are eight principal halls on two levels, each of which is surrounded by a host of offices, meeting rooms and restaurants. Storm shutters protect the building from the ravages of Badlands tempests, retracting into the structure when not required to reveal a spectacular crystalline edifice. These shutters have also allowed the center to survive two major wars, though considerable repairs were needed after the War of the Alliance. It remains to be seen if the center will survive a third.
The K-Bar
The K-Bar is one of the few pubs on the Calle de Don James to avoid the shock phenomenon. Instead, the proprietor, Hannlon Gerald, favors the Duleman folk genre and has decorated his establishment in what he considers rural style. That the decor of the bar bears little resemblance to true rural artistic style is irrelevant; the patrons come to the bar for its atmosphere. The clientele are noticeably older than in many other venues in the entertainment strip, often seeking refuge from the youth counter-culture that dominates the area. Indeed, Hannlon and his bar staff go to great pains to keep both youthful rebellion and clan politics out of the K-Bar, summarily barring anyone who offends them in any way. The pub employs several formidable and very competent bouncers to deal with anyone who disputes the staffs decisions. Twice a week the bar has live music by up and coming local musicians, often accompanied by special promotions on food and drinks. In light of the Protectorate's participatory tradition it is no surprise that these packed events frequently turn into impromptu jam sessions, lasting late into the night.
Five Ways Administrative Center
Named for its location in central Fort James overlooking a major road intersection, Five Ways is the center of government for the city-state and its associate military regions. In addition to blocks dedicated to routine administrative matters like taxation, sanitation and highways the sprawling complex includes both the Fort James Central Court and the regional WFPA command center. The latter is predominantly subterranean, split over three levels and incorporating firing ranges, a miniature hospital and its own independent power supply. It is built to withstand almost any attack and to remain sealed for up to a cycle if needed. Since its construction in the early 19th century, rumors have abounded of secret passageways from Five Ways to various locales in the city. While at least one tunnel exists, linking the command center to the military complex in the north of the city via a miniature railway, no evidence has ever been produced to support the existence of other tunnels.
The Fallen Stonehead
Though badly damaged in the War of the Alliance, the Fort James stonehead remains one of the most significant in the WFP. It is the northernmost element of a complex of artificial constructions, the purpose of which can only be guessed at. Five kilometers south of the stonehead is a second much smaller stonehead, seemingly located in the center of a paved area. In fact, the paving and the stonehead are a single piece of rock, suggesting a massive carving effort. Another five kilometers south, and in perfect alignment with the two stoneheads, is paved stone ring approximately 100 meters in diameter. Chemical analysis suggests the paving slabs originate with the rock debris from the carving of the little stonehead, the pieces of which have in turn been shaped and polished to form a near-perfect circle. The entire structure shows a clear determination on the part of the builders, as well as considerable planning and craftsmanship. Why so much effort was dedicated to the construction of the complex remains a mystery. A succession of investigators have simply pronounced the site "of ritual significance" - archaeology-speak for "no idea."
Maps
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Fort James
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