New Arkham

New Arkham is the largest and most populous city on Acheron Prime. The population is incredibly diverse, consisting of corporate executives, scientists, engineers, skilled workers, and a vast underclass of service workers, laborers, and the unemployed. In addition, there is a constant influx of itinerant visitors, such as corporate dignitaries, traders, and mercenaries, who come to the city for business, commerce, and other activities.
New Arkham is a city of contrasts, where the wealth and power of the corporate elite are juxtaposed against the poverty and desperation of the lower classes. It is a sprawling metropolis with a complex infrastructure, advanced technology, and a deep-rooted criminal underworld. The city’s architecture reflects its dual nature, with gleaming skyscrapers towering over gritty, decaying streets. Governed by the powerful Corporate Consortium , New Arkham is both a symbol of the potential and the perils of unchecked corporate power, a place where opportunity and danger are never far apart. For those who live in or visit New Arkham, it is a city of endless possibilities and constant peril, where the future is shaped by those who have the power to seize it.

Government

New Arkham is governed by a corporatocracy, with the city being divided into zones controlled by various mega-corporations. These corporations essentially act as city-states, each with its own laws, security forces, and administrative systems. The Corporate Consortium of New Arkham is the ultimate governing body, composed of representatives from the most powerful corporations operating in the city. This council oversees city-wide policies, infrastructure projects, and inter-corporate relations, ensuring that the various factions maintain a delicate balance of power.
Taxation in New Arkham is heavily tied to corporate interests. Each corporation imposes taxes and fees on its employees and tenants within its zone, with a portion of the revenue going to the Corporate Consortium for city-wide services such as infrastructure maintenance and security. Laws vary from zone to zone, with corporate regulations often superseding any overarching city laws. However, the Council enforces some general laws, particularly those related to trade, public order, and environmental controls, which are crucial for maintaining the city's overall functionality.

Defences

New Arkham is heavily fortified, with multiple layers of defenses designed to protect the city and its valuable assets:

• Automated Defense Systems: The city is equipped with a network of automated defense systems, including anti-missile batteries, drone swarms, and laser turrets. These systems are controlled by AI overseers and can respond instantly to any external threat.
• Corporate Security Forces: Each major corporation maintains its own private security force, which patrols its enclave and the surrounding areas. These forces are well-armed and highly trained, equipped with advanced weaponry and surveillance technology.
• City Walls and Shield Generators: The most critical areas of the city, such as the Spire District and Industrial Sector, are surrounded by fortified walls and energy shield generators. These defenses are designed to repel both conventional attacks and more exotic threats, such as orbital bombardments or EMP strikes.
• Surveillance Network: New Arkham is blanketed by a comprehensive surveillance network, with cameras, drones, and sensors monitoring every corner of the city. This network is controlled by the Corporate Consortium and is used to detect and prevent threats before they can materialize.

Industry & Trade

Key Industries
New Arkham is the industrial and economic powerhouse of Acheron Prime, with a diverse economy driven by several key industries. The city’s economy is primarily fueled by advanced manufacturing, high-tech research and development, and the production of consumer goods. The city is also a hub for interstellar trade, with its strategic location and extensive infrastructure making it a vital point of commerce in the Acheron System.
Advanced Manufacturing:

• Weapons and Military Equipment: One of the most important industries in New Arkham is the production of advanced weapons and military equipment. The city’s industrial sector includes vast factories and foundries where everything from personal firearms to starship weaponry is manufactured. These products are sold to both private military contractors and government forces across the galaxy, making this industry a cornerstone of the city’s economy.
• Cybernetics and Robotics: New Arkham is a leader in the production of Cybernetics and robotics. The city’s corporations are at the forefront of developing advanced prosthetics, neural interfaces, and autonomous drones. These products are in high demand across the galaxy, particularly in regions where conflict or hazardous environments necessitate the use of such technology.
• Consumer Electronics: The city also has a thriving consumer electronics industry, producing everything from personal devices to home automation systems. New Arkham’s electronics are known for their cutting-edge design and reliability, making them popular among the galaxy’s middle and upper classes.
  

High-Tech Research and Development:

• Biotechnology: New Arkham is home to several leading biotechnology firms that specialize in Genetic Engineering, pharmaceuticals, and advanced medical treatments. These companies are responsible for many of the galaxy’s most important medical breakthroughs, and their products are exported to medical facilities and research institutions across the stars.
• Artificial Intelligence: The city’s research labs are also heavily involved in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. These technologies are applied in a wide range of fields, including autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, making AI one of the most dynamic sectors of the city’s economy.
  

Resource Extraction and Refining:

• Metals and Minerals: Although much of Acheron Prime’s natural resources have been depleted, New Arkham still benefits from the mining and refining of metals and minerals from the planet’s remaining deposits. These materials are crucial for the city’s manufacturing industry and are also exported to other parts of the galaxy.
  

Energy Production:

• Fusion and Geothermal Energy: The city is a major producer of energy, particularly through its fusion reactors and geothermal plants. This energy is used to power the city’s massive industrial sector and is also exported to other colonies and settlements within the Acheron System.

Trade
New Arkham’s strategic location and extensive trade infrastructure make it a key hub for interstellar commerce. The city’s trade is facilitated by its state-of-the-art spaceports, which handle the constant flow of goods in and out of the city.
Imports:

• Raw Materials: Despite its own resource extraction efforts, New Arkham still relies heavily on imported raw materials to fuel its manufacturing sector. These materials include rare metals, exotic elements, and other industrial inputs sourced from across the galaxy.
• Food and Agricultural Products: With limited agricultural capacity on Acheron Prime, New Arkham imports a significant portion of its food supply from other planets. These imports include everything from staple grains to luxury foods, which are consumed by the city’s diverse population.
• Luxury Goods: The city’s elite demand a steady supply of luxury goods, including fine wines, high-end fashion, and rare art. These goods are imported from various parts of the galaxy and sold in the city’s upscale boutiques and markets.
  

Exports:

• Weapons and Military Equipment: As one of the leading producers of advanced weapons and military technology, New Arkham exports these products to governments, private military companies, and mercenary groups across the galaxy. This industry is a major source of revenue for the city.
• Cybernetics and Medical Technology: The city’s biotechnology and Cybernetics industries produce some of the most sought-after products in the galaxy. These include advanced prosthetics, medical implants, and cutting-edge pharmaceuticals, all of which are exported to other worlds.
• Consumer Electronics: New Arkham’s electronics are exported to markets throughout the Acheron System and beyond, contributing to the city’s reputation as a center of technological innovation.

Intra-System Trade:

• Resource Distribution: New Arkham plays a central role in the distribution of resources within the Acheron System. The city imports raw materials from other planets and refines them into finished products, which are then exported back to those same planets or to other systems.
• Technological Goods: The city’s high-tech industries supply much of the Acheron System with advanced technology, from AI-driven systems to industrial machinery. This intra-system trade is crucial for maintaining the economic stability of the entire region.
  

Key Economic Drivers

• Corporate Influence: The economy of New Arkham is heavily influenced by the mega-corporations that control the city. These corporations dictate much of the city’s industrial output, trade policies, and economic priorities. Their influence ensures that New Arkham remains a dominant force in the galactic economy, with a focus on profitability and technological advancement.
• Technological Innovation: Innovation is at the heart of New Arkham’s economic success. The city’s corporations and research institutions are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible, developing new technologies that drive economic growth and create new markets.
• Strategic Location: New Arkham’s location on Acheron Prime, combined with its advanced infrastructure, makes it an ideal hub for trade and commerce within the Acheron System and the broader galaxy. This strategic advantage helps the city attract investment, talent, and resources from across the stars.
  

Conclusion
New Arkham is a city sustained by its robust and diverse economy, driven by advanced manufacturing, high-tech research, and a strategic role in interstellar trade. The city’s industries, particularly in weapons, cybernetics, and consumer electronics, ensure that it remains a key player in the galaxy’s economic landscape. Its position as a trade hub, combined with the influence of powerful mega-corporations, keeps New Arkham afloat and thriving, despite the challenges posed by its harsh environment and deep social inequalities.

Infrastructure

New Arkham is a vast, multi-layered metropolis with an extensive and advanced infrastructure. The city is a marvel of engineering, blending futuristic technology with the gritty aesthetics of cyberpunk noir.

• Residential and Commercial Areas: Skyscrapers dominate the skyline, housing millions of residents in compact, high-rise apartments. These buildings are often mixed-use, with commercial spaces on the lower levels and residential units above. The wealthiest residents live in penthouse suites and private complexes, while the lower classes are confined to crowded, deteriorating apartment blocks.
• Industrial Complexes: The city's industrial zones are massive, housing power plants, manufacturing facilities, and research laboratories. These areas are crucial for the production of advanced technologies, weapons, and consumer goods. The factories run 24/7, belching smoke and steam into the sky, contributing to the city's tainted atmosphere.
• Transportation Networks: New Arkham has a sprawling transportation network, including elevated rail systems, underground subways, and skyways for personal and corporate vehicles. The city's transit systems are efficient but crowded, with the lower classes relying heavily on public transportation while the wealthy use private vehicles or corporate transport services.
• Power and Utilities: The city is powered by a combination of traditional energy sources and advanced technologies, including fusion reactors and geothermal plants. A complex network of sewers, water treatment plants, and atmospheric processors ensures that the city's basic needs are met, although the lower levels of the city suffer from frequent power outages and water shortages.
• Corporate Enclaves: Each major corporation has its own enclave within the city, featuring state-of-the-art offices, research labs, and secure facilities. These enclaves are heavily guarded and often walled off from the rest of the city, with their own private amenities and infrastructure.

Districts

New Arkham is divided into several distinct districts, each with its own unique character and purpose:

• The Spire District: The heart of corporate power in New Arkham, the Spire District is home to the headquarters of the most powerful corporations. Towering skyscrapers dominate the skyline, and the streets are lined with luxury boutiques, high-end restaurants, and exclusive clubs. This district is heavily policed by corporate security forces, making it one of the safest but least accessible areas of the city.
• Industrial Sector: Located on the outskirts of the city, the Industrial Sector is a sprawling zone of factories, warehouses, and research facilities. This area is a hive of activity, with heavy machinery operating around the clock. The air is thick with smog, and the streets are filled with workers, transport vehicles, and drones. It’s a gritty, dangerous place where accidents are common, and the rules are dictated by the corporations.
• Lower Levels (The Underbelly): The Underbelly refers to the lower levels of New Arkham, where the city’s underclass resides. This area is a maze of narrow streets, crumbling buildings, and makeshift shantytowns. It’s a place of poverty, crime, and desperation, with little oversight from the city’s authorities. The Underbelly is home to the city’s black market and criminal organizations, as well as countless struggling citizens.
• The Neon Strip: The entertainment district of New Arkham, the Neon Strip is a vibrant, chaotic area filled with bars, clubs, casinos, and theaters. The district is bathed in the glow of neon signs and holographic advertisements, and it never sleeps. This is where people come to escape the grind of city life, but it’s also a place of vice and danger, with criminal elements operating openly.
• The Haven District :  The Haven District is home to the city’s small but persistent middle class, offering a delicate mix of affordable housing, entertainment, shopping, and essential services. Nestled between the industrious hum of the Industrial Sector and the electrified chaos of the Neon Strip, the Haven District is a sanctuary for those striving to climb the socioeconomic ladder.
• The Fringe:  The Fringe is the desolate, liminal borderland that encircles New Arkham and stretches northward toward the spaceport of Acheron's Gate. It serves as both a physical and symbolic boundary between the urban sprawl of the city and the barren wastelands beyond. Scarred by failed Terraforming experiments and ravaged during the Corporate Wars, The Fringe is a mixture of ruins, blasted landscapes, and pockets of tenuous habitation.

History

New Arkham was founded as the first major settlement on Acheron Prime, built by the early colonists and mega-corporations seeking to exploit the planet’s resources. Over the centuries, the city grew rapidly, becoming the economic and political center of the Acheron System. As the corporations gained more power, New Arkham evolved into a city-state governed by corporate interests, with the Corporate Consortium emerging as the dominant authority.
Throughout its history, New Arkham has been a focal point of inter-corporate rivalries, technological innovation, and social stratification. The city has endured numerous challenges, including industrial disasters, worker uprisings, and external threats, but has always managed to recover and grow stronger. Today, it stands as a symbol of both the power and the dangers of unchecked corporate influence.

Points of interest

• The Spire: The tallest and most iconic building in New Arkham, the Spire is the headquarters of the Corporate Consortium and the center of power in the city. It houses the offices of the most powerful executives, as well as the Consortium’s meeting chambers and luxury penthouses. The Spire is a symbol of the city’s corporate dominance and is visible from almost anywhere in New Arkham.
• Neon Plaza: Located in the Neon Strip, Neon Plaza is the heart of the city’s entertainment district. It’s a bustling square filled with holographic advertisements, street performers, and crowds of people from all walks of life. Neon Plaza is a popular gathering place for both residents and tourists, and it’s known for its vibrant nightlife and eclectic atmosphere.
• The Ironworks: A massive industrial complex in the Industrial Sector, the Ironworks is one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the city. It produces everything from advanced weapons to consumer electronics and is a key component of New Arkham’s economy. The Ironworks is a place of constant activity, with workers, machines, and vehicles moving in a synchronized dance of production.

Tourism

Tourism in New Arkham is driven by the city’s reputation as a center of innovation, culture, and corporate power. Visitors come to experience the futuristic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and cutting-edge technology that define the city. The Neon Strip is a major draw for tourists, offering a wide range of entertainment options, from high-stakes gambling to avant-garde theater.
Business tourism is also significant, with corporate executives and entrepreneurs visiting the city to negotiate deals, attend conferences, and explore investment opportunities. The city’s luxury hotels, fine dining establishments, and exclusive clubs cater to these high-profile visitors, offering them a taste of the city’s opulence.

Architecture

The architecture of New Arkham is a blend of sleek, futuristic design and gritty, industrial elements. The city’s skyscrapers are tall and imposing, with reflective glass facades, neon accents, and holographic displays that project advertisements and information. The lower levels of the city are more utilitarian, with exposed steel beams, rusted metal, and graffiti-covered walls.
The city’s public spaces and corporate enclaves feature cutting-edge architecture, with innovative designs that incorporate sustainable materials, advanced technology, and green spaces. The Spire, in particular, is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with its sleek lines, towering height, and integrated energy shield.
In contrast, the residential areas and lower districts are more functional and less aesthetically pleasing, with overcrowded apartment blocks and deteriorating infrastructure. The stark difference in architectural styles reflects the city’s deep social and economic divides.

Geography

New Arkham is located in a region of Acheron Prime that was once rich in natural resources. The city is built on the ruins of old mining operations, with many of its foundations resting on ancient industrial sites. The surrounding landscape is a mix of barren wastelands, polluted rivers, and the remnants of the planet’s natural geography, including a few mountain ranges and dried-up lakes.
The city itself is a sprawling metropolis that stretches for miles, with multiple layers and levels built atop one another. The highest levels are home to the city’s elite, while the lower levels descend into the Underbelly, where the poorest residents live in squalor. The city is constantly expanding, with new districts and industrial zones being added as the population grows and the demand for resources increases.

Climate

New Arkham’s climate is heavily influenced by the city’s industrial activity and the planet’s polluted atmosphere. The air is thick with smog and toxins, particularly in the Industrial Sector and the lower levels of the city. Atmospheric processors and air filtration systems are essential for maintaining breathable air, but even in the best-maintained areas, the air quality is poor.
The city experiences frequent acid rain, which corrodes buildings and infrastructure, contributing to the city’s gritty, decaying appearance. Temperatures are relatively stable, but the city can be oppressively hot in the summer due to the heat generated by industrial activity and the dense urban environment.

Type

Megalopolis

Population

Approximately 1.2 billion residents.

Location under

Hestia

Characters in Location

• Aelira Vex
• Asha Verin
• Delara Kin
• Dr. Elara Morn
• Kael Drayven
• Orin Klyne
• Seris Kaine
• Tarin Voss