Workers District
As Largest District in Wholstad, this part of the city is filled with many people and many places. It is also the city's industrial heart. Turmoil grows in this district, like a mounting presure.
Excerpts from the "Wholstad Wailer Newspaper". Thursday, the 5th of September, First Day of Spring edition:
In recent months, a war has been raging between The Unions and The Factory Owners. As tensions rise, the tactics of both sides seem to also rise in intensity and fall in decency.-
-Several of the Winter Protests have continued into Sping-
-several (of the protests) have turned into Riots, luckily many have died down quickly, either killed by Pinkies or on thier own time-
-the length of these Riots, thier size and thier fury have only been growing.-
-The Redcoats (W.U.P.S) recently made a statement declaring that "we cannot afford to intervene on either side," an incorrect statement, but that they also "Will do our best to keep both sides contained and will arrest any found with the guilt of breaking law." their final statement of the night was that "any party who dares harm the city will be met with the full force of All Nine Irons."-
-as Spring bares down upon us, melting the Winter Snows, we ask: Where do you cast your lot?
With the increasing cases of Blood Lilly related deaths, some people are begining to become paranoid especially of outsiders, others are in a strange sense of denial.
Demographics
Factory Workers
The Workers, are those who work in the factories of the district. These men (and sometimes women) leave thier homes before the Sun Rises and return after the Sun Falls. On their way to thier work they sing a song known as "The Factory's Dirge" which they use to wake up the neighbourhood, it is said "to be more reliable than a clock". They live in small homes of 3 to 4 rooms and often only have money for necessities, unless they're being paid in Company Tokens.
"Pinkies"
Mercinary work often requires a lack of morals, as such; these gentlefolk insist on being called "Pinkies". The "Pinkies" are a hired group of "freelancers" who were originally hired by the Factory Owners to assist in negotiations between the Workers and themselves. For a time, they greatly assisted in keeping things civil even assisting in the abolishment of several policies. However, after the death of Booker Hobbs (a factory worker who was killed by a factory owner) and the resulting riots, things have changed. Currently, assisting in negotiations means threats, violent beatings and the forceful cessations of protests.
The Higher Lows
These kind folk live in the district but possess a higher education and training in fields such as engineering or doctoring. Being of the lower class, it can be very difficult to move out of the district as such, these people are forced to stay. Being possessed of a more valuable classification, these folk do not need to work in the factories, have larger homes and more spare money.
Veterans
Those who came home after a life of war (due to age, injury or other reasons) have found themselves lacking in traditional skills, as you cannot shoot an engine to death. Due to this, many have taken on less traditional jobs that utilise thier skills, such as hired transportation or home repairs. Often, these people are found performing odd jobs around the city. These folks are rejected from working in the factories due to a "liability" they may pose.
Hirelings
If you don't want to work in a factory, you become a hireling. Working in Pubs, Taverns, Hotels, Shops and similar locations, these folk do all the minor jobs that a city needs such as Cleaning and Serving.
Industry & Trade
The Refineries & Warehouses
The Workers District has many a factory, producing a variety of goods (most of which don't even leave the city). There exists 2 types of factories, Refineries; which produce refined materials such as Glass and Steel and Assembly lines; which create goods such as hammers and similar items
The factories produce goods which then have to be stored and due to how The Brusher's Wharf (now Krag Dump) is out of the picture, many of these warehouses have moved here.
Glass
Clearer than a Blue Sky! - Absconvich Glass, Advertisement Tagline
One of the two main exports of Wholstad, it's Glass Industry comprises a solid chunk of the city's income. The factory owners often do not care for their workers health, frequently neglect to tell them when the glass is going to be poured and forget to install measures to stop workers from falling into the cauldrons.
Wholstad Glass is bought and sold throughout the South-East, The Eastern Frontiers, Ferrik and Majula. It is considered to be of the highest quality for it's price and is even manufactured as stained glass for places of worship.
Steel
Wholstad's Fiery Metal Heart! - From Clayfisk Agreement Propaganda
The other main export of Wholstad, Steel is often said to be the work horse of the city's coffers. The Steel production causes a nasty black smog to arise from it's refineries which chokes it's workers and nearby streets. It also lacks many safety features, workers are frequently blinded or lose limbs to flames and molten metal.
Some special Wholstad Steel (nicknamed "Blue Steel") is said to be made with an unknown secret ingredient, which makes it particularly resonant with runes, it is made in small quantities due to the cost of production. Dwarves in particular value this metal highly.
Wholstad Frigate
Did You Know: Riding of the Rails can incur a fine of upwards of 10 Buttons?
"Wholstad Frigate is a cargo distribution company founded in 1968. Originally an Idea in the mind of a young, Fink Green, the company started with his invention of the L.I.F.T Rail System and it's S.A.D Cargo Cars. Offering the patents and pitching his idea to many of the City's elites, almost all laughed him out of the room. All except one, desiring to remain anonymous the individual invested a large initial fund in the idea, alowing it to become a reality. Since 1968 (when the L.I.F.T rail was installed), the company has rapidly expanded throughout the city and acquired many wealthy patrons." -Excerpt from the "One Track Mind" plaque located outside Frigate Central.
Wholstad Frigate's L.I.F.T rails weave throughout many of the city's districts, main roads and side alley's. In 1971 a young woman thought it might be an absolutely cracking idea to be able to ride these rails and invested a device she called the "Rail Hook". The Rail Hook was a magnetised, handheld device with a tri-rotating "arm" system that used Street Urchin Infusions as fuel, it allowed the user to jump up to the L.I.F.T Rails and ride them. Wholstad Frigate heavily discouraged use of these due to the several dangers presented in thier use, mainly due to how the Rails were designed for Cargo and not people. Eventually, riding on the rails was criminalised (though not the device itself) and accidents involving the device decreased, though the device can still be seen in use sometimes.
In next year, the patent on the L.I.F.T Rail System and the S.A.D Cargo Cars will be lifted. Many larger companies are interested in this and several seek to nationalise the L.I.F.T Rails that are already in existence.
Infrastructure
Roads are well worn, made of cobbles and stones. Occasional roots or pot holes form, these are typically fixed within the month. The streets are often long and winding, branching off into smaller roads.
Wholstad Frigate has installed various "Cargo Rails" around the city, all leading back to this district and thier headquarters. Someone once invented a strange handheld device that allowed them to ride the rails, this practice was quickly discouraged and penalised due to the danger it posed to the riders.
Gas pipes have long since been Installed and integrated into the District. Elektricity though, has yet to arrive due to the expence it's instaltion would amount.
Plants and Fruit Tree's line the homes in this district, Flowers bloom in window side plant boxes and Vines climb up the sides of buildings. Whilst it often feels like the residents have to beat back the plant growth with a stick, it certainly does add to the districts charm and the freshness of it's air.
Districts
The Smoke Column
Named as such due to the large cloud of smog that emanate from it, this collection of Glass and Steel Factories produces the main exports of Wholstad. Has a small collection of homes within, typically occupied by the near destitute.
Twisted Streets
Most homes in the Workers District reside in this sub-district, named for it's spiralling layout and the buildings habits of leaning inwards, over them.
Frigate Central
In order to support Wholstad's lively industrial complex and reduce the traffic on the roads, some fellow who was as bright as a button figured out a way to staple a railway system to the sides of buildings and thus Wholstad Frigate was born. Frigate Central is where all of the various cargo crates come and go, it's the most interlinked place in the city and it sits in the middle of the Workers District.
Guilds and Factions
The Unions
If They Hit'cha? You Hit 'em back, Harder.
Created by the Workers of the Factories, this group desires to defend the rights of various Industries Workers, improve their pay and force factories to do something to stop Workers from dying or crippled in them.
The Clayfisk Confederacy or "Factory Fat Cat's"
Molten Blood of Gilded Veins.
A conglomerate, umbrella term for all of the Factory Management Staff and Owners. They cannot think of another way of things, they think that the Workers are over-exaggerating their claims about workplace safety and believe that since the current system has worked as long as it has, why change it? They are not cruel, just ignorant.
The "Pinkies" (also known as "Rucker National Detective Agency")
Private Law Enforcement & Investigation.
Created to act as a form of private law enforcement, this group has become widely known in the city for their use of violence and threats to resolve problems.
Hirelings
"Private", meaning "We have a Shotgun"!
Many fall outside of the category of Workers, Pinkies, etc. These folk are independent and often trying to make their own way, they don't want to cause or receive any trouble.
Wholstad Frigate
No Free Rides! But Speed and Safety Galore!
It's Cargo is often seen flying through the district, they attempt to create and keep order, they often fail. Relying on one side of a conflict but agreeing with another is a tough line to tread.
History
The Death of Booker Hobbs
Originally a Factory Worker of Little Renown, on the 21st of July 1972, he became a Martyr. Whilst exiting the Steel Mill Factory, he was struck down in the street by an unknown Foreman, who had exited the building close behind. The Foreman rushed up behind Booker and began to admonish him about a piece of poorly produced steel that he (the foreman) held in his hand, before striking Booker across the back of his head with the metal. This blow, instantly breached Booker and released his Shade. His Shade was unable to be placed back into Booker in time and he perished. Several other Workers witnessed this. It is unknown what happed to the Foreman, some accounts say he fled others, say that he was killed either by the workers or by Bookers Shade. The Workers who witnessed this event spread the word and as such, the first Winter Riot Began.
The Winter Riots
Beginning on the 21st of July with the Death of Booker Hobbs, the already brewing tensions between the Union's and Industrialist's exploded leading to widespread striking and protesting, followed by Rioting. Over the winter of '73 the tactics used by both sides escalated continuously, leading to a increasingly volatile situation. Eventually, on the 12th of September, the W.U.P.S managed to broker a temporary peace between the sides. This peace still holds, barely.
Points of interest
131 Elk St. Twisted Streets.
A squat, 6 room (+ a cellar) house, differing to others along the street in appearance. While those from outside the city may think it small, for it's location; it's massive. A Lieutenant rents this home from a Liquor Lord, who owns many properties in the city. This home has the fortune to sit in a more lavish portion of the District, somehow, the rent is below standard.
132 Elk St. Twisted Streets.
A Small 2 Floor Slit home. 2 residents live here, each on their own floor which is exclusive to them. A Gardener lives on the Bottom Floor and an Engineer lives on the top floor. The stairs to reach the top floor are slightly out of the way, almost discouraging their use. The Split house is owned fully by it's residents and only neighbours 131 Elk St.
03 Sott Boulevard. Floor 4. The Smoke Column.
A cramped apartment consisting of only 3 rooms. The windows are constantly getting covered in soot and needing to be cleaned. The Owners of the property are rather negligent and often forget to forget basic landlord duties such as: Repairing things, cleaning, amenities and collecting rent. Rented by an down-on-his-luck Forge Worker who used to be a Leadcoat until he lost a Hand.
45 Hughes Way. Apartment Block A. Twisted Streets, bordering The Smoke Column.
A completely empty building devoid of furniture, the only signs of life are either the months old footprints from workmen or the signs of a rat occupation. Due to a Black Mold infestation in a few of the apartments, the whole block was shut-down. Whilst the mould is gone it still hasn't been re-opened 6 months later.
Barnel Cellar Tavern, 24 Appleford St.
A Tavern located underneath a Hotel, or maybe in it's cellar? It only sells varieties of Beer and cheap Mead. Both are frequently diluted with rain water and have a mixture of honey and spices added to mask the taste. Sometimes used as a Forge Workers United Union meeting place. Has been raided by Pinkies twice.
Architecture
Homes are tightly packed, often less than 4 meters wide and frequently possessed of 4+ stories. Most "homes" are actually apartment blocks owned by landlords, some of whom forgot that they even owned the place.
Several Large apartment blocks exist around the district, requiring one to enter and proceed up stairs to find the desired abode.
Climate
Frequently warm and slightly humid due to the melting snows.
Dust and Smog clouds are common in portions of the district but usually aren't an issue.
Natural Resources
Plants of all kinds cover the district, lending to it's relatively friendly atmosphere.
It's large population also results in a large workforce.
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