Cara, the Everchanging
"Faces! Get your faces here! Last season's models are fifty percent off! We have the latest ideas from Genio and from the grand artistes themselves! Get your hands on the Blue Steel now! The Lord-Mendicant approves!"
Demographics
Humans of the Glitterati
Government
The Grand Tastemaker is the final word in what is currently in or not. It is they alone who decides what words are trendy, what fashions are chic and what music is cool.
Industry & Trade
Imports: Ideas, Paintings, Sculptures, Music Textiles, Flesh
Exports: Fashion, Paintings, Sculptures, Music, Faces, Other designer body parts
History
Created 400 years ago by the Diva, Zhannel Black, this settlement was made into one of the biggest fashion hubs for the strange aesthetics of the humans known as the Glitterati.
In the city's 10th year, it came under attack by Capra raiders. None of raiders survived. The next day, Capra masks and Capra-horn necklaces, earrings and head accessories were all the rage. The week after, all of them were tossed into the Malagazy River like so much refuse.
The first centennial led the way into the city's "White" period. This led to the citizens coloring everything (including the Bundk Fazhon mountains and the twin rivers) in various shades of white in honor of the Alabaster King.
The second century was the city's "Sombre" phase, as the streets were bedecked by garlands of bronze, silver and vermilion. Poor Risen were hung on light fixtures and awnings with new replaceable faces set in moods of merriment and festivity. All in the name of the Lord of the Forge.
The Lord-Mendicant was the guest of honor for the third century's "Oro & Plata" years. The esteemed 3rd seat and leader of the Church of Song spent several years partaking of the city's pleasures with the Glitterati who managed to get close to him being the talk of the town all the way into the present day.
Architecture
A riotous mix of glass, artificial and natural lighting and neon glow litters the city streets. Each building modular and seamless, subject to the whims of the architects and designers. Streets, signs and even buildings can change in a minute and those who aren't into the fashion zeitgeist can quickly find themselves at best lost, and at worst, rendered into raw material for next season's designs.
Geography
Situated on a flat plain bordered by two rivers and in the shadow of the Bundk Fazhon mountain range, the city is perfectly situated to produce various lighting and humidity conditions in order to create the products of trends that change by the minute.
by Pete Linforh
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This is a very cool take on the idea of industry and trend setting. You do a great job at setting the feel for the city without getting bogged down in lengthy descriptions. It really captures the essence of things going viral and being an influencer. One thing I'd like to know more about is how the city rapidly adjusts to changing trends. How do people know when something new is "in" and the old trend is "out"? You mention that the buildings and scenery can change seamlessly, but it's not clear if it's through magic or technology. I'm also interested in how the city's phases interact with the rapidly changing trends. From how the history reads, the city phases last relative eons compared to changes in culture. Finally, I was really intrigued by your opening quote about changing faces, though it's not elaborated on further. Is turning imported flesh into designer body parts a major industry here? Overall, this is an extremely creative article, and the language is clear and understandable. I'm not sure if this is someplace where I'd like to live, but I imagine visiting would be quite the experience. This was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more about your world.
Heya Liz! I plan on expanding this when I have the time after finishing all the other prompts for Summer Camp. On the issue of faces, the Glitterati can change their faces like one would change masks or socks. They basically just pop them out or remove them. Some are basic flesh and blood while others are made of metal, wood and other more esoteric materials. There are a lot of things that still need context here particularly a lot of the terms and organizations and I hope that taking part in SC will help me flesh out the world more.