If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.....

The newest RP sim I've decided to explore is Midian City. A dark, mysterious, and ominous place that is kind of like Hathian, with its urban grunge element; kind of like Shipyard with its futuristic feel; and kind of like a magical sim with its open mind for creatures and roleplay options.

Midian City - The Story
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21st century

Another world war come and gone.
And miraculously once again the big red button was not pushed. So the world and the life that clings ever more precariously to its surface lived to see another dawn.

Those that fought and survived the carnage of this latest high tech machine war returned home to find little had changed. And those that had no real homes dispersed like shadows into the darkness of the great sprawls of urban chaos which the world’s cities had now become cities like Midian.


Another tangled mass of past and present architectural anomalies, pushing ever upwards towards the sky, leaving its down trodden dwellers far below in the ever darkening canyons of concrete and steel. It stands alone on an offshore Island once connected by a bridge that reached across the treacherous waters of the Quinntukhat river like a great artery pumping fresh life and trade from the mainland into the cold heart of Midan.

But suddenly, 20 years back, that source of life blood had been severed.
So the Island is now once again cut off from the mainland as it had been a few centuries earlier when it was home to a leper colony. And now, as then, the world just across the water seems to have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to this city of lost souls.

You see the Government preferred not to dwell too long on the subject of Midian. It was here in 2013, in the darkest days of the war, that the “final solution tests” supposed to end the conflict, went drastically wrong, and created a radiation wasteland uninhabitable for some years after, and turned the surrounding waters into a chemical soup of decaying seafood. And this was why the bridge was closed and the city evacuated, a crude attempt to put the tragic events out of sight and hopefully out of mind.
However, after a while life did return to this blighted place. Slowly and illegally at first, a few of the less desirable elements of the surrounding states, dared the dangerous river crossing and found refuge here. Then the influx of fresh blood picked up a pace when it was realized by the criminal elements on the mainland that law and order was passing this place by.

So now far from the gaze of polite society and elected law, a new colony of sorts has arisen, except this time the lepers are of the social kind and the disease is corruption.

At first no one cared about these new city dwellers, believing that they would all be dead from radiation poisoning within a year or so, but for some reason this did not appear to be happening and as time passed and the population of the mad bad and dangerous to know began to swell, it was clear that something had to be done to at least contain the problem, if not to stop it.

So the government decided to contract out the management of the city to one of the large corporate Security companies that had begun to spring up over the past few year to compensate for the inadequacies of the understaffed and underpaid state police departments. These companies still called themselves police forces, and took upon themselves all the trappings of the state police. But they are in most cases little more than criminal cartels.

None more so than the present governing body of the island, the self styled MPD. In order to quell the flow of unsavory citizens onto the Island or at least to appear to be earning the extremely high sums of money they charged for their services , the MPD placed a heavy guard on the bridge.

But it is said that this is more a way of forcing extortionate admission fees from those wishing to escape the law of the mainland than any real attempt at blocking entry.

So Midian stands as an example of what can happen when crime, violence, perversion and corruption are mixed together and left to boil unattended in a melting pot of urban decay. The accumulated sins and excesses of men and beasts have shrouded the entire city in an unyielding night of shifting shadows and flickering lights. In this deranged little corner of the world, none hope for better, maybe just the strength to make it through the night. Here the meek inherit nothing, the poor die cold and hungry and the old and weak are prey for the strong, here the choice is simple, fight or run, hunt or be hunted.

Walk down the wrong back alley in Midian and you can find just about anything, and you probably will.


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The Factions of Midian City
Rev. May 2008
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(*Please Note: Listed below are the ONLY officially recognized factions of Midian City. And while we are open to creative new ideas, we will only be taking them from those who have first taken the time to fully immerse themselves in the city. In other words ... Don't just come into the sim and ask to create your own gang. Don't ask to create your own faction. Don't ask to run your own organization. Get to know the roleplay first. Doing otherwise will only make you look like an inept goof who has not bothered to read this notecard*)


**FACTIONS**

It is said that the Island is divided amongst the factions that rule it. More than gangs, less than brotherhoods, these factions form a delicate balance of hostile peace that keeps the city moving. Although, the direction to which it moves is anyone's guess.


((The Hounds - Faction dissolved by End of May

These boys and girls just want to have a good time, at your expense. They are the archetypal alpha male gang, who like there animal namesakes, live only for the chase. In fact, without the thrill of the pursuit, they'd have no interest in their quarry at all. If you become the object of a Hound's affection, it will step up to you and utter a single word: "Run." Every fiber of your being will be inclined to escape, but this is a mistake, because anyone who's encountered the Hounds will tell you this: they will chase, they will catch, they will play, and they will feast.))


Sarcina

Many are easily swept away by the all too feminine charms of this Pack of Females. But make no mistake - they are just as deadly as their male equivalent "The Hounds". This group is dedicated to delivering justice to the darkened souls that feast upon the innocents of the city, found operating out of the "Twilight Zone". So be aware, should you happen to stir the lust or ire of this Pack of Female Hunters you just might find yourself labeled as their prey, hunted down, captured … and subjected to their sadistic whims, at their discretion, of course.


The Shadow Stalkers

Much darker in desire and intent are this loose knit group of psychologically insane individuals who choose a very different approach to the hunt. The Stalkers do not play games with their prey like the Hounds. They wait in the shadows, and are behind every corner, under every fire escape. They are patient, they are determined, and when they spot a favored prey, they pounce, grab, and drag it into the darkness with them. What happens after that is often unspeakable, even within the city itself.


KAOS Pirates

"He left a Corsair's name to other times, linked with one virtue, and a thousand crimes." Lord Byron

KAOS Pirates are a gang that causes chaos in Midian/Apoc, sending a fisted scowl to those who seek to control them from Leviathan. Their goal is complete emancipation, anarchy till blood pours into the streets. The Pirates earned the tag KAOS due to their repeated illegal pirating of Midian City's radio airwaves. There is a dark underbelly to their purpose that even many of their own are not privy. Should this ever be discovered, most of Midian would immediately move to eradicate the Pirates. Just keep in mind, freedom is never obtained without bloodshed...and chaos, being a tool of nature, is not always particular about whose blood is spilt. You name it, if it will get a pirate what they want, never put it past them. We welcome all types of characters, be they mech, hybrid, vamp, human, what have you. If you are the sort that is offended easily by gore, violence, rape, hardcore role-play...KAOS is not the faction for you...so just a little pre-emptive warning.


The Catwalkers

A blip in the human genetic code has given birth to these half cat half human anomalies. Seldom seen on the streets, these "CATWALKERS" can be found perched high above the city on the many catwalks, upon which they are forever roaming, watching, and waiting for a chance to pounce. They love to toy with their prey. Fun loving kittens, easily amused, they just as readily squash those things that come to bore them. They are jokers and night creatures and just love to play, just like the cats they resemble.


The Nightbreed

There is also something far older that stalks the city streets. The existance of a family, who came to the island many centuries ago, is mentioned - they chose to shut themselves off from mainland society, practicing the old rites and rituals of their homelands. This gave rise to many rumors whispered behind hands, rumors about them being vampires, and warnings to better stay off the island of Midian. As time passed they were chased and hunted, though the Family never completely vanished. These are the stories of old times, and still myths and rumors twine around this Family, most of them forgotten after their mansion had been destroyed and burned down. - These days the Family has well adapted, certainly the polluted sky of Midian has contributed to shield them from sunlight, allowing them to hide their Kind within the daily routines of the city. 'The Society' is creating more and more webs to hide their true nature and grant their survival.


The Lykans, aka Skinwalkers

Some even say there are werewolves in Midian. Or at least in the surrounding desert. But these kind of rumors are easy to dismiss, arising as they do from those who are themselves little more than urban animals.
Still, every now and again the MPD will pick up some street dweller reduced to silent terror, who, when pressed for answers, describes things best left in medieval legend.
Easy to dismiss, yes, but had these strange testaments been true, then what better place could there be for creatures such as these to dwell. Here in this dark city of shadows, where the corpses of the dead have been said to out number the living. Who here would look twice at the remains of some unholy midnight feast. Keep to the light then, and leave the shadows to those things born in darkness.


Midian City Mercenaries

As in all places given over to violence as a means of settling disputes, there are those willing to sell their weapons skills to the highest bidder. The ranks of these professional soldiers of fortune had been swelled with the end of the last war as the city began to fill with those trained to kill, but whose services the government no longer wished to pay for. Such are the members of this loose knit guild of mercenaries, hit men and cold blooded killers. The guild was set up to help distribute trade and stop internal fighting between the members over contracts. It seems to have worked, the Mercs are thriving, the body count is rising.
Now including Oceanic Imports, the number one Midian City Import/Export business. ((For Information please read the notecard))


Ashagi Corporation

Widely known, Ashagi Biomedical is a multibillion dollar pharmaceutical corporation that is best known for making inexpensive and often lifesaving drugs. Truly a cutting edge technological marvel that will brighten the streets of Midian City and help its residents in the years to come. Or... won't they?


Biomechs

In times of war great advances in technology are made, such was the case during the last conflict. A soldier no longer used technology but became one with it in the form of implants and even the substitution of body parts in favor of computerized mechanical limbs. And there are those in the city that have put this tech to good use to protect and arm themselves. These biomechanoids as they are called or BIO’S for short, use all the latest scientific advances in humanoid enhancements to turn their bodies into bio mechanical half human machines. They are also dealers in the illegal trade of this ex military human hardware. It is also rumored that this group is home to many of the escaped humanoid replicants produced by the military during the war. These truly lost soulless creatures now with out the purpose for which they were created wander the streets looking for a meaning to their existence


Midian City Dolls

Acting as the eye candy of Midan’s dirty streets, the dolls are the cities beloved street trash and the excessive core of its twisted sexual entertainment. Constantly tempting and teasing, hinting at untold perverted pleasures. But beware, often the fulfillment of much darker more excessive desires follow those of simple sexual pleasure and you may find yourself in a far less desirable position.


The Yakuza

Crime runs rampant in the streets. Many are loose knit gangs, looking out for "number one". The Yakuza, though, are a close family organization. On the outside, one sees upper-class snobbery, something clearly out of place in the dark city of Midian. But look closer and gaze into their eyes, and you can see something more sinister behind the facade of silk and jewels. They are the Yakuza. The Masters of Torture, Drugs, and Crime.


Acerenza/Witchlight Inc.

There are always people watching, listening, they are among you and around you could be anyone you know, your friend, your associate, your employee, your boss... What is their pupose? It is unknown to many and will remain that way, only the true believers and followers are deemed to find out. Where do they come from? One can never tell nor would one want to for fear of disclosing their association would mean death, but some strange activitie going on near the bookshop and gunrange, are the employees of Witchlight Inc. up to something? ...perhaps an interested soul may want to investigate, but be wary of who and how you speak to people it just may change your life... But what really goes on, only time and change will tell, change is their tool as well their saviour... You don't have to seek them, they are already watching you...


Midian City's Forgotten

A varied lot of homeless teens who have forgotten their past, or their past has forgotten them, and have learned their safety in numbers. They've learned the hard way never to trust or fall for soft smiles and offerings of candy from the smiling perverts of the alleys. This streetwise gang knows better than most the quickest paths through the tangled city streets and the twisted sewers beneath. And so, they are often used as go betweens and carriers. Quick to extend a hand for an extra dollar or offer you information but be prepared to pay and hold tight to your possessions. A bump in passing, a slight of hand and suddenly your purse is a little lighter.


The Pack

The Pack is a tight-knit clan of nekos, wolves and other mutant/hybrid outcasts and renegades. Unlike the Catwalkers, they stick to the rocky and rugged terrain of the wastelands, allowing them to keep in touch with their feral natures, apart from human society, far from where most intruders would dare venture. Following their Alpha and Beta in a matriarchal structure, the Pack holds a rigid hierarchy to keep the beliefs and traditions of the family strong. They are zealots of the Old Ways, like a modern day clan of samurai following the Codes of Bushido. Be warned, the Pack tends to hunt, travel and stalk their prey in small units. So where one is, another or a group is not too far away. Messing with one could very well mean dealing with the others of the pack.


The Chimera

"Chimera Cloning Corp: Because death need not be the end ... For a price." This is the official cover for their activities, but with ranks made from escaped experiments and political activists alike their true business dealings are very different. Fighting against forced experimentation on humans, this band of runaways and outcasts work together to offer protection, shelter and medical care for mutants of all kinds, as well as fighting against lab companies to ensure there are no more victims of their twisted work.


Midian Criminals

The Midian Criminal group is what you can call a collective of scumbags. These people don’t care about you or anyone else than their own self. If you read in the paper about a 7 men robbery in a crowded shop, wearing overalls and ski masks, then don’t ask yourself who it was. Their line of work involves smuggling, stealing and sometimes backstabbing. If you’re good at that, they might ask for your help on their next hit. They are said to be hidden somewhere around the old gas station - but then: Do you really want to find out?


Midian City Police Department

In the midst of the chaos and disorder stands the Midian Police Department. A privately supported paramilitary organization, the MPD struggles to maintain a modicum of order in an otherwise out-of-control city. Unlike the low-level corruption of the former days of the MPD, there are rumors of more covert, white-collar corruption; deals with faction leaders, quiet agreements that may or may not suit the needs of the greater good. Despite the fact that the citizens of Midian City have no rights or constitution, many of the leaders of the MPD truly have the best interest of the lives of the city's inhabitants at heart...most of the time.


The Legion/UAC

The UAC Marines, commonly referred to as "The Legion" are the only military presence located within Midian City. They are tasked with protecting UAC interests and conduct intelligence gathering. The Legion is part of the UAC under the World Union, which is a privatized organization specializing in security and intelligence. The World Union took over and expanded the United Nations after the 3rd Great War. The Legion is extremely organized and strict, since it is a professional military unit. Their motives in Midian are heavily debated, and emotions run high when discussing their presence in the city. The marines show a great resentment against most civilians, especially those of who are not fully human.


Midian City Parish

For the lost and lonely of Midian City, St. Michael's Church is a beacon of hope. While many seek solace in the violence of the shadows, the clergy and congregation of Midian Parish are the city's last bastion of faith. Keeping the faith in this city is a difficult task, but those of strength and conviction aid in the fight to keep the darkness at bay. Whether it's protection you seek, absolution, or simply a kindly ear, the doors of Midian Parish are open to all.

(pictures to come later)