Downtown is a the central region of Kalashport, east of the Canal District, west of Midtown, and south of Highland Heights. As the urban core of the city, it contains dense blocks and tall buildings. It is home to the Curds mafia, the Wizard Academy of Kalashport, and the home base of the party. It is the site of Chapter 4 of the Faction Campaign, though it has been relevant in other chapters as well.
Geography
Downtown Kalashport is located on a coastal plain adjacent to the Kalashport River to the west and the coast to the south. It is densely packed with highrises, though not much of the office space is being used since the FerrCO collapse. Inner Downtown located near the river is the main business center of the region, and Cheesetown near Midtown is more residential.
Underneath Downtown is a complicated network of dungeons, old iron mines, sewer systems, and modern tunnels. The Curds tried to navigate these passageway in search of the Elven Dynasty's Empire Drake, which was secretly set to emerge from the depths of the earth to protect the Empire.
History
Downtown Kalashport was once the center of the Elven Dynasty's empire. It defeated the neighboring swamp nation of Guardian Spring in war and became the global center of the steel trade. Eventually, the Dynasty dissolved the Empire as a political system and formed FerrCO in its stead. FerrCO lead the city-state to even greater economic heights until its financial collapse about two years before the Faction Campaign.
Downtown was subject to gang wars after FerrCO's collapse. After six months, the Curds Mafia consolidated all other gangs and became the sole governing power of Downtown. The Curds have maintained a delicate peace with the Midtown Police and the Kalashport Security Company in Highland Heights. Recently, the Curds have been excavating tunnels under Downtown, outwardly to build a subway system. Some suspect they are looking for something else, however.
Government
Downtown used to be the site of the Kalashport City Council. After FerrCO's collapse, it became a lawless area rife with gang wars. The Curds Mafia emerged victorious in the gang wars and runs the region as a dictatorship under Manchego. Though ruthless toward his enemies, Manchego appears to care deeply about Downtown and goes to great lengths to ensure peace between the Curds and factions in other regions.
Organizations and Factions
- Curds mafia - A powerful cheese-themed gang that has near-exclusive control over all Downtown.
- Wizard Academy of Kalashport - A locally renowned school for wizards, sorcerers, and artificers. Its main building appears as a large spherical orb atop a tall narrow spire.
- Blue Vests - A highly organized faction that runs the Skyline Market. Led by a man called The Sapphire.
Subregions
- Cheesetown - Once called Uptown, this region became the center of Curds operations. It is mostly residential and is more heavily guarded than other parts of Downtown. It is the site of the entrance to the subway excavation.
- Inner Downtown - A densely packed block of shops and bars scattered among abandoned office highrises. Home of the Bargoyle.
- Nations Street - The former financial district and center of international trade. It is now the site to the city's largest black market called the Skyline Market.
Trivia
- Cheesetown has had several names over the years. Before the Curds rose to prominence, it was called Uptown. Even before then, it was called Midtown. Kalashport used to have an informal mage duel league. In the height of the league's popularity, Midtown's team (in modern-day Cheesetown) lost to Uptown's team (in modern-day Midtown). Midtown's regional magazine was embarassed and ran a fake article that Midtown won instead. To spite the dishonest article, Uptown residents began to call Uptown Midtown and over time the names fully swapped. This explains why the far eastern region of Kalashport is called "Midtown" despite not being anywhere near the center of the city.
- The Curds require special PPE to enter the subway system. This includes exquisitely shined steel toe boots and high-vis reflective bow ties.