Midtown is the easternmost region of Kalashport. It is a trendy and artsy area that has had its share of political turmoil since the fall of FerrCO. It is the primary setting of Chapter 1 of the Faction Campaign.
Geography
Midtown is a smaller region in eastern Kalashport located south of Highland Heights and east of Downtown. Most of the activity in Midtown is centered around Alto Street, the lively center of Kalashport's tavern scene.
History
Midtown is a newer region of Kalashport that was developed when young Downtown workers wanted to get as far away from the Canal District as possible. Fortunately, Kalashport hasn't adopted the automobile yet, so Midtown was more of an extention of the city center than a single-family-zoned bedroom community located on the highway miles away from anything. Don't worry city planners - maybe one day! It became somewhat of a destination for entrepreneurs and entertainers thanks to the cheap real estate on Alto Street, and many clubs and taverns openened. Rents are still low thanks to the ongoing societal collapse, though Midtown is notably more expensive than Downtown or the Canal District.
Before FerrCO's collapse, Midtown was governed by the greater Kalashport City Council. The Kalashport Police Department has its headquarters near Alto Street, so after the collapse, the Police reconverged in Midtown. Under Lt. Bighammer, the Police kept the peace in the region and made non-agression deals with the Curds and the KSC of Highland Heights. Six months before the campaign started, Lt. Bighammer's husband was murdered by a rogue gang of wizards. In response, she passed the Stability Provision, which bans magic and adventuring. Over time, Bighammer became more zealous in enforcing the Stability Provision. She created a special police force called Preventative Ongoing Governance (POG) officers to hunt down magic users. The party joined The Prestige in opposition to the Stability Provision and formed an alliance with the Curds Mafia. Bighammer sent POGs after Bardlox in Downtown and the Curds responded by driving the POGs back out. Enraged, Bighammer planned "Operation Grilled Cheese", a full-scale invasion of Cheesetown with the intention of capturing Manchego. The party intervened and assassinated Bighammer before a faction war could break out. SCHNI then became the Police chief and dictator of Midtown. He abolished the Stability Provision and arrested all the POG officers.
Government
Since the collapse of FerrCO, the Kalashport Police Department has run a pseudo militocracy in Midtown. Despite SCHNI taking out Lt. Bighammer, the system of government didn't change. SCHNI has, however, been a much more equitable ruler than Lt. Bighammer was.
Organizations and Factions
- Kalashport Police - The de facto rulers of Midtown. It acts as a military dictatorship, though under SCHNI's command, it has been much better to the people in recent months.
- The Prestige - A group of student wizards who gathered in opposition to the Stability Provision. After SCHNI took over as police chief, the Prestige disbanded, though some members still meet up in their secret base in the sewers.
- Travelers' Temple of Celestian - A loosely organized group of clerics of the god Celestian. As a longstanding trade hub, Kalashport has a large amount of immigrants and travelers. The Travelers' Temple helps them find their way in the city.