Gotham

Gotham is one of the oldest cities in the United States of America, founded on the coast of Massachusetts in 1630. It is home to the Batfamily and many of their adversaries.

## History

### Foundation

In 1625, Will Blackstone, John Arkham, Thomas Wayne, Oliver Kane, Margaret Cobblepot, and a small group of other explorers including Edwin Robsinson, Jon Logerquist and Uriah Boone sail from England to the New World. Landing on what would become Tricorner Island, which was uninhabited due to suspicion of dark powers by the Miagani people. The tribe and the settlers came to an agreement which allowed development of a small colony on Tricorner and Founder's Islands. This early settlement was known as Gothamtown.

Over the next five years, many settlers come to Gothamtown, growing further into Founder's Island, and quickly developing a thriving town.

### Miagani Wars

In 1630, after disputes between individuals from Gothamtown, the Miagani raided and pillaged Gothamtown. Arkham, Wayne, Robinson, Logerquist and Boone rally a small militia in a field north of the town, which would eventually become Robinson Park. They pillage and raze a Miagani settlement. After the attack, Arkham gathers Wayne, Kane, Cobblepot, and Blackstone in the Town Hall. He gives each of them a white mask, and declares them the Court of Owls, responsible for protecting the city of Gotham. After they declared the foundation of the City of Gotham, the Court led a multi-year campaign against the indigenous tribes, fully taking over Founder's Island in 1632. Edwin Robinson died while leading a group of soldiers into a Miagani camp, lading Thomas Wayne to suggest naming the field the Court was founded on Robinson Park in his honor. In 1634, Hardern University was founded in Bristol.

In 1635, The Miagani rowed to Founder's Island from what would become Miagani Island, once again prompting retaliation from the Gothamites. By 1638, the settlers had successfully driven all of the remaining Miagani to Bleake Island, establishing what would become Downtown Gotham on the Eastern side of Miagani Island.

### American Revolution

Gotham was a pivotal city in the American Revolution. In the time since the Miagani Wars, massive development had occured on Founder's, Tricorner, and Miagani islands, making Gotham a powerhouse of the American Colonies, and the capitol of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The British Navy arrived to the shores of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1768, beginning to occupy the territories, and enforcing unfair taxation practices. In 1770, a group of Gothamite protesters gathered in Gotham Common. As the crowd grew, one protester threw a dead bat to the feet of a British Solider. Insulted and enraged, the soldier shot at the protester, and his battalion followed by opening fire into the crowd. Five Gothamites were killed, and many were injured in the aftermath.

In 1773, The Court of Owls, under direction of then-leader Samuel Adams lead a militia called the Sons of Liberty onto three British Trade Ships docked on the eastern coast of Somerset Island, killing twelve guards in the process. They stole money and supplies, before dumping 342 chests of tea into the Atlantic Ocean.

As conflict between the settlers and the British escalated all over the colonies, Gotham became a key location in the Revolutionary War. In 1775, the British led the Siege of Gotham, an 11-month standoff in the city rife with acts of terrorism committed by both The British and The Gothamites. The British joined forces with the Miagani on Bleake Island. The Battle of Bleake Island was one of the bloodiest in the war, with the Gothamites narrowly winning. Due to the defeat of their allies and an extreme shortage of resources and soldiers, the British fled north on March 17th, 1776. Gothamites still celebrate Evacuation Day in modern times.

### Post-Revolution

Gotham flourished as a naval powerhouse and culturally significant city. In 1799, Darius Wayne began construction on Wayne Manor. The Gothamites held their own during the War of 1812, successfully fending off the British once more.

### Industrial Boom

Bleake Island became a major industrial area during the mid 1800's. The Gotham Port was constructed in 1831, which elevated Gotham's status from naval city to a massive industrial power. South Gotham was largely developed by industrial and commercial interests, motivated by the success of the new port.

In 1869 Gotham University was founded in Burnside, the original buildings designed by architect Cyrus Pinkney. City Judge Solomon Wayne suggested Pinkney design a new courthouse in Downtown. After the completion of the 'State House' in 1871, the two men would form a real estate development company known as Wayne Enterprises. The pair went on to build many of Gotham's major notable buildings, including Wayne Tower, The Gotham Gazette Building, GCPD First Precinct, and Arkham Asylum.

In 1901, Solomon's grandson Arthur Wayne designed Gotham's Elevated Train System.

### Post-Depression

After the Great Depression, development in Gotham stilled, and the city became rife with organized crime.

### The Dark Knight of Gotham

The Batman began his crusade to clean up Gotham.

### Vigilante City

After years of Batman's endeavors and recruitment of sidekicks, vigilantes were no longer a myth in the public eye.

### No Man's Land

When Bane took over Blackgate Prison, he blew up the bridges and tunnels into Gotham. Holding the island under siege, Gotham was declared a 'No Man's Land' by the President.

## Areas of Gotham

### Founder's Island - pop. 341,200

* Old Gotham - The first permanent settlements in Gotham were set up in Gotham in the late 1620's. The neighborhood is defined by old gothic architecure, curvy cobblestone roads and thin alleys.
	+ Town Hall
	+ The Nest
* Gotham Village - Now largely a modernized and hip neighborhood, Gotham Village is lined with Modern luxury apartments and centuries-old brownstones and townhomes.
	+ Gotham Academy
	+ The Belfry
* Hillside - Largely single family homes, with mansions overlooking the ocean. On the side of the hills in the north of the island.
	+ Arbor Hill - An elite social club largely populated by members of the Court of Owls.
	+ Gotham University
* Burnside
	+ Gordon Residence - Home of Jim Gordon

* Otisburg
* Grant Park
	+ Miagani High School
	+ GCPD Fourth Precinct
* Bristol
	+ Hardern University
* Robinson Park - A large urban park named for Edwin Robsinson, built upon the grounds where the Court of Owls was formed as Gotham's Militia.

### Miagani Island - pop. 403,900

* Cherry Hill
* Riverside
* Financial District
* Downtown Gotham
	+ Wayne Tower
	+ Elliot Memorial Hospital
	+ The Iceberg Lounge
* West End
	+ West Gotham High School
* Gotham Square
* Amusement Mile

### Bleake Island - pop. 439,200

* The Cauldron
	+ Ace Chemicals
* The Bowery
	+ Jason's Apartment - When Jason returned to Gotham after his resurrection, he stayed in a garden level apartment in The Bowery.
* South Gotham
	+ GCPD Second Precinct
	+ Arkham Asylum
	+ Sionis Stadium
* The Narrows
* Port Town
	+ The Stacked Deck - A dive bar popular with port workers, and a hub for goons to find work.
* East End