Igoldsel

Igoldsel is the manmade city that shadows the old cities, now unaffectionately nicknamed "The Undertow" by most citizens of Igoldsel. Located on the eastern and southern coastline of North America (made up of all of Old Florida and bits of Postwar Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Fallen Louisiana), it was built up far above the sea level to avoid the consistent hurricanes and flooding The Undertow faces. The climate is optimal, with lower humidity than most coastal cities, and decently warm temperatures all year round. It is one of the few Ulti-Cities around the globe, Ulti-Cities being megacities completely constructed by man made materials, down to the very foundation of the city.

### **Appearance**

Igoldsel is built mostly in a post-contemporary deconstructivism architectural style. Most buildings are built high into the skyline, shadowing over the metropolitan area of the city. a light rail runs throughout the city, and on the edges of neighborhoods and suburbs of the city, making transport easier- despite this, automobiles both wheeled and winged are used to get around the massive city by individuals well off enough to afford such vehicles. Constant construction is needed to keep the city upright, but the equipment used is always in the most pristine of shape, as to not dirty the appearance of the city. Prominent colors seen in the metropolitan area are off-white, dulled down light blues and yellows, and hints of dark reds and greys.

In the suburbs and neighborhoods of Igoldsel, the post-contemporary architecture continues, thought far less deconstructivity. The neighborhoods and suburbs are perfectly refined with yards full of plant life and plenty of lot space for families. For those rich enough, floating homes have been created, hovering hundreds of feet off the ground to provide ultimate privacy and luxury for the home's owner.

Viewing Igoldsel from afar, it looks almost like a man made wave of earth, two miles above the Undertow, engulfing the Undertow from all but one side- the only side not being built over being the coastline. The high towers and architecture of Igoldsel make it appear as almost a fortress, far stronger and more powerful than other parts of the world.

### **Military and Crime**

Being an Ulti-City, military bases are scattered across Igoldsel, to provide said bases with funding, constant recruits, and resources, and in return aiding in the protection of Igoldsel if ever needed. Joining the military is seen as the optimal job for many young people who do not wish to enter the corporate world, or do not have the funds needed to pursue a career higher than being a corporate pawn or miner.

While being generally safe, Igoldsel does have crime, some well hidden, some more apparent. In the westernmost corners of the city, crime has been the most prominent, illegal fighting rings and gambling developing in the neighborhoods and alleyways of west Igoldsel. Police forces have recently been amplified in the area, but the results have yet to be seen.

### **Economy**

Igoldsel has a booming economy, as it has become on of the world's trade centers for it's convenient location and technological prowess. It's main exports are various products across the technology field, but they also have a bustling textile, oil, and pharmaceutical industry that provides major profits. Mining is also a major job pool in Igoldsel, though more common for lower class individuals to be in the mines, working along robots to mine for precious metals for use in the technological sphere.

Major companies in the city consist of KorTech, Yooxem Pharmaceuticals, and Magnolia Robotics. Kortech and Magnolia Robotics both are leading distributors of technology and robotics, constantly trying to outdo one another as they have trampled out most of the other competition. Yooxem Pharmaceuticals is the lead distributor of medicine and other medical equipment in the Western Hemisphere, only being rivaled by Eastern companies.

### **Social Atmosphere**

The social atmosphere of Igoldsel is calm and very peaceful most usually. It is expected from a young age for young children to be taught manners and respect for those higher up and older than them, creating a society centered around the most powerful people. To have influence is to be at the top of the food chain, and to be rich is to be right there beside the influential.

Religion is a major part of life for many citizens of Igoldsel, though the religions vary widely. The most common religions of the city are Protestant Christianity and Roman Catholicism, though the city also has many who follow Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and various lesser known religions. Religious divide is hardly an issue, though some individuals may have a complex of superiority of their religion.

The youth of the city find identity through technology, sports, and music, with the new development in music being a genre called hyper-hyper-hyper rebellionpop. The existence of such a genre has caused quite a bit of paranoia among parents.

### **Politics**

The politics of Igoldsel have stayed the same for quite a while, with a mild, centrist opinion blanketing most residents. Past and present politicians and lawmakers have focused mainly on constantly boosting the economy, and less on social needs than what many would wish, but not to an extent for it to become a huge issue for the citizens.

The current election for governor has been a heated race for votes, with the CEO of Kortech in the lead currently due to promises to focus on both economic and social needs equally, and put an end to the crimes in the western neighborhoods.

### **Relationship with The Undertow**

The Undertow is nothing more than a passing, disgusting thought to citizens of Igoldsel. The Undertow is known as the crime-ridden underground, a place to send criminals to keep them off the streets of Igoldsel. It's seen as dangerous, and the root of the issues for the city. Any residents of The Undertow are considered to be untruthful and deceitful, and quite honestly dangerous to even be near. Many parents tell their kids to never go to the Undertow, lest they never be seen again, sold off or left for dead. Many politicians have petitioned for The Tube, the only access to the Undertow, to be shut, but since The Undertow provides great area for mining, most petition has been ignored.