South Warren

## Climate

The climate is best described as a combination of Mediterranean and Desert climates. Summers are particularly hot and dry, though the temperature becomes more mild - more similar to a Mediterranean climate - during the winter months. Most rain falls during the winter.

## Places

*Domes and arches galore. The buildings alternate from white and sleek to colorful and intricate, bold pillars separating the city into easier to digest sections. The roads are mostly easy to digest - a simple block system, for the most part - but it will deviate randomly at times, the wide streets bottlenecking into twisting, narrow mazes.*

**Angels' Cup -** The center of South Warren boasts an impressively large manmade pond, a fourteen foot tall, intricately carved fountain of an angel amongst the clouds sitting in the middle. It is South Warren's greatest boast of wealth, an oasis in the middle of the desert. Bridges that mirror the architecture of the rest of the city weave across its surface, connecting the different sides of the pond with one another. Flora and fauna complete the picture-like scenery while some of the city's oldest, most impressive buildings make up its background.

**Cloud District -** The general, high-end shopping and entertainment district of South Warren. Some tourists enjoy walking these streets in the daytime simply to admire the unique and diverse fashion of the city; no two citizens dress quite the same way. Countless clothing, food, and luxury good stores line the streets, the architecture and interiors of the establishments beautiful and appealing. During the evening, however, the streets transform into the perfect night-life district. Late night theaters, bars, and arcades are in no shortage. In fact, you may be able to find any sort of entertainment service here if you explore enough.

**Tian Market -** A mixing bowl of culture. Street food stands crowd one another in the narrow streets, offering a mix of trendy and traditional foods. Money and goods are always exchanging hands here. If you make your way out of the twisting roads, however, the district opens up into a network of interconnected plazas containing a culmination of art and performance. Murals, sculptures, and other art pieces decorate the network, each a testament to the sheer diversity of the city. Performances of all types are commonplace; music - either from singing or instruments - constantly fills the air and the twirl of dancing - either from planned performances or impromptu whims - are never a rare sight. Of course, many more uncommon performances can be found, each a treat for an onlooker's senses.

## Culture

*“Looking at South Warren strains the eyes. It glitters in the sunlight, its millions of inhabitants always moving in unison, then against each other, an ‘almost’ pattern that can never be predicted. It is more of a breathing beast than a collection of human ingenuity. The people have all laid down a little piece of themselves here, forcing the beast to accept it as its own and it has grown - consuming the old and adapting into the new. Really, all I have done is blinked and it has shifted once again.”*

*“You should be wary, though. If South Warren is the beast, then its people are also its master, ruling over it with a shining smile and a whip behind their back. And a knife hidden in the pocket - just in case.”*

* Fast-moving. An entity that waits for nothing.
* Work hard, play harder. Boasts an extremely active nightlife as well as countless businesses advertising the newest in entertainment technology.
* A city that emphasizes collective effort. “Give your strength to others and you will be repaid tenfold.”
	+ South Warren people hate unpaid debts. Don’t ask for help if you are unable to repay it.
* Always look towards the future.
	+ As a result, children, the future of the world, are *highly* valued. Hurting a child is a one way trip to prison and (if you ever get out) societal living hell.
* Though many citizens of South Warren believe in the Mortal Cycle, many practice their faith in a fairly flippant manner - like an afterthought. Perhaps it is because the Mortal Cycle, in of itself, encourages a more independent and free-spirited approach to religion.
* All that glitters is, in fact, gold. Beauty in technology, creation, and people is universally beloved.

#### Cultural Issues

* A widespread distaste for those who do not or cannot contribute to society.
* A city of vices. Living moderately is near impossible to accomplish.
* Shush shush. Those who struggle do so in silence. You will not be helped if you do not have the strength to give to others.
* Unsurprisingly, remarkably superficial. Disdain for those who appear poor is not concealed.

## Notes

*The City where tradition is laid to rest.*

* South Warren is renowned for the sheer number of businesses that call it their home. Resources are plentiful, skilled people are everywhere, but more importantly, money is practically pouring out of its citizens’ pockets.
* A few companies in South Warren have formed their goals around seeking man-made alternatives for spireglass. These are remarkably pricey and high-risk ventures; none have been able to come up with an affordable, safe, and consistent replacement for the dwindling resource. Despite this, Concordian investors, many of whom are excited at the prospect of witnessing history in the making, eagerly watch their progress and back the most promising of these businesses.
* Due to the sheer distance from South Warren and the other Gaian countries, it was largely spared from raiders and attacks compared to other Concordian cities during its initial founding. As a result, settlers were able to focus more on the area’s development rather than protecting themselves. Given their allowance to grow without major setbacks, by the time raiders set their sights on the city’s resources, South Warren was able to easily defend itself.
* Life in South Warren slows down the closer you get to the mountains. Most of the area’s universities are located here, supported by smaller college towns that are loose microcosms of South Warren.
* It is popular for the wealthy to have vacation homes within the mountains themselves where vegetation, particularly on the sides of the mountains facing the ocean, are more plentiful and the weather is less dry. Land in the mountains that is safe to inhibit is scarce, contributing to the astronomical prices of owning property in these locations.
* Hosts a highly sophisticated train system. It is possible to get to anywhere in South Warren by changing trains a maximum of three times.
* As wealthy as the city is, those who have none are immeasurable. The wealth gap in South Warren is one of the worst in Concordia - possibly even in the continent.