The Undertow

**The Undertow**, known in the past as Herrsae, is the collection of cities underneath Igoldsel. Made up of the state once known as Florida, and bits of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, The cities would most definitely be underwater if not for the protective wave barrier put up to keep the water out. The Undertow is practically a cave, with their only exit to the outside world being through The Tube, or going through the wave barrier into the ocean (which is not an optimal choice). It is completely dark besides the light created by the cities, and generally decently cold due to not getting any sunlight.

### **Appearance**

As stated before, The Undertow is completely dark, only being lit up by the lights of the cities and the spare rays of light that find their way through the waves of the water behind the wave barrier. Most buildings in The Undertow are old (minus the new buildings in the abandoned mining settlements), reflecting a modernist architecture that hasn't been properly finished. Despite the buildings seeming much older, the citizens do their best to maintain them, so they are decently stable. Many of the lights in The Undertow are in various neon colors, as they shed more light and bring some color to the dark, massive cave. Homes are built from whatever people can find, some families living in actual houses or old apartment buildings, some living in barely-standing shacks, and some having nowhere to live at all. Prominent colors in The Undertow are rusted metals clashing with neon lights in all colors.

From outside, The Undertow is barely visible- only about 100ft of the top of The Undertow is visible from sea, and ono one lives there (because its the top of the cave, who would've thunk). The Undertow looks like a ledge that Igoldsel sits upon, keeping them safe from sea.

### **Crime**

Crime is a major issue in The Undertow, but most of the crime surprisingly comes from Igoldsel. Igoldsel sends most major criminals down to The Undertow instead of imprisoning them, not caring for the good citizens of Undertow who don't really want people like that around. This has caused a major spike in murder, robbery, trafficking, etc etc.

The only two crime areas that come from The Undertow are the illegal drug trade ring and assaults. The drug trade ring focuses on one pharmaceutical that goes for thousands in Igoldsel- Gosdurec. Since many people cannot afford Gosdurec both in Igoldsel and The Undertow, an illegal ring has formed to create Gosdurec both synthetically and naturally. This ring's leader is unknown, and their main buyers are from Igoldsel, though people from The Undertow also feed into the market. As for assault, the only recorded cases are from Undertow citizens attacking people from Igoldsel when they come down on business, work, or 'pity trips'.

### **Economy**

The economy of The Undertow almost completely depends on resources from Igoldsel. Since they've been closed off from the world, they have no way of trade, so they do all of their trade with Igoldsel. They contribute heavily to the mining industry, and supply Igoldsel with resources from the earth, alcohol (breweries have become common), and servant labor. For citizens of Undertow, being accepted to work as a maid or servant for someone in Igoldsel is the best opportunity they will ever receive in their lives. Igoldsel citizen engagement in the Gosdurec drug trade also helps fuel their economy.

Self sustaining wise, many people in The Undertow run their own stores, and have a variety of different jobs since they rely far less on robot and AI labor. Many places accept money, but also accept favors and services in return for their service, creating a community that can depend on one another for resources.

### **Social Atmosphere**

Everyone knows practically everyone in The Undertow. Despite being multiple spread out cities, they're extremely tight knit, depending on one another for resources, and just generally understanding that they're all in the same situation, so why fight? Huge gatherings in and between cities is extremely common, and the rhetoric of "it takes a village to raise a child" could not be more true here.

Children are raised to survive, being taught what is right and what is necessary. A heavy work rhetoric is pushed on children, as working hard is the only way to succeed and get out of The Undertow. Work and family are the two most important values of Undertow citizens.

A popular way of self expression among young adults and teens is to wear neon lights. Whether they be sewn into clothing, hanging as jewelry, or weaved into hair, having neon lights on you or simply wearing neon clothing is seen as extremely cool.

### **Politics**

The Undertow doesn't truly have a system of politics. Politics are not really needed, a system of community policing and occasional vote on random issues do occur though.

### **Relationship with Igoldsel**

Citizens of Undertow view Igoldsel as heaven. Many dream of one day having the opportunity to live there and have a worthwhile life, without the suffering that The Undertow brings. Others view it as an unfortunate necessity and a false hope, having to rely on Igoldsel for trade and especially for food, but wishing they had the ability to live independently of their oppressors. No matter what a citizen thinks of Igoldsel, all know that they have close to no chance of ever reaching the outside world on their own legal accord.