Crimston

## **History**

“A world destroyed is one that cannot be again.” One of the surviving quotes of JahCepter, the founding patriarch of the Jah family dynasty, from the 4th century. The meaning is assumed to reference the location in which the Jah family currently resides, the hellish abominable wasteland known as the Nether. Understanding why JahCepter settled here simply seems an attempt to escape the colossal creature, the only thing most historians agree upon, that destroyed the world in which society had known, blasting sprawling cities to only fading memories. However, understanding *how* he traveled here lies in mystery until the discovery of the original architect of the Nether Stargate, the only portal in and out of the realm in which we call home. Centuries later, I found myself a descendant of this great family, brazenly surviving hell on earth for reasons only known by wealth and that which follows. The resources we pull from this God-forsaken earth seem the only reason the Architect would have come here in the first place with my great great (too many) grandfather. The cultish entrepreneurial mindset that was hammered into me as a youth stops me from abandoning my homeland and living a normal lifestyle. I can’t travel our trade routes too long lest I never return. I’m a prisoner to this dimension, a home nobody would ever choose but the only place I don’t feel an outsider.

*- JahBezos 6th century*

## **Architecture**

Being in a dimension with limited resources and less living comforts than an Overworld mine, the architecture in Crimston is pragmatic but joy bringing. Many structures of workers and townsfolk who have no need for beauty because of the long hours in this capitalist society opt for simple structures made of nether brick and cobble stone featuring local lumber from surrounding lush biomes. However, government buildings, temples and wealthier town leaders homes are made of more exotic materials and are beacons of hope for citizens of Crimston.

The mining district is a hot and miserable atmosphere that hasn’t changed for centuries sporting dark colored woods and stone to uphold the netherrack monstrosity. Large drills, minecart tracks and pathways lead off in dizzying directions in search of Anciet Debris. Some shanties can be found in the mining district as a temporary home for many miners hell-bent on striking it rich.

## **Religion**

Most citizens and miners in Crimston casually pay homage to the great Architect who designed the Nether Stargate that is their only portal to and form the Overworld. Their faith in his contraption, the portal, is what makes them worship this ancient designer. They seek out the notes and history of this person and will not likely be stopped in attempting to retrieve them.

The city-center altar can be found directly south of the Azrane Nether Stargate. It features an unfinished nether portal paying tribute to the great inventor who discovered and created the original stargate. Some wealthier homes and town common areas have similar structures featuring a simple obsidian block atop a quartz block.

## **Military**

Crimston does not fund a standing army. Due to the natural defenses of the Nether, for centuries it has not suffered attacks from foreign entities. As a fair distributor with competitive pricing on Netherite, most countries and individuals realize the benefits of letting the experts do the difficult and hard labor of harvesting this valuable resource.

## **Politics**

The city is led by the Jah family in name and leadership. All major decisions are made by the head of the family typically following capitalist ideals. All foreign relations are dealt with on a trade-contingent basis. This means that all foreign policy depends on how it effects the city’s main export. While the city attempts to be neutral, any requests for embargo to certain countries will be rejected unless it benefits Crimston.

## **Culture**

The working class of Crimston are a hardened people. They not only work in literal hell but live there as well. Being in a lifestyle with no bed to sleep on and enjoying the constant sounds of whining ghosts combined with continually bubbling lava makes for a tough individual. They are physically and mentally strong as any mining community would be. The wealthy upperclass in this city (mainly the Jah family) achieve this status through exporting the only valuable resource known to this barren landscape: Netherite. Next to the Architect, Ancient Debris is their god.

## **Economy**

Crimston's economy is funded nearly entirely off the export of Netherite. While some other resources, namely quartz, nether wart and blaze rods, are sold, the majority comes from the harvesting and manufacturing of Ancient Debris. The storefront can be found right next to the Stargate on the nether end.