Steelstrum

*‘There is no room for error in Steelstrum. Either you pull your weight or you live elsewhere. I will not accept anything less than success.’ - Everett Abernathy’s first speech - 955X*

Steelstrum is the city of inventors. The majority of the population learned to design and create things when they were children.  The city embraces new ideas and technology. The Capital decided that Steelstrum should run all their tech on steam instead of gas, oil and electricity. This set back their progress significantly, and has been holding them back ever since.

## History

### Power Source Change

Just like the majority of the nations, all of Steelstrum's history before the year 0X was erased. After the nations getting separated, resources weren't shared out evenly like they used to. The resources needed to continue their technological advances were cut off. They were able to keep going on back up resources but they ran out after 200 years.

They soon found that steam became a easier power source for their technology. This had a major impact on their architecture as well. Unfortunately, this power source did limit their advance. But they were happy with the city they were building.

### Steelstrum Divided

The Capital had decided that Steelstrum was not doing the job it was instructed to do. Edmund Coldwell (Steelstrum’s High Council representative at the time), decided that everyone in Steelstrum needed to play a certain role. That is when The Board of Buyers, The House of Engineers, and The House of Mechanics was created.

The House of Engineers was for the inventors. This is where designs, improvements, developments, and testing happen. The House of Mechanics is where these ideas are made into a reality. This is where building, repairs, and maintenance happens. People can choose to be apart of both, much like Celia who is a mechanical engineer. Board of Buyers is for the rich aristocrats to buy these invention, brand them, and sell them to the highest bidder. They usually steal the credit from mechanics and engineers. Buyers typically have no talent for themselves, they just have money. Everyone in Steelstrum must fit into these 3 categories. If they don‘t, they don’t get to live there anymore.

## Architecture and Fashion

Most of the buildings are built out of brick and stone which are covered with metal accents. A lot of buildings have gears, pipes, and valves on the outside of them, which are actually a part of the machinery that kept those buildings running. Someone would say the city is one big machine itself.

The people of Steelstrum dress to match the architecture. Men would wear trousers and waistcoats with a lot of added details like gears and brass studs. Women on the other hand, wore long skirts or dresses, but with lace, ruffles, and brass buckles. They also always wear corsets. Everyone wore goggles and boots, they also had an obsession with clocks on their clothing.

## Language

As far as Steelstrum's know, they never had a different language before The Capital took over. So they speak the same tongue that The Capital has enforced on the other nations.

## Society and Culture

The people of Steelstrum are typically quite friendly, although they are all in an unspoken competition to create the next big invention. There are two types of people in Steelstrum: Those who work hard to make the product, or rich aristocrats who approve and buy the product. If you aren't one of these, Steelstrum citizens will see you as someone who does not fit into their society - they'd see you as an outsider. Steelstrum's population are natural geniuses. If you are not one of them then you do not belong there.

## Government

Steelstrum are under the strict rule of The High Council. They've never had a separate government and have never been independent.

## Inspiration

Steelstrum is a Steampunk based city. The architecture and fashion is heavily based off of Victorian England mixed with slight gothic tones.