A Legacy of Violence
Madripoor, the Jewel of the South Pacific, a lone island in the thousands that make up the Indonesian Archipelago, a prime destination for tourists, businessmen, crime lords, pirates, slavers, and all other manner of scum and villainy. Settled in the Early 1700's by pirates in search of Pacific-based haven from which to pillage the scores of treasure ships bound for Europe from the colonies scattered across the region. For nearly a century the pirates and slavers that called Madripoor home pillaged, murdered and raided from Australia to Vladivostok, Shanghai to Sub-Saharan Africa seemingly unopposed, striking from their secret base on Madripoor. But with innovation, invention and time weighing on the brigands, the days of the pirate coming to a close, the majority of the inhabitants departed the island for parts unknown. For more than a century the island sat in obscurity, it's location known only to a select group of people.
It is unclear exactly when the forces of Imperial Japan occupied Madripoor, it is certain however, that they never left. Sent to construct an airstrip to support the invasion of various other strategic islands in the area but soon forgotten as the Allied island hopping campaign drew more and more forces away from the area. The commander of the 1,000 man occupying force, Major Akido Nagano, upon fulfilling his orders and constructing the airstrip and adjoining facilities, using the locals as forced labor, albeit temporarily, Major Nagano set himself up as the impromptu Governor of Madripoor, utilizing various underworld connections to have hard to obtain goods shipped in for himself and the soldiers he commanded to keep the feed and their morale high for their stay on the Island of Sin. The war drew on, the isolated garrison forced to stand idly by as their countrymen were pushed back to the Japanese Home Islands.
At Wars End, the long isolated garrison was shipped home, Major Nagano, a widower before the war with no family to speak of, chose to remain on the island, overseeing the empire he'd made for himself. After several months, around 300 of the Major's men had returned, finding nothing to return to in Japan.
Discovered by American and British Forces at the end of the War, word of the tropical paradise made it's way across the sea with the returning troops and soon tourism began to blossom on the island paradise, and with it numerous resorts and hotels sprang up on the southern side of the island.
Fast forward and today, Madripoor is one of the richest countries in the world, a hub for trade, business, banking and criminal activity due to it's strict policy of not permitting outside influence within it's territory and incredibly lax views on what is and is not legal.
Madripoor City
The capital of Madripoor, also named Madripoor, is divided in two. Madripoor Hightown is one of the world's wealthiest areas, populated by rich and powerful. Its spectacular architecture and technology make it a wonder of the 21st-century, to rival those of any first-world nation. However, Madripoor Lowtown is one of the most impoverished areas in the world. Lowtown is a throwback to the lawlessness of a thousand years ago: a place of rampant crime and depravity where anything can be bought. There are some areas, however, which are said to have a certain rough charm reminiscent of the exotic settings of old movies.
Attractions:
Madripoor has a little something for everyone, whether it be business or pleasure you seek. Some notable area's across the island include;
- The Emperor's Palace Casino - A Towering structure comprised of three massive towers, with a large platform spanning the three. Home to over three thousand rooms, eighty shops, four casinos, and various other amenities to make the stay more enjoyable to it's guest. The de facto ruler of Madripoor, Katashi Nagano, Grandson of Akido Nagano, operaters from a luxury penthouse in the central tower.
- The White Sands Resort - Owned by a corporation based in London, the White Sands provides affordable luxury for the not so elite visitors to Madripoor.
- The Akido District - The area home to the largest number of native Madripoorian's, the Akido District maintains the natives ties to their age old religions and customs, while providing them with modern comforts. Constructed to house them, fully financed by Major Nagano himself and regularly upgraded, as a way of the thanking the natives that built the island, as well as insuring their continued loyalty.
- Madripoor International Airport - At the end of the Second World War, the Japanese Air Base sat idle for years until the increased numbers of tourists and advances in modern transportation called for an airport to allow easier access to the island paradise, receiving dozens of flights daily, the four runway airport in statistically one of the busiest in the South Pacific.
- Madripoor Bay - The primary port, located alongside the airport, numerous container and cruise ships pass through the aptly named 'Black Gate' daily, the narrow opening to the harbor, guarded by the remnants of two coastal fortresses constructed of blackened volcanic stone.
- The Department of Internal Security - Headquarters of Madripoor's police force, a group comprised of local forces and skilled mercenaries under the employment of the island's leadership, their duties range from policing the streets to 'removing' troublemakers and dissidents.
- Moon Ko Loi Village - Located on the opposite side of the island's inactive volcano, on the north side of the island, Moon Ko Loi Village is sought after for it's seclusion, tranquility, fishing and naturally occuring hot springs.
- Westward Beach - One of a handful of stretches of beach, comprised of pure white sand as opposed to volcanic ash. Westward is the closest to the Capital City and therein the most frequented.
Rules:
- You can't destroy the island.
- The islands security forces are top notch, so if you end up in conflict with them, do your best to sell.
- Anyone is welcome, consider this neutral ground. The Yakuza are the ultimate power on the island at the moment.
- Most importantly...
(This is just the beginning, I plan to add more later on.)
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