Dysmal

Setting Primer

The setting primer for Dysmal. It is a cyberpunk, sci-fi noir setting heavily inspired by Cyberpunk 2077, Shadowrun, Neuromancer, and various other media such as Star Wars (especially EU Coruscant). The tone is - as the setting's name suggests - very dismal, bleak, and dystopian with a hint of glimmering hope in the darkness. Dysmal borrows from my other setting Tales of Alfador, established as a sort of spinoff. It is also related to Suprosa as something of an 'alternate past'.

The New Ascardian Megalopolis

Also known as: The Dysmal City

Neo Ascardia is an enormous super-metropolis spanning hundreds of miles. It dominates much of the former national borders of the nation of New Ascardia. It consists of hundreds of districts and microcities. The city has also expanded upwards, building layers upon layers upward - with as many as 4 layers of surface in some areas.

The Ascardian Superarcology (Neo Ascardia)

The largest and most centralized sector of the megalopolis. It towers into the sky, with four layers of surface and and a towering fifth layer of skyscrapers and other towering buildings - many not accessible from the ground at all.

The Undercity (Underground)

Consisting of the cities sewers, containing parts of its industry and infrastructure, and housing the absolute poorest - the Undercity is a largely inhospitable subterrenean hellhole that fuels, waters, powers, and sanitizes the upper levels. Heavily patrolled by corporate security interests, military forces, and automated drone defenses - it is eerily safer than the ground level despite the extremely hazardous environment due to radiation, heat, and poor air quality.

Ground Level (Level 1)

Housing the majority of the city's population. The Ground Level is an extrmeely dangerous region controlled almost entirely by gangs - save for the odd corporate section. Most areas of the Ground Level cannot see sunlight, especially towards the center. Artificial lights, recirculated air, and a near constant drizzle of rain from the airconditioned higher levels create a bleak and depressing environment.

Cyberia

Some terms:

AURA - Advanced User Registration Algorithm