If you grew up as a filthy 'rinth rat
The Labyrinth (or 'rinth) is the common slang term used for the
northernmost quarter of the city of Allanak, due to the maze of alleyways
that threads about the ramshackle buildings within it. Once it was merely the
quarter for the lower classes of Allanak. But over the last several hundred
years as the rich became progressively richer and the poor poorer, the
quarter has degenerated into a decayed and disease ridden slum. A
social structure and culture of
sorts has formed, distinct from the rest of the city.
Geographically and demographically the 'rinth is
made up of two distinct areas - the Westside and the Eastside. The
Westside's population is, for the most part, made up of humans while the
Eastside's is mainly elves. This has led to a futher sub-division of 'rinth
culture as the two main population groups generally keep to themselves and
view each other with mistrust and suspicion despite the fact that
the general social structure and day-to-day life for most
occupants of the 'rinth is the same.
Players running 'rinthers should keep the following in mind. Your character
has occupied a position of abject poverty and squalor for all of his or her
life. Hunger and violence (racial or purely random) has been a daily
occurence. Disease perpetually stalks the streets. =
Your character knows that street gangs roam wild in the winding alleyways,
looking for the lone and unsuspecting and that packs of children have been
known to kill the unwary for nothing more than the hope of a scrap of food.
In short, life in the 'rinth has been a difficult test for
your character. There is no rule to creating a 'rinther character's
personality but the above should be reflected when creating their
history and characteristics.
As stated previously, life is a constant struggle in the 'rinth. Resources,
food, and money are scarcer here than in any other city in the
Known World. Naturally, this leads to "competition" for whatever is
available in the alleys. As the militia of the city do not dare enter the
alleys, this desperate competition can take the form of threats,
intimidation, or outright violence.
This is not to say, however, that all 'rinthers are
psychopathic mass-murderers. Creating a 'rinther character does not give you
licence to go on a killing spree through the alleys. If a lone
person was to gain such a reputation it is likely that he or she would be
dealt with by a number of "concerned citizens". Wild gangs do indeed roam
the streets but the majority of inhabitants are just trying to get by -
however they can. Murder is an everyday occurrence but far more
common activities are scavenging, stealing, pick-pocketing,
mugging, scamming, black market/spice dealing, etc. Although
much of the Allanaki economy has gone underground and
the 'rinth is where many of the city's small to medium-sized business
contracts are negotiated, this knowledge might not be well known to the
average inhabitant. What is evident, however, is that money does trickle
into the alleys and at least some of the residents can afford an ale or two
occasionally in a local alley tavern.
Given the above, it is no surprise that the average 'rinther will generally
treat a fellow inhabitant of the alleys with considerable suspicion
and mistrust upon first meeting them. This attitude is often magnifed when
an Westsider meets a Eastsider or vice versa. However, this Westside -
Eastside mutual suspicion would probably not be as great as a situation
where a 'rinther meets a person who is not from the alleys. All other things
being equal, a 'rinther would be more likely to side with another 'rinther
than somebody not from the alleys. However, this "bond" is loose at best
and, as a 'rinther, not one you'd like to have to depend on.
The 'rinth is more than just a home to the desperate, the unwanted, or
racially undesirable. Many generations of inhabitants of the 'rinth have
been born, lived and died in Tektolnes' chamber-pot of human life. It is
common knowledge that darker, more unsavoury organizations have
embraced the chaos and turmoil of the 'rinth and made it their home. This,
coupled with the fact that the general citizenry and militia of Allanak
avoid this dark ghetto, has given most 'rinthers an insular "them vs. us"
attitude. A person not from the 'rinth found wandering the alleys would
be viewed with a deal of suspicion. After all, why would any sane
person willingly come into such a filthy and dangerous place? This
semi-isolation from the rest of the city also leaves the average
'rinther with, at best, a scant knowledge of what's what outside the 'rinth.
The doings of noble houses, merchant houses, templars, etc. are of little
meaning to most 'rinthers, whose chief concerns are getting food in
their bellies and staying alive.
There are several groups of a shady nature
operating in the 'rinth. Growing up, your character would have heard snatches
of their various dealings and know that there are groups both Eastside and
Westside. The exact details of these groups are closely guarded, however, and
as a 'rinther you know well that it doesn't pay to take too much of an
interest in their dealings lest they take an interest in you. Of course if
your character has something to offer such groups this interest might not be
of the fatal variety.
Playing a 'rinther:
Almost every type of role is available to those who wish to create a
'rinther. From a lowly pick-pocket to a spice-addicted beggar to whatever
your imagination can come up with. The only caveat to this is to consider
the unique setting of the 'rinth and how this impacts particularly on your
character.
OOCly it is important to note that due to the rough conditions in the 'rinth
many people (PC and NPC) might not wish you well. People living there are
desperate and may try to take advantage of you. Don't let this
discourage you - part of being a 'rinther lies in the challenge of dealing
with and overcoming this harshness. Thinking, dressing and acting like a
'rinther will greatly help you in this regard.
© 2004 Armageddon Mud
Submitted by Digger.