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What is Alta Ferro?
2 years ago
The coffee rat says:
Hey, I haven't done a journal in a while. Sorry about that. you want me to make up for it? Okay.
I've gotten a few questions about what exactly is my meta setting of Alta Ferro. So! Have a massive lore dump!
What is Alta Ferro?
Just what is Alta Ferro? In short, it is a meta setting. Okay, so what is a meta setting. It is a setting that other settings take place within. In comic book terms, think of Marvel's 616 universe or DC's Earth 1 (or whatever they're calling the prime universe these days). All the other stories take place in the same universe. Alta Ferro is the same idea, with the meta setting called the Ferroverse.
Many, many other series take place within the setting of Alta Ferro. These include, but are not limited to:
Tales from Alta Ferro (obviously)
Raccoon Rage
D-Gen
Noxumbra
Interview with a Serial Killer
And more.
Okay. So what is Alta Ferro within the setting? A city, set generically within a fantasy version of the United States (because I, the author, am American), specifically the American northeast. It is basically my stand-in for New York City. But just how can so many stories take place within just one city? There's magic, monsters, serial killers, super heroes, many kinds of organized crime, and even a secret group of mystical police, plus the main focus of a secret online murder club. How can all of these take place in just one city?
Short answer: because I say they do.
But okay, that's not a satisfying in-lore answer. To answer that, we must answer another question: Just how big is Alta Ferro? BIG! How big? It is roughly 5200 square miles (~8368 square km). How big is that? It would make it the 5th largest city in the world, ranking only behind cities in China that have been around for thousands of years. This makes it roughly the same size as the state of Connecticut! It also holds a population of around 31 million people, roughly 10% the population of the United States. Though in the universe of Alta Ferro, it is closer to only 7%. The world's population is around 10.3 billion in this setting.
So, the city is big, and fairly densely populated. But not so dense that it does not still have its own suburbs. Many are within the city itself. Much like how many major cities kept growing and absorbed other, smaller cities into itself. They just didn't bother to keep the old city names and all became one massive conglomeration of metropolitan sprawl. However, it cannot really get too much bigger, as it is now situated between a mountain range, a natural forest (which is considered a protected wilderness), and the ocean. Not to mention the state line. However, it has other features as well.
Some notable features:
Alta Ferro University (AFU). The collage has many campuses dotted around the city. There are branches for law, technology, and more generic degrees such as English and Literature. There is also a community collage variant (AFCC), and an Ivy League variant, namely the university for Law (AFUL) and technology (AFUT). A natural rivalry between these two has sprung up, and they refer to each other as Awful and Afoot, respectively.
City Parks. There are many parks throughout the city. Spots of tended greenery, usually sporting a lake, a wooded area, and various places for children to play. Most feature a baseball diamond, a football field, a basketball court, and a public pool. The largest of the parks is Grand Park, located in the northern section of the city. The park is bigger than some towns, and large enough that among the normal features, it also sports a golf course, though only 9 holes. The parks are frequently hot spots for dates to visit, as most feature long, winding pathways, both in and out of the wooded areas, making them ideal for romantic walks. Unfortunately, they are also frequent sites for kidnappings and murders, despite the security and cameras dotted around the place.
Profucol Mountains. The mountain range that marks the northwestern edge of the city. Higher up in the mountains is the Wolfhill Ski Resort. While not technically a part of the city proper, many from the city still visit the resort in the winter for a vacation and fun, and many of those that go skiing in the mountains make their way to the city at some point. The mountains are also home to many local legends. The most common is of a clan of werewolves that call the woods their home. Most legends are the usual grim and gruesome tales of attacks alone at night. However, there is one tale that is popular, telling the tale of a clan of werewolves that instead protect travelers from fiends of the night even darker and more dangerous.
Market District. While the notion of 'districts' within the city are nebulous at best, there is one section that cannot be described as anything but the market. Located in the southern section, it is the home of many of the biggest brands in the world. From tech giants to fashion, the many miles of the district are lined with shops, outlets, and brand distributors of all shapes and colors. Notable is that the district is also the shortest in the city, height-wise, with the biggest building being the mega-mall known only as 'The Forum.' The mall is a 5 story tall building that dominates several blocks worth of space. The parking garage itself goes down 3 levels, spanning the same size. The Forum has also won awards for its ability to funnel so much traffic in and out with little in the way of backup and jams, plus its many safety features in case of emergencies. The mall has so many people within it at any one time that it has its own medical wing, police precinct, and fire department.
Industrial District. Another section of the city that cannot be called anything but what it is happens to be located at the southeastern corner. Just north of the docks (a district in its own right), it is notable for many now abandoned buildings that were at one time the lifeblood of the city. Old industrial complexes, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses. However, as manufacturing was pushed to other parts of the world, these became less and less used, until now only a handful are still operational. Most are sat abandoned, full of old machines or empty warehouses. They have become something of a city in the city for the homeless, with some warehouses being run like little towns in their own right. Gangs and criminals also frequently use these old buildings for their own purposes. Many residents question why the place has not been overhauled years ago, citing the high amount of crime and filth that are the most noted 'features' of the area. Conspiracy theorists claim that the crime families that secretly run the city want to keep it that way, while the more practically minded say it is probably a matter of not wanting to spend money. Whatever the case, the locals know to avoid the southeast section of the city if they can.
Uptown. The 'rich' part of the city, located in the northern section of the city. This is where the nicest buildings to live are, and the money is clear. Country clubs, expensive cars, the nicest streets, and big houses are the most notable features. Though not all the houses are big, but the nicest apartments are located in uptown. Grand Park, AFUL, and AFUT are all located within this section of the city. It is also the closest to the Nemusyl Forest. Despite the obvious money, it is not known for being a place of glitz and glamour like some cities, just clear comfort and expensive taste. It is not without crime, as it is also the hub of where most designer drugs are distributed, and it is not uncommon for a body to be found in the nearby forest.
The Nemusyl Forest. The large, natural wooded forest north of the city. Some 70 years prior, as the city was rapidly expanding, concerns for the loss of nature arouse and the forest was declared to be a protected wilderness. While there is a main highway that runs through and a few little suburbs along the way further north, the forest itself is to remain untouched. The forest itself is massive, around a third the size of the city, and continues up into the mountains. Large enough that one can get easily lost if they were to wander too far... or on purpose. Rumors are that the forest is a graveyard for murder victims, both from the city's worryingly large amount of murders to the various crime families dumping bodies. Combing the forest for bodies would be a daunting task, and thanks to certain advocate groups, a legal and PR nightmare as it would 'ruin the natural beauty' for such regular searches.
There are other, smaller places worth visiting if one were to visit the massive metropolis. From street level coffee shops to fancy restaurants at the tops of sky scrapers. From historical sites to museums. Even the airport, Alta Ferro International (AFI), is one of the biggest in the country, as it is a stopping point for flights to and from Europe. The city of High Steel, known for its massive sky scrapers and sprawling nature, has something for everyone. And it is the perfect place for a killer to hide and thrive.
So that is my meta-setting of Alta Ferro. As you can tell, I have spent a LOT of time developing this whole setting. This is, of course, only the most basic taste of what the city has. Most of it is stuff that will never come up, or only be referenced in passing. Plus, as it is the setting for so many different stories, it is always going to keep growing and evolving. And while it is one of the biggest cities in the world, it is just one city in a vast world around it. The greater world has its own lore and stories to tell. But it's always good to have a hub to fall back on.
And that is Alta Ferro. The center of the Ferroverse.
I've gotten a few questions about what exactly is my meta setting of Alta Ferro. So! Have a massive lore dump!
What is Alta Ferro?
Just what is Alta Ferro? In short, it is a meta setting. Okay, so what is a meta setting. It is a setting that other settings take place within. In comic book terms, think of Marvel's 616 universe or DC's Earth 1 (or whatever they're calling the prime universe these days). All the other stories take place in the same universe. Alta Ferro is the same idea, with the meta setting called the Ferroverse.
Many, many other series take place within the setting of Alta Ferro. These include, but are not limited to:
Tales from Alta Ferro (obviously)
Raccoon Rage
D-Gen
Noxumbra
Interview with a Serial Killer
And more.
Okay. So what is Alta Ferro within the setting? A city, set generically within a fantasy version of the United States (because I, the author, am American), specifically the American northeast. It is basically my stand-in for New York City. But just how can so many stories take place within just one city? There's magic, monsters, serial killers, super heroes, many kinds of organized crime, and even a secret group of mystical police, plus the main focus of a secret online murder club. How can all of these take place in just one city?
Short answer: because I say they do.
But okay, that's not a satisfying in-lore answer. To answer that, we must answer another question: Just how big is Alta Ferro? BIG! How big? It is roughly 5200 square miles (~8368 square km). How big is that? It would make it the 5th largest city in the world, ranking only behind cities in China that have been around for thousands of years. This makes it roughly the same size as the state of Connecticut! It also holds a population of around 31 million people, roughly 10% the population of the United States. Though in the universe of Alta Ferro, it is closer to only 7%. The world's population is around 10.3 billion in this setting.
So, the city is big, and fairly densely populated. But not so dense that it does not still have its own suburbs. Many are within the city itself. Much like how many major cities kept growing and absorbed other, smaller cities into itself. They just didn't bother to keep the old city names and all became one massive conglomeration of metropolitan sprawl. However, it cannot really get too much bigger, as it is now situated between a mountain range, a natural forest (which is considered a protected wilderness), and the ocean. Not to mention the state line. However, it has other features as well.
Some notable features:
Alta Ferro University (AFU). The collage has many campuses dotted around the city. There are branches for law, technology, and more generic degrees such as English and Literature. There is also a community collage variant (AFCC), and an Ivy League variant, namely the university for Law (AFUL) and technology (AFUT). A natural rivalry between these two has sprung up, and they refer to each other as Awful and Afoot, respectively.
City Parks. There are many parks throughout the city. Spots of tended greenery, usually sporting a lake, a wooded area, and various places for children to play. Most feature a baseball diamond, a football field, a basketball court, and a public pool. The largest of the parks is Grand Park, located in the northern section of the city. The park is bigger than some towns, and large enough that among the normal features, it also sports a golf course, though only 9 holes. The parks are frequently hot spots for dates to visit, as most feature long, winding pathways, both in and out of the wooded areas, making them ideal for romantic walks. Unfortunately, they are also frequent sites for kidnappings and murders, despite the security and cameras dotted around the place.
Profucol Mountains. The mountain range that marks the northwestern edge of the city. Higher up in the mountains is the Wolfhill Ski Resort. While not technically a part of the city proper, many from the city still visit the resort in the winter for a vacation and fun, and many of those that go skiing in the mountains make their way to the city at some point. The mountains are also home to many local legends. The most common is of a clan of werewolves that call the woods their home. Most legends are the usual grim and gruesome tales of attacks alone at night. However, there is one tale that is popular, telling the tale of a clan of werewolves that instead protect travelers from fiends of the night even darker and more dangerous.
Market District. While the notion of 'districts' within the city are nebulous at best, there is one section that cannot be described as anything but the market. Located in the southern section, it is the home of many of the biggest brands in the world. From tech giants to fashion, the many miles of the district are lined with shops, outlets, and brand distributors of all shapes and colors. Notable is that the district is also the shortest in the city, height-wise, with the biggest building being the mega-mall known only as 'The Forum.' The mall is a 5 story tall building that dominates several blocks worth of space. The parking garage itself goes down 3 levels, spanning the same size. The Forum has also won awards for its ability to funnel so much traffic in and out with little in the way of backup and jams, plus its many safety features in case of emergencies. The mall has so many people within it at any one time that it has its own medical wing, police precinct, and fire department.
Industrial District. Another section of the city that cannot be called anything but what it is happens to be located at the southeastern corner. Just north of the docks (a district in its own right), it is notable for many now abandoned buildings that were at one time the lifeblood of the city. Old industrial complexes, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses. However, as manufacturing was pushed to other parts of the world, these became less and less used, until now only a handful are still operational. Most are sat abandoned, full of old machines or empty warehouses. They have become something of a city in the city for the homeless, with some warehouses being run like little towns in their own right. Gangs and criminals also frequently use these old buildings for their own purposes. Many residents question why the place has not been overhauled years ago, citing the high amount of crime and filth that are the most noted 'features' of the area. Conspiracy theorists claim that the crime families that secretly run the city want to keep it that way, while the more practically minded say it is probably a matter of not wanting to spend money. Whatever the case, the locals know to avoid the southeast section of the city if they can.
Uptown. The 'rich' part of the city, located in the northern section of the city. This is where the nicest buildings to live are, and the money is clear. Country clubs, expensive cars, the nicest streets, and big houses are the most notable features. Though not all the houses are big, but the nicest apartments are located in uptown. Grand Park, AFUL, and AFUT are all located within this section of the city. It is also the closest to the Nemusyl Forest. Despite the obvious money, it is not known for being a place of glitz and glamour like some cities, just clear comfort and expensive taste. It is not without crime, as it is also the hub of where most designer drugs are distributed, and it is not uncommon for a body to be found in the nearby forest.
The Nemusyl Forest. The large, natural wooded forest north of the city. Some 70 years prior, as the city was rapidly expanding, concerns for the loss of nature arouse and the forest was declared to be a protected wilderness. While there is a main highway that runs through and a few little suburbs along the way further north, the forest itself is to remain untouched. The forest itself is massive, around a third the size of the city, and continues up into the mountains. Large enough that one can get easily lost if they were to wander too far... or on purpose. Rumors are that the forest is a graveyard for murder victims, both from the city's worryingly large amount of murders to the various crime families dumping bodies. Combing the forest for bodies would be a daunting task, and thanks to certain advocate groups, a legal and PR nightmare as it would 'ruin the natural beauty' for such regular searches.
There are other, smaller places worth visiting if one were to visit the massive metropolis. From street level coffee shops to fancy restaurants at the tops of sky scrapers. From historical sites to museums. Even the airport, Alta Ferro International (AFI), is one of the biggest in the country, as it is a stopping point for flights to and from Europe. The city of High Steel, known for its massive sky scrapers and sprawling nature, has something for everyone. And it is the perfect place for a killer to hide and thrive.
So that is my meta-setting of Alta Ferro. As you can tell, I have spent a LOT of time developing this whole setting. This is, of course, only the most basic taste of what the city has. Most of it is stuff that will never come up, or only be referenced in passing. Plus, as it is the setting for so many different stories, it is always going to keep growing and evolving. And while it is one of the biggest cities in the world, it is just one city in a vast world around it. The greater world has its own lore and stories to tell. But it's always good to have a hub to fall back on.
And that is Alta Ferro. The center of the Ferroverse.
Literally A F U.
A fuck you.