Ikarus, the Underground
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The underground nation of Ikarus is not a true country, as the inhabitants see it. They are a giant Mafioso. Their lands bypass the borders of many nations. When living and/or working within the borders of a nation the Ikarian’s will follow both family law and that nation’s laws.
Geography
Ikarus is home to a complex and endemic ecosystem that contains many plants and animals never seen on the surface. While many topsiders would think them to be a barren and desolate place, the Ikaran’s have managed to live a complete life in it. Due to the lack of the sun photosynthesis is impossible there is a complete lack of green plants in Ikaris.
Islands of Vizar
The Islands of Vizar are a grouping of thousands of massive underground islands floating on top of a sea of liquid gold being heated up by boundless magma chambers.
Geographical Features
Foliage - The Islands of Vizar are mostly made up of dense forests, but also includes mountainous regions, plains, and lakes.
The Golden Consciousness - The Consciousness is a single emergent living being connected to each world, sharing a hive mind, and solely bent on restoring the balance at all costs. It has connected to thousands of worlds before Vala. Many misguided people have made the horrific mistake of raising the Golden Consciousness to the level of deity- conducting mortal sacrifices to it to placate the monstrosity or seek its favor. The Golden Consciousness gladly consumed these bodies, becoming one with them and producing terrifying beings, all who lose the ability to feel and blindly follow the hive mind.
Sousheim
Sousheim is a ghost kingdom devoid of all life that once filled its walls with raucous laughter and merriment. It was a place founded by raiders and barbarians, nestled underneath the World of Vala.
Geographical Features
Temple of Null - Since the coming of the new Gods, the place has long been desecrated, one of few that were brutally ruined. The pillars and wooden supports lie smashed, and the roof is gone, leaving snow and ice to settle in the innards. Plundered treasures were often offered up to the gods, as well as food. These riches now lie under the altar, forgotten.
The Unknown - A portal of pure black and purple tears itself into reality, and people will be uncontrollably pulled in.
Poison Lands
The deep underground has many dangers to test a brave adventurer, but only the foolish would pass into the yellow mists of the Poison Lands. Nothing can survive in the noxious miasma that steals the breath and veils the eyes - or can it?
Geographical Features
Flora - The Poison Lands have no normal plants, but it is home to numerous giant fungi and tree-like rock formations that have feathery fronds at the top that wave back and forth. These rock formations are very similar to corals and come in a great many forms and colors.
Fauna - The Poison Lands are full of life but much of it poses no danger beyond unsettling the novice traveler. There are things that skitter and crawl, armored bugs with too many legs, centipedes with six wings that fly in lazy loops, and strange fleas that have the annoying habit of getting caught in your hair or beard.
The Feared - The Feared is a plain where the victim who is sent there is faced with their worst fears and is hunted down by their inner demons within a world made from their memories and dreams. To escape the feared you must find five tokens that represent important moments in your life and face the demons hunting you, if another person gets dragged in with you the world will shape itself to the mind of the person who first entered the portal.
Cities
Each Ikarian city made after the founding of the company follows a strict pattern. The main office is built no less than a hundred feet from the entrance to the main shaft. Across a wide street (two ore carts can pass each other with room to spare) is an acre of empty flat land. It is used as the community needs it; crops, common grazing, and festival grounds. The commons, company-provided housing, starts next to the field. A step well is dug on the other side. The company store is next to the main office. After that is an alehouse, a bathhouse, a clinic, a forge, and a library.
Dorado
The capital of Ikarus, Dorado rests dozens of miles underneath the surface territory of Ikarus. It is a huge underground metropolis of more than five hundred thousand people. The cities layout is determined by its strict social system. The Don’s palace and the Assembly Halls sit highest in a tier known as the Diamond Quarter - which is also home to the Runic Order. A complicated system of stairs and passages cut down from the Diamond Quarter, through the noble areas, to the Commons, and finally to the slums of Dust Town. The Runic Guild has the most influence in the Commons, where the many works of Dorado’s craftsmen are bought and sold. Connected are the Battle Arena, an ancient venue for the public settling of Ikarus disputes. The Commons is also where visitors to Dorado spend most of their time, it being the city’s center for trade. Below the Battle Arena is the broken-down Stone Town. It is a haven for crime, organized and otherwise. Dorado guards cannot be bothered to patrol its streets. Many in Dorado turn to drink, specifically the toxic lichen ale so common in the quarter.
Zed
Unlike Dorado, Zed isn’t built by the family. Each "sector" of the city elects its own council member to represent them in discussing matters that affect the entire city. The position of king was also reinvented, now known as the Viceroy, the head of the Council, though the position is mostly formal
Government
The government of Ikarus is ruled by The Don the Leader of the Ikarus Family it is the most powerful mafia family in the World of Vala. Several family’s organizations and individuals serve under the Ikarus. Even when there is internal strife, members of the Ikarus family stand united to repel attack from opposing families living up to their tile as the best and strongest.
Military
The Ikarus Families military came into being when the original Don Coppola suggested creating a vigilante group to protect the people. From then on, each generation of the Ikarus Family has donned formal attire when risking their lives to fulfil this duty. While they originally started as a vigilant organization their ways gradually changed during Don Alexander’s reign, eventually leading to violence and crime. The influence that the Ikarus family has is worldwide, and it was said that no Family can match them in terms of size, tradition, rules, or power. .
Law
Thera Law defines property, contracts, and crimes. The Emperor of the Southern Sea rules over law with an iron fist. Ensuring that everyone follows the lawas that keep Thera safe from any encrouching thrat.
Society
Ikaran’s live by the nine ways set down by Great Don Coppola. Community is very important. They believe that in order for the community to be prosperous and successful, each member must be as well.
Community is better than alienation.
Courage is better than cowardice.
Freedom is better than slavery.
Honesty is better than guilt.
Honor is better than dishonor.
Knowledge is better than ignorance.
Realism is better than dogmatism.
Vigor is better than lifelessness.
Strength is better than weakness.