Revision as of 20:00, 6 August 2012

Sumaru is one of the oldest cities of this part of Japan. Holding a storied history passed down through legends and even outright rumors about the true nature of its history, it is a culturally rich place layered under a thick blanket of modernization and urban sprawl.

A thriving metropolis of over a million people, Sumaru is a city that runs like clockwork day in, day out. Notable for a river that shapes the landmass vaguely in the form of a yin-yang, nonetheless Sumaru seems more than ready to spread from its roots, having started to expand out towards the sea through various man-made landmasses.

What truly sets the city apart is in the information that runs all throughout the city. Every day, every hour, every minute, a whisper grows in volume until everyone's talking about it. Strangely, the ones that reach mainstream knowledge seem to be completely accurate. Many turn to this city for the latest gossip on just about anything, and the residents are happy to oblige.

Is there a difference here between rumors, white lies, and broad exaggerations that dictate the truth?
   --MUSH description

In And Around Sumaru

Rengedai Ward

Located in the center of Sumaru, this ward is split off from the rest by the Tanabata River which flows through the city. The development here is much more low-key than the rest of the city, and it is generally thought of as the ideal place to raise one's children, a thought that is only bolstered by the highly-regarded school, Seven Sisters. Locations of note also include Honmaru Park, Lotus Mall, and Araya Shrine, though the last has seen less use since a mysterious fire claimed the previous building in 1999. Locals speak of rumors that the shrine, and the caves in the small mountain beyond the shrine, are haunted.

Notable Locations:

• Seven Sisters High School: A popular high school in Sumaru. Parents hope their children will be able to attend school here.
• Honmaru Park: A large park in Rengedai Ward. It was closed for nearly two decades due to archaeological excavation. Some sections are off-limits to the public. They say that a homeless man who frequents the park is actually a former professor, and he knows a lot about the word on the street.
• Mt. Iwato: A small mountain with an extensive cave complex. Children have been known to explore and play in here.
• Araya Shrine: A small shrine on the foothills of Mt. Iwato. The original shrine burned down in a mysterious fire in 1999. It's said to be haunted.
• Lotus Plaza: A large mall complex in Rengedai, favored by students of Seven Sisters.
  • Kaori: An aromatherapy shop. The owner, Kaori, is known for being calm even in a crisis. Many people say they feel like new people after one of aromatherapy regimens.
  • Time Castle: A clock store. The owner, who calls himself the Time Count, also deals in some antiques. Strangely, no one seems to know when the store opened.
  • Rosa-Candida: A clothing chain store. It specializes in glamorous, up-to-date fashions. Lately, they have been experimenting with what they call 'fashion armor', clothing inspired by protective gear.
  • Gatten Sushi: A sushi restaurant. Very popular with the business set. The owner and chef is named Kankichi Mishina. Some of the regulars know quite a lot about the latest rumors.
  • Satomi Tadashi Drugstore: A part of a local drugstore chain. They sell everything from cosmetics to diet food to useful medicine. The owner, one of a set of sisters, is somewhat creepy.

Konan Ward

Located to the south of Rengedai, this marks the old port of Sumaru and sits along the coastline. Housing has traditionally been cheaper here due to typhoons that sometimes come up the coast, but as the ward has shifted from industrial to commercial, prices are rising. Several abandoned factories dot this part of the city, a mark of what Sumaru was. The Sumaru Police Department has its headquarters in this part of the city. Until a recent bombing destroyed the building, it was also the site of the Sky Museum.

Notable Locations:

• Konan Police Department: The department for the Konan branch of the Sumaru police.
• Lunar Palace Apartments: An apartment complex in Konan.
• Ebisu Beach: A popular stretch of beach. Sections of the beach are public and feature a boardwalk, while others are cordoned off. Some sections of the beach have been left undeveloped, and currents sometimes bring strange things ashore there.
  • Kaffe Yomiya: A small bookstore and cafe (featuring coffee and baked goods) on the Ebisu boardwalk.
• Sky Museum: Former location of an aerospace museum. It is currently under construction after its destruction in a bombing.
• Abandoned Factory: An abandoned factory, one of many across Konan.
• Seaside Mall: A large shopping complex in Konan Ward.
  • Hiiragi Psychotherapy: A psychotherapist's office. Dr. Reiko Hiiragi's therapy involves in putting people in a relaxed state while she uncovers the root of their problems. Many people feel much better after talking to her.
  • Johnny Roger's: A moderately-priced restaurant. The owner, called 'Master', is apparently a former sailor, though he says little about his past other than speaking of his longing to go out to sea again. He tends to know some of the latest rumors going around the city.
  • Sumaru Genie: A fortune-teller. Owned and operated by a mysterious woman, rumor has it the the Sumaru Genie's fortune-telling is extremely accurate. She herself likes to talk about the latest rumors.
  • Satomi Tadashi Drugstore: A part of a local drugstore chain. They sell everything from cosmetics to diet food to useful medicine. The owner, one of a set of sisters, is somewhat creepy.

Aoba Ward

Located to the east of Rengedai, this section of the city is Sumaru's media headquarters. The TV Station and several magazine publication headquarters are located here. It's also host to many renowned restaurants and bars, making it a favorite place for adults seeking relaxation after work. The large Aoba Park takes up the east side of this ward. Until a recent bombing, the park also was the location of the concert hall. Sumaru University is located in this ward, to the southern reaches.

Notable Locations:

• Kismet Publishing:
• Sumaru TV Station:
• Aoba Park:
• Sumaru University:
• Aoba Drive:
  • Etheria Spa:
  • 2X Slash:
  • Parabellum:
  • Rosa-Candida: A clothing chain store. It specializes in glamorous, up-to-date fashions. Lately, they have been experimenting with what they call 'fashion armor', clothing inspired by protective gear.
  • Satomi Tadashi Drugstore: A part of a local drugstore chain. They sell everything from cosmetics to diet food to useful medicine. The owner, one of a set of sisters, is somewhat creepy.

Yumezaki Ward

Located to the north of Rengedai, this section of the city hosts a number of casinos, pachinko parlours, and other recreational diversions. Rumor has it that the yakuza has a particular toehold in this area. Particularly popular is Club Zodiac, though a number of rumors circulate about the owners. Until recent bombings, a gym of some note, GOLD, was located in this ward.

Notable Locations:

• Yumezaki Dark Hour:
• Yumezaki Municipal Hospital:
• GOLD Gym: (Under Construction!)
• Mu Continent:
• Pachinko Silver: A pachinko parlour. It's hard to see how they manage to do any business, though, since no one ever has any time to play there.
• Giga Macho:
• Club Zodiac:
• Central Avenue:
  • Bikini Line:
  • Peace Diner:
  • Tony’s Shop:
  • Satomi Tadashi Drugstore: A part of a local drugstore chain. They sell everything from cosmetics to diet food to useful medicine. The owner, one of a set of sisters, is somewhat creepy.

Hirasaka Ward

Located to the west of Rengedai, this section of the city has some notoriety as being crime-prone... though most of its reputation is likely due to the male-only school for troublemakers, Kasugayama, located within this ward. Rumors circulate about some of the shops in this area--a particularly popular one says that the female owner of a local ramen shop is actually a retired Russian spy. Until a recent bombing, the multi-level Smile Mall was located in this ward.

Notable Locations:

• Kasugayama High School:
• Kuzunoha Detective Agency:
• Smile Mall: (Under Construction!)
• Sumaru Prison:
• Kameya Alley:
  • Tominaga Chiropractic:
  • Red Lantern Shiraishi:
  • Toa Armory:
  • Satomi Tadashi Drugstore: A part of a local drugstore chain. They sell everything from cosmetics to diet food to useful medicine. The owner, one of a set of sisters, is somewhat creepy.

Narumi Ward

Branching off the coastline to the south of Konan Ward, Narumi Ward is the newest ward of the city, developed in response to Sumaru's growing population. However, much of the housing in this ward is very expensive, leading to be primarily occupied by the young and rich. The most outstanding building in Narumi is the luxuriant Hotel Pleiades.

Notable Locations:

• Baofu’s Lair: A basement hideaway. No one knows for certain just who rents out the dive of a residence, not even the owners.
• Secret Laboratory: One of many research facilities in the city. The documentation says it's a laboratory dedicated to biomedical studies, but...
• Hotel Pleiades: A grand hotel in Narumi. The price of renting a room here is quite steep.
  • Amanogawa Ballroom: Hotel Pleiades' great ballroom. It's been host to a number of expensive upperclass parties.
  • Claire de Lune: A restaurant focusing on French cuisine, and located on the ground floor of Hotel Pleiades. The prices are rather steep. The head waiter, Soejima, has a reputation as the 'waiter from Hell'.
  • Ebony Bar: A bar, located on the ground floor of Hotel Pleiades. Though high-priced, the female bartender has a reputation for being cheery and easy to talk to... and also up on the latest rumors.
  • Padparacha Jewelry: A jewelry store located on the ground floor of Hotel Pleiades. The owner is more artisan than shopkeeper, and most of the wares on display are hand-crafted. His prices run steep, but he's more than willing to do commission work.

Mt. Mifune

Overlooking Sumaru city is Mt. Mifune, called Katatsumuri ('snail') by some locals for its shape. Largely undeveloped, it is host to a Buddhist temple and on its lower slopes, a sanitarium.

Notable Locations:

• Gouketsu Temple: A Zen Buddhist temple. It was founded by Master Fuyou, and the monks practice his style, Mokujinken, to this day. The head monk is a kind but strict man in his late 60s; most of the rest of the monks are much younger.
• Morimoto Sanitarium: A sanitarium, used as a place to house the mentally ill and disturbed away from the rest of society. Only one road leads directly to the sanitarium, though the enterprising and foolish will note that there are a number of nearby forest paths.

History

TBA!