Central Sumaru City

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 it 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mt. Mifune

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

History

TBA!