Fulfwotz

Fulfwotz is the largest city and the cosmopolitan capital of the New Sammichian Empire. It is the most populated city in the Shire, and an international economic hub. Sitting in the middle of the Demmatrodine Region, the city acts as a major shipping center between the Demmatrodine and the rest of the Shire. Fulfwotz is known for its diversity and distinct media-centric culture, fueled by the presence of the Follywood Entertainment Company, which dominates the film, television, and music industries. Fulfwotz lies in Seraphina Valley, a major coastal basin bordered on three sides by the Alturas-Santos mountains.

Originally home to the indigenous Seraphaho Enpeecee tribe, the site was established as a colony of the ancient Lilladonian Empire around 200 PRY. The colony, named Fauna, flourished for years and became an important asset to the Empire because of the vast veins of gold underneath the valley floor. In the northwest, the Old Sammichian Empire grew jealous and sought to acquire the town from the Lilladonians. When diplomacy failed, the Sammichians annexed the city in a display of brutality and bloodiness which resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Lilladonians and remains as one of the most infamous atrocities in Shire history. The mines were run dry soon after the occupation, so the Sammichians were forced to rely on other forms of trade. After the abandonment of Ceriumuse and the collapse of the Old Sammichian Empire, Fulfwotz became an independent kingdom until 1929, when it was incorporated into the capital of the New Sammichian Empire by Emperor Sammich the Magnificent.

The city is divided into seven distinct boroughs, which are further divided into numerous districts and neighborhoods. Fulfwotz sits in the center of the arid Demmatrodine Region and borders Demmatrodine Shrub Country. The city is a prime example of city planning and maintenance, being meticulously maintained through the detested Fulfwotz City Planning Office (FCPO). It is also a developing case of urban sprawl, housing roughly 11 million people in its metropolitan area and having one of the largest urban footprints in the Shire.

Commonly referred to as "Fulf", Fulfwotz is a global city with a diversified economy in entertainment, science, fashion, research, technology, medicine, and tourism. The city is home to a large number of institutions pertaining to research and culture, such as DePrey Institute, one of the Shire's most well-funded and skilled research facilities utilized by many other cities, Foie Gras Opera House, and Cabraxte Cinema, among others. It functions as one of the most substantial economic engines in the Shire and leads it in the production of films, television, and recorded music. In the nearby Colerica Desert, the music and arts festival known as Technostrasse attracts millions of tourists over the course of the first two weeks of June.

History

Seraphaho Era

Thousands of years before Lilladonian settlement, Seraphina Valley was populated by the Seraphaho tribe, a small offshoot of the greater Demmatrodine Enpeecees. Cave art discovered in caverns within the Alturas-Santos mountains suggest that the Seraphaho people ate a pescatarian diet, which is unusual and uncommon in people living in that time period. Scholars speculate that the Seraphaho tribe lived on the coast, not in the valley center, thus resorting to fish instead of other wildlife found in the area. It is unknown what happened to the tribe; it is a popular theory that the Seraphaho people were abducted by extraterrestrials, a belief somewhat supported by a conspicuous cave painting depicting several Seraphaho people being lifted into the stars. Others believe that it's more of a statement on the Seraphaho afterlife than their disappearance.

Lilladonian Era

rewrite Later, in the year 200 PRY, the growing Lilladonian Empire begins to branch out into the western frontiers of the known Shire with hopes of establishing a colony. The Lilladonians chose the now-empty Bongva Valley because of its natural mountain defenses, and the proximity to the water. After a few years, the small colony of Fauna is established. It was small, weak, and strategically unimportant. All this changed when gold was discovered beneath Fauna. The town thrived, and became one of the most important centers in the Empire. The streak of prosperity continued unbroken for many years, until 130 PRY, when trouble began brewing in the north. A rival empire was growing, and challenged the size and power of the Lilladonians: It was the Old Sammichian Empire. In their capital of Ceriumuse, the Sammichians were growing jealous of the fortune to be had in Fauna. Knowing if the Sammichian Empire wanted to be the most powerful that Fauna would need to be taken, Emperor Fikkle the First sent out a fleet of thirty ships to take Fauna from the Lilladonians. Commanding the fleet was the legendary Sammichian hero, Ser Leif. On December 12th, 122 PRY, Ser Leif sailed to Fauna in the dead of night. Believing that their town was safe, Fauna guards were out drinking at the pubs; but Ser Leif's fleet arrived, and began cruelly slaughtering every man, woman, and child in sight. Over 4,430 Faunites were murdered that night, while a group of 50 managed to escape across Enderfulf Bay, where they evolved into the current Enderian race. It is remembered as one of the most brutal and bloody conflicts in known Shire history.

Fauna was now in Sammichian control, and in gratitude, Emperor Fikkle allowed Ser Leif to rename it. It was renamed Fulfwotz by a drunken Ser Leif, and the Empire rejoiced. However, the festivities stopped when the Sammichians discovered that the Lilladonians had left the mines dry. They soon relied on trade, building up the town into a small city. As trade increased, Fulfwotz's influence grew too. Soon, power began shifting from the capital of Ceriumuse to Fulfwotz, the Emperor even taking up permanent residence in Castle Mugg. Eventually, due to a shrinking population and poorer opportunities, Ceriumuse was totally abandoned with thousands of years of history behind it, and the Empire was completely dissolved in 134. Fulfwotz remained as a large kingdom, ruled by the powerful Ich Dynasty.

King Cephluss the Mad

A turning point in Fulfwotz history was when King Cephluss the Mad was coronated in 1253. He is considered one of, if not the most insane Ich monarchs who had ever lived. He was cruel, unstable, and combative, yet Fulfwotz saw the largest amount of growth under his rule. Many great construction projects were put in motion, such as St. Flafbenz Holy Cathedral, the Cephluss Colosseum, and Trinity Candle. He even annexed nearby Enpeecee villages, forcing them to pay tribute. But probably the most memorable exploit of his was the famous Cephluss Incident, where he nearly bankrupted the kingdom and emptied the Treasury into DePrey Institute, funding research for a time machine using ancient dark magic. It was done successfully, and new technology from nearly 1,000 years in the future was brought back. King Cephluss was originally intent on keeping the technology within the kingdom, but upon his death it was shared with the Shire, advancing the world at an alarming rate. King Cephluss was supposedly buried in the Fulfwotz Royal Crypt, but there are conspiracy theories that King Cephluss never left the time machine, and is stuck years into the future.

Civil War

The Kingdom of Fulfwotz was the first to declare war after the rebellious actions of a small village it was attempting to annex left the kingdom humiliated and disgraced. After declaring war, the Shire quickly divided itself into three factions: the Overtakers, the Liberators, and neutral nations. Fulfwotz led the imperialist Overtakers, and the city was the site of many important events throughout the war.

Declaration of War

During the early 1900's, when the Imperial Shadow was first being cast across the southwestern Shire, the Kingdom of Fulfwotz had begun its aggressive annexation of all nearby towns and villages, prompting nearby settlements that had not yet been annexed to militarize themselves and refuse Fulfwotz rule. Yet many settlements were outmatched by the kingdom's forces, and were forced to submit or have their village razed to the ground. However, one unnamed village under the rule of Count Batman was particularly strong in terms of defensive strength and position, and the kingdom's forces were not able to breach the settlement. Word spread quickly that the blossoming Kingdom of Fulfwotz could not even conquer a mere village, and other growing nations quickly swept in, claiming a considerable amount of towns that were under Fulfwotz control, believing that the kingdom was not as strong as previously thought. Outraged, embarrassed, and a little smaller, the kingdom declared war on the village, allowing it to use as much force as necessary to conquer and destroy the village.

The Declaration of War was signed on the morning of March 25th, 1927, in Castle Mugg. There was a large amount of unrest in the Shire afterwards, and many believed the possible destruction of a town that fought to remain independent was evil and unjust. Many sided with the village, and became the Liberators, seeking to not only allow the village to live in peace, but to completely dissolve the Kingdom of Fulfwotz, and end Shire imperialism. The Liberators represented independence and peace, and is commonly referred to as the "good" side.

After hearing that one of the main goals was the dissolve the kingdom, many nations who participated in and relied on heavy trade with Fulfwotz realized that if the kingdom was to be eradicated, they would lose massive amounts of profit and possibly be plunged into an economic depression. Others sided with Fulfwotz not necessarily because of trade, but because if imperialism was to be globally outlawed, they would be weakened severely. This faction was named the Overtakers, representing imperialist interests and expansion at any cost. They were widely considered the "bad" side.

Occupation of Fulfwotz

After the bloody Battle of Venezia, almost all of Fulfwotz's military was stationed outside of the kingdom, fighting and fending off Liberators. On December 24th, Christmas Eve, 1928, a Liberator force of 5,000 under the command of revered General Tumerik of Knavobuki moved in on the undefended city, easily occupying it by sunrise, Christmas Day. Although many Liberators rejoiced, many others claimed that occupation was exactly what they were fighting against, and Liberator support wavered after many unproven yet widespread accounts of atrocities performed by the Liberator troops within the city fell on the ears of Shirefolk. One Fulfwotzian claimed that a group of five Liberators broke into his home, assaulted his wife, killed his son, and ran off with jewelry and family heirlooms. This was afterwards proven true, along with many other accounts of terrorism.

Fulfwotzian life during the Liberator occupation was altered drastically, with martial law being declared by Provisional King Maltese after severe unrest and riots within the city. The historic Abyssinia Hotel in Pinecone Village was the site of numerous mass murders after it was turned into a Liberator Command Center, and proprietors Georges & Norma Abyssin were convicted of over 90 counts of murder. It was said that they poisoned the water, and blamed it on the claim that the filtration system was no longer functioning since the occupation. The claim was discovered to be false, and the couple was executed.

Surrender

With the center of Overtaker power occupied, and a severely weakened army, the Overtakers officially surrendered. After threatening to use nuclear weaponry, both sides recognized the implications of Mutual Assured Destruction, and the Niflheim Treaty was drawn up in Niflheim Palace. Some major agreements of the treaty included:

The Kingdom of Fulfwotz will release its grip on any village that refuses its rule
The Kingdom of Fulfwotz may continue to exist as long as future annexations are agreed to by both parties
Both sides must dispose of nuclear weaponry, allowing a maximum of 10 warheads per nation
The Shire United Nations will be created to monitor and maintain peace throughout the Shire
All trade embargoes placed on opposing nations by Fulfwotz must be lifted unless the embargo existed before the war
Restitution must be given to Fulfwotzian families terrorized by Liberator troops, on part of any nation formerly aligned with the Liberators
All nations along with Fulfwotz will be assigned an officer to monitor government activity and report to the Shire United Nations
Any research of Weapons of Mass Destruction in any Shire institution must be disclosed to the Shire United Nations

After the treaty was signed on May 24th, 1929, the Kingdom of Fulfwotz was incorporated into the New Sammichian Empire the very same day.

White Plague

During the White Plague in 1968, DePrey Institute in Fulfwotz was the forefront of discovering a cure for the deadly lymphrosis strain. Fulfwotz itself was quarantined to prevent the spread of the illness, but was soon infected after the quarantine was compromised. Nearly 1/4 of the population was killed due to the large Sammichian population, whose immune systems are very susceptible to the virus. The infection of the city led to serious repercussions in the Shire economy, with the music, film, and television industries based largely in Fulfwotz inactive. Work inside DePrey Institute continued, until a vaccine was developed and distributed amongst the Shire.

Organization

The city of Fulfwotz is known for its six distinct boroughs which make up the shape of the city. Each borough is controlled by a council, headed by an appointed Subchancellor by the Sammichian Imperial Chancellery. The various boroughs are remarked for their diverse and varying subcultures despite being in close proximity to each other. Due to the size of Fulfwotz Proper, it is also divided into numerous districts or neighborhoods recognized by the government. Other boroughs are also divided into neighborhoods, but said neighborhoods are unofficial areas named by those living within them.

Boroughs

Districts of Fulfwotz Proper

Oldetown
Harbor District
Theater District
Watchtower Hill
Seaside Park
Follywood
Farside Park
Edgewater
Wyrmwood Hill
Grand Flafbenz Plaza
Commercial District
Follywood Studios (Owned by Follywood Entertainment Corporation for corporate interests)

Culture

Because of the presence of major entertainment industries such as film, television, and music, Fulfwotz has evolved into a very media-centric and ambitious society. Many of its citizens wish to live the "Fulfwotz Dream', making it big in said industries, but the ambition and aspirations of its' citizens makes the city shallow and opportunistic.

Media

Being the hub of the entertainment industry in the Shire, media is very heavily focused on in the lives of Fulfwotzians. Those who work in the media, such as actors, musicians, and comedians, are held in very high esteem, and look to wealthy areas of Fulfwotz for their estates. not finish

Major Organizations

Fulfwotz is home to a number of organizations important to the Empire and the Shire.

Shire Global News - A major news outlet covering all areas of the Shire. While the main offices are located inside the SGN Tower in Orikami, the Administrative Offices are in Grand Flafbenz Plaza.
Shire Event Committee - The organization responsible for planning and organizing all the events in The Shire. Located in Follywood
Fulfwotz City Planning Office - A commonly-criticized and bureaucratic committee in charge of everything from the locations of parks to taxes.
Follywood Entertainment Company - A conglomerate at the forefront of media entertainment in the Shire, producing hundreds of movies, television shows, and music albums every year. Among the subsidaries of the conglomerate are Follywood Films, Vixen Records, and the Globul Theater Company.
Biltbobble Pharmaceuticals - An organization controlled by the booming and affluent Biltbobble Family, and one of the leading manufacturers of medicinal drugs and equipment.
The Xan Clan - One of the Shire's largest and most infamous crime syndicate, led by the enigmatic Thatiana Xanthippe. A former Fulfton street-gang, after the social upheaval of the White Plague, they were able to secure a higher position through claiming territory and assuming control of ravaged gangs. They are now a widely-feared (and respected) organization within the city.

Controversy

Despite its relatively clean and attractive outward appearance, the city of Fulfwotz is quite well-known for being a dangerous and crooked city, being rated the No. 1 Most Corrupt City by the respected travel magazine Iteria. It has among the highest rates of crime (primarily bribery, theft, murder, arson, and embezzlement) in the Shire, and travel to the city during Shire-wide social/political/economical upheaval (e.g. the Civil War and White Plague) is strongly discouraged as the city may become increasingly unsafe. Fulfwotz remains one of the most controversial cities around, mainly for the following:

Elitism

A natural outcome of its laissez-faire libertarian opinions, elitism is alive and well in Fulfwotz, and is hated by those at the bottom of the chain. Despite having a large middle-class population and a relatively wide gap between rich and poor, many claim the needs of the poorer citizens in Fulfton and Farside Park are buried under the more materialistic and frivolous needs of Follywood and Feverly Hills. The extensive amount of wealthy celebrities and moguls in the city look down on the poor, and have a considerably larger amount of opportunities. The rich are known for taking advantage of the poor, inciting the massive Labor Riots of 1938. The welfare system was only recently introduced after the Shire United Nations itself pushed for it to be established, even after the emotionally-confusing Sammichians angrily refused the financial aid several times.

Government Corruption

Over the years, countless government officials, the Imperial Family, and members of the Sammichian Imperial Chancellery have been accused of various accounts of corruption including bribery, money laundering, and embezzlement. The government is under near-constant investigation by the Fulfwotz Imperial Guard and corruption busts occur on a nearly biannual basis. It is unknown why such corruption is limited to the city alone within the massive Empire.

The Vetilla Trials

In 1958, a high-ranking Imperial Intelligence Agency official named Tac Vetilla, who held maximum IIA security clearance, was convicted of accepting bribes from the Fulfwotz Communist Collective (which later evolved into the NICA) in exchange for information on weapons research and the locations of strictly-confidential research bases and government-operated facilities. His secret was leaked by an anonymous IIA informant to the Fulfwotz Imperial Guard, and Vetilla was arrested and taken in for questioning.

During his trial, Vetilla revealed the names of over fifteen other FCC informants accepting bribes, prompting a massive investigation of the agency by FIG and SUN investigators. It was discovered that a whole sixteenth of the agency was engaged in some sort of illicit activity, resulting in a series of trials (dubbed Vetilla Trials) that lasted over a period of two years and the arrest of over 300 agents. It is believed that the confidential information that was passed to the FCC proved vital in their coup of 2001.

Crime

One thing Fulfwotz is known for is its excess amount of crime and unsafe areas. On average, over 200 people are convicted of or perform some sort of illegal activity every day. Poorer areas of the city are carved into territories for feuding gangs, but such crime is not limited to only the less wealthy areas; the Fulfwotz Mafia has an impressive foothold in Feverly Hills and Venezia Beach. Even despite the sale of legal drugs enhanced with Antinicotin to dilute the addictive effect, the drug trade thrives in poorer parts of the city since the regulated drugs come at a much higher price than the normal addictive street drugs.

Fulfwotz Banks

Due to the Empire's low level of interference in business and finance, it has become a haven for more sophisticated and wealthy criminals, most notably art thieves and corrupt businesspeople. In the late 70's, it had become popular for criminals across the Shire to store their money in Fulfwotz banks, since the Empire does not investigate large sums of money being deposited at once or keep tabs on account balances. The privacy made it possible for ill-gotten wealth to be stored safely. The Grummkin Financial Group is also suspected of knowingly valuing, purchasing, and storing stolen art, gems, and jewelry. The SUN Summit in 2000 attempted to rectify and bring reform to Fulfwotz Banks to prevent crime in their own nations, but said attempts were rebuked by the New Sammichian Empire.

Shire Black Market

Fulfwotz, along with most of the New Sammichian Empire, plays a major role in the happenings of the Shire Black Market, with a suspected Black Market facility in operation near the city. While such rumors have not been proven, many consider it factual that the government involves itself in nefarious and illicit activity, such as the sale of organs, Class III Weaponry, chemicals, information, and even indentured servants through the Black Market. Many suspect the Empire uses hundreds of fronts and fake businesses on the darknet to sell their goods as well. T

ASX-3

These rumors first rose in the 90's when the SUN Monitor Rita Xanada reported large amounts of the chemical ASX-3 disappearing monthly, and a large amount of income several days afterward. ASX-3 is a highly-dangerous Class III chemical weapon that when inhaled for several minutes can completely overload and annihilate the victim's nervous system, placing them in a persistent vegetative state or causing death. It is only classified as a Class III weapon because the gas is easily detectable and prolonged exposure is necessary to cause severe damage. Created during the Civil War, it was never used in battle and kept contained in DePrey Institute until it could be repurposed into a more discreet and lethal compound. The project was soon abandoned after the war, with large amounts of the chemical still in storage. Investigators believed that the Empire took to selling the chemical on the Black Market for huge amounts of profit. No legal action was taken since the Empire claimed it was merely disposing of the chemical at handling sites (it was discovered that it had, in fact, disposed of some of the chemical) and the profit was coming in the form on anonymous donations. There was no hard proof that it was being sold on the Black Market.

Bureaucracy

Despite the high level of personal freedom Fulfwotzians enjoy, it is commonly criticized for its bureaucratic government offices, most notably the Fulfwotz City Planning Office, compromised of 120 subcommittees and offices. Some offices include the Fulfwotz Sanitation Committee, Porcelain Bowl Protection Task Force, Department of Horse Whispering, Committee on Whispering Horses, Department of Possible but Unlikely Human Genocide, Bureau of Eugenics, Bureau Against Eugenics, Bureau of Resolving Eugenics Conflicts, and the Education of Dogs and not Children Commission.

Indentured Servitude

Fulfwotz is heavily scrutinized for its policies that allow indentured servitude, which is considered inhumane and degrading. Despite these accusations, the New Sammichian Empire defends its policies by claiming that a contract between the employer and the servant must be signed to enter servitude, so it becomes a consensual agreement instead of forcing one to work for another. It also says that it decreases crime and provides for the less-fortunate, since they will be provided with food and shelter upon becoming a servant. However, it was found that only 15% of those living below the poverty line actually entered servitude, and many consider the act of becoming a servant to be humiliating and lowly.

Notable Locations

Abyssinia Hotel - The Abyssinia Hotel was an important location during the Liberator Occupation in 1928, being retrofitted into a command center for the Liberator army. The owner, Georges R. Abyssin, was pro-Overtaker and poisoned over 90 high-ranking Liberators with his wife, Norma. They managed to convince the Liberator force it was tainted drinking water because the water filtration system was no longer in operation since the occupation.
Castle Mugg - The royal residence of Emperor Sammich the Magnificent, the castle has become a cultural icon and is easily recognized by many Shirefolk. Towering and imposing, just like the Fulfwotz ego, and opulently furnished, it is one of the oldest structures in Fulfwotz, even being inhabited by Lilladonian lords thousands of years ago.
Church of Sammintology - Not to be confused with the religion in practice, this is the headquarters of the Church in Feverly Hills. Formally the Château de la Fièvre Hotel, it was purchased by the church in 1988. It serves as headquarters, a celebrity center, and hotel for Sammintologists exclusively.
DePrey Institute - One of the most respected scientific institutions in the Shire, DePrey Institute is a leader in science, technology, sociology, and so on. Located in a massive castle larger than Castle Mugg itself, it has many departments dedicated to different fields of research. It is heavily guarded as most research that goes on inside are government-funded and classified, but tours are open to the public.
Follywood Sign - Like Castle Mugg, the Follywood sign has become an international culture icon, used to denote Fulfwotz in all forms of media. It was built by the entertainment company of the same name in 1979, and
Fulfspyre
Grand Fulfwotz Terminal
Hoppe Home
Seaside Gardens
St. Flafbenz Holy Cathedral
Trinity Candle