Skylan: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:28, 29 November 2023

Skylan, a distinctive neighborhood perched atop Skylan Mountain, commands attention with its unique blend of industrial prowess and scenic mountain homes. Situated south of Irvington and Meijin Hills in New Orange City, and north of FridayFunLand theme park, Skylan has become synonymous with its heavily industrialized east side and the tranquility of its mountain residences on the south and west sides.

Historical Significance

Skylan Mountain, the imposing foundation beneath the neighborhood, carries echoes of a bygone era. Long before the inception of New Orange City, the mountain harbored an ancient city known as Skylan City. These historic ruins, accessible through various roads and rail lines, bear testament to a rich past. The remnants feature impressive arches, towers, and columns, providing a glimpse into the ancient civilization that once thrived within Skylan Mountain.

Water Source and Aqueducts

Skylan Mountain plays a crucial role in sustaining both New Orange City and Mainland City as a major water source. At the base of the northern slope, two aqueducts efficiently channel water to filtration plants, ensuring a vital resource for the cities.

Industrial Hub

The imposing Skylan Industrial Zone, embedded within the mountain side, stands as a testament to Skylan's industrial legacy. An active foundry and smelting facility, adorned with gothic detailing and brickwork dating back to the 1890s, the industrial zone features eight massive chimneys and towers. While a major employer, the facility's impact on the surrounding environment is marked by its imposing presence and the pollution it generates.

Residential Enclaves

Scattered along the southern and western edges of the mountain, ten single-family homes offer residents breathtaking views. Skyhill Court and Seaways Court apartments, each comprising six units, also overlook FridayFunLand.

Transportation Hubs

The Skylan Omegaloop train station, positioned west of the Skylan Industrial Zone and elevated on the mountain, serves as a crucial transportation hub. Additionally, the FridayFunLand Omegaloop train station, located on the southern edge near ground level, ensures convenient access to the popular theme park. The Skylan Hyperloop station exists within the Skylan mountain interior, providing quick access to adventurous tourists.

Landmarks and Architectural Marvels

Keikei Inn: Nestled on the western edge, this vintage resort hotel boasts 24 rooms, providing a charming retreat for visitors.

Skylan Palace Complex: Comprising two distinctive towers and a main palace structure, this ancient building, fully restored from the old Skylan City, overlooks Irvington and Dukeside District. Today, it hosts public and private events.

Skylan Moonface Complex: Embedded within the mountain, this enigmatic complex, accessible only via an underground path connecting to Dukeside District and Lusus, remains shrouded in mystery and speculation.

Orangetown Sign: Positioned on the northern slope, this iconic landmark, though once prominent, now shares its view with the towering structures of the Omegaloop rail lines, Skylan Industrial Zone, and Meijin Hills.

Skylan Neighborhood, with its juxtaposition of industry and mountain tranquility, stands as a testament to the city's ability to harmonize diverse elements within its vibrant urban landscape.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Skylan''' is a territory that was at various times a duchy within the New Haven kingdom, an independent Kingdom, and a subordinate province within the [[Mainland]]. Today, the area is an integral part of the Grand Republic of [[Oranjestad]]. Skylan is known for its scenic views and extensive cavern systems, where much of the old kingdom ruins still exist.
+'''Skylan''', a distinctive neighborhood perched atop '''Skylan Mountain''', commands attention with its unique blend of industrial prowess and scenic mountain homes. Situated south of [[Irvington]] and [[Meijin Hills]] in [[Oranjestad|New Orange City]], and north of [[FridayFunLand]] theme park, Skylan has become synonymous with its heavily industrialized east side and the tranquility of its mountain residences on the south and west sides.
-==History==
+====Historical Significance====
-===Duchy of Skylan===
+Skylan Mountain, the imposing foundation beneath the neighborhood, carries echoes of a bygone era. Long before the inception of '''New Orange City''', the mountain harbored an ancient city known as '''Skylan City'''. These historic ruins, accessible through various roads and rail lines, bear testament to a rich past. The remnants feature impressive arches, towers, and columns, providing a glimpse into the ancient civilization that once thrived within Skylan Mountain.
-The title "Duke of Skylan" was held, from 1235, by various members of the Welf family who ruled several small territories south of the Mainland. These holdings did not have all of the formal characteristics of a state, being neither compact nor indivisible. When several sons of a Duke competed for power, the lands were often divided between them; when a branch of the family lost power or became extinct, the lands were reallocated among surviving members of the family; different dukes might also exchange territories.
-The line that would lead to the House of Skylan was that of Bernard, one of the three sons of Duke Magnus II who had jointly ruled several New Haven territories since 1388, but who partitioned the territory in 1428 and 1432. Bernard received the modern-day territory of Skylan.
+====Water Source and Aqueducts====
+Skylan Mountain plays a crucial role in sustaining both New Orange City and Mainland City as a major water source. At the base of the northern slope, two aqueducts efficiently channel water to filtration plants, ensuring a vital resource for the cities.
-===Kingdom of Skylan===
+====Industrial Hub====
-In the wake of New Haven's collapse in 1498, the Duke of Skylan Bernard II declared himself to be Lord Sovereign of an independent Skylan. In keeping with tradition, his title was elevated to Archduke, and never used the term 'King'.
+The imposing '''Skylan Industrial Zone''', embedded within the mountain side, stands as a testament to Skylan's industrial legacy. An active foundry and smelting facility, adorned with gothic detailing and brickwork dating back to the 1890s, the industrial zone features eight massive chimneys and towers. While a major employer, the facility's impact on the surrounding environment is marked by its imposing presence and the pollution it generates.
-Under Bernard II's six-year reign, he never left the underground caverns of the Kingdom, and succumbed to dementia early on in his reign. His son Joseph became Archduke in 1504. Joseph helped drive an economic boom for the kingdom, and soon impressive new housing complexes were built throughout the caverns, providing shelter for thousands of residents. Joseph would also eventually succumb to dementia in 1520, thus beginning rumors of what would eventually become known as the "Skylan Sickness".
+====Residential Enclaves====
+Scattered along the southern and western edges of the mountain, ten single-family homes offer residents breathtaking views. Skyhill Court and Seaways Court apartments, each comprising six units, also overlook FridayFunLand.
-In 1684, Skylan occupied neighboring Oranjestad on the orders of Archduke Joseph IV. Joseph IV, speculated to also be suffering from a form of dementia at the time, was utterly convinced of a coming Great War in the East, and ordered the seizure of several outlying territories in order to strengthen Skylan's borders. The invasion caused alarm among Skylan's neighbors and resulted in the formation of the Eastern League in 1686. In the ensuing War of the Grand Alliance, Skylan was forced to give up its conquered territories, and Oranjestad was returned to the Mainlanders by the Treaty of Fat-Llama in 1697.
+====Transportation Hubs====
+The Skylan [[Omegaloop]] train station, positioned west of the Skylan Industrial Zone and elevated on the mountain, serves as a crucial transportation hub. Additionally, the FridayFunLand Omegaloop train station, located on the southern edge near ground level, ensures convenient access to the popular theme park. The Skylan [[Hyperloop]] station exists within the Skylan mountain interior, providing quick access to adventurous tourists.
-Skylan again invaded Oranjestad in 1795 under similar circumstances, with Archduke Joseph the Imaginer leading the charge. In January 1815, Skylan was driven out of the area by the Grand Coalition (headed by the Mainland). Forces besieged the Skylan territory and the area suffered heavy bombardment until October 1815 when Skylan forces were defeated. Joseph the Imaginer was executed by his own disillusioned soldiers soon after.
+====Landmarks and Architectural Marvels====
-===Mainland Province===
+'''Keikei Inn''': Nestled on the western edge, this vintage resort hotel boasts 24 rooms, providing a charming retreat for visitors.
-The Congress of Alqualonde in 1815 ordered the dissolution of the Skylan kingdom and placed the region under the control of the Mainland. The new rulers, uninterested in rebuilding the area, allowed the new province to wither. By 1860, the region was almost entirely depopulated, with most Skylan residents opting to flee to the south.
-===1867-Present===
+'''Skylan Palace Complex''': Comprising two distinctive towers and a main palace structure, this ancient building, fully restored from the old Skylan City, overlooks Irvington and Dukeside District. Today, it hosts public and private events.
-After Oranjestad's independence was reaffirmed in 1867, the Mainland relinquished control of the area to the budding nation. The transfer of the region was formalized in 1872. The region remained largely unpopulated until 1930, when wealthy residents constructed began constructing summer mountain homes atop the former kingdom.
-Today, the area is home to just seven mountain home estates, the Keikei Inn, and the Empire Hive housing complex (technically part of [[Lusus]]). A volunteer group offers daily tours of the old Skylan ruins within the mountain.
+'''Skylan Moonface Complex''': Embedded within the mountain, this enigmatic complex, accessible only via an underground path connecting to Dukeside District and [[Lusus]], remains shrouded in mystery and speculation.
+'''Orangetown Sign''': Positioned on the northern slope, this iconic landmark, though once prominent, now shares its view with the towering structures of the Omegaloop rail lines, Skylan Industrial Zone, and Meijin Hills.
+Skylan Neighborhood, with its juxtaposition of industry and mountain tranquility, stands as a testament to the city's ability to harmonize diverse elements within its vibrant urban landscape.