Ralesk

Ralesk is the largest of the major domed cities of Alaris. Located at the southern point of the northern island, Ralesk resembles the other major domes in that it has only a small above ground presence, with most of the city lying under the earth. The dome has minor domes at the sea, allowing for seaports similar to the one at Arsineh.

Ralesk has not made publically-known contact with any other political entity with the exception of Arsineh, with which it conducts some trade, although most of the exchange between the two domes is filled with vitriol. Ralesk was once the capital of Alaris, but Arsineh - being the first of the major domes to restore its power and sufficiency - established itself as the capital of Alaris as far as Cardinalian political exchanges are concerned. Ralesk's government seems to be attempting to restore the old capitol, the Cathedral, before seriously attacking the Arsineh assumption of political power.

Vital Statistics

Official Name

Dome 295-WWC, colloquially known as Ralesk

Universal Location

On the planet Earth, on the continent of Alaris

National Allegiance

Alaris

Population

392,000 sentients

Population Makeup

385,800 humans

6,200 other (mainly Nameks)

46.9% male

52.05% female

1.05% neuter (such as Nameks)

Geographic and Cultural Description

Regional Geography

The surrounding area fits most of Alaris: bleak, cold, rugged, uninhabitable wasteland. The air around Ralesk is exceptionally vile; a few miles north lies a destroyed industrial complex, the domes of which cracked and leaked pollution into the surrounding areas. Wildlife in this area is nonexistent.

Within the climate-controlled dome, the air is a constant 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The above-ground level of the city is well lit and always has a gentle breeze blowing due to the system of fans and vents in the dome.

Local Government

Raleskan government is virtually the exact same as that of all other major domes. A large council dictates city policy and management, with seven of these Councilors being the main figures.

Government buildings are located on the fifth level of the city, in the central hub. Ralesk's equivalent to a city hall, known as the Dais, can be found near the center of this central hub. The Councilors must put forth bills to be approved by subcouncils and passed by approval from six of the seven Councilors.

Each Councilor has a subcouncil to govern, and each of these subcouncils has its buildings in one of the seven sectors of the fifth level.

City Description

Ralesk is the largest major dome in terms of city area and population. Although the above ground level is rather small, the city takes up ten below-ground levels.

The top level, the above ground level, is akin to a massive customs agency; most of the buildings on this level are government customs buildings. Its central hub actually takes up most of the land area, and contains these buildings. The sectors are mainly uninhabited, the only structures being defense turrets and automaton lockers.

The first underground level is a merchant level. Most commerce occurs on this level, with the various sectors dealing with various goods.

The second and third levels are residential.

The fourth level is a variety of public buildings, including libraries, hospitals, and schools.

The fifth level is the government level, as described in the Local Government section.

The sixth level is a massive agricultural level; however, most of Ralesk's goods come from outside sources, mainly Luvas.

The seventh level is an industrial level. A few merchant holdings are also on this level.

The eighth level is an industrial and trading level. Most of the level is taken up by massive factories, which produce the city's automaton force and most of its defensive equipment.

The ninth level is a residential level, and sector 5 allows access to the seaport dome.

The tenth level is a research level, and has access through sector 6 to an underwater dome in which numerous scientific experiments are carried out.

Citizens must carry ID cards at all times, and most buildings have scanners that read these cards without the cards needing to be out in the open. Many buildings only allow access to certain card types, as each level has its own type. Unlike Arsineh, all citizens may freely travel between the levels, and the quality of life is about the same throughout the city.

There are next to no demihumans within Ralesk for some reason. Many believe that this is linked to the complete absence of wildlife outside of Ralesk's dome.

Outsiders are watched with caution, though they are typically permitted full city access.

Ralesk's dome is built of the same supposedly impenetrable material as the other major domes, though the fact that so many minor domes have cracked seems to be a reason for concern.

Similar to Arsineh and the Cathedral, the entire city of Ralesk itself is a weapon, with buildings mounted with cameras and turrets, and thick armor plating covering most structures. Each level has streets that may open to reveal automated weapon caches, including turret defenses and automaton soldiers, and many more caches are hidden within the outer walls of the city. Armor plates may be activated to protect or isolate any combination of sectors of any level, as well as each central hub.