Astoria Alameda WestLex Shadow

Gauntlet Rating: 4 (–2 to interacting) in dockside areas • 3 (-1 to interacting) in hills

Alameda WestLex in Shadow

• Industrial vs Suburban: There is a spiritual battle in this area, one fought between spirits of industry and spirits associated with family and home life.
• The Great Shipping Port: Even though the industrial port of this area doesn't do nearly as much work as it used to, its industrial history is well-remembered in the Shadow. Machines and small worker spirits bustle in the area around the port constantly.
• The Overlooking Hills: The suburban dwellings in the hills that overlook the port area are filled with conceptuals and artificial spirits whose nature is in close alignment with the idealized suburban life that the Shadow fosters here. The streets are wide and clean, yards are well-groomed, and houses are cheerful. Things are orderly and polite here, but the suburbanite spirits are also nosy and xenophobic.

Landmarks

• The Alameda Battleground: Up and down Alameda Avenue, spirits of the two conceptual factions clash. It can be dangerous for travelers in Shadow to venture along this path, as they are likely to run afoul of one of the wandering bands of spirits, looking to lessen the power of the opposing faction.

Alameda WestLex Spirits

• Typical Spirits:
  • Nature: Steadfastly neutral, but often caught in the battles as innocent bystanders, most of the nature spirits of this area are those associated with the river, and the wooded hills.
  • Artificial: Artificial spirits are the preferred "footsoldiers" of the Battleground, with spirits of both sides press-ganging spirits associated with their ideal existence. Industry spirits recruit spirits of work machinery and tools, while the spirits of home send the spirits of vehicles, houses, and toys into conflict.
  • Elementals: Elementals are probably the rarest of the spirits in the Battleground area, but they are more plentiful in the hills of Alameda WestLex, generally attracted by the power of the Hurricane Hill locus.
  • Conceptuals: There are a number of these kinds of spirits, probably moreso here than anywhere else in Astoria. Though they are not organized in any way, they fight this battle instinctively, influenced by the Resonance of the Astoria Crescent that flows through the area and as a reflection of the civic disagreements about the future of Alameda/WestLex. Spirits of Prosperity, Industry, and Transportation wage wars with spirits of Home, Family, Safety, and Serenity.
  • Celestials: The battle between the spirits draws the attention of Mamorean spirits in particular - there are many spirits of Mars to be found here and there.