The Heights District
The Heights District, a bastion of wealth and power, boasts towering marble and obsidian structures with Art Nouveau elegance. Here, the elite navigate opulent halls, shrouded in secrets and prestige.
Obsidian’s Crown of Shadows
The Heights, a district etched into the very bedrock of Obsidian Heights, stands as a monument to the city’s wealth, power, and the insidious creep of despair. Here, amidst towering structures of black marble and obsidian glass, the city’s elite reside, their lives a dance of extravagant indulgence and hushed anxieties.
A Legacy of Ambition and Discontent (1800s – 1900s)
Jeremiah Blackwell, driven by his vision of a hierarchical city, meticulously planned The Heights District to be a haven for those who shared in his ambition. The wide, meticulously cobbled avenues, lined with gas lamps emitting a sickly yellow glow, were designed to showcase the grandeur of the Art Nouveau mansions that sprang up like ornate mushrooms after a rain. Families like the Thorns, the Devereuxs (before their fall from grace and descent into The ), and, of course, the Blackwells themselves, established a social order built on a foundation of industry and the unspoken promise of exclusivity.
The Obsidian Heights Arts Council, formed by Elias Blackwell in a bid to legitimize the family’s cultural influence, oversaw the construction of The Montclair Opera House. This grand edifice of marble and velvet became a stage for both renowned performers and the social machinations of the city’s elite. Alistair Ironside, whose family fortune was built on shrewd investments and a knack for exploiting legal loopholes, rose to prominence within the council, using his patronage to secure a coveted private box where he could both indulge in high culture and orchestrate his own ascent within The Heights.
But even as The Heights flourished, cracks began to appear in its carefully constructed facade. The Great Fire of 1893, which ravaged The Nexus District below, sent ripples of unease through The Heights. Whispers of arson and accusations of negligence aimed at the city’s wealthy industrialists sowed seeds of doubt and discontent among the working class. The fire, it seemed, revealed not only the physical vulnerabilities of the city but also the fragility of the social contract that held Obsidian Heights together.
A Gilded Cage of Secrets and Anxieties (1910s – 1930s)
The decline of the Blackwell family’s fortune and influence, coupled with the city’s overall economic downturn, cast a long shadow over The Heights. The obsidian towers that had once symbolized progress now loomed like silent sentinels, their gleaming facades reflecting the city’s deepening gloom.
Alistair Ironside, sensing an opportunity to seize control, consolidated his power through a mix of shrewd business deals and ruthless manipulation. He acquired struggling businesses, foreclosed on lavish estates, and bankrolled the campaigns of corrupt politicians, becoming the unofficial king of The Heights. His mansion, an imposing structure of black marble and iron, became a symbol of his dominance, its grand halls echoing with the whispers of deals struck in the shadows.
The Obsidian Club, once a bastion of Blackwell family influence, was quietly usurped by Ironside and his allies. The club, with its mahogany-paneled walls, hushed conversations, and air thick with the scent of expensive cigars and unspoken anxieties, became a haven for the city’s new power brokers – those who understood that true power lay not in inherited wealth but in the ability to control the flow of money, information, and obscurium.
The discovery of obscurium’s true potential during this period further intensified the anxieties within The Heights. Rumors of its ability to enhance human abilities, warp reality, and even open gateways to other dimensions spread like wildfire among the city’s elite. Secret societies, some with roots dating back to the city’s founding, emerged from the shadows, their agendas shrouded in mystery, their desire for obscurium a shared obsession.
the heights
Leadership
Alistair Ironside
Alistair Ironside, the epitome of old money and aristocratic power, reigns over The Heights District with an iron fist. He is a business magnate, pulling the strings of Obsidian Heights‘ economy and politics from behind the scenes. His ruthlessness and disdain for the lower classes make him a formidable figure, his influence shaping the city’s landscape and perpetuating its social divides. He is a key player in the ongoing power struggles within Obsidian Heights, his actions often intersecting with Mia‘s investigations, though their paths rarely cross directly.
Background
Born into a long lineage of influential figures in Obsidian Heights, Alistair inherited a legacy of power and privilege. He owns and operates Alistair Ironside Holdings, a conglomerate that controls various businesses and industries throughout the city, giving him immense economic and political leverage. His family’s deep roots in Obsidian Heights have allowed him to cultivate connections with corrupt politicians and other powerful elites, further solidifying his position at the top of the city’s social hierarchy. He is a master of backroom deals and social maneuvering, maintaining the elite social order through a combination of charm, intimidation, and ruthless efficiency.
Architecture
The architecture of the Heights District reflects a blend of neoclassical grandeur and Art Nouveau intricacy, emphasizing wealth, power, and timeless elegance. Towering marble columns, black granite facades, and sweeping archways define the buildings, giving each structure a monumental feel. Many buildings showcase fine ironwork and sculptural details, while sleek, retro-futuristic steel and glass towers rise alongside, adding a modern edge to the district’s historical foundation. This unique mix of classical and futuristic elements creates an environment that is both refined and imposing, mirroring the values of exclusivity and ambition held by its inhabitants.
Population
The Heights District is home to Obsidian Heights’ wealthiest and most influential residents—business magnates, politicians, and high-society elites who live secluded from the rest of the city. Families with long-standing power reside in lavish mansions, carrying on legacies of privilege and prestige. These residents are known for their disdain for the lower classes, viewing them as distant and irrelevant. Social order and appearances are paramount here, with the district’s residents maintaining a rigid hierarchy and using their influence to shape the city’s policies. Many are deeply involved in backroom deals, cultivating alliances that further cement their hold over the city’s economic and political landscape.
Unveiling the Mystique of The Heights District
Curious about the secrets of The Heights? Step softly—you’re in elite territory. For a night dripping in opulence, slip into the shadowed halls of The Obsidian Club, where deals worth fortunes are whispered over cigars and rare whiskey. Prefer luxury with a touch of decadence? The Gilded Cage offers pleasures discreet and dangerous, a gilded haven where secrets are traded as freely as drinks. If art’s your vice, The Obsidian Gallery is a sleek sanctuary showcasing obscurium-infused masterpieces, though beware—what you see might reveal more than intended. And for those seeking an escape from it all, The Celestial Hotel & Spa offers obsidian skyline views and treatments that claim to heal far more than the skin. But remember, in The Heights, nothing is free—not even your peace of mind.
No posts were found.
Fashion lookbook of the district
Fashion in the Heights District is an art form, meticulously curated to embody power, sophistication, and an air of untouchable elegance. Drawing inspiration from 1920s-1930s haute couture, the style blends Art Deco’s lavish elegance with streamlined Parisian modernism, reminiscent of designers like Tom Ford, Oscar de la Renta, and Elsa Schiaparelli. Tailored suits and tuxedos are impeccably fitted, often accompanied by fur stoles and long satin gloves, exuding an effortless glamour. Rich jewel tones—sapphire blue, emerald green—interweave with deep blacks and metallic accents in gold and silver, while touches of ivory and deep red bring warmth and depth. Key pieces include coats trimmed in luxurious furs, eveningwear adorned with detailed beadwork, and accessories like diamond-encrusted cufflinks, all crafted from fine silks, velvet, cashmere, and Egyptian cotton. In The Heights, every garment speaks of status, wealth, and a refined taste honed over generations.