PineFalls

Setting

Pine Falls. Population: 51,272

The pamphlets in the cultural center say that Pine Falls was once a popular settlement during the gold rush era and grew from the small, yet tenacious families who kept their traditional ways alive into the twentieth century. Today, however, the presence of Spencer University has transformed the once quaint little town into a place where young people gather to learn and forge themselves into tomorrow's leaders. Over the last fifty years, the old town by the river has been subsumed by the trappings of modern culture; slowly taking on the appearance of a typical college town.

Spencer University is Pine Falls' first and foremost attraction and source of revenue. It is a beautiful campus sprawled out over the biggest hill in town and faces the river on its south side. The rest of the town reinvented itself to cater to the abundant student body and the more contemporary establishments are all situated nearest to the campus, dwindling away from it into what are referred to as the "cultural" areas of the town. It isn't at all unusual to see Victorian homes sitting across from fraternity houses or thrift shops built out of rustic cabins on the outskirts.

Other noteworthy sites in town include Franklin Park, the Pine Falls Cultural Heritage Center, and of course the namesake waterfall itself just outside the city limits.

East of Pine Falls is Nasisan -- a Salishan Indian Reservation. It hardly counts as a town, however, and is considered off-limits to non-residents without permission.

More to come...

Mysteries

Though Pine Falls is a mostly quiet town, the silence holds many secrets. For those few who are curious enough to look beyond the town's kindly face, there are a number of mysteries...

Spencer University was built fifty years ago and has enjoyed a generous and steady amount of funding ever since. The town obviously never made any sort of money before the school came, however, and it certainly doesn't seem to make so much that it can continue funding it that well. Where is this money coming from?

More to come...

Changeling Society

For the Lost, Pine Falls represents a golden opportunity for starting their lives over again. With the city still growing, it is easier to adopt a new identity in a city whose documented history only reaches back so far and that sees many different people coming and going with the school schedules. Not only that, but the local freehold is composed almost entirely of young changelings or those that have not been in the city long -- an excellent environment for building one's reputation and influence. Add to this the fact that Pine Falls has apparently long been known for its rather bountiful Hedge and it is no wonder that changelings are figured to outnumber any of the other strange inhabitants of the city.

These great benefits come with their own mysteries, however, and most of them seem to be connected to an incident that occurred decades ago which apparently caused the old freehold to scatter to the four winds. No one in the freehold today seems to know precisely what happened, but it is known that there are a small handful of Lost in the city that do not associate with the freehold who might have some idea. They are rather difficult to locate, however, and it is said that they have less clarity than most Lost do.

Currently, the Winter Court holds the majority of the small but growing freehold. With Pine Falls gradually becoming a bastion of hope for the Lost, however, the Spring Court is almost equal in numbers.

Main Cast

Fu played by AstraKiseki

Mala played by K0npeito

Drake Nero played by SerasWinterblood

Supporting Cast

Gordon Merriwick Dean of Spencer University

Tall and broad-shouldered, Dean Merriwick might look far more intimidating were it not for his handsome grin and conservative charisma. Though his credentials are few -- a minor functionary in the University of Washington -- few who have met him question that he is suited for the task of running Spencer University. As the fourth dean of Pine Falls' prided university, Mr. Merriwick has been instrumental in making sure that the university -- and, by extension, the town -- is outfitted with the best amenities, facilities, and technologies available. A well-liked figure in Pine Falls, most people say it is a shame that he is very rarely seen outside the campus except on very special occasions.

Thomas Reuben Mayor of Pine Falls

The students and visitors call him Mayor Reuben, but long-time residents tend to call him Junior. Thomas Reuben II succeeded the position of mayor (a position that appears to go un-contested each city election) from his father, Thomas Reuben I, ten years ago and is serving his third term. Rail thin and a bit on the short side, Mayor Reuben is a sorry sight on the few occasions he stands next to Dean Merriwick. Like the dean, the mayor is fairly popular with the people of the city, but primarily among residents that have known him and his family for years. Indeed, the Reuben family is apparently one of the few that can claim residency in Pine Falls since the town first came to be. Most people that meet him witness a fairly kindly old man that lets his assistants and the more capable Dean guide the town's growth. Most people who know him, however, say that one must never forget their manners around him as he can become rather irate if he believes someone is rude.

Logs

Session 0 of Pine Falls - In which there is simply discussion, details hammered out, and other questions answered.