⚓ OVERVIEW ⚓
Portland (/ˈpɔːrtlənd/) is a port and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Multnomah County. It is in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. The city covers 145 square miles (380 square kilometers) and had an estimated population of 632,309 in 2015, making it the 26th most populous city in the United States. Approximately 2,389,228 people live in the Portland metropolitan statistical area (MSA), the 23rd most populous MSA in the United States. Its Combined Statistical Area (CSA) ranks 17th with a population of 3,022,178. Roughly 60% of Oregon's population resides within the Portland metropolitan area.
Named after Portland, Maine, the Oregon settlement began to be populated in the 1830s near the end of the Oregon Trail. Its water access provided convenient transportation of goods, and the timber industry was a major force in the city's early economy. At the turn of the 20th century, the city had a reputation as one of the most dangerous port cities in the world, a hub for organized crime and racketeering.
After the city's economy experienced an industrial boom during World War II, its hard-edged reputation began to dissipate. Beginning in the 1960s, Portland became noted for its growing liberal political values, and the city has earned a reputation as a bastion of counterculture, which proceeded into the 21st century. According to a 2009 Pew Research Center study, Portland ranks as the eighth most popular American city, based on where people want to live.
The city operates with a commission-based government guided by a mayor and four commissioners as well as Metro, the only directly elected metropolitan planning organization in the United States. The city government is notable for its land-use planning and investment in public transportation. Portland is frequently recognized as one of the world's most environmentally conscious cities because of its high walkability, large community of bicyclists, farm-to-table dining, expansive network of public transportation options, and over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of public parks. Its climate is marked by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. This climate is ideal for growing roses, and Portland has been called the "City of Roses" for over a century. "Keep Portland Weird" is an unofficial slogan for the city.
⚓ DETAILS ⚓
⚓ M-ACTIVITIES ⚓
Over the centuries, Portland's access to the sea and relatively malleable law enforcement made it an attraction for organized crime. What originally began as simple spice smuggling into the US has eventually evolved into a full-blown black market industry involving drugs, weapons and other contraband. Portland crooks pride themselves for their professionalism and intricate shadow bureaucracy. In short, unless you know the right people who know the right people who know the right lingo? You probably won't get into the outer circle.
Recent boom in metahuman activity significantly affected the status of Portland Black Market. Whereas before it was simply a strictly illegal organization now it has moved more towards inhuman due to an influx of black magic and metahuman slavery. Nowadays, one can find anything from pixie wings to shapeshifter escorts and dragon hatchlings deep inside Portland's underbelly.
Konite has a strong presence in drug dens and traps. However, a lot of junkies fall victim to it's corrupted form known by it's street name: 'Spall'. This name is derived from the fact that the user literally breaks down in a matter of days, beginning with flaky skin. Compared to Konite it provides a much more intensive euphoria and power at the cost of increased half-time and degradation.
Despite all of this, Portland appears as a normal member of decadent USA. Criminal activity is low during the day, but peaks after the night blankets the cityscape in nocturnal ignorance. Unlike in other cities Portland perps aren't afraid to mug or kill both due to a lack of vigilante activity and backing by a city-wide organized crime industry.
22nd April 2017 - Trespasser Event - First Kaiju emergence in Portland history.
⚓ NOTABLE RESIDENTS ⚓
Eugene Morrison A.K.A. “The Majestic Marvel-Man” - Original protector of Portlandia. He was a Golden Age paragon known mainly for dismantling the first incarnation of Portland's Black Market in the 70s and defeating Terrifica, The Fear Maiden along with her Fearful Fünf.
Unfortunately, the superhuman samaritan was shot out of the sky in 1992 by the technocratic Black Sun Dynasty who moved into the power vacuum. That year the city erected a bronze statue in the city park in his honor.
Felix Faraday A.K.A. “The Invincible Hercules” - Recent metahuman phenomenon that appeared out of the blue in the Pearl District. The youngster's first feat was bringing human smuggling ring to justice. His casual demeanor and hands-on approach to criminality earned him the hushed nickname of 'Marvel-Boy'
Operates out of a decomissioned train yard. And even though his training can be quite audacious at times, the location is protected by the good will of his neighbors. Needless to say, he's Portland's very own superhero.
OOC
- Standard rules of CVU apply.
- No major destruction unless authorized by me or the COE.
- Overview cited from Wikipedia.
- Have fun!
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