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Oxford, also known by the code name Sheol I, is a quarantined city in the Republic of Scion England, formerly home to the University of Oxford. For two centuries, it served as the earthly stronghold of the Rephaim, who took several of its colleges and other buildings as their residences. It was abandoned in September 2059 following a rebellion led by Paige Mahoney and Arcturus Mesarthim.

History[]

According to the Republic of Scion, a fire destroyed the university city in the autumn of 1859, with the tragedy pinned on the Carrington Event. What remained was classified as a Type A Restricted Sector. Ever since, no one has been allowed to set foot there for fear of some indefinable contamination caused by the storm. Paige Mahoney reflects that the story never made sense to her, but there was no point in questioning Scion.

A journalist from a penny paper called the Roaring Boy once tried to drive to Oxford, but never returned. The Roaring Boy itself vanished soon after.

Description[]

Oxford serves as a safe haven for Sargas-supporting Rephaim and a control center for their operations on Earth. It is accessible by either car or by train (via the Pentad Line), though the train only arrives and departs every ten years, bringing prisoners and supplies to the hidden Oxford Station. The nearest populated settlement is Winterbrook, where a number of Vigiles and paramedics are stationed to provide support in case of emergencies. There is no electricity in most of Oxford, with the exception of the Residence of Balliol, which has a single computer with access to the Scionet, allowing the Rephaim to communicate with both Winterbrook and the Scion Citadel of London.

The second purpose of Oxford is to train, indoctrinate and subjugate humans, especially voyants. Every ten years, a certain number of humans are brought to the city in a decadal harvest called a Bone Season. Upon arriving in Oxford, each voyant is given an identification number. While amaurotics are used as domestic labour, voyants are assigned a Rephaite keeper, who assess their value and hone their abilities for three tests. If the voyants fail, or earn the yellow streak—three displays of cowardice—they are banished to the Rookery, where they are left at the mercy of the elements, fed on by Rephs, and forced to entertain those of higher station. Other than the performers, all humans of the city are expected to wear uniforms, including tunics, the colors of which are used to identify their ranks.

The red-jackets, who hold the highest rank among humans, are expected to fight the Emim, the ancient enemies of the Rephs. Nashira Sargas claims that Oxford serves as a beacon to the the creatures, drawing them away from the rest of the human world. When the Emim breach the city, sirens are activated, summoning the red-jackets to drive them back to the Netherworld. They are rewarded for this service with certain privileges, like baths and warm clothing.

Amaurotics are put to work in the Rephaite residences to serve them. They live in Amaurotic House. Voyants who fail their first test or earn the yellow tunic twice are placed under the control of the Overseer who turns them into performs for the entertainment of the Rephaim and those in their employ. There are over two hundred humans, voyant and amaurotic, living in Sheol I.The prisoners are

During her Bone Season, Paige Mahoney estimates that there are around 300 humans and between thirty and sixty Rephs in the city at any given time. It operates on a nocturnal schedule, as Rephs prefer to sleep during the day, with a day bell and a night bell to alert prisoners to the curfew, which is strictly observed.

Districts[]

Under Rephaite rule, Oxford is broadly divided into the lamplit district and the outskirts. With the exception of red-jackets, humans are generally not advised not to go beyond the lamplit district. Gallows Wood surrounds the entire city, with fences delineating its limits, which Paige discovers when she explores:

  • The House (southern limit)
  • River Acheron (western limit)
  • River Cherwell (eastern limit)
  • Trap Lane (northern limit)

Lamplit district[]

The lamplit district is the center of Oxford, within the limits of the medieval city wall, which no longer exists. Up to this historical boundary, the streets are lit with gaslight and still look much as did in the Victorian era. The district is home to the residences—mostly former colleges of Oxford—where Rephaim, voyants, and a small number of amaurotics live. Of these residences, only seven—Balliol, Corpus, Exeter, Merton, Oriel, Queens, and Trinity—traditionally accept humans. A small number, including Paige, have been known to live at the exclusive Residence of Magdalen. Almost all the other buildings are reserved for the Rephs.

Residences[]

This lamplit district is also home to the Rookery, the slum where the performers live, and several other buildings and landmarks, including:

Landmarks[]
  • The Camera
  • Carfax Tower
  • Detainment Facility
  • The Sleepwash
  • Fell Theatre
  • The Guildhall
  • Kettell Hall (home of the Overseer)
  • Old Library
  • The Vault

Outskirts[]

Beyond the lamplit district, the buildings of Oxford are falling into ruin. Arcturus Mesarthim claims it would be a waste of resources to maintain the entire city, and that a modest central district is easier to preserve and defend. On Observatory Street in the north, old terraced houses are crumbling, surrounded by ghosts and weak poltergeists. The only illuminated path that runs through this area is Walton Street, which leads to Port Meadow, where voyants train with their keepers and Merope Sualocin runs physical drills on a weekly basis. Most of the amaurotics reside in the outskirts under the command of the Gray Keeper.

Landmarks[]
  • Amaurotic House
  • Divinity Gardens
  • Fields of Mercy
  • Port Meadow

Gallows Wood[]

Gallows Wood is the dark forest that surrounds Oxford, made up of thick Scots pines and knotted oaks, interspersed with some birch and horse chestnut. The name is an approximate English translation of Gálgviðr, a forest associated with Ragnarök in Norse mythology.[1] The Emim often appear in this forest, which they use as a hunting ground.

Notable inhabitants[]

Voyants[]

Rephaim[]

Amaurotics[]

Trivia[]

  • Other than livestock, animals are not permitted within city limits.
  • Magdalen, Oriel, Trinity, Exeter, Merton, Corpus, Balliol, and Queens are all real colleges at Oxford University. Corpus is likely a reference to Corpus Christi.

References[]

  1. ↑ https://www.samanthashannon.co.uk/more/anniversary-essay
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