NR / OrcUnderground

Varjoissa tiedetään hyvin, että Seattlen alaiset tunnelit ovat asutettuja ja käytössä huomattavasti laajemmalta alueelta, kuin yleisesti uskotellaan. Varjojen Orc Underground jatkuu pitkälle Tacomaan, Auburniin ja Puyallupeen. Turistien tuntema alakaupunki on suhteellisen turvallinen paikka. Kunnes eksyy vääriin käytäviin.

The Orc Underground

Following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, which destroyed some 33 city blocks in the Downtown area, the city decided not only to require new buildings to be constructed of more fire-resistant stone or brick rather than wood, but also to regrade the streets of the area one or two stories above the then-present level. This led to the network of underground basements and tunnels, even sidewalks, which became known as the Seattle Underground. The Underground was abandoned for many years until a revival as a tourist attraction in the mid-20th century led to its refurbishment and expansion. Although it is commonly believed that metahumans, mainly dwarfs and orks, moved into the Underground following the events of the Night of Rage, in fact several groups already occupied the area well before, although the violence in the streets above led to an influx of new metahumans seeking shelter. By the 2040s, the Underground was well established as a haven for metahumans and became known as the “Ork Underground.”

Still a sore spot for some dwarfs, too, let me tell you. After all, although orks are the most numerous of the Underground inhabitants by far, they’re by no means the only ones, and the dwarfs did (and still do) a lot of the work in expanding and maintaining the place. The majority of dwarfs left the Underground after disputes with the ork population, which has continued to grow over the years.

--Hannibelle

Some of the, shall we say, less pretty changelings have found their way down into the Underground, some accepted into the community, others driven out to the fringes or even back to the surface. After all, some of the SURGE transfor- mations are better suited to life underground, while others just prefer not to be seen in the light of day, which usually suits the norms on the streets just fine.

--Baka Dabora

The Underground has seen a series of expansions and renova- tions over the years, with much of the initial structure and bracing work from more than a hundred and fifty years ago still in place. This includes brick support archways and glass blocks that filter in sunlight from the street level, tinted purple over the years by impurities in the glass. The ork inhabitants have cleared out and expanded many sec- tions of the Underground, creating an entire community beneath the Downtown streets. Tours of the Ork Underground are available; inquire at the Big Rhino Restaurant or in the basement of Lordstrungs downtown. If you are in the market for ork craft items and unique gifts, as well as shops that cater specifically to metahumans, be sure to check out the Underground’s bazaar area.

IrecommendTusk,neartheLordstrung’sentrance,forork-andtroll-sizedcloth- ing, from casual to formal wear, and expert tailoring that includes alterations to armor-cloth and body armor designs to fit larger metahumans.

--Butch

More than that, the Goblin Market in the Underground is home to a lot of smug- gling that goes on in the tunnels, so you can find a lot more there than just quaint arts and crafts, if you know the right places to look and the right people to talk to.

--Traveler Jones

The Underground is more than just a tourist trap and metahuman shopping mecca, it’s a thriving community in its own right and in recent years has been developing other aspects of its economy. Take Fungitek, for example, a corpo- rate start-up in Snohomish specializing in mycocultures. They struck a deal with the Underground to set up a fungus farm down there for some of their new experimental strains, not only bringing more credit into the community, but also a potentially valuable new food source.

--Baka Dabora

The Big Rhino

Seneca Street & First Avenue
Looking for something different for your next night out in Seattle? Then plan a visit to the Ork Underground, starting with dinner at the metroplex’s first and best restaurant serving authentic ork cuisine, located right at the entrance to the Underground. The Big Rhino is a Seattle landmark, known for its food, entertainment (particularly “Goblin Rock” bands that play here on the weekends), and for its sense of fun. Be sure to bring your appetite, since the portions are ork-sized and served “family style.” Have along some antacids just to be on the safe side, since the cuisine is often scorchingly spicy. Plan on getting to know your neighbors, since the seating is old-style trestle tables and benches, and you might want to pick up a word or two of or’zet before you visit (“thank you” is todo, for example).

And “fuck you” is hodo. Don’t get them confused, kids.

--Butch

The “authentic ork cuisine” served at the Big Rhino is an eclectic fusion of soul food, barbeque (particularly the odd pig roast), Creole, and Germano-Slavic styles of cooking. I’m especially fond of the paprikash fried chicken with collard greens (sautéed in bacon fat), the hot-pepper biscuits with gravy and sour cream, and spiced pulled pork with seven-beans. The beer list is impressive, but if you get anything other than a Big Rhino Cider the first time, I’m afraid we can no longer be friends. Be warned, however, they also come “ork-sized” and pack quite a kick.

--Sounder

Although the Rhino has become a thriving tourist trap with the interest in “ork culture,” it is still also a good connection with the Underground and a place for anyone looking to hire some ork or troll talent, provided they’re respectful and in good with the regulars.

--Hard Exit

Page last modified on 2011-03-23 14:33