Little Adhomai

Overview

Little Adhomai, also known as the Imperial Plaza or District 6, is the home to most of Mendell City’s Tajaran population. A shady district with various dives, bars, and restaurants, as well as a high rate of crime. Domestic disturbances and break-ins are frequent, as are scrumptious streetfood. Although not an outright slum, it is not widely trafficked by those who reside outside of the district.

District 6 is usually divided into several sections by its inhabitants, each of them being related to their place of origin and alignments; it is not uncommon for clashes to happen between supporters of the different Adhomian factions, and such conflicts might escalate into riots or further violence. This situation has deteriorated greatly since the Armistice due to the growing presence of governmental elements in the area. Tajaran intelligence agencies have begun clandestine operations in the area, supplying weapons and training to armed groups. Tensions are rising, Little Adhomai is now another theater for the Adhomian cold war.

History

Before the migration of Tajara to Tau Ceti, the Imperial Plaza was a sparsely populated residential district. Biesellite administration and investors paid little attention to the location. With the end of the First Tajaran Civil war and the opening of the Adhomai, the first wave of Adhomian migrants reached Mendell City. The low prices of District Six were attractive to Tajaran migrants, and as such the first communities of immigrants were created in that area of the city. Despite its growing population, the government neglected much of the district’s urban development. Crime and gang activity soon became serious problems in Little Adhomai.

The lack of urban planning has transformed the Imperial Plaza into a maze. Apartments, shops, restaurants, and clubs pile upon each other. Many housing units are constructed in traditional PRA fashion: large square buildings hosting several families and built using cheap construction materials. Tunnels, hiding places, and bunkers can also be found in the underground of LIttle Adhomai.

The Second Tajaran Civil War caused a wave of factionalism between the inhabitants of the Imperial Plaza. Little Adhomai was divided into sectors supporting the different warring Adhomian nations. Gangs were recruited and supplied by the People’s Republic and the Liberation Army; these groups were used to further expand their influence in Mendell City. Riots became more common, with violence spilling into other districts. Biesellite police had little success in solving the delinquency problem in District Six, forcing the locals to create their own neighborhood watch squads. In recent events, District Six was the stage of heavy fighting between its warring factions in 2462.

Demographics

Most inhabitants of District Six are Tajara. The People's Republic of Adhomai citizens are the majority. Since the end of the Tajaran Civil War, the presence of Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai and New Kingdom of Adhomai members has increased steadily. A small number of humans and other aliens still reside in Little Adhomai.

Culture and Society

Because of its relatively short existence, discrimination, and other barriers present in Tau Ceti, the Tajara of Little Adhomai still clings to their native culture. The first wave of migrants and their descendants had an easier time adapting their values to Biesel's culture. However, since the dawn of the Second Revolution and the Armistice, they have become a minority in Little Adhomai. With no effort directed at integration and the growing presence of the Adhomian funded groups, the overall morals of Little Adhomai's population remain very similar to their homeworld.

Tajara not employed by megacorporations will usually be engaged in Little Adhomai's informal economy. Due to the spotty presence and rampant corruption of the police agents assigned to District Six, illegal shops can operate with impunity. While some Tajara consider the opportunity to work for the corporations a blessing, others see Little Adhomai's situation as being directly caused by the corporate entities.

Despite the high crime rates, Little Adhomai has an active nightlife. Bars and clubs stay open until late, bustling with activity. Most restaurants are specialized in serving Adhomian food, while other establishments have started to experiment with Tau Ceti’s cuisine, creating a unique blend of Biesellite and Tajaran flavors.

The Imperial Plaza is the birthplace of the subculture known as the “Greasers”. Formed by young Tajara disillusioned with the life in Tau Ceti, they are characterized by a rebellious attitude, leather jackets, and interest in Adhomian monowheels. They are often associated with delinquency, with some of them forming their own gangs or joining existing ones.

The art of Little Adhomai revolves around the Tajaran condition and culture in Tau Ceti. The challenges of living in an alien world, the effects of the Tajaran civil war, discrimination; and employment under megacorporations are common themes in District Six’s cultural productions. Local artists are commonly sponsored by the Tajaran governments. Adhomian media is also frequently imported and consumed by the population of Little Adhomai.

Cuisine

Thanks to Biesel's climate, much of the traditional Tajaran food consumed in Mendell City is exported from Adhomai; however, small hydroponics farms allow the population to grow some Adhomian crops. This scarcity of homely flavors led the Tajara to adopt and adapt the local food into their meals. Chefs replace Adhomian ingredients with native substitutes, while others prepare human dishes using Tajaran alternatives.

Notable Dishes

• Adhomian Pizza: while regular pizza flavors are already deeply appreciated by the Tajara, mainly due to their contact with the recipe in NanoTrasen's stations, some restaurants have tried to innovate the dish with Adhomian ingredients. Some combinations, such as the Zkah'nkowa and Sarmikhir toppings, are considered a success. The existence of earthen-root pizza is a contentious subject.

• Little Adhomai Avah: loosely inspired by the eponymous dish, the Little Adhomai Avah is N'fri-hi batter fried into the shape of a sphere. The dish is then filled with human ingredients; chocolate, cow beef, and sugar are the most common options. Getmore products are usually used to prepare the filling. Little Adhomai Avah is sold by street merchants operating inside and outside of District Six.

Music

The District is the birthplace of "Little Tajaran Electro swing", a Biesel based variant of the classic Tajaran Electro swing known for its stronger focus on electronic dance music and Tau Ceti Basic lyrics. Traditional Tajaran music is still popular among the older Tajara and newer migrants to Biesel. Pirate radio stations, many of them working under the behest of whatever government they pledge allegiance to, operate in Imperial Plaza, bringing propaganda, music, and news to the population. Bloodstorm took residence in Little Adhomai after their ban from Adhomai. The presence of the band renewed the District's interest in Tajaran heavy metal.

Notable Radio Stations

• Adhomai-Ceti Connection: a radio station focused on news and general utilities. Created by Second Revolution migrants as a way to receive reliable information on the conflict, the Connection attempts to remain neutral and transmit all from all sides of the story. This attempt at neutrality is currently being challenged as factionalism ripples across Little Adhomai. Many staff members have already left to create their own faction-funded radio stations to transmit their "truths".

• Voice of Little Adhomai: the largest music-based radio station in Little Adhomai; it transmits both traditional music and Little Tajaran Electro Swing. The Voice of Little Adhomai is famous for broadcasting Adhomian war songs; to please all sides, one song from each faction is played at least once a day. The station also has a segment dedicated to local amateur musicians.

Literature

The literature in Little Adhomai is mostly focused on exploring the dilemmas and difficulties found in the life of Tajaran migrants. Longing for home, exploitation, discrimination, crime, and disillusion with the promises of wealth are the most common themes. Thanks to its anti-corporate motifs, District Six's literature never made it into mainstream media. However, Little Adhomai is home to printing shops adept in producing propaganda pieces and work of literature alike.

Notable Books

• Unto an Alien Land: a novel describing the story of a Tajaran migrant family, told from the perspective of the youngest daughter Agashka. The Rhikaslav household migrates to Tau Ceti because of the Second Revolution; they settled in Little Adhomai under promises of finding work with NanoTrasen. The book describes the poverty and discrimination that most of District Six's inhabitants face. The novel ends with the family disintegrating after the death of the father and two sons during a riot. A sequel is currently under production.

• A Neverending Night: a book about a fictional Tajaran heist crew operating in Tau Ceti. The novel starts by describing the lives, motivations, and crimes perpetrated by the characters during their career. The narrative takes a different turn when the criminals involve themselves in a deep political conspiracy when they are hired to steal a phoron shipment.

Television

Cinema and holovideos are a thriving industry in Little Adhomai. Both professional and amateur studios are involved in the production of films. Popular genres include military dramas, period pieces, and crime thrillers. Arzjun Haurjuhrl is one of the most famous film-makers of District Six; he is notorious for the blockbuster “When Summer Came to Nazira”. Tajaran telenovelas are also widely popular, with an audience beyond District Six’s population, including the rest of Mendell City. Aired during the afternoon, they generally deal with daily life melodramas and historical romances.

Notable Shows

• Astray Spirits: a telenovela produced in Little Adhomai. It attempts to mimic the Adhomian format but using Tau Ceti as its setting. The show follows the life of a migrant family and their attempts to succeed in Biesel. Astray Spirit is currently available via the extranet; the producers have been rejected by all major media outlets in the republic. Despite this, it became a hit with the Tajaran population.

• The Adventures of Captain Azzam: a low-budget comedy movie set during Nated's coup. The pictures tell the story of a dim-witted PRA army officer that thanks to his own confusion and a series of unfortunate events, ends switching sides multiple times during the conflict; Captain Azzam ends fighting for the Hadiist, Al'mariist, and Royalist causes by accident in a span of a few days. Azzam then flees to Little Adhomai to avoid being purged by President Hadii for his disloyalty. The film ends with the protagonist accidentally saving Miranda Trasen from an assassination attempt.

Crime

As a result of poverty, segregation, governmental neglect, and social disorganization, crime is a major issue in Little Adhomai. Young Tajara without access to education or any meaningful employment options - besides dead-end corporate jobs - will commonly join gangs or turn to crime. Little Adhomai is also home to a massive black market; all kinds of contraband can be found in the district. As the government fails to establish a meaningful presence in Imperial Plaza, the gangs have become a parallel state; the Adhomian funded groups are seen as an extension of their nations in Little Adhomai. Mendell City Police only enter the area when extremely necessary or to extract their share of the profit. Interestingly, due to the populace's general disinterest in doing so, crime reports in Little Adhomai have been on a gradual decline over the years. The Mendell City Police simply claim that the violence in the district is cooling down rather than investigating it further.

The crime at D6 is further complicated by criminals in the neighboring districts of Vega De Rosa and Eleven using Little Adhomai for their own purposes. It is not rare to see humans working with Tajaran crime groups when it benefits them. The district’s proximity to Flagsdale also brings its own issues. Anti-Vaurca sentiment in Little Adhomai runs deep, and skirmishes and reprisals between the Tajara here and their Vaurca neighbors are a monthly occurrence. These tensions reached their peak in 2460 when Vaurca Queen Ta'Akaix'Zoleth’akeh Zo'ra ordered the killings of several Tajara associated with criminal leadership after it was discovered that the bodies of Vaurca slain by Tajara were being smuggled away from the hive.

Notable Criminals

• Little Adhomai Skinner: a semi-legendary serial killer known for skinning its victims. The first death attributed to the Little Adhomai Skinner occurred in 2457 in Little Adhomai; later cases would be registered in 2459 and 2461. Despite having a low body count, the Skinner became infamous for its method: strangulation followed by masterfully removing the entire fur pelt from the body. Some speculate that the murderer collects the skins to manufacture Tajaran coats for eccentric billionaires buyers. The identity of the Little Adhomai Skinner is still a mystery.

• Klyuch and Yana: a Hharar criminal couple who were active with their gang in the 2450s. They were famous for their heisters around Mendell City and its outskirts; the criminals preferred assaulting banks and corporate-owned stores. Klyuch was the team driver and planner, while his wife, Yana, was a skilled gunslinger. The couple was killed in a police operation in 2456. Their life history remains popular with the Tajara in Little Adhomai; works of fiction romanticizing their actions have become a hit with the younger generations.

• Nuray Triha'dar: a robber notorious for taking part in one of the largest heists in Tau Ceti's history. Nuray and his gang ambushed a shuttle transporting phoron as it landed in Mendell City's spaceport in 2455. Overpowering the security team and its defenses through the use of pre-planted explosives, the criminals managed to hijack the ship and steal millions of credits worth of goods. Triha'dar was the only gang member that avoided capture in the following years; he escaped to Adhomai in 2457. He now lives a peaceful life in Sren'dul. Despite several requests by the Republic of Biesel, the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai refuses to extradite him.

Gangs and organizations of Little Adhomai

A map of Little Adhomai

Organized crime in Little Adhomai is dominated by three major factions, affiliated and funded by the existing Tajaran governments. Several minor and unaligned gangs still exist, but they are being slowly absorbed or displaced by ones supported by Adhomian powers. Violent clashes between these groups are common.

Social Harmony Committee

The largest and most powerful group is the Social Harmony Committee. They are funded by the People's Republic of Adhomai, operating under the guise of a harmless neighborhood association. This organization has the mission of enforcing the principles of Hadiism on Little Adhomai, something done through mandatory classes, communal meetings, curfews, and the establishment of guidelines in controlled areas. Many apartments in District Six are under the control of this gang, forcing its families to pay fees and conform to their rules. Tajara that have openly opposed the Committee, criticized the People's Republic, or have blatantly ignored their laws while living in their territory have vanished without a trace during the night.

Most members of this gang are hardline Hadiists or recent Adhomai-immigrants to Tau Ceti. Free housing, financial support, and honorary Party membership is granted to its associates. They operate under a rigid chain of command. A chairman, currently Tryahazkul Rhazikul, is quadrennially appointed by the People's Republic to lead the organization. Typical Republican fashion, such as three-piece suits, is worn by the affiliates of the Social harmony Committee. Extrajudicial killings and extortion are offenses commonly practiced by this gang.

Little Adhomai Liberators

The Little Adhomai Liberators, also known as the Liberators, is the second most powerful gang in District Six. Pledging allegiance to the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai, they have emerged from the union of independent groups. They seek to increase the autonomy of the Tajara community in Biesel, combating the exploitation brought by the presence of megacorporations. Operating through the use of semi-independent cells and flexible command, they utilize guerrilla tactics and motorized warfare while engaging their adversaries. The Adhomai Liberation Army has supplied them with military advisors, allowing them to set up training camps similar to the ones used in Adhomai. Their main source of income is smuggling contraband into Mendell City. Due to its decentralized nature, infighting is not uncommon among its ranks.

Most members of this gang are Tajara with criminal past or affiliations to the Adhomai Liberation Army. The Little Adhomai Liberators are known for their support of the Tajaran community in Mendell, hosting soup kitchens and other charity services. They are ruled by a council of gang representatives and ALA agents. Both traditional Adhomian and Biesellite fashion are worn by their associates. Smuggling and robbery are among the most common crimes practiced by this group.

House of Hamiyeh

The House of Hamiyeh, called “The House” by its members, is a New Kingdom of Adhomai aligned mafia operating in Little Adhomai. It was established by a landless noble family, the Hamiyeh dynasty, residing in District Six. Taking advantage of the lack of police presence in the Imperial Plaza, they have created an expansive protection racket system in the region. Businesses in their areas are coerced, usually through threats and violence, into paying fees to remain safe. The offer of abusive and accessible loans also plays an important role in their business, several families find themselves held hostage to them due to debt. The gang organization is based around the loyalty of other families and individuals to the head of the ruling family; ascension within its ranks is only possible with the approval of the House’s head.

Most members of this gang are Tajara affiliated with the New Kingdom and impoverished Adhomian nobility. Despite its illegal situation, the House is able to maintain order and solve most civil disputes that arise in their territory. Midhat Hamiyeh is the current head of the organization, inheriting his position after the violent demise of his father. Traditional Harr'masir clothing is worn by the affiliates of this mafia. Protection rackets and loan sharking are crimes commonly practiced by this group

Society of the Hidden Dusk

The Society of the Hidden Dusk, originally the Organization for the Study of Tajaran Past, is a secret society operating within Tau Ceti. Funded by Tajaran intellectuals and nobles after the first contact with humanity was made, it had the mission of exploring the Adhomian history in search of ways to combat the alien threat. Despite realizing expeditions across all Adhomai, the organization obtained no success. The Society fell into irrelevance after the end of the First Revolution. The remaining scientific interest was replaced by occultism and discredited theories; the outlandish belief that the Tajaran antiquity still held a mystic key to great power and fortune. Its members used the Nal’tor Museum of Mystery for their meetings, pretending to be a harmless circle of friends to avoid raising suspicions. Relying on the black market of relics and what little influence they had left, they continued their mission.

The ascension of President Njadrasanukii Hadii spelled doom for the Society. Branded as a subversive element, many of its members were arrested. Those who escaped fled to Tau Ceti. The organization established itself in Little Adhomai. Their ambitions are not limited to Adhomian artifacts this time; they seek to collect any object or occult knowledge available. Working alongside smugglers introduced the Society of the Hidden Dusk into the crime scene of Mendell. Theft and forgery are among their most common illegal activities. The organization also hires non-Tajara to act as their agents outside of District Six.

Raging Ha'rron Club

Posing as a monowheel club, the Raging Ha’rron Club is the last non-aligned gang that holds any considerable power in Little Adhomai. Formed exclusively by Greasers, they embody the subculture's rebellious ethos by maintaining their independence from the Adhomian factions. One of their main characteristics is their fascination with monowheels; all members must own at least one before joining. Illegal street races are commonly held by the club as one of their main activities. Due to its emphasis on freedom, the leadership is heavily decentralized and decisions are usually made through a general consensus.

Regardless of the Club's attempts to resist the outside influence, their power is rapidly diminishing. Unable to compete with the gangs backed up by the Adhomian powers, they frequently lose members and territory to better-equipped and prepared gangs. The Club’s future is bleak; their neutrality has doomed them in the ever-polarizing atmosphere of the Tajaran Cold War.

Kazarrhaldiye Operations Group

The end of the Second Revolution created a large supply of unemployed Tajara veterans, many of them disillusioned with the armistice and without further employment prospects. Mercenary work became a clear path to this population. While many old soldiers sought megacorporations and independent careers, others decided to create their own organizations. Established in District Six, the Kazarrhaldiye Operations Group is the most notorious Tajaran mercenary organization. The group was created by veterans attempting to expand their operations and profits. Making use of Tau Ceti’s well-developed structure, they offer their services to anyone willing to pay.

Due to their uninterest in territory or influence, the Kazarrhalldiye Operations Group remains uninvolved in gang warfare. This stance is solidified by a pact with the warrings faction; the Group is forbidden from operating within Little Adhomai. To avoid infighting caused by the existing Cold War rivalities, mercenaries are divided into battalions based on their alignments. The instability brought about by the Solarian collapse created a future of opportunities for the company; they are eager to fight wherever credits take them.

Places of Interest

• President Hadii Living Complex: the tallest building in all of Little Adhomai, a large concrete square in the center of the neighborhood. Built in the Hadiist architectural style, the President Hadii Living Complex has more than two thousand apartments. Most of the construction was financed by the People’s Republic. It is home to countless families and businesses, both legal and illegal. Higher flats have better accommodations; those are usually reserved for Party members and individuals with the right connections. The complex is controlled by the Social Harmony Committee; it also serves as their headquarters and main recruiting grounds.

• Great Plaza Warehouse: a warehouse constructed before the migration of Tajara into district six, it was abandoned shortly after the rate of crimes started to rise. The deposit was shortly turned into a market by the locals, hosting many shops and street vendors. Alien, Adhomian, legal and illegal goods can be found in this location. The bazaar is under the control of the Little Adhomai Liberators; the place is commonly used for meetings and selling smuggled cargo. Other gangs, as long as they do not bring weapons, are allowed to browse in the warehouse.

• The Sleeping Cannon Pub: a renowned pub in the New Kingdom-aligned area, serving as a community gathering center. The bar is named after an old Adhomian naval cannon displayed in the lounge of the building. The owners claim that the gun is just a display piece, as it is supposedly unable to fire. Mead and traditional Tajaran cuisine are served daily. This public house is under the control of the House of Hamiyeh; it is used for congregations and initiations rituals of the mafia.

• Long Eclipse Club: a nightclub that operates in the typical Tau Ceti fashion; it is open all night. Adhomian and Biesellite drinks are available. Little Tajaran Electro swing is usually played by its DJs. The club resides in an area controlled by a non-aligned gang, sometimes serving as a neutral zone for the three major groups fighting over Little Adhomai. Rumors claim that the Raskariim uses the Long Eclipse as a meeting point.

• Bochonok Brewery: the leading producer and distributor of alcoholic beverages in District Six. Outside of manufacturing its own drinks, they also export Adhomian products to Tau Ceti. Established by the first wave of Tajaran immigrants, they are one of the most respected industries in Little Adhomai. The Brewery lies in a Republican-aligned area.

• Wild Rafama Garage: an automobile workshop specialized in repairing and modifying Adhomai vehicles. It is a popular gathering point for Greasers; a place where they can tune and fix their monowheels. It serves clients of any faction, as the administration attempts to stay uninvolved during gang conflicts. This building lies in a neutral area controlled by unaligned gangs.

• Blessed Suns Temple: the first S'rendarr and Messa temple outside of Adhomai. It was founded by the first Tajaran migrants moving to Tau Ceti. Found at the historical center of the District, the temple is regarded as neutral grounds for the members of the warring factions. Fighting in the vicinity of the building is taboo and doing so might is certain to draw the wrath of the gangs. Rumors claim that the Temple's basement is used as a meeting point for members of the Kin of S'rendarr.

• Little Adhomai Crime Museum: a privately-owned museum dedicated to the history of crime in District Six and Adhomai. It started as a private collection until the owner acquired its current location, a house that was supposedly used by the Odin Killer. Several items and stories are on display for a small entry fee. The museum is considered rather controversial due to its dedication to cataloging the life and crimes of Drea Mirmtar, the Odin Killer.

Urban Legends

• Sewer Geist: rumors talk of a Cavern Geist that dwells in the deepest sewer and tunnels of District Six; brought to Mendell as a pup by the Raskariim, smugglers, or some eccentric collector. It later escaped captivity or was released into the depths of the district. The creature supposedly feeds upon anyone wandering the underground.

• Night Cars: an urban legend that refers to unmarked black trucks or Adhomian cars that are allegedly used to kidnap Tajara during the night. According to different sources, the cars are driven by the PSIS, Raskaren, ALA terrorists, or even a manifestation of Raskara. But all versions agree that anyone who is taken away by them will never be seen again. While used to scare children, this story has its ounce of truth based on the actions of the Hadiist secret police in Adhomai.

• Phantom Radio: among all radio stations of Little Adhomai, one known as the Phantom Radio has become the subject of much speculation and interest. It broadcasts a non-stop buzzing sound; these transmissions are commonly interrupted by random words spoken in Siik’maas. Despite several attempts, the location and purpose of the station are currently unknown. Theories about the Phantom Radio speculate that the frequency is used by smugglers, spies, undercover police agents, or even NanoTrasen for a myriad of purposes.

• Cursed Mirror: a story about a wall mirror that mysteriously appears inside one’s home, usually caused by ignoring a chain message sent via the PDA or extranet. The appearance of the object heralds a series of tragedies for the occupants of the house, including their own death. The curse can be avoided by covering the mirror or giving it away as a gift. Other variants of the legend imply that the mirror is used as a gateway for Raskariim and other Moon creatures to invade someone’s residence.

• Bayonet Hand: a tale about a Tajara serial killer with a bayonet for a hand that stalks District Six. Born after a streak of unsolved murders in 2457, the legend says that the murderer kills his victims by slashing their throats with his deadly prosthesis. While the most common versions depict the Bayonet Hand as nothing but a crafty assassin - others claim that he is a vengeful ghost that hunts down those who left Adhomai to escape the law.