Deep City

The Underworld of Maliki III

Deep City, Maliki III is the rotten underbelly of the Ecumenopolis that covers the surface of Maliki III. The depths of Deep City are ripe with criminal individual and organizations: Smuggler, Drug Syndicates, Illegal Prostitution Unions, and Organized Crime of all types. Not All of Deep City is bad. Refugees, Low Income Families, and Hardworking individuals survive in Deep City. The Red-Light District and Wet District are present in the Deep City Grotto.

Overview

Deep City is the shadowy, crime-ridden underbelly of Maliki III, an ecumenopolis world controlled by the Sluggo. While the surface levels of the city are known for their order and wealth, the Deep City—buried over a mile beneath layers of newer structures—thrives as a hub of illicit activity and organized crime. It is infamous across Galaxa as a haven for smugglers, spice lords, mercenaries, and other denizens of the underworld.

Deep City is home to some of the most powerful criminal organizations, including the Katari Cartel, the Milfern Prostitution Empire, and the Belonin Syndicate, the latter being deeply embedded in both the underworld and the upper echelons of Surface Society.

Geography and Structure

Maliki III is a sprawling ecumenopolis, with the older layers of the city buried beneath centuries of development:

• Surface City: The gleaming upper levels of Maliki III are characterized by towering megastructures, corporate hubs, and noble estates. Law enforcement is strict, and society is tightly controlled by the Sluggo.
• Deep City (The Old City): Far below the surface lies the decayed remains of the original city, now known as Deep City. Narrow streets, abandoned infrastructure, and dim lighting define the landscape. Despite its dilapidation, Deep City is alive with commerce and crime.
• The Grottos: A network of bars, clubs, and dens scattered throughout Deep City, the Grottos are infamous for their illicit wares, smuggled goods, and rampant spice use.

Society and Culture

The society of Deep City is a stark contrast to the lawfulness of the surface. It is a melting pot of species, all vying for power, wealth, and survival:

• Criminal Dominance: Organized crime controls nearly every aspect of life in Deep City. The Belonin Syndicate, Katari Cartel, and Milfern Prostitution Empire are the dominant players, with smaller groups and freelancers operating on the fringes.
• Illicit Economy: Deep City thrives on black market trade, including weapons, drugs, spice, and exotic goods. Smuggling routes from Deep City connect to nearly every major system in Galaxa.
• Spice Culture: Spice is ubiquitous, shaping the culture and economy of Deep City. Even nobles from the surface are known to descend with bodyguards to indulge in the forbidden products of the Grottos.

Criminal Organizations

Several powerful factions dominate Deep City’s underworld:

• Belonin Syndicate: Run by the Belonin Clan of the Teleran species, the Syndicate is deeply entrenched in both the underworld and Surface Society. Their influence reaches high into noble families, smuggling spice and other illegal goods to the upper levels of Maliki III.
• Katari Cartel: Specializing in weapons and mercenary contracts, the Cartel provides firepower and manpower to Deep City’s most dangerous operations.
• Milfern Prostitution Empire: A vast network of brothels and escort services, the Empire is a major player in Deep City’s economy and one of its most notorious institutions.

Relations with the Surface

Despite the stark divide, Deep City and Surface Society are intrinsically linked:

• Noble Indulgence: Nobles frequently visit Deep City, seeking the pleasures and thrills of its Grottos while maintaining a façade of propriety above.
• Spice Trade: The Belonin Syndicate ensures that spice and other illegal substances flow upward, corrupting the surface’s supposedly lawful society.
• Sluggo Governance: While the Sluggo maintain tight control of the surface, they often turn a blind eye to Deep City’s activities, as long as their cut of the profits is secured.

Trivia

• The phrase “Going Deep” has become slang for venturing into the most dangerous parts of Deep City, where even seasoned criminals tread carefully.
• Deep City’s bars in the Grottos are infamous for serving exotic cocktails laced with spice, attracting thrill-seekers from across Galaxa.
• The abandoned infrastructure of Deep City is rumored to house ancient technology and Precursor artifacts, though most who search for them are never seen again.
• The Sluggo are rumored to secretly control certain aspects of Deep City’s underworld, using it as a tool to eliminate political rivals and disrupt competitors.