Divergence Orion 12
July 3rd, 1984 - The song 99 Red Balloons is blasted through amplifiers from the tops of buildings, bellow groups of youth march through the street angry at the increases in tuition to attend secondary and post secondary school. In the crowd of youths are two magic adepts that use their magic to amplify the sound from the song and stifle police attempts to capture other protestors. One youth is mistakenly targeted as being an illegal magic adept and police assault the youth with zember batons that end up killing the 16 year old protestor. The protest turns violent, more illegal magic adepts join the protest with some using lethal force to stop the police.
Magic adepts from the oligarch families join the police to find and neutralize the illegal adepts. A full scale magic battle breaks out causing millions of dollars in damage to building in the downtown area. By the end of the day 7 police officers, 32 protesters, 4 illegal adepts, and 5 adepts are killed. To some protestors this is considered a victory. The police presence is increased and the city seems to be on the verge of more violence.
Oshawa 1984
Oshawa is a city of two worlds, it is one of the richest cities in the country while also having one of the poorest districts as well. The north of the city is a place of mansions and extravagance while the south is home to a middle class on the verge of poverty. The discovery of zember and magim has made some people very wealthy while those that work in the mines and the factors make just enough money to carve out an existence for themselves and their families. A thriving drug market and the large homeless population have led to the city of a million people being dubbed "The Dirty Shwa".
Oshawa Underground
The Games Keeper - Located on Simcoe st just south of King the Games Keeper arcade is run by Pat Lanovski. The main floor hosts seventy arcade and pinball machines and eight pool tables, and the Games Keeper is a hangout for a lot of youth. For those in the know the Games Keeper also has a basement with access to the old underground a series of old tunnels and rooms that are remnants of old zember mines. Pat can be grumpy but is good to his patrons, those that give Pat a hard time quickly find the youth at the Games Keeper quick to return the favour.
Bubbles Pizza and Subs - It may not be the best food in town but it is cheap. The owner, Brad "Bubbles" Baker, is a tall heavy set man with red hair and wry smile. He is rumoured to be connected to the mafia, but nobody seems to know for certain if it is true. They do know it is better not to ask. Bubbles is also known for his pet chickens and a neighbour who made a complaint with the city was found dead the day after making the complaint. The murder has never been solved. Bubbles' place is seen as neutral ground, it is as close to a sanctuary as one gets in the Dirty Shwa. Bubbles is an amicable man that is always happy to talk about chickens, and of course make food. About the only thing not on the menu is chicken, and you are better off not asking for it because is not past giving folks an whooping.
The Zoo - The Zoo is a nightclub in the heart of downtown primarily for the young and wealthy. The massive club has a main stage in the middle of the bottom floor with a second floor balcony that looks down onto the stage. There is a third floor which is an exclusive members only area. There is a bar on all three floor, and if you know the right questions you can find any substance you desire.
Whispers - Whispers is a strip club that is run by a motor cycle gang known as the Desperados. It is the only strip club in the city that seems to have appropriate fire prevention in place as three other strip clubs in the city have burnt down in fires.