 Seattle SR vs. RL |
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 Aug 4 2006, 03:57 PM
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#1
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Neophyte Runner  Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996  |
The alternate title of this thread could have been "I'm Steve, I live in Seattle and I'm a setting Nazi"
Basically I like the Canon Seattle setting, even though it has a lot of differences from the Seattle I actually live in. Sure things like layout can be explained by 65 years of city development, wars with the NAN, and the awakening. Some of the things I regularly hear discussed about Seattle just don't wash real well. Myth 1: It rains all the time. It does rain in Seattle a lot, that's true but that means mostly between late October and Mid-May. Also it's not a hard driving rain like you see in the Plains States or Midwest. It doesn't downpour ery often, it's usually a steady light misty rain that can last for days. Extra Flavor Detail Overlooked in Canon: Landslides. The slow continuous soaking rain combines with the glacier created Geology and Topography to to make many areas in Seattle prime mudslide areas. Ironically these areas are also some of the most expensive real estate in the city. Neighborhoods like Queen Anne, Magnolia, and Capitol Hill are in reality huge piles of sand deposited by the Glacial Run Off in the last major ice age. The next layer down is a layer of something called Blue Lake Clay, which is almost water impermeable. So in the late fall, winter, and early spring when you get lots of rain the water builds up in the sandy soil that makes up the hills and periodically some prime view property on one of the slopes slides down hill. Probably will add more later (like when I get my next work break). |
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Aug 4 2006, 04:09 PM
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#2
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 684 Joined: 8-April 06 From: My dorm room Member No.: 8,438 |
Oh, this is just in time! I'm leaving for Seattle tomorrow on a family vacation, and I'd like some advice about what to see. We're definitely going to Pike's Fish Market, but not to the Space Needle, and we're obviously not going to see the Aztechnology Pyramid.
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Aug 4 2006, 04:14 PM
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#3
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,013 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
Make sure to see the SCIRE, or at least its future site.
~J |
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Aug 4 2006, 04:23 PM
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#4
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
That would be Pioneer Square, which also is home to the Underground Tour. This is worth seeing both because the tour guides have great stories about some of the rather colorful events and characters that populate Seattle's early history and because it will give you a feel for just what the Ork Undrground would look like, at least part of it. Pioneer square is currently the biggest collection of Night Clubs and Bars in the city too, which had it not been covered with an arcology would have made it the logical choice for places like Dante's, Penumbra, and Matchsticks. For your visit make sure you give yourself at least half a day to see the Pike PLace MArket. The fish market is cool, but there is a lot of other stuff to see in the area, including the original Starbucks. It is best to visit the MArket in the morning, most of the stalls open between 9 and 10, but plenty are open earlier and the stall assignment for vendors without a permanent assignment happens around 8 and can be interesting. If you go early go to Pirosky Pirosky for a breakfast pastry :) |
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Aug 4 2006, 04:36 PM
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#5
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Shadowrun Setting Nerd Group: Banned Posts: 3,632 Joined: 28-June 05 From: Pissing on pedestrians from my electronic ivory tower. Member No.: 7,473 |
Perpetual misting. That's much better. |
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Aug 4 2006, 04:39 PM
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#6
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The Dragon Never Sleeps Group: Admin Posts: 6,924 Joined: 1-September 05 Member No.: 7,667 |
This is all my fault... I mentioned hearing that it rains in Seattle...
Amusingly, I've been in Seattle a lot, having relatives and friends from there, so I know the area well enough. |
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Aug 4 2006, 04:39 PM
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#7
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
I won't complain about today though, it's sunny, clear and 70. And the Blue Angels are in town for Seafair and their flying area is close enough I can watch from my office window. |
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Aug 4 2006, 04:49 PM
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#8
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
Another Thing to hit: The Volcano Nonsense. Ok the description of the Volcanoes in the Canon material is a bit off. First the idea of Lava Fields in Puyallup is just plain silly. I'll buy that massive ritual blood MAgic can set off a volcano, but reroute it's internal "plumbing" I have problems with. Mount Rainier has pretty much tight vertical internal plumbing. Also Cascade volcanoes Explode, the lava is very "sticky" and gas laden. There aren't really much in the way of lava flows, it gets scattered over the landscape in chunks of Pumice, Tuff, and Dacite. The Puyallup Barrens are very likely buried in Ash and Mud. Most of the Damage done by the Mount Rainier eruption would be caused by Lahars. The continuing ash clouds that would occassionally be puffed out of the volcanoes would mostly blow away from Seattle as the dominant weather patterns come off the Pacific (from the Southwest for warm wet weather (year round), from the Northwest for clear weather (cold in the winter, warm in the summer).
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Aug 4 2006, 06:10 PM
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#9
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,556 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Seattle Member No.: 98 |
The Underground Tour is pretty cool. It occured to the early denizens of Seattle that they should rebuild their downtown one floor higher than they had originally, and raise the street level accordingly... all of a sudden, what used to be the old "street level" now has a sidewalk built over it. I've taken the tour a couple of times, and it's great as long as you don't have dust or mold allergies. If you're mobile, Alki Beach (in West Seattle) gives a great view of the city skyline and provides one of the few sandy beaches in the area. While you're not going to want to go swimming (hypothermia sets in deep after about 20-30 minutes of exposure this time of year), it's a nice place to hang out. The weather's supposed to stay decent through the weekend, at least. The Seattle Aquarium is pretty cool, especially the underwater viewing area. The waterfront also has a Russian Foxtrot-class submarine parked on it that gives tours. If you're interested (or desperately need to get away from your family) I might be able to scrounge up a couple of Seattle area runners to chill out with. Guided tours are also an option ("Yeah, that's where they demolished 36 square blocks of downtown to build a giant pyramid. We think Greg Nickels had something to do with it."). Steve, if he comes along, will also probably end up buying some floofy drink and blaming it on his fiance again :P |
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Aug 4 2006, 06:25 PM
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#10
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Shooting Target Group: Retired Admins Posts: 1,784 Joined: 28-July 04 From: Cleveland, OH Member No.: 6,522 |
As somebody who's been a Seattle tourist, I'd endorse the recommendation for the Underground Tour in Pioneer square. It really was pretty damned cool.
Other attractions that come immediately to mind -- If you get a chance to check out Gasworks park, I remember that being pretty interesting. The Sci-Fi museum over by the Space Needle was kind of disappointing. You said you were skipping the needle -- good call. If you get a chance to go out to Fremont, check out the one Troll currently living in Seattle. |
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Aug 4 2006, 06:28 PM
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#11
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,556 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Seattle Member No.: 98 |
Damnit, I KNEW I'd forgotten some things.
You want to see the Troll. :P Gas Works has been toned down a bit in the last couple of years (they've restricted climbing on the old machinery somewhat) but it's still frickin' cool-looking. |
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Aug 4 2006, 06:30 PM
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#12
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
Hey she does like her floofy drinks. Depending on time and mobility Mt. Rainier is cool to visit too. It takes the better part of a day, but you can go about a third of the way up by car (to the Paradise Lodge) and there are some good day hikes from there. If you take the hikes make sure that you are appropriately prepared though as the weather on the mountain can chage very rapidly. Also it sounds like you'll be in just in time to catch the end of Seafair. I don't know if Seafair ever made it in to any of the setting books but it should be in there. It's a celebration of Seattles Maritime heritage and involves lots of Neighborhood festivals and Citywide events. The Aquarium as mentioned is cool, so is the Woodland Park Zoo. The Boeing Museum of Flight is fun if you like airplanes. |
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Aug 4 2006, 06:32 PM
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#13
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
If viewpoints are your thing make sure to visit Kerry Park on Queen Anne, hands down the best place to take pictures of the city.
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Aug 4 2006, 09:54 PM
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#14
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Deus Absconditus Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,742 Joined: 1-September 03 From: Downtown Seattle, UCAS Member No.: 5,566 |
If this goddamn application I just put in goes through, I'm gonna be living down the road from Kerry Park. Knowing my luck, though, someone will offer to double the rent, just to lock out other applicants.
I'm trying to move to Seattle, but for some reason most of the landlords there seem to have their heads lodged up their rears. |
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Aug 4 2006, 10:14 PM
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#15
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
The Queen Anne Neighborhood is probably one of the most overpriced rental areas in the City, Capitol Hill is right there too, followed by the U-District. The good deals will not easily be found online (the places using the online services inflate their rates) but using the Seattle Times-Pi classifieds might work. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/ for the Times home page |
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Aug 4 2006, 11:58 PM
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#16
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Target Group: Members Posts: 21 Joined: 26-June 03 Member No.: 4,817 |
I have to add my support to the Underground Tour. Ignore anyone that says not to go, they don't know what they are talking about. It's great. For some reason Seattle residents shun it.
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Aug 5 2006, 12:27 AM
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#17
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
Mostly because it brings back memories of being forced to go in Elementry School and write a report on it :wobble: |
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Aug 5 2006, 02:09 AM
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#18
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Deus Absconditus Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,742 Joined: 1-September 03 From: Downtown Seattle, UCAS Member No.: 5,566 |
It's not the good deals I need. It's for people to take my applications and process them!
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Aug 5 2006, 04:58 AM
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#19
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 684 Joined: 8-April 06 From: My dorm room Member No.: 8,438 |
Wow, thanks so much for all this advice! I just have to convince my parents to come see some of these things.
For example, I just showed my dad that page about the Fremont Troll, and his only response was to interject a disdainful question: "Largest Lenin statue in the US, huh?" (The page mentions that the Lenin statue is close to the Troll.) Because Dad firmly believes that socialism ultimately leads to destitution and hopelessness (while laissez faire capitalism ultimately leads to justice and enlightenment), just about anything that even implies communist sympathies really exasperates him. Therefore, I believe that it may take a lot of wheedling on my part to get him anywhere near Fremont. But I think I can at least rope Mom and Dad into taking the Underground tour. I also want to thank those of you who offered to give me a tour, but I'm afraid I'll have to respectfully decline. It's not you, it's me - or, more accurately, it's my parents. They're very protective of me, because I'm their only child and they had me comparatively late in life. I just can't see myself being able to convince them to let me go with any of you guys. I mean, what am I going to say? "Hey, Mom and Dad, can I go off by myself for a few hours to meet with these guys? No, I don't know any of them personally, but I have spent a lot of time talking to them on the Internet about this game where you pretend to be a criminal. There may be some drinking involved, but I think you can trust me not to drink because I won't even be able to buy alcohol for another year and a half. Pretty please can I go with them?" They just won't be persuaded. |
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Aug 5 2006, 07:20 AM
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#20
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
...Yeah, I've been there. Used to live in Seattle before drifting down to P'Town . In one of my old college buddy's campaigns, he actually had a gang named the Fremont Street Bridge Trolls who controlled the turf where the statue resides. I have adopted them into my campaign world as well. ...and yes Virginia, they are a gang of trolls |
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Aug 5 2006, 01:44 PM
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#21
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Target Group: Members Posts: 21 Joined: 26-June 03 Member No.: 4,817 |
I guess I lucked out then, I left the Seattle area just before third grade and was spared any report writing. |
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Aug 5 2006, 02:47 PM
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#22
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 732 Joined: 21-July 05 From: Seattle Member No.: 7,508 |
:rotfl: Ah, I needed that. Brings back so many fond memories of my college days when I tried the same thing with my parents. Didn't work for me, either. Although I didn't mention the drinking thing. :grinbig: And, when my daughter is old enough to try, it won't work for her, either. Hey, fangirl, just swing down to Portland (which is, really, waaayyy prettier than Seattle. After all, all those pretty elves decided to live here, and all the weird criminals went up to rainy Seattle) and tell your folks that you're going on a tour with some old ladies you met on a quilting board. ;) |
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Aug 5 2006, 03:32 PM
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#23
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Shooting Target Group: Retired Admins Posts: 1,784 Joined: 28-July 04 From: Cleveland, OH Member No.: 6,522 |
And they're going on vacation in one of the more liberal cities in the US? lol, you're in for an interesting trip. :D |
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Aug 5 2006, 03:55 PM
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#24
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,026 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Seattle (Really!) Member No.: 7,996 |
Hey that's cool. Besides about all we could say for ourselves is that we seem to be slightly less crazy than a classmate who calls himself Emo Samurai on said internet board, although that might just make them think twice about letting you go back to class in the fall. :grinbig: The troll is pretty cool, and while it is just up the street from the Lenin statue, there is some rich irony in the fact that the Lenin Statue is planted right in front of a Taco Del Mar (Lenin would be spinning in his grave, but it probably gives Trotzky a smirk). If you end up over on Alki, try to talk your parents in to going to Salty's for dinner. Bit pricy but the view is worth it, especially if you are visiting from out of town. If you have a car do try to visit Snoqualmie Falls as well, it's not in NAN Territory yet :) |
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Aug 5 2006, 07:35 PM
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#25
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ghostrider Group: Retired Admins Posts: 4,196 Joined: 16-May 04 Member No.: 6,333 |
I just did a month long road trip, and we went through Seattle (spent an evening there, at Kell's Irish Pub because it was already like 4:30 pm when we got there). I dictated notes to my wife while we were driving through to use in my game. :) Mostly, I thought it was interesting just how far it is in between the parts of the future sprawl (Auburn, Tacoma, etc). There's...highway in between them. Haha. I guess I just assumed it had already filled in and become one plex.
Great town though, I would have loved to stay longer, but this trip was very "see a place move on see a place move on see a place move on". |
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