Looking ahead to the release of Ghosts of the Steel Road, which is getting closer by the day, I thought this would be a good time to talk about the world my characters interact with over the course of the novel (and eventual trilogy).
ZAROTHE
Zarothe is the main city seen in Ghosts of the Steel Road, and is the home of many characters. It is a port city that is a hub of trade for its country, Craece, and has an emerging manufacturing economy.
As many cities across the world, though, Zarothe’s rapid growth has brought it many issues. For one, to avoid territory issues with nearby towns, the city council decreed that no buildings could be built outside of the rigidly defined borders of the city. While this has brought innovation in architecture, that often came in the form of incredibly tall, nearly uniform buildings. Streets are narrow and cramped, and little privacy can be found for most, even for those in wealthier areas.
The growth of Zarothe, however, has led to a boom of intellectual knowledge and invention within the city. A university has attracted students from across the world, and research in a host of scientific fields has made Zarothe a new intellectual capital of the world.
Most of all, though, the city council prides itself on making Zaorthe a safe city. There is crime, of course, but the high-profile nuisances of other cities, such as factory strikes and cults, are nowhere to be seen. The city guard has managed to keep both the city itself and the nearby Steel Road safe, and best of all, in a cost-effective way.
THE STEEL ROAD
The Steel Road is the only true land route out of Zarothe. If you want to get your goods to the rest of the continent, you have to go down the Steel Road. It carves through a large forest that is also used for logging operations. Of course, much of the wood obtained is sent back to Zarothe for the heating, shipping, and manufacturing.
On this road, it is common to encounter thieving rings, especially if you are traveling with expensive cargo or are one of the wealthy vacation-goers looking for some relaxation time in the countryside. Some entrepreneurial spirits have formed security detail companies to make some money off of the fear of being robbed.
There are rumors that the owners of these security detail companies may work with the thieving rings to scam people out of money, but all investigations by the city council (with the work done by private detectives) have all come up empty on the accusations.
THE DOCKS
Finally, while the city council claims they are the ones who protect Zarothe, many citizens know that their true guardians are the people of the Docks. Similar to many harbor cities, Zarothe has a line of businesses right where the boats dock.
Here, a complicated system of rules and traditions upholds order and puts any potential wrongdoers in their place. Information is the most important source of currency on the Docks, and if one isn’t careful, they may end up spilling more than they want.
Under the cover of masks and false identities, the people of the Docks are the movers and shakers of Zarothe. They keep trouble out of the city, and do what is needed to make sure the trouble within the city doesn’t stop them from conducting their business. Their actions may make them some enemies, but given the power of the Docks, no one will ever dare stand against them.
For better or for worse, the Docks are here to stay.
There is much more to discover within the world the characters of my novel find themselves in. Secrets, mysteries, weird things never thought possible (or legal), and more are waiting to be uncovered with each turn of the page.
I’m very excited for Ghosts of the Steel Road to be out on September 26. Stay tuned to hear more about the novel and where/when you can order!
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