Time Period: Late 1930s (1938?)
Name of City: Oz
Built in: 1900s--1920s
Dominant Ideology/ies: Utilitarianism, Conservationism (as opposed to Preservationism. That is these people value "the greatest good to the greatest number of people for the longest time"), simplicity, honesty. And Isolationism. The city does not have paper money since that does not have value in of itself. Instead bartering is used, though there are some things, such as precious metals with relatively stable values.
Dominant Aesthetic/s: Modernism. Most structures are carved out of the living rock though. Magnetic rails and Pneumatic tubes are used for transportation. Light is provided by liberally but orderly placed light bulbs (think Ember but much more cramped).
Environment: Deep underground in massive tunnels, shafts, and caves
Location: Arctic/Ring of Fire
Unique Technologies/Features: Massively reliant on steam technology and magnets (3D environments). Has a large mining industry.
Since expanding the city and working in some of its environments can be life-threatening, the creation of remote controlled "wizards" came about. These steam/clockwork monstrosities come in all shapes and sizes, but the controllers can be found hidden nearby by following the cords and tubes.
An industrial accident involving a massive electromagnetic shock to the head revealed kinetic abilities in the victim. Further experimentation has revealed how to intentionally induce different kinetic abilities into volunteers and to improve on those abilities. More abilities and improvements are being discovered to this day. Of course, the process can be painful and a some have reported hallucinations.
Status: While outwardly happy and content, the people are beginning to become stressed with living in isolation in the dark. Especially since the city cut itself off from the outside world when the great depression began. As it turns out the city is struggling to remain self-sustaining after almost a decade. Recycling programs aside, resources from paper to food are becoming strained.
Plot Summary: The protagonist is first sent to the city to deliver a small but important package. He is of course confused by his directions to a supposed "city" that leads him to a lighthouse in the middle of an ice field. But bad weather sends him inside for shelter (not before the ice begins to break sending his dog sled into the depths though.) Eventually he takes the "express" elevator down to the city. While searching for his package's recipient (or just a way back to civilization as he knows it at this point) he gets embroiled in the politics of Oz. Whether they should stay isolationist or not. Whether they should introduce credit or not. Who should get what resources and why. Some people want personal things, others want to reorganize the city's priorities, others want to use the city and its resources for their own gain. But no one seems willing or able to point our dear protagonist in the direction of either of his goals.