Harlem

Harlem is located in the same area as the real-world neighborhood of the same name.

Background
Harlem is a neighborhood between Morningside and East Harlem, and is filled with schools and colleges. The area’s residents was predominantly black and Puerto Rican pre-war, and continues with the same demographics. Harlem is currently experiencing a second “Harlem Renaissance” with the National Black Theater, the American Negro Theater, and the Appollo all being active and thriving, and communities like the Negro Playwrights and Stride are creating new and unique live performances of acting, music, singing, and dancing.

Harlem also has a great deal of graffiti, but you will notice they are predominantly the ‘mural’ style graffiti art, and not just tags and names. The art often depicts things like daily life in the apocalypse, historical literature, music, or Harlem/NYC culture. Traditional art is also commonplace, with most homes having unique paintings, and many commissioned art pieces line the streets

Harlem enjoys this boom to the arts due to its membership in the Northern City State Coalition. The security against raiders and other groups allows for Harlem to be one of the few city-states without hired mercenaries within its borders, and relies predominantly on community policing. It’s strong barriers and secure checkpoints hold back the tides of chaos, but they are only physical things. And physical things can break.

The only main drawback of Harlem, currently, is a health crisis. Many citizens, especially children who were born and raised in Harlem, are experiencing respiratory issues such as Asthma, at a rate of over twice the rate of the rest of Manhattan. While those in charge of Harlem and the NCSC are aware of the epidemic, they are wary to say anything so as not to cause a panic.

Inter-City Relations
East Harlem and Harlem share a ‘checkpoint’ at Duke Ellington Circle, Marcus Garvey Park, and 125th Street Station. Citizens of the NCSC may freely pass at these checkpoints, but non-citizens will be subject to search or even be denied entry.

NPCs
Lobe Trotters The Lobe Trotters, named after the Harlem Globetrotters, are a local society that focuses on the expansion of the mind, through the Arts, STEM, Sport, and Philosophy. Their members wear uniforms reminiscent of the Harlem Globetrotter Basketball Uniform. These are literal ‘Renaissance Men’, and one of their more famous members Renascence Marq, or ‘RenaMarq’ as he’s sometimes called, performs to the public at the Apollo Theater on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

They are a major proponent of the current “Harlem Renaissance” and are role models for children and adults alike. However, be careful not to put them on too high of a pedestal. As they say, never meet your heroes.

Side Stories/Quests

 * 1) The Art of the Possible Help promote the Visual Arts of Harlem
 * 2) Do You Hear the People Sing Help promote the Musical Arts of Harlem
 * 3) There are Worse Things I Could Do Speak with the Lobe Trotters regarding problematic members
 * 4) So Long, Farewell Return to the Commonwealth

Player Interaction
The exit to the Commonwealth is in Harlem, and the player must gain access, either through diplomacy, force, or stealth, in order to return home.

Harlem is rather stable for the most part, and the player will likely not have monumental effects on Harlem, unless he destroys the walls around the city, or sabotages the checkpoints.

The player can increase the quality of life for Harlem slightly if they are able to convince East Harlem to assist in renovations of many of the historic buildings, where the water, dust, pests, and mold are causing the health issues.

Relation to Main Games
Duke Elington and Ella Fitzgerald’s song “Take the A-Train” mentions Sugar Hill and Harlem in the lyrics. However, Sugar hill is outside the borders of the map.