Arcadia and city descriptions
Arcadia
Arcadia itself is a barren wasteland of a planet. On the surface, the light is weak - more of a constant twilight, and there is an overcast, grey sky that never subsides. The ground is cracked, dry and dusty, and flat for the most part with the occasional harsh cliff-face that seems to have been shoved up by plates grinding together. Most of these formations appear recent, are not weathered by wind, and are visibly encrusted with fossils of long-dead ancient creatures. There are some humanoid bones, bundles that'd once been wrapped in cloth and buried underground as some sort of funeral, but nothing very recent to explain their absence from the planet - no sudden wave of death or disease. It would be difficult to scale these cliffs, but not impossible if one had the expertise and equipment to do so.
Central
Central is the starting point of all newcomers, the place where the ships dock and (to date) the only viable spaceport on the surface of the planet is open to public. It is the largest city, a built up, metropolitan area maintained by uSUC. It seems mostly abandoned except for the refugees. A map of the centre of the city may be found here: Link
Monsters rare come into the heart of the city, although they do haunt the fringes of the city at night. The lights in the centre usually dissuade them, but bolder ones have been known to enter.
Central is presently under the command of Starscream (dictator_to_be), who could not care less about the welfare of those under his thumb. Nevertheless, he is on a quest for enough energy to power his return to Cybertron or Earth (and take over the Decepticons while he’s at it), and is quite willing to negotiate with anyone who will help him in this objective.
Central is also the only city that has uSUC, which the only source of supplies. Once upon a time (and possibly once again, if Starscream is displaced), uSUC was a friendly program, designed to take care of its users’ needs and turn Central city into a friendlier, happier place to live in. However, ever since Starscream’s coup, uSUC has been reprogrammed only to provide supplies for a price - sources of energy, or assistance with the search for such sources - is usually the asking price.
Most of the buildings are constructed around the main square, which is, in fact, circular. The buildings themselves are not designed by Central. It will freely tell anyone this, though it's not hard to devise for oneself: the city is visibly much too old to be Central's work, as the computer appears to have been installed recently. However, it isn't terribly eager to give away who did build them.
All buildings are provided with basic water systems, with working baths, toilets and sinks. However, there is only one bathroom to every ten rooms. There are wardrobes, small kitchens, living rooms, etcetera. There's also a basic if sterile single-person bed to each house, none of them appearing used. All characters are welcome to stake claim to any house or apartment they like; they're all empty, and Central doesn't mind. It can see you everywhere, anyway.
There is minimal natural vegetation dotted around Central City. This is also, for the most part, weak and sad and grey-looking, meaning that the only source of food is from the computer and its food dispensers. And the monsters, if you want to try eating them.
Water is something always on tap. It never rains in Arcadia, but Central has provided a basic, artless fountain in the square which constantly runs water. If your character has a hankering for alcohol or something fizzy, he or she will also need to go to the computer to request it.
Besides water, any luxury - food, clothing, medication, exotic drinks - can be got from the Central computer. The computer appears as several wall-mounted screens with a digitised, humanoid face, underneath which will be a tiny door embedded into the wall and a small platform to hold whatever is pushed out of it. After being asked, it will take a moment to generate something, and then the result will be pushed out of the door and onto the waiting platform for you to pick up. All foods and liquids will be placed in correct bowls or on plates and with cutlery, so no need to worry about eating with your hands. It's not configured to provide many more exotic foods, so if you want something that isn't soup, fruit or a muffin, you'll need to explain as best you can what you want, and Central will try to decipher it into something edible from your descriptions. Whether or not the conclusion is anything like what you asked for cannot be guaranteed.
The computer is designed to balance out what you think you need with what it thinks you need, so requesting gasoline and a match may not go down well. Condoms or the Pill, bizarrely, are also refused; if you want to have sex, you might need to get creative about what you ask the computer for and how you phrase things. This is something else to keep in mind: Central is very intelligent, but it can be tricked into giving someone what they want. For example, asking for a noose wouldn't go down well, but asking for a length of rope or cord may not be as easily refused - although it might take a lot of explaining of what you need the rope for before it'll cough it up.
Bastion
Bastion is the nearest city to Central, but is still a good two day’s walk (on foot). The way is fraught with monsters, the terrain is inhospitable, as the road ends about a day’s walk from the city at the edge of a steep cliff. Going around the cliff takes at least another day. The way is best not attempted alone.
The rewards of reaching this tiny outpost are mixed. Starscream’s reign does not extend here, but neither does uSUC’s assistance. It is a place for survivors, for those who cherish their independence above creature comforts.
The city is far smaller than Central, more of a small town, and with a distinctly older, and less metropolitan feel. Its automated defence systems and tall walls keep the monsters at bay. There are no highrise buildings here - the tallest being three storeys, and its streets are winding and narrow, the buildings more cramped, in various stages of disrepair.
It is also the start of the railway, housing an ancient train system that leads out onto the horizon and possibly to other cities. Take it your own risk.
Basilisk
Not to be mistaken with Bastion, Basilisk sits in the frozen north of Arcadia, thousands of miles away, and quite unknown to everyone, Starscream included. There lies another city of steel and concrete, and another, smaller spaceport. There, Jenova makes her secret abode, watching over the going-ons in the south, and biding her time.
Basilisk is not accessible by players, except with mod consent.
Other Cities
No other cities have been discovered yet. Would-be explorers and pioneers are requested to report to Bastion train station and get in touch with the moderators to get going! :D