Backlund

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Backlund (贝克兰德)
Alias(es)	“City of All” 172
Type	Capital city; industrial metropolis
Location	Capital of the Ruen Kingdom; connected to Pritz Harbor by the Tassok River 100 172
Status	Active
First Appearance	61

Overview

Backlund is the Ruen Kingdom’s capital and its largest industrial center, regarded as the world’s most prosperous city and called the “City of All.” Its scale dwarfs Tingen City, but rapid industrialization left it notorious for yellow smog, pungent air, and severe disparities between affluent boroughs and the East Borough, Docklands, and factory areas. 172 180 215

The city is a political, financial, religious, and transportation hub. The Royal Family, Parliament, major churches, noble estates, factories, and institutions such as Backlund Technical University are all based within or around it. 579 906 912

Geography and Boroughs

River and Bridge Districts

The Tassok River runs through the wider Backlund area and reaches the sea at Pritz Harbor southeast of the city. 100

• Bridge Borough — surrounds the city’s only bridge near the Tassok River crossing; it experiences heavy population movement and lies near the East Borough and Docklands. 172
• Bridge South Borough — a broad residential area south of the bridge, valued by Angel for its multiple escape routes. 172
• Jowood Borough — adjacent to Bridge Borough and home to numerous terraced houses. 201 231

Affluent Boroughs

• North Borough — a busy district containing Saint Samuel Cathedral, Street Park, and Backlund Technical University. It suffered heavily during the Fosac air raid. 159 906 916
• Queens Borough — associated with noble residences, including the Hall family villa. 373 1100
• Hillston Borough — a wealthy residential district, including Boningham Road. 854
• West Borough — includes political institutions and prosperous property; it is comparatively better served than the poorer districts. 159 912

Working-Class Districts

• East Borough — the city’s poorest and most densely populated area, characterized by vagrancy, hunger, gang activity, kidnappings, and inadequate sanitation. 180 342 582
• Docklands — a poor riverside and industrial area adjoining the East Borough; it was among the districts devastated by the Great Smog. 172 363 373
• Factory District / South District — industrial zones whose workers and factories were exposed to pollution, the Great Smog, wartime bombing, and later unemployment. 215 363 912 960

Cityscape and Infrastructure

Backlund combines dense terraced housing, factory chimneys, clock towers, gas lamps, government buildings, cathedrals, and expanding modern infrastructure. Persistent haze often obscures people and buildings more than a short distance away. 172 357 363

• The city developed a modern sewer system over the preceding decade, demolishing many older buildings in the process. 883
• Its subway network was converted from steam locomotives to quieter electric rail trains five years before the later era. 1415
• Steam trains bring large numbers of job-seekers into the city, while routes through Backlund continue south to Pritz Harbor. 357 380 601
• Saint Samuel Cathedral is the largest church in Backlund and, reportedly, all of Loen. 854
• The city contains major government targets, including City Hall, the House of Commons, and the Kingdom Grand Theater. 912

Environment and Public Health

Industrial pollution is one of Backlund’s defining problems. Upon arriving in the city, Angel encounters pale-yellow, pungent fog so thick that gas lamps barely illuminate the station platform. 172

• The Backlund Daily records approximately 75 smoggy days per year, though residents remember long periods of bad weather most strongly. 179
• An Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Committee was proposed, with Hibbert Hall serving as chief secretary. 172 231
• Environmental regulations and changes in industry later improve the air quality, though wartime factory closures also contribute by reducing emissions. 591 1100
• After the war, factories resume operation and reconstruction creates employment, though winter smog remains common. 1212

Society and Economy

Backlund’s wealth is unevenly distributed. Its nobles, wealthy merchants, and political class concentrate in districts such as Queens, Hillston, and the West Borough, while the East Borough and Docklands endure poverty, crime, and poor public services. 159 180 1418

High Society

The annual Social Season begins with the return of Upper House noble councilors and is traditionally marked by dense schedules of banquets and balls. In a later July, austerity measures make the season more restrained, with salons replacing grand events. 648 1344

• A wealthy, single newcomer can use Backlund’s social circles to approach the upper and middle classes. 579
• Social status is heavily scrutinized through clothing, spending, etiquette, and perceived financial stability. 648
• The city is described as fast-paced yet comparatively conservative despite social and political change. 591

Labor and Poverty

The East Borough’s population relies heavily on factory labor and precarious work. During shortages, workers from nearby cities travel to Backlund for higher wages and vacant factory positions. 380 601

• The Great Smog reduced the East Borough’s population by 10% and left an equal number unable to work. 582
• Wartime food shortages and unemployment trigger repeated protests, culminating in a massive Queens Borough march demanding bread. 1100
• Following the war, reparations and assistance policies improve commoners’ living conditions. 1344
• Police allocation historically favored wealthy boroughs and government institutions, though East Borough and Docklands councilors later push for population-based distribution. 1418

Supernatural Affairs and Security

Backlund is a major center of Extraordinary activity. The Three Great Churches maintain substantial forces in the city, while criminal organizations, secret societies, and hostile factions repeatedly exploit its poor districts and political importance. 382 582 618

• The Church of the Night Goddess operates the Backlund Diocese from Saint Samuel Cathedral; its underground offices distribute reports and assign investigations. 453
• The Nighthawks and Red Gloves investigate disasters, cult activity, hauntings, and wild Extraordinaries throughout the city. 373 797 1019
• The Great Smog’s mass deaths cause a prolonged increase in wronged souls and supernatural incidents, particularly in the East Borough. 797
• The Aurora Order and Witch Sect are repeatedly active in Backlund, despite large-scale post-Smog crackdowns. 582 620 856
• After the World War, regulations are changed so that Angels and Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts can be permanently stationed in the capital under a Guardian Angel system. 1211

History

Industrial Expansion

Backlund’s industrial growth establishes it as the Ruen Kingdom’s capital and an international metropolis, but its factories, coal use, and crowded worker districts create severe pollution and inequality. The city gradually builds modern sewers and later pursues environmental reform. 172 215 883

Great Smog

A catastrophic smog and plague engulf the East Borough, Docklands, and Factory District, killing workers, vagrants, and residents already weakened by disease or malnutrition. The disaster is connected to the Witch Sect and large-scale rituals. 363 373 582

The rain that follows disperses the smog and washes contaminants from the streets, but leaves widespread grief, resentment, economic damage, and a surge of hauntings. 373 797

Wartime Air Raid and Siege

The Fosac Empire opens the wider war with an aerial assault on Backlund. Airships attack Backlund Technical University, factories, City Hall, the House of Commons, and the Kingdom Grand Theater. 906 907 912

Event	Impact
Fosac air raid	Hundreds die in the North Borough, thousands are injured, and attacks on the West Borough’s political center cause more than 200 additional deaths. 912
Factory bombing	Several East Borough factories are destroyed during working hours, leaving casualties still being counted. 912
Food crisis	Lost farmland, disrupted sea routes, and refugees push Backlund toward shortages and mass bread protests. 1068 1100
End of siege	The war surrounding the city ends, and Saint Samuel Cathedral’s square gradually returns to normal. 1153

Postwar Recovery

After the war, Backlund rebuilds damaged districts and resumes industrial production. The city’s public mood improves, though it remains vulnerable to Outer God believers and supernatural threats. 1212 1153

By the later Social Season, nobles observe austerity while assistance policies and reparations have improved conditions for many commoners. 1344

Notable Locations

• Saint Samuel Cathedral — the principal Night Church cathedral in Backlund and base of the Backlund Diocese. 453 854
• Backlund Technical University — targeted during the opening Fosac air raid. 906
• City Hall — part of the West Borough political center attacked during the war. 912
• Street Park — North Borough park renovated under Councilor Maynard’s oversight. 159
• Bravehearts Bar — Iron Gate Street information and underworld contact point used for identity forgery arrangements. 375
• Black Bear Cannery — an East Borough business co-owned by Sherman and Angel. 923
• Loen Charity Student Aid Fund — a charitable organization visited by Angel, Klein, and Audrey. 902 916