Redwater

"We're all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?"

At least that's what a wise man once told me so how about I tell you a story?

A story about a city on the coast of California called Redwater, The City of Stories.

Long before it was known as Redwater City or as everyone else calls it, Redwater, the land that would become the city was home to early settlers who had lived there for years and were said to have dabbled in the occult and practised arcane rituals usually involving sex and succumbing to basic desires.

Their lives however changed when a group of stranded pirates and sailors started washing up on the banks of Amnesty River. The sudden arrival of the pirates, saw the early settlers flee to the woods, while they made the settler's lands their new home.

In its early days, Redwater quickly became a refuge for criminals, outlaws and runaways and the area gained an infamous reputation for its sinful ways, wickedness, cruelty and lack of law enforcement though rumours claimed a group known as The Phantoms, did provide some form of protection to the city’s innocents.

However, it wasn't until the 1800s, that the land became known as Redwater as was officially founded as a city under the leadership of the Grayson, Morgan, Cavanaugh, Fell, Drake, Weston and Fallon families as the city moved to the modern, developing era under the leadership of Peter Grayson, head of the Grayson dynasty who also helped establish a legitimate police that helped to tackle the majority of the criminal element and clean up the city, though some gangs remained.

Peter's deeds did not end there however as he had also reached out to the descendants of the original settlers, making up for loss of life and the bloodshed that had been caused by his family. Peter promised them land in the city, let them carry out an ancient mystical ritual to protect the city and it is said he had even taken their leader, Freya Harrington as a second-wife, though sources differ on whether she was his wife or a mistress.

But ancient history isn't the story you want to hear. You don't want to know how despite the city developing and growing in size, through re-development projects, headed by the Fell family, it wasn’t until the opening of Redwater University that Redwater rose to prominence since it brought more outside individuals to the city. That's not what you want to know.

You want to know about the different areas, the different people and their ways of life, the different communities and sources of entertainment and recreation that make Redwater City, truly The City of Stories.

Well, I guess the best place to start would be Central Redwater, the inner-city area of the city, home to the bustling city-centre, full of local and global stores, the majority of which are located in the Oasis Mall. And if shopping isn't enough, Central Redwater is home to famous nightlife and the prestigious, Redwater University campus, its many buildings and accommodations set to enhance the minds of its promising students. Of course, we can't talk about Central Redwater without mentioning the various companies located there including, Grayson Global, the worldwide business located in a glass skyscraper in the centre of the city.

And we can't mention Grayson Global without mentioning the Grayson family, headed by Dustin Grayson, a great man who not only has taken his company to new heights but also has given back to the city and the people. His reputation has only truly been marked by his not-so-secret love life full of affairs, two marriages and six known children with four different women. Rumour has it that his children are a chip off the old block but I guess time will tell.

However if Central Redwater or Grayson Global isn't your thing, no worries. There are plenty more areas within the city with unique tales that could catch your fancy. There is Duskfall, the land that was gifted to the descendants of the original settlers by Peter Grayson, now home to distinctive music, celebrations, festivals and vibrant nightlife like Angel Nightclub and it is said that every night in the Duskfall area is a party. And of course, we can't mention Duskfall without mentioning the tales of the supernatural.

From stories of haunted buildings, streets and graveyards to strange happenings and disturbances reported by residents. Could those who practice the original settlers still be around or is it just an elaborate series of hoaxes that have allowed residents to capitalise on tourists through tours and stores selling the Supernatural? Who knows? But Duskfall is a source of inspiration when it comes to horror stories spoken by the young kids in Redwater to scare their friends at night.

And if that isn't to your fancy, why not visit the Evergreen Woods area of the city and hike the many trails, stay at one of the cabins or the Fairshadow Bay area of Redwater City where you can spend the day on the beach, experience the fair winds, see the famous Redwater Cliffs and walk and enjoy your time on the boardwalk or piers.

Still not sure what to do, that's fine. Maybe just explore the Northside, the new up-and-coming area, home to some of the best restaurants in the city or take a look around Oldtown and see what remains of the original settlement from original buildings and structures to the retired residents who reside there and would be able to regale you with their own stories of the city.

Speaking of stories, want to know where the magic happens, where those movies, television shows and music videos you watch get filmed and the chances of running into those who star in them are high, then the Rayton Heights area is perfect for you! A centre for artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers, musicians and anyone looking to make a career in those sectors so long as you know the right people and names, Rayton Heights or often shortened by the locals to The Heights is home to many celebrities including Vivienne Young and Barbie Summers.

Still not enough story for you? Then maybe you prefer something much more darker and dangerous. Cross the bridge to the other side of Amnesty River and you'll get to the Southside and River Valley area of the city, the latter, the former safe-haven to pirates, sailors and outlaws and although times have changed, the people haven't and it is said the area is just as corrupt today as it was many years ago. So make sure you don't go crossing the wrong people and if you do pray that a Harrington might be nearby to help, if they're in the mood.

But the other side of the river and the city isn't all bad, as you get closer to the mountains, you'll enter Sapphire Falls Valley. A former mining area, the area still holds a large mine and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, The Sapphire Falls. It truly is a wonder, especially in a city with already so much to do!

So come on down!

See for yourself!

And who knows maybe you'll have a few stories of your own by the time you leave!