All important announcements be they OOC or IC, will be made here. Pay attention to this forum whenever you see something new!

Discuss your characters, set up potential plots, and keep track of your threads here!
Moderated By: Shinka

Almost all chatter (with the exception of the IC Planning forum) will be here. Come on in, throw your feet up, and chat with the gang~ Welcome some new faces; chat about the latest news or movie.

Want to show off your creations? Be it writing, visual art, music--post it here so we can all gawk at how talented you are! Also, check this place out often, as many of our contests will be placed here!

Want to link to our site or just advertise over here on Niwa Nights? Go ahead! This forum is guest-friendly. I only kindly ask that you please think of us when you advertise!

Obviously, this is where the rules and any other information regarding this topic goes. Be sure to check this place out before joining.

Here are some guides that are created by both members and administration members to aid you with certain topics. These are OPTIONAL reading materials that may help members get a better feel for Niwa.

This is the place for everything dealing with registrations! (Also contains the templates for everything) - Character Registration - NPC Registration - Drug Registration - Gang Registration

Come here to get a good feel for the city and the ambiance of Niwa Nights. Thiscontains things that span from the history and beginnings of Niwa to an up-to-date following of plots--both personal and gang-related.

Here lies the directory for -MOST- of the known groups that inhabit the streets of Niwa City. (Also where all approved profiles go)

For those who want to do more than just meet and greet their characters, feel free to use this forum for gang discussions, police requests, open threads, and just to organize any sort of thing you may want for your characters. Please pay attention to this thread!

On the outskirts of the more suburban mountainside lies thick forests and plenty of wildlife. Often a destination for campers and even hooligans. This is the first stop of the uphill rail car towards Fuyuyama that also provides access to one of the main roads out of the Niwa area.

The remnants of what used to be an old mining village that became the start of Fuyuyama. It has since been converted into a small commercial area for the residents of Fuyuyama Proper. It also serves as a buffer between the rush of the city and the much slower lifestyle of Fuyuyama.

Amongst all the hustle and bustle of Niwa City's business district is the calm and peaceful Shinto shrine, where many tend to crowd on days of worship. This is considered to be a holy place and there is often very little crime activity on the shrine grounds. It just happens to be one of those "unwritten rules" for the lawless to follow here in Niwa.

Towards the peak of the mountainside are beautiful and luxurious homes hidden in the gorges of Fuyuyama. While there are roads that provide access to each section of Fuyuyama Proper, the main way of getting around is through the sole uphill rail car at each level of Fuyuyama.

The Kogano Financial Center is a collection of skyscrapers that are the center of Niwa's corporate might. At the helm of the businesses--the highest skyscraper of them all--is the KoganoBANK Financial building, followed by the much smaller buildings owned by Fudo International and Yuki Corp.

Stand in the middle of this crowded intersection and you will find yourself completely surrounded by the tall skyscrapers daunting over you. See if your ears can take in the amount of noise caused by taxi's, pedestrians, truckers, street vendors, and the occasional siren of a police car or fire truck just whizzing by. This is the city!

At the heart of Niwa is the center for all things dealing with the municipality. Most of the buildings necessary to ensure that the great city of Niwa keeps running are located in this area.

On the edge of the business district is a sprawling park filled with beautiful marble fountains and a vast array of trees from around the world--all maintained well by the park's owner: Niwa's very own Yuki Corporation.

Every night is bumping in this little night life hotspot! The Sky Lounge is a Bar/Lounge located at the top floor of one of the tallest buildings in the downtown. Conveniently located by bus stops and subway stations, this place is the place to be! Beautiful waitresses and bartenders dressed in sky blue formal wear and live DJ's all night!

Perhaps as one of the tokens of Niwa's cultural importance to the world, the Museum of MetaHistory is a part of a national network of popular museums that hold very important artifacts and items to the history (and possibly the future) of the development and integration of meta-humans into the world. Security is tight and always on watch.

A safe haven of silence lays in the hustle and bustle of the Business District of Niwa in the form of a gran library. It sticks out like a sore thumb amongst all the modern Japanese building designs, showing signs of western influence in its structuring. The library itself marks itself to be centuries old, but in the past its roles were different. At some point it served as a castle, then as a fortress, then as a marketplace, a municipal building, and now finally a library.

A classy strip of boardwalk along the shore of Niwa's beach, filled with many bars, stores, and trendy restaurants where the foodies of Niwa come to dine.

A lavish luxurious hotel stationed close to the heart of Niwa City's beautiful and lively downtown, the Goodnight Hotel takes up about half a city block and goes nearly fifty floors up and ten floors down. Most VIPs choose to stay here for the luxury suites, the five-star cooking staff, the top-rated service staff, and for the wonderful location it is in. Security is extremely tight here, making safety one of the best perks of staying here.

Once an institute of higher education and a prime choice for achievers looking towards a future in medicine or politics, now even the prestigious college is starting to be dragged down by Niwa's soiled spirit. Attendance has begun to falter in the last couple of years as criminals start recruiting kids younger and younger. Shady characters have been spotted around the campus, and the security guards seem to be meager reassurance in the face of the violent new gangs. In the past, Jinsei University was the linchpin of Takeshi Tsukamoto's efforts to clean up Niwa. When the Tsukamoto gang was still in power many disadvantaged youths were given a chance at a real education, and JU was the place to get it. Even as Tsukamoto influence has waned many staff and faculty members have still tried to uphold their standard of excellence in education. Despite falling on hard times JU is still a prestigious school, with many modern facilities.

To top off the trendy scene that is the Waterfront, is a true place where the youth of Niwa are sure to enjoy. L'avenir, is part arcade, part cafe, and part bar. Each section of the massive store is divided accordingly, designed with a sci-fi esque design with neon lights and electronic sound.

Niwa is the home of many skyscrapers, but they were not there from the start. The Havenberg Construction site--taking on slightly more space than an average city block--is one of the most ambitious engineering projects in the world. However, it is being constructed by less-ambitious construction workers. This skeleton-of-a-building has undergone numerous delays, resulting in leaving one very-out-of-place construction site in the very technological, sharp, and clean business district of Niwa.

For those who desire the higher style of living in Niwa, there are several towers of purely condominiums along the waterfront. Pet friendly, on-site parking and laundry, security, and close to all the amenities that make a social life happy, this is the place to live for most Niwanese, but only few can actually afford it.

Perfectly positioned on the Waterfront at the edge of the Boardwalk within easy walking distance of the Goodnight Hotel stands Dusk. Elegantly designed to attract the wealthier residence that inhabit the nearby Condominium Towers and provide a desirable late night destination for all of Niwa’s residents. Offering indoor and outdoor entertainment areas, private functions and a fully equipped nightclub with a guest DJ’s, is it any wonder this establishment is one of the growing highlights within Niwa.

Downtown police headquarters, the center of all police activity.

A simple term for the most complex, massive, beautiful, and lively subway/train/bus terminal in all of Niwa. This huge transportation center is one of Niwa's few true gems that shine to the whole world. Decorated with world-class art and technology, the Hub serves as the heart of all that moves for the public in Niwa. Security cameras, guards, and other secrets rest within this grand center.

One of the newest additions to the Downtown, this new establishment has single-handedly boosted sales in all neighborhoods around it. This night club is known for its live performances by locally-known DJs, its vibrant clubbing scene, and the numerous beautiful women that frequent it. If you want a party, this is the place.

A dive-bar decorated and run by police hq’s janitor, Pyramid Head. Illuminated by Christmas lights and bad vibes, The Shit is a cheap liquor bar nestled in the run-down section of NIWA. All walks of life are welcome. The Shit happens.

That one building that has been under construction for over a year that everyone knows as that building under construction has finally shed its cocoon. In its place stand the majestic Hero Tower. A building dedicated to the Hero TV and a symbol of justice to the city. Security is tight only authorized people are allowed to come and go to protect the heroes identities.

Between the tightly packed buildings of West Jinsei--one of Niwa's oldest communities--stands a marvel of public transportation. A suspended rail system runs throughout West Jinsei and eventually runs towards the usual subway lines. It makes it as though there are two ground levels to the area.

There was a time when West Jinsei was brimming with people. There was once a time when West Jinsei was filled with public facilities, and the former Mizuguchi High School was once a paradigm for the future of education. This large school complex, however, was no longer necessary once the wealthy fled West Jinsei for places like the Waterfront or Fuyuyama. Now it is just one giant complex of buildings and fields that stand barren and only frequented by the worst kinds of people.

This small district is both a haven and a prison to its tenants. The many day laborers made up of poor Japanese and immigrants populate this dusky part of Niwa. Here they find room, board, and jobs. Jammed full of cheap restaurants and tenement buildings, Kumori-chō is their whole world and the source of all of Niwa's cheap labor. Tourists are unwelcome, and competition for day to day amenities is fierce. The police often leave this section of town alone, and as a result it has become a breeding ground for criminal activity.

What was once the artistic gem of Niwa's past is now a large clump of cheap, dirty, and nearly lawless bars, stripclubs, liquor stores, and fast food joints. Despite still being a hot spot for the night life, West Jinsei is not a place one would like to be left alone in. Countless dark alleyways and dim-lit streets weave through here...

There are plenty of places to go in the East Side of Niwa, but one area has been coined as the heart of these parts of the city. On Haven boulevard are numerous bodegas, medium-low class stores, family-owned restaurants, and bus stops, subway stations, and most of all drug trafficking.

A large man-made park located by the massive apartment complexes of Niwa. Bakuhatsu park is where most of Niwa's middle and lower class go to play, as it houses many amenities that are open to the public to use. Also, it is the spot of one of Niwa's best eateries: Hanzo's Noodle Shack. Be careful when coming around at night though, as some of Niwa's restless youth come out to play.

Land is for the luxurious. Come stay at these giant apartment complexes dotted across the East Side of Niwa! Many of Niwa's hard-working, underpaid, underappreciated, (illegal as well), and blue collar citizens call this place home.

KLENE-LIFE, the prominent waste management corporation that turns Niwa's garbage into cold hard cash! At the edge of the East Side are numerous warehouses and facilities that KLENE-LIFE and other corporations use (and not-use) for whatever means. Most of these warehouses remain empty and hardly monitored, leaving them to be hot spots for illegal activity.

Despite its decaying night life appeal, the East Side still harbors some of the best entertainment in the city. The FALLEN is mainly a gothic night club that attracts some of Niwa's most interesting characters. Many come to live in the moment, but be aware that you are always being watched in this underground night club.

What was once a run-down, hobo-filled bar has now been renovated and opened into a pub. Come for the burgers or the good times, as the White Lion has risen again!

There's always a Little Seoul, a Little Japan, but nothing will ever have the other-worldly feeling like Niwa's Chinatown. Comparable to the mainland itself, one must always be careful in this part of Niwa, as it is filled with bootleggers, pickpockets, heavy Triad activity, and overall a sort of lawlessness that never seems to be under control of the NCPD. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown"

Just finished is one of Niwa's greatest architectural feats. A beautiful and modern bridge connecting Tenshi Island to the mainland of Niwa, connecting right into its waterfront, without covering the view. Take a break on one of its many rest stops and enjoy the breath-taking view!

Every big city needs a mode of international travel, doesn't it? This is Niwa's magnificent airport. With plenty of terminals, state of the art electronics, a staff that actually gives a damn about keeping the place clean, and numerous artistic collections littered throughout; Niwa International Airport is the perfect way to welcome any visitor to Niwa.

Come one, come all, to the happy place that is Paradise Park! A new amusement park is now open to all, thanks to the heavy contributions of one Hotaru Tachibana. Come enjoy the water slides, the roller coasters, the fun carnival games, and the never-ending fun memories!

The only way to get to the "Osore" Island (its name not official, instead given by the people of Niwa) is through this slow and carefully guarded ferry. Now see, Osore Island is not something the city of Niwa is proud of--and they have slums. This ferry also takes patrons to all the other smaller islands scattered along Niwa's coast.

The "Mirror Temple" was built during the Muromachi period, and later destroyed during World War II by American bombers. Capitalizing on the state of rebuilding Niwa was in following the war the Yakuza took an interest in the burnt down temple and had it restored to its former glory. It is named the mirror temple for the large number of reflecting pools that surround the temple, as well as the inside which is adorned with numerous mirrors that have been donated over the years. Surrounded by nature it is a place of quiet reflection and contemplation.

The notorious Osore Island serves as a stark contrast to the elegant and beautiful Tenshi Island. While there are people who live on the island, it is known most for Osore Penitentiary. Tread lightly. While criminals may be contained within the massive meta-prison, the neighborhood is in no way innocent and clean.

For threads that take place elsewhere. **Please include in the title of your thread where exactly the thread takes place.

The final resting place for the brave and the petty alike. Come and read the obituaries or tombstones of the deceased. If your character has died, please contact an admin to move the profile here.

Here is the place for topics and threads that are recognized by Niwa and need a place to be stored. Completed and outdated RPs go here.

This is the place where gang leaders put inactive characters--missing persons. If your character just so happens to be here, do not fret! You do not need to go through approval at all! Just reply to your thread or PM an admin to let us know that you still exist!