Quick &
Dirty: Vladikavkaz, Republic of North
Ossetia-Alania, Russia
Description: Vladikavkaz is the capital city of the
Republish of North Ossetia-Alania. It resides in the southeast of the republic,
situations in the foothills of the Caucasus on the Terek River. It has one of
the highest populations among the North Caucasus. The city is known for its
factories and as a transportation center. The Georgian Military Highway (European
route 117) connects it to George in the south, through the mountains. A rail
line connects the city to Baku, Azerbaijan. Buses, trams, and trolleys cross
the city, providing plenty of public transportation. The city structure is actually
made up of six different rural localities.
Population: 311,693
Conflict: The city has been the target of several
bombings in the past 15 years. Targets have included mayors and military sites.
The 58th Army is based in the Southern Military District as one of
the four operational commands of Russian. Vladikavkaz and the surrounding
localities are host to a motorized brigade and command brigade. The main base of
the 58th Army is in Dzhava-Tskhinval, Tbilisi.
There is also the on again, off again, fighting with the
Ingush people. Most of the fighting involving the Ingush people is due to fighting
spilling over from the Chechen Republic. Due to this conflict, the area has
become destabilized by corruption, high profile crimes, and government security
forces murdering civilians.
Backdrops:
1. The North Caucasus: Whether traveling to the Tsey Valley and the
Skazka resort, the Tsminda Sameba Church (Gergeti Trinity Church) under the
watchful eye of Mount Kabegi, or looking for the forgotten castle of a vampire
lord, the North Caucasus provide many varied locations. The mountains also
provide many local shop owners the opportunity to sell various gear needed to
living or touring the mountains. Travel guides can be found in all of the towns
and most are willing to take money from non-chartered sources in return for
guiding foreigners through the mountains. These guides can also provide
knowledge related to the comings and goings of the military and which roads
have been closed via restrictions by the military.
2. Prospekt Mira: Cafes, restaurants, hotels, museums,
galleries, and a statue of Lenin line Prospekt Mira. This is the central heart
of the city of Vladikavkaz along the river. Agents looking to find other spies
a likely to visit this area of town.
3. Aleksandrovdkiy
Grand Hotel: The Aleksandrovdkiy
is the most elegant, and thus most expensive, hotel in Vladikavkaz. Both the
exterior and interior are done in antique styles. The hotel is within a 45
minute drive of the airport and a ten minute walk from the train station. Guests
can relax in the bar or dine on traditional Russian fair in the restaurant. For
those looking to enjoy a more cosmopolitan palette, other restaurants and a
Starbucks are nearby. The hotel only has 30 rooms to rent.
Three Hooks:
1. Fiagdon Valley: Interesting locations within this area
include an ancient cemetery in Dargavs, a restaurant named “Valley of the Sun,”
and the small ex-mining town of Fiagdon. Nearly every place in the valley is worth
visiting, outside of Fiagdon. The vampires control the town and have residences
built inside the old mines. They have Renfields placed throughout the area,
watching the roads and many restaurants nestled along the way. The Valley of
the Sun is an obvious place for a trap and it is one! The entire staff are
Renfields and eagerly await the arrival of anyone threatening their masters.
2. Georgian
Military Highway: This highway
connects Tbilisi, Georgia with Vladikavkaz, Russia. The highways is known for
impatient drivers and the occasional random closing of the border post. The
road is 130 miles long, crosses ridges and gorges, passes Mount Kazbek, a Georgian
church, bottoms out in a canyon, and climbs up a pass to an altitude of 7815
feet. The road snakes along several rivers and past two medieval fortresses and
a hydroelectric dam. This highway is an ideal location to place the home of the
conspiracy. If not the home, then a definite outpost could be made of the
Ananuri castle along the Aragvi River. Failing that, the highway is also a good
means of traveling from Georgia to Russia. Vampires will who need to get from
one to the other can travel by car or by boat. Agents on the run from the
conspiracy could use the highway as a means of escape, but must beware the
obviously controlled border crossing. Directors in need of a thriller chase
sequence are encouraged to utilize this locale.
3. Beslan School
hostage crisis cemetery: In September 2004, a
three day hostage crisis occurred in the Beslan School. Over 1000 people were
taken as hostages and more than two-thirds were children. Before the crisis was
resolved, more than 380 people were dead, over half were children. The
terrorists involved include Chechens and Ingushes. If local terrorists are
related to the conspiracy, they may be using this cemetery as a meeting place
or drop point. All flights into the Vladikavkaz International Airport fly over
this location.
Author's Note: This place has legs, lots of legs. If you are looking for an interesting place to set a game, I highly recommend looking into this area of the world.
Beautiful
scenery of the Georgian Military Highway
Prior
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