Mega Tri-Cities

"Three rivers. Three cities. One metropolis hiding more secrets than anyone dares imagine."

Overview

Mega Tri-Cities is the sprawling metropolitan region formed by the unification of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco. Situated at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers, the city serves as the economic, political, and cultural heart of southeastern Washington.

To outsiders, Mega Tri-Cities appears to be a growing metropolitan known for agriculture, wine, technology, and scientific research. Residents boast about over 300 days of sunshine a year, a thriving riverfront, and one of the fastest-growing populations in the Pacific Northwest. Beneath that polished surface, however, lies a city built on secrets, ambition, and centuries of hidden conflict. The region's real-world identity is deeply tied to the three rivers, Hanford's scientific legacy, and the interconnected communities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.

In the shadows, ancient powers manipulate city politics, criminal organizations control entire districts, and supernatural entities wage silent wars over territory and influence.

Geography

Mega Tri-Cities occupies the fertile basin where the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers converge. The city's geography is dominated by waterways, bridges, vineyards, rolling desert hills, and sprawling suburban districts.

The Three Rivers

The rivers remain the city's defining feature.

The Columbia River divides much of the city and serves as a vital transportation corridor.
The Snake River forms the eastern boundary of many industrial districts.
The Yakima River winds through the western sectors before joining the Columbia.

These waterways provide commerce, recreation, and numerous opportunities for illicit activity away from mortal eyes.

History

Before Settlement

Long before the city existed, the land belonged to the Indigenous peoples of the Columbia Basin. Ancient stories speak of powerful spirits inhabiting the rivers, canyons, and hills surrounding the basin.

Several supernatural factions believe these stories are not merely legends.

The Frontier Era

The arrival of explorers, traders, and settlers transformed the region. Railroads, agriculture, and river commerce established the foundations of modern civilization.

Conflicts between settlers, native peoples, and hidden supernatural forces shaped the territory in ways never recorded by history books.

The Atomic Age

No event altered the city more dramatically than the development of the Hanford Site.

Official records describe Hanford as a nuclear production and research facility. Unofficial records tell a darker story. Strange disappearances, unexplained phenomena, and classified experiments have plagued the area since the 1940s.

Many believe the region's supernatural population exploded following Hanford's creation.

The Consolidation

As population growth accelerated throughout the twenty-first century, Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco became increasingly interconnected.

In official government records, the cities remain separate municipalities. In practice, they function as a single metropolitan region. The term "Mega Tri-Cities" emerged to describe the unified urban sprawl stretching across Benton and Franklin Counties.

Districts

Downtown Richland

The political heart of Mega Tri-Cities.

Government offices, corporate headquarters, and influential social clubs dominate the district. Beneath the surface, powerful interests manipulate city affairs from behind closed doors.

Uptown

One of the oldest surviving commercial districts.

Independent businesses, cafes, bookstores, and artists thrive here. Rumors suggest many establishments serve as neutral territory for supernatural negotiations.

Columbia Crossing

The economic center of the city.

High-end retail, entertainment venues, and corporate investment have transformed this district into a symbol of modern prosperity.

The Port District

A maze of warehouses, shipping facilities, and industrial yards.

Smuggling, organized crime, and covert operations flourish along the waterfront.

East Pasco

A densely populated district rich with culture and community.

Many immigrant communities call this district home.

Hanford Exclusion Zone

Officially restricted.

Government

Mega Tri-Cities is governed by a complex network of elected officials, corporate interests, regional authorities, and unseen powers.

Most citizens believe local elections determine the future of the city.

Most citizens are wrong.

Economy

The city's economy rests upon four pillars:

Scientific Research
Agriculture
River Commerce
Advanced Manufacturing

The influence of Hanford, Pacific Northwest research institutions, agriculture, and regional commerce continues to drive growth throughout the region.

Behind the scenes, black markets, supernatural enterprises, and secret organizations generate enormous wealth beyond public scrutiny.

Culture

Mega Tri-Cities embraces a unique blend of agricultural tradition, scientific innovation, and frontier independence.

Popular attractions include:

Riverfront festivals
Wine tasting events
Farmers markets
Community conventions
Outdoor recreation
Historic landmarks

Citizens pride themselves on resilience, self-reliance, and community spirit.

The city's unofficial motto:

"We survive because we have to."

Notable Locations

MTC Reactors Stadium
MTC University
Ex Libris
Scarlet Notes
KPPX Rebel Radio 103.3
The Port District
Uptown
Memorial Bridge
Sacajawea State Park
The Three Rivers Waterfront
Pantalica Casino
Last Chance Bar

Rumors

Strange lights are often seen over Hanford after midnight.
Several city officials have not aged in decades.
Entire neighborhoods have disappeared from historical records.
The Columbia River occasionally returns things that should have remained lost.
Something ancient sleeps beneath the city.