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Backstage Ring Overhead View

     Described more fully in 141348 and 144787. If the compass directions confuse you, think of it as looking down on the North Pole, with the Ring being the 80th Parallel. North is towards the pole in the center, and South is away from it. East and West would run along the parallel, in a circular direction as shown.
     The length of the Ring varies; it is continually expanding as additional space is needed. The space between the ringwalls is about 150 feet, at least in the areas we've seen, though tesseracts expand this space in numerous areas. The ringwalls are 75 feet thick in the Concourse and Service Sector, and presumably in most of the other sectors unless specified otherwise (for example, the ringwall in the Emergency Command Sector is 150 feet thick). The ringwall may even be missing in some places, such as the Science Fiction Sector. The crosswalls between ring sectors are also 75 feet thick unless specified otherwise, to judge from the example of the Antipodes Quarter.
     I had been planning to re-draw the ring as being fifty miles in circumference (five hours around, assuming you're driving a golf cart rather than an automobile). But on that diagram, the Concourse was practically invisible -- so I drew it at half that size, instead. Even so, it's still a little hard to make out! Maybe I should've gone with the fifty miles.... arguments?
     See also below for a more detailed view of the top part of the map.

The Service and Resort Quarter
(or Author Quarter)

[ Top | Badlands Quarter | Unknown Quarter | Time Out Quarter | Centerlands | Infinity Highway | Closeup - Unknown & Time Out Quarters ]

     First named in 144787. The known sectors from west to east (or counterclockwise, if you prefer) are as follows.

The Backstage Concourse: The nerve center of the whole Backstage. Location of Hilbert's Backstage Hotel and its gardens (described in 141347) at the west end, catering to visitors from the Character Quarter, and the Old Wizard's Bar and Grill at the east end, a place of dangerous amusement for Authors. Between lies Backstage Central (described in detail in 131660 and 140199), headquarters and residence of Sid Russell, the Keeper of the Backstage, together with his family and staff. Author residences, administrative and recreactional facilities are in the Upper Levels, as are the secret Crays that maintain the AddVenture. Shopping, parking, and transportation are in the basements.
     Deja Voodoo gave us a building plan in 139367, which was amplified in 139421, amended by F-Cup Fitzgerald in 140068 and corrected/merged by Deja Voodoo in 140144, and updated in more episodes than I can count
- Overview - Side View - Floor Assignments - Closeup of Central - Closeup of Gardens - Room Assignments -

The Service Sector: Home to various Avatar facilities and services that could not be accomodated in the Concourse, including, most notably, the Orphan Episode Asylum and the Avatar Cemetery and its Vault (for some description of which see 142160, 145073, and 145038). Poorly mapped for a long time, due to early confusion (and perhaps identity) with Restaurant Row.
- Overview - Side View - Floor Assignments -

Restaurant Row: Where the Avatars eat. Originally confused (and likely identical) with the Service Sector, this was later definitely established as being a separate sector. Described in 144688 and 144982, with more detail in 166610 and 172819.
- Overview -

Shopping and Bar Sector: Where the Avatars drink and shop (though there are also bars and shops elsewhere, notably at the east end and in the basement of the Concourse). First mentioned in 195918, with fuller description following in 200102, 200137, and 223955.
- Overview - Side View - Floor Assignments -

The Green Light District: This is one of the ring's four Strongholds (which also include the True Null, the Emergency Command Sector, and the Deep Well). Per 246564, "a prison where dangerous Characters might be sequestered," an apparent confusion with the neighboring High Security Sector. Actually a place of license for Characters, where anything goes and the powers of their Avatar tormentors don't work, it is essentially a world apart, and a particularly nasty one. If a prison it is a self-made one, its inhabitants kept in by their terror of the justice they might face without. First described in 200103, with more detail provided in 200104 and 200307.
- Overview - Closeup -

The High Security Sector: The actual prison where non-Authorial villains and criminals are incarcerated. The biggest cell block in the Sector is the Old Wizard Cellblock, which holds various incarnations of the SRU Wizard. The authorities there may begin shipping troublesome inmates to the Green Light District soon, where they could be expected to incarcerate themselves, which would be much cheaper.... First described in 200309.

The Sects Sector: This area contains various places of worship for religions that have been created over the course of the Addventure. This includes the Church of BE, the Priesthood of Lilith, the Great Worm of Z&K, the Wandering Goddess, Trojan (the Latex God of Sex), and many others. No real-world religions are represented here. There's probably a church of Author Worship here somewhere.... First described in 200312.

The Midway: A previously-overlooked sector containing some casinos and a beachfront on its Bazoom Lagoon, defined by the small artificial islet of Cuney Island offshore. Caters largely to patrons from the Sects and Alchemists' Row sectors. First hinted at in 152929, and described in detail in 250629 and 295151.
- Overview -

Alchemists' Row: The first of the four "Industrial Sectors." A medieval-style area full of shops and manufactories related to alchemy, producing various devices and raw materials from the fuzzy boundary between magic and science. The Old Wizard gets many of his supplies here. First described in 200316.

Wizards' Pleasaunce: The second of the four "Industrial Sectors." Similar to Alchemists' Row in occupation, but more upper-class and more magically inclined, specializing in unquestionably magical but highly volatile manufactures. A place for Wizards to work. First described in 200316.

Industrial Boulevard: The third of the four "Industrial Sectors." A place of factories of different industrial eras, turning out everything from steampunk computers to thermonuclear devices. The waterfront here is a hell-hole known as Port Apottyie. First described in 200316.

Silicone Valley: The fourth of the four "Industrial Sectors." A high-tech dot-com office park around an Interstate highway, producing the latest in erotic virtual realities, lovedolls, lovebots, and so on, with growth a specialty. First described in 200316.

The Recovery Sector: A spa and hospital sector which in addition to more basic medical treatment is devoted primarily to helping people recover from grotesque sexual transformations. The spas occupy the ground level, and the hospital the upper levels. First mentioned in 153874, and described in 154399, with details added in 170535 and 170537.
- Overview - Side View - Floor Assignments -

The Riviera: Contains a number of recreational establishments catering to particular fetishes. Has a sea wall separating it from the Lake. First mentioned in 170535, with details provided in 200325, 255659, and 281807.
- Overview -

The Proving Grounds: A testing area for Authors to try out new inventions and spells and such, this sector is one of the few that is roofed over. First mentioned in 255659 and 248917, with details provided in 248918.
- Overview -

The Zoological Gardens: Houses various creatures that have wandered in from the Periphery, as well as abandoned experimental subjects from the Proving Grounds. King Kong and Tweety (the giant pigeon) wound up here too. First seen in 248919

(Unknown sectors): Nothing has yet been revealed concerning the sectors between the Zoological Gardens and the West Wing.

The West Wing: first named in 144787, this is actually the Service and Resort Quarter's easternmost sector, the last before the Badlands Quarter. Apparently named because it's west of the Badlands Quarter, just as the corresponding East Wing is east of it. This is the sector that includes Dick's Last Resort, first described in 137003. Details were added to Dick's in 144402, 154636, 155002, 161097, and 161163. Adjacent to this facility is Dick's Nice Ice Ring, a skating rink, first mentioned in 160989 and described in 161083.

The Badlands Quarter
(or Flood Quarter)

[ Top | Unknown Quarter | Time Out Quarter | Service & Resort Quarter | Centerlands | Infinity Highway | Closeup - Unknown & Time Out Quarters ]

     First named in 144787. See below for a detailed closeup of the eastern portion of this Quarter. The known sectors from west to east (or counterclockwise, if you prefer) are as follows.

The Jungle of Confusion: first mentioned in 143532, and described in 144787, 144689, and 145148. Also contains the Bridge of Death from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" according to 194563. Point of departure for the lines of the Chainlink Railway (144787), which run from Station 2 out into the Addventure proper. The railway does not connect with other parts of the Ring; it travels radially only. Not to be confused with the Ring's subway rail system, though this has happened! Another prominent locale is The Rock, first described in 145222, which contains a hedge-maze created by Sawyer.

The Deep Well: This is one of the ring's four Strongholds (which also include the True Null, the Emergency Command Sector, and the Green Light District). First (and so far, only mentioned in 246564, in which it is characterized as a place "where all that was unmade might be remade, should the Great Mountain fail at last" (the mountain in question is Mount Areola, primary mana-source of the Backstage).
- Overview -

The Sea of Troubles: Its inner ringwall in ruins, this sector is completely flooded from Lake Lactatis. It is a lot wider on the inside than it appears to be from the outside -- within, one can sail for ages without reaching either Ringwall. first mentioned in 144787, and described in 146225. Per 234330, there are four transition points out of this sector into ocean settings in the AddVenture, including one marked by the Fata Morgana, the undersea mirage-castle of Morgan le Fay. So far the main location seen has been the Isle of Despair, for details on which see 146225, 150758, 150764, 150779, and 234335. Another isle, apparently a Security resupply base, has been mentioned but not seen (234335). According to 294394 there is an undersea tube running beneath the Sea through which runs the ring train.

The Trackless Waste: One of the three so-called "Forbidden Sectors." First mentioned in 277040 as supposedly having been visited in the BSX thread, but if so, it was in an episode not yet written....

The Downtime: One of the three so-called "Forbidden Sectors." First mentioned in 277040. Given some description in 294394, 294629 and 342938 and its successors, the Sector contains the dreaming bodies of characters when the Addventure has been temporarily shut down (or is in danger of being so), who are called away again when the Addventure starts up again. The Sector is ruled over by a many-named entity (Allambee/Lurnea for convenience) who dwells on a copy of Ayers Rock in the middle of the Sector.

The Dead Sectors: Described in 277031, are incapable of supporting life due to some unknown disaster. Variously stated to be four (277040) or five (277031) in number, both figures are in fact correct: according to 275247, there are normally five Dead Sectors; the westernmost one (the Phantom Sector) is intermittent, however, and therefore unmappable. Portions of the Dead Sectors are being reclaimed and built anew. According to 342926, early on in the project all of the sectors involved were dangerous, carbonized and choked with cinders, and with poisonous air and subzero temperatures. But things have improved since then. From west to east, the Dead Sectors are:

The Phantom Sector (sometimes): Numbered both among the three so-called "Forbidden Sectors" and the five "Dead Sectors." It exists only intermittently -- when it vanishes, the two Sectors west of it shift eastwards, and the Sea of Troubles expands into the vacated space. First named in 275247, and seen in 294394, 294632 and 342938.

The Bawdy Park Sector: One of the five (or four) "Dead Sectors," currently under reconstruction; before the disaster that “killed” the Dead Sectors, it was known as the Black Forest Sector. Named in 294391, one part of it, The Kendall Triangle Traffic Circle, was visited and described earlier, in 274476. One branch of the road from the Causeway hits this traffic circle. Additional details on this sector were provided in 275045, 294393, and 294394. Its former name and some details on its appearance during an earlier phase of the reconstruction were provided in 342926 and 342932. Before the project began, as the Black Forest it was full of dead, petrified trees.
- Kendall Triangle Overview -

Kapu: The third (sometimes second) of the five (or four) "Dead Sectors," currently under reconstruction. Now carbonized and deadly without life support, it still has its former effects on people; they get urges in there. To have anal intercourse. To fuck your relatives. Molest little children. Eat your workmates for breakfast. Pick the flowers. Have same-sex sex. Keep on the grass. Execute trespassing commoners -- though that one only seems to afflict aristocrats. And so on. First named and described in 342926, and visited in 342931.

The Blowout: The fourth (sometimes third) of the five (or four) "Dead Sectors," currently under reconstruction. This sector is -- gone. Nothing there. No walls. No ground. No nothing, nothing but space. The reconstruction project throws temporary bridges across the void, but they keep fading out; they’re still working on keeping the connection up. Meanwhile, they work in two teams, one on each side of the Blowout. First named and described in 342926, and seen in 342929 and 342930.

Decency: The fifth (sometimes fourth) of the five (or four) "Dead Sectors," currently under reconstruction. First named (obliquely) in 342924, and visited in 342926 and 342927 and 342928. Now carbonized and deadly without life support, it still has its former effects on people; it makes them, well, decent. And doesn’t it just figure that in the BE Addventure, decency is dead?

The Antipodes
(or Drought Quarter -- also called the Unknown Quarter)

[ Top | Time Out Quarter | Service & Resort Quarter] [ Badlands Quarter | Centerlands | Infinity Highway | Closeup - Unknown & Time Out Quarters ]

     This quarter was first mentioned (though not named) in 144787. According to 211487, there is a Barrier surrounding this quarter (extending to the slopes of Mount Areola) which is impenetrable by normal means. Per the same episode, a Portal causes the Infinity Highway to skip over this quarter completely, with the exception of the East Wing.
     The sectors west of Heroica are known as the Western Reach (or "Boiler Room Sectors"), and those east of Villana are the Eastern Reach (or "Lockdown Sectors"). There also appears to be a Reaver Sector which moves around, first referenced in 314611. Actually, this sector is the Bizarro Backstage, and does not move; rather, a phenomenon known as "Metron's Gate" enables the "Reavers" based there to overshadow and link through the gates of other Antipodes sectors.
     Note: Authorial/Avatarial powers are limited in this Quarter due to its isolation within the Barrier; the replenishing orgone just can’t get through. Therefore, Avatars stuck in the Antipodes are limited to whatever power they enter with, which will then dwindle through use. Worse, if they don’t very quickly act to “seal” their power within them, the very atmosphere of the Antipodes will rapidly leach it out of them. Powers which are not orgone-based (magic powers and super powers, for instance) still work just fine here, though as those bearing them are still dependent on a certain amount of mana merely to sustain existence they too are affected by the desert-like conditions.
     See below for a detailed closeup of this Quarter.

     The known sectors from west to east (or counterclockwise, if you prefer) are as follows.

The East Wing (A): first mentioned in 144787. So named because it's east of the Badlands Quarter, just as the corresponding West Wing (in the Service and Resort Quarter) is west of it. With reference to the Antipodes, its name is misleading, as it is both the easternmost and westernmost sector of the Quarter. This is possible because the sector is comprised of two sections (which we designate A and B here), linked by a permanent portal that conceals to outsiders the fact that the whole rest of the Antipodes Quarter lies between them. Contains Backstage Peripheral, the Antipodes' counterpart of the Service and Resort Sector's Backstage Central. Visited in a series of episodes beginning at 316337 (or, from another perspective, 322147).
     This section (A) is the westernmost quarter of the Antipodes. One branch of the road from the Causeway hits this sector. The easternmost portion contains the semi-permanent Heroica Encampment, the tent city of the Superheroes besieging Backstage Peripheral, first seen in 316337 and identified as such in 322481. West of it is the A half of Backstage Peripheral, which occupies the former site of Gina’s First Resort. West of that is the Barrier, and then the A half of the “public” portion of the East Wing, first seen in detail in 342912 and the episodes following. This includes (east to west) the A half of Gina’s Bed & Breakfast, successor to the defunct First Resort, the tiny settlement of Interchange, at the junction of the Infinity Highway and the Wild Hills Cutoff, and a workers’ camp and staging area for the project to restore the Dead Sectors.
- Overview -

The Noid: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach, this is the Sprite sector, comprised of numerous "bands" holding the "Trans-Forms" responsible for all physical transformation of living beings in the BE AddVenture. The Sprites herd and control the Trans-Forms. Not to be confused with The Void, which is in the Eastern Reach. Described in a series of episodes beginning at 315734.

Quarantine: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach, this is a toxic repository of inconvenient feelings and emotions whose expression might get in the way of AddVenture scenarios. This sector contains The Department of Reactive Experimentation and Therapy. Described in a series of episodes beginning at 315258.

Op/Ed: ("Option/Editing") A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach, this is a manufacturing sector, devoted to the fabrication of backlink triggers. Caution: exposure to toxic radiation used in the process may result in "blink," in which your eyeballs float away to become "Ops," randomly discharging option links. Run by the Superhero Robotman (the original one, not the one from the Doom Patrol). Described in a series of episodes beginning at 314610.

Settings: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach. Contains the templates for all the settings used in the AddVenture. Its civilian head is Jack Pumpkinhead, who oversees a staff comprised of Gophers and Characters, but he is under the supervision of the Super “heroes” Vril Dox and his henchman Lobo. Described in detail in a series of episodes beginning at 313826.

Entropy: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach. It is speculated that the stuff of Entropy is used to wipe, excise, or otherwise expunge episodes from the AddVenture. Episodes created as flames would be prime candidates for this treatment. The Supers have an outpost in the center of the sector at Entropy Station, but the real powers here are the ever- accommodating, uncertainly existent, and vaguely sinister Nowhere Men. First mentioned in 222777, described in detail in a series of episodes beginning at 312633.

Restart: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach. All the AddVenture's story restarts are contained within this sector. A highly hazardous sector, and difficult to escape. First mentioned in 222777, described in detail in a series of episodes beginning at 311968.

The Dictionary of Lost Words: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach. Repository of concepts deleted from various AddVenture threads (by Remote or otherwise), to which they can be restored at need. Run by the Lexicographer, Sebastian Perlroth, whose Superhero minder is Deux ex Machina Man. First mentioned in 222777, described in detail in a series of episodes beginning at 310629.

Threadville: A Boiler Room Sector of the Western Reach. Home of tiny, super-fast dragons known as Needlings. The sector where all the AddVenture's episodes that its Authors create are stitched together into threads. First mentioned in 222777, described in detail in a series of episodes beginning at 310181.

The Superheroes' Backstage (Heroica): Where Superheroes and their sidekicks are sent for their timeouts between AddVenture episodes (they're too dangerous to be allowed to mix with ordinary characters). Their duties Backstage include policing the Boiler Room Sectors and (together with the Villains) containing the energies of the True Null and keeping order in the Antipodes' Centerlands. First described in 213303, and described in detail in a series of episodes beginning at 309454.

The True Null: This is one of the ring's four Strongholds (which also include the Emergency Command Sector, the Green Light District, and the Deep Well). It is the area which receives the junk from the Dump Stirs (via pipelines) and converts it into raw energy, or, more grandiosely, per 246564, "where all that was created might be unmade." First described in 212361 and 222777.
- Overview -

The Supervillains' Backstage (Villana): Where Supervillains and their henchmen are sent for their timeouts between AddVenture episodes (they're too dangerous to be allowed to mix with ordinary characters). Their duties Backstage include policing the Lockdown Sectors and (together with the Heroes) containing the energies of the True Null and keeping order in the Antipodes' Centerlands. First described in 213303.

Horror: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. The timeout sector for weres, vampires, zombies, ghouls, and other horrors. First mentioned in 313022.

Mad Science: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. The timeout sector for the creatures and monsters created by mad scientists. First mentioned in 313022 and 316335.

The Void: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. The timeout sector for Lovecraftian Elder Gods and such. Not to be confused with The Noid, which is in the Western Reach. First mentioned in 316335.

Alien Nation: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. The timeout sector for alien races and species too dangerous to let loose in the Timeout Quarter’s Science Fiction Sector. First named in 321015.

The Radiant: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. The timeout sector for demigods, nature spirits, and mythological monsters. First named in 322137.

Monastery: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. The timeout sector for ninjas and other oriental martial-arts types (possibly occidental ones as well). First named in 321015.

Solitary: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. Serves as a jail for various Super “undesirables,” including those who’ve gone “good,” buck the established order, are too damaged to dump in the Bizarro Backstage, have healthier libidos or attitudes than the norm, originated in the AddVenture, or who are just too powerful and too odd for comfort. And, of course, the Supers’ children.... First named in 322697, and described in 322787.

The Bizarro Backstage: A Lockdown Sector of the Eastern Reach, policed by Supervillains from Villana. Also known as the Misfit Sector and (to its inhabitants) as Sanctuary. Ostensibly a timeout sector for the imperfect, this is actually a secret refuge for fugitives from the Supers' oppression, and, as the supposedly mobile "Reaver Sector," a base for the Resistance. And the villains don't have a clue.... First appeared in 314611 (as the Reaver Sector), and then in a series of episodes beginning at 314616, especially 321023, 321753 and 322143. Ruled over by the avatar "Bizarro Superman #1". Internally circular, rather than the standard arced-rectangle shape.

The East Wing (B): This is actually the eastern half of the East Wing (A); the two sectors are magically linked so that they are actually two halves of the same sector. The westernmost portion contains the semi-permanent Villana Encampment, the tent city of the Supervillains besieging Backstage Peripheral, first seen in 322147. East of it is the B half of Backstage Peripheral, which occupies the former site of Gina’s First Resort. East of that is the Barrier, and then the B half of the “public” portion of the East Wing, first glimpsed in 342912. The only portion of this seen so far is the B half of Gina’s Bed & Breakfast, successor to the defunct First Resort.
- Overview -

The Time Out Quarter
(or Character Quarter)

[ Top | Service & Resort Quarter | Badlands Quarter | Unknown Quarter | Centerlands | Infinity Highway | Closeup - Unknown & Time Out Quarters ]

     First named in 144787. The known sectors from west to east (or counterclockwise, if you prefer) are as follows.

Relativity: Described in 282768, this is a place set aside for the children (and other relatives) of Author Avatars to live if they choose, free from outside interference. A democracy, which in effect means it's ruled by the children of Prolific....

EGaming: Mentioned in 487912.

(Unknown sectors): Nothing has yet been revealed concerning the sectors between Relativity and the No Smoking Sector.

The No Smoking Sector (maybe): Not yet actually named in the AddVenture, its name has been inferred from the gateway to it from the Fantasy Sector, seen in 242372. To paraphrase Dabbler: An ultimate "Time Out" sector, in which all forms of illegal, immoral, or unhealthy activities are forbidden. This would be where people go when they've had it up to here with what otherwise passes for existence in the Addventure. When they're ready for more, they go back. Considering the types we get in the addventure, it's a very small sector...

The Fantasy Sector: The main time out sector for characters from fantasy (magical) scenarios, with direct portal access back to their fantasy worlds. See the side-view diagram for details. The Infinity Highway arches over the Sector on the Rainbow Bridge, which affords a good overhead view of the "maps" or worlds at ground level. See the Sector Overview page for a listing of worlds. Mentioned first in 207910, described in detail in 242372, 242374, and their descendants.
- Overview - Side View -

The Science Fiction Sector: The main time out sector for characters from science fiction scenarios, with direct portal access back to their worlds. The stretch of highway here is called the Hugo Gernsback Memorial Highway, with an underground branch called the Avenue Jules Verne. The Mos Eisley Cantina, the Space Case Café and the Well of Souls (a plaza) are establishments at ground level outside the domes. Niven's Inferno is a similar establishment in a central cavern below ground. See the Side View page for a listing of worlds. Overseen by SpaceMuse, a variant of the Avatar SpaceMoose left over from the BSA1 thread. Described in 207910, and further in 241010, 241011, and 241012.
- Overviews - Side View -

The Afterlife Sector: Presumably the time out sector for the various gods, angels, spirits, devils and demons associated with the AddVenture's afterlife scenarios (though the Norse gods are also known to have a home in the Fantasy Sector). One would suspect the gods and their ilk to be housed in the above-ground areas, and the demons and theirs below. And indeed, in the basement of this sector lies an actual hell -- Author Hell, ostensibly a place of torment for Avatars of the AddVenture's Authors for their crimes against decency. However, according to 367100, "in truth it is known as Author Hell not for its inmates but its masters. Authors can condemn anyone to Author Hell. And fellow Avatars are far from all who may feel their ire." Known non-Authorial inmates have included the DibbImp and Matthew Wolcziewsku. Author Hell has also been shown to be home to many of the demon characters from the Addventure, such as Demonica. First mentioned in 160987 (in an offhand reference in Option 3).

The Dreaming: first mentioned in 159627. Contains the Library of the Dreaming, described in 207910. Additional comments in 282768 reveal that the Gates of Horn and Ivory lead into and out of the Sector, and that the Great Fall pours out over the northern Ringwall and is the source of the River of Dreams (see closeup below). Ruled by Morpheus, the Lord of Dream.

The Toon Backstage: The time out sector for Toon characters. Its Forum contains the restaurant "Krazy Kat's", among other establishments. When Authors enter the Toon Backstage, they are converted into toons of some kind. Characters may or may not be affected (one was in 166610, but she was apparently an exception). First mentioned in 159627, with more details in numerous episodes, including 166610, 182808, 194883, 194908, 195334, 198174, 282768, and 342943.
- Overview - Closeup of The Forum -

The Emergency Command Sector: This is one of the ring's four Strongholds (which also include the True Null, the Green Light District, and the Deep Well). Per 246564, the stronghold "from which Avatars might set things aright again were the Concourse breached by enemies." First described in 143245 and in more detail in 159627.
- Overview - Side View - Floor Assignments - Closeup -

The "First Backstage": The time out sector for ordinary characters, including the major protagonists like Jim, Rick and the lot. More exotic types turn up from time to time, but it is a peculiarity of this sector that any character with extraordinary abilities (including Author Avatars) lose those abilities while there. With rare exceptions, all variant versions of a character appear to merge while Backstage. Characters on time out appear to retain full memory of all AddVenture scenarios in which they have appeared, but for their own mental and emotional well-being labor under the delusion that they are mere actors in these scenarios. Avatars who are currently actively representing their originals (that is, who are being written by the Authors they're standing in for) are an apparent exception to both the depowering and delusional properties of this sector.
     There is some spillover between the First Backstage and the Concourse in the Author Quarter, where characters tend to lose their delusions, fragment back into their variant versions, and hang out in Hilbert's Backstage Hotel. Many, particularly those underutilized in the outside AddVenture, even find employment in the Author Quarter.
     Physically the First Backstage is a large sector, described in 143245 as taking an hour to travel across on horseback, or half an hour as the crow flies. Assuming a mere five MPH average speed that would make the First Backstage 2.5 miles long - or ten times the length of the Concourse. This space is "mostly just housing" for Characters, per 282768. But much of it too is apparently devoted to storage of scenery and the like -- 314005 refers to its three vast storerooms containing huge collections of Scenery, Props and Creatures, all of which would appear to be magical mock-ups of some sort. Some additional comments in 282768, including the two bars Lack of Character and A Cure for Stage Fright.
     According to 144787 and 282768, the First Backstage is actually a sort of overlap zone between the Ring and the Original Backstage, which forms a separate ring surrounding the "stage" that is the UBEA. On this Characters, under the delusion that they are merely actors, enact their episodes under the direction of the Stage Manager and his crew, thus controlling the actions of their doppelgangers in the episodes themselves (see especially 290307, 290344, 290346, and 290348 for this system in action).
     May also contain the Mary Stent Academy specified in 634407.

The Centerlands

[ Top | Unknown Quarter | Time Out Quarter | Service & Resort Quarter | Badlands Quarter | Infinity Highway | Closeup - Unknown & Time Out Quarters ]

     See below for a more detailed view of the upper part of the Centerlands. Little explored to date, though the following areas are known:

Mount Areola. Location: Center. First mentioned in 143676. The Center's great central rise, at the top of which (per 144787) lies Pandora's Peak, also known as The Nipple, a water volcano whose eruptions feed Lake Lactatis. On the Peak is the residence of the avatar of the BEA Owner (MarkT's boss) -- however, this residence has now been occupied by Imaginos. On the Antipodes side, according to 296424, is a cabin belonging to J.I.G. Sawyer.

The Backstage Observatory. Location: Center, on the slopes of Mount Areola. Described in 169451. This facility is used "to monitor the daily fluctuations of orgone in the Backstage Ring".

Emperor Jim's Plot (EJ Plot). Location: Author Quarter, north of the Lake and west of the White Cliffs. A small plot of farmland in 297002 owned by the author Farmboy, purchased by Emperor Jim for nefarious purposes, though the deal never closed owing to the emperor's demise. Maybe in another thread....

The White Cliffs of Rover. Location: Author and Flood Quarters, north of the Lake. Mentioned in 200314. Home to Rover (described in 200333), a huge black (talking) dog who has recently expanded his territory east into the Forest and the Wild Hills.

The White Sands. Location: Author Quarter, south of Mount Areola and north of the Lake. The White Sands run along the shoreline and around the base of the mountain, connecting the Desert with the White Cliffs (200314).

The Desert of Diminished Creativity. Location: Author and Character Quarters, west of the Lake and north of the Wargame Plain. First mentioned in 200324, this area adjoins the White Sands as well.

The Fumeroles. Location: Author and Character Quarters, west of the Lake, northwest of the Hotel Grounds, and south of Wargame Plain, from which it is separated by a ridge of high ground. A volcanic region, landward extention of the Archipelago, roughly separating the Centerlands of the Author Quartter from those of the Character Quarter. Mentioned in 308854 (though this was probably not the first mention).

Wargame Plain. Location: Author and Character Quarters, west of the Lake, north of the Fumeroles, from which it is separated by a ridge of high ground, and south of the Desert of Diminished Creativity. A place the more combative Authors utilize for war games. Known military encampments include a mountaintop along the ridge that has been used by the High Commander, and a site at the opposite end of the plain used by Iron Nick. First seen in 343290 (from the ridge, through the High Commander's field glasses), this area was named and localized in 347774. Also borders on the White Sands.

Hotel Grounds. Location: Author Quarter, southwest of the Lake and north of the Concourse. A recreational area for Avatars and Characters under the control of Hilbert's Hotel, essentially an extention of Hilbert's Hotel in the Concourse north into the Centerlands. Areas seen include the rather poignant Dead Actresses Area and various sport, boating and exercise facilities.

Shanghai Harbor. Location: Author Quarter, south of the Lake and north of the Concourse. Port and hub of the Old Wizard's smuggling operation, which Concourse Security would love to shut down but can't because of Authorial interference. Frequented by half the real and most of the fictional pirates who ever existed, whose operations are based at The Cove, a tavern which, by the grace of portal technology, exists simultaneously on the harbor and in the Bar & Grill. The Cove is run by Long John Silver.

Lake Lactatis. Loction: Author and Flood Quarters. Large body of water extending from the foot of Mount Areola out to the Ring, occupying much of the Centerlands.

The Archipelago. Location: Author Quarter, in the Lake. A small chain of volcanic isles bisecting Lake Lactatis. Some of the more notable isles include:

Nude Island. Location: Author Quarter, westernmost isle of the Archipelago. First mentioned in 144688 and described in detail in 152585.
- Closeup -

Paradise Island. Lcation: Author Quarter, easternmost isle of the Archipelago. Described in 170537 and 170539, also known as the Amazon Backstage, a haven for women. It's populated by various groups of Amazons, including the Themysciran Amazons, Wonder Woman's people.
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The Great Maelstrom. Author Quarter, in Lake Lactatis east of the Archipelago. First mentioned in 170537. Whirlpool forming the surface feature of Lake Lactatis' seafloor Main Drain (first mentioned in 170535). Surrounding the Main Drain is the Undersea Backstage (also first mentioned in 170535).

The Causeway (part of Infinity Highway, the Ring's highway). Location: Author and Floor Quarters. Described in 153874, its location leads me to suspect that it was specially constructed to allow drivers to bypass the Jungle of Confusion and the Sea of Troubles. The western end of the causeway extends from a small peninsula north of Dick's Last Resort; at the eastern end lie the Wild Hills, where the highway splits; one branch goes to the East Wing, while the other goes to the Kendall Triangle. According to 276435, the second branch is new construction to bypass the danger posed by Rover and the Hills. The Causeway can be accessed only from the land; ships on the Lake sail right across its apparent location without ever encountering it.

The Wild Hills. Location: Flood Quarter, northeast of the Lake and south of the Forest. Dangerous, particularly since Rover extended his range into them from the White Cliffs.

The Jiggling Mounds. Location: Flood Quarter, in the Wild Hills. A tourist trap, first mentioned in 342925, the nature of which remains mysterious. Closed down when Rover extended his range into the Wild Hills.

Grayman's Inn. Location: Flood Quarter, in the Wild Hills. This area was first described in 153874 as being "east of the Lake and north of the Ring" -- which puts it nearly halfway around the Ring from the Concourse. Near this is the stone house/cottage where Shackleton hid out. The Inn lies just a bit north of the Causeway. According to 276510, the construction of the second branch of the highway has meant hard times for the Inn. (To say the least: Rover made it his lair after apparently eating the staff!)

The Forest of Lost Orphans and Deleted Episodes/Threads. Location: Floor Quarter, north of the Wild Hills. Originally created in 178305, with more geographical data added in 200326, this is a refuge for all the episodes and characters that were deleted due to flamewars or other issues. It also seems to be home to those recurring pop-in annoyances (like Cornholio, Volkov the Cyborg, and "All Your Base" references). 198686 placed it as somewhere north of the Badlands, and 200314 places it north of the Wild Hills. The Forest also contains Emperor Jim's castle. In 178513, to the east there is a temple which contains an abandoned shopping mall, with various odd shops. For a lot more detail, see the Closeup below.

The Barrier. Location: Antipodes Quarter. Described in various places, this separates the Antipodes portion of the Centerlands from the rest of the Ring.

The Null Zone (or Dump). Location: Antipodes Quarter. Described in 211181 and 211478, then more completely in 212361 and 213311. This region is the ending point for the Vortex, and is a storage area for all the junk in storylines which are cut off by backlinking, or whose orphans are used for other purposes. It is a continuous band lining the inside of the Barrier, and thus as far as outsiders are concerned is synonymous with the entire Antipodes portion of the Centerlands. As the map shows. On the map, it appears to be two bands, but these are in fact linked by the Barrier, which forms a portal between them. Junk tossed here eventually flows into the two Dump Stirs at either end of the Zone, from which it is recycled to the True Null. The Zone has few permanent inhabitants, though the orgone scavengers known as Morphers operate and maintain bases there, including Mort's Mansion, first mentioned in 213314 and shown in 215415. The populated region of the CuntTree lies between the Zone's "two" bands -- while not in the Zone proper, this region is sometimes referred to as if part of it. For a lot more detail, see the Closeup below.

The Garden of Femdom. Location: Character Quarter, west of the Sink of Red Ink and east of the Barrier, according to 308854.

The Sink of Red Ink. Location: Character Quarter, west of the Headwaters and east of the Garden of Femdom, according to 308854.

The Headwaters. Location: Character Quarter, north of the Dreaming Sector, west of the Bad Plot and east of the Sink of Red Ink. Source of the River of Dreams, contains the Seas of Chaos and Tranquility, and the floating Isle of Twisted Tails in the orgone storm between them. Described further in 298612.
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The Bad Plot. Location: Character Quarter, west of the Fumeroles and east of the Headwaters, according to 308854. Apparently not the same as Emperor Jim's Plot (which was not just bad, but a failure).

The Infinity Highway

[ Top | Unknown Quarter | Time Out Quarter | Service & Resort Quarter | Badlands Quarter | Centerlands | Closeup - Unknown & Time Out Quarters ]

     This is a diagram of what's currently known about the course of the Highway.  It probably originally followed the circumference of the Ring exactly, but over time construction, disasters (such as the collapse of large portions of the Ringwall in the Badlands Quarter), and plot necessities have made some changes to its course.

     The Highway runs underground on Level B2 through the Concourse and the Service Sector, then emerges at ground level in Restaurant Row.  It continues above ground (as far as we know) until it reaches the Proving Grounds, where it goes underground temporarily. After that it eventually reaches (above or below ground) Dick's Last Resort in the West Wing, where it takes a left turn onto a Causeway that crosses the Lake. On the other side, it heads for the East Wing, which it joins at some point.  At the far end of the East Wing is a portal which connects the highway directly to the western end of the Time Out quarter.
     From the Concourse moving westward, it seems to me that the Highway can't run aboveground -- because then it would have to run through Emergency Command, which is restricted-access (and has only man-size entrances anyway). Therefore it must still be underground, which means it passes through the Portal connecting the basement of the Concourse to the basement of the Dreaming sector, bypassing the First Backstage, Emergency Command, and the Toon Backstage altogether (see the Side View page for more details). The section of road at ground level in the Toon Backstage must be a side road.
     (Unless the highway goes around Emergency Command the way it does the Green Light Sector, but that's never been stated. Another possibility is that the Highway runs through the tunnel that passes beneath Emergency Command.)
     From the Dreaming to the western end of the Time Out Quarter, it has not been completely specified whether the highway runs above or below ground. The SF Sector has a portion at ground-level, and the Fantasy Sector's highway arches over it on the Rainbow Bridge.

Closeup of the Unknown and Badlands Quarters

[ Top | Unknown Quarter | Time Out Quarter | Service & Resort Quarter | Badlands Quarter | Centerlands | Infinity Highway ]

     Original diagram by Adama; current version embellished by Dabbler.

The Badlands: All lines are approximations -- I doubt that the mountain is that circular, and I may have gotten the relative sizes, shapes, and overlaps of the three areas wrong. Recently this diagram has been updated to reflect further clarification from Dabbler. The Forest ends at the Barrier, but the hills and rivers do not.

The Antipodes: Most of the new data came from 222777. There are a total of 21 Sectors in the Unknown Quarter, making it the first Quarter to have its Ring completely laid out. Only seventeen of the Sectors have been identified so far, including the double occurrence of the East Wing.
     Further amplification provided in 224796, some of which is not reflected here because it's less mappable. This includes descriptions for the types of inhabitants in the various settlements. This also includes names for the divisions of the Unknown Quarter:

     The Cunt is inhabited mainly by women and men with female physical traits. Its villages include Brest, Toris, Jest, and Tiyanay. The Tree is inhabited mainly by men and those with male physical traits. Its villages include Pric, Bolz, Test, Heri, and Post.
     There are three Xanthan Bridges across the chasm of the Lost River, which are reportedly invisible. They are served by the villages of Hide, Jackal, Tubacs, and Furi (see 224796).
     There are a number of streams running down from the foothills, but they all dry up or sink into the ground before reaching the Lost River ravine.
     Considerable further detail provided in the BSV novel....

     According to 339195, there are two Lost villages in the Centerlands -- Blis, which lay on the other end of the bridge from Tubacs; and Biit which lay on the other end of the bridge from Furi. Blis was wiped out by the Supers, but Biit simply disappeared one day.

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