Description
Shanghalla Island is primarily wilderness, the majority of the land impenetrable jungle. As a result the bulk of the economy is driven by trade, legal and illegal. The jungle is dotted with scattered villages and reclusive estates, linked by ill-maintained roads. The one road that is in excellent condition is the one connecting the main airport with the city of Shanghalla. The city sits on the coast around a natural harbor that is home to vessels of all shape, size, and legality. The lower town portion of the city sits in the coastal area and is made of slums, warehouses, and the seedier side of the city's entertainment. Upper town is a modern city of glittering skyscrapers, shining hotels, and high-end casinos and clubs.
History
The island served as a pirate base for centuries, with different groups fighting over the valuable harbor space until one came out on top. These became the first princes of Shanghalla, who then built the original city and opened the harbor for use by anyone, legitimate shipping and pirates alike, with the caveat that no one engage in piracy within their territory. As a result Shanghalla blossomed over the centuries that followed into a center for local and international criminal organization. By the end of the 20th Century it was a frequent stop for container ships passing between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, particularly those whose cargo did not necessarily match what was declared on the manifest. The city survived the Zentraedi Rain of Death and soon it was back to business as normal. By the 2020s Shanghalla was under the control of a crimelord named Jacob Damballah, who controlled the majority of the criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia and had connections worldwide. The Global Military Police and Southern Cross Special Forces eliminated Damballah in the summer of 2028 but the New World Order covertly took control of many of his organization's resources. In December 2028 the city of Shanghalla was selected as the site of a peace conference between the UEG and EBSIS. An unknown enemy launched a surprise attack in an effort to disrupt the conference and kill the delegates. The delegates were evacuated by Southern Cross and EBSIS forces, but the city wass destroyed by a sea-launched nuclear missile, killing millions. After this incident the unknown enemy openly declared itself, calling itself the New World Order.
