In the dystopic megacity of Vombarf, lawless depravity, debauchery and crime was unchecked. In this veritable city of sin and sludge, the people did whatever they desired. Murder, theft, gang violence, and depraved acts were committed regularly; life was hard on the quiet folk stuck in the constant chaos and degeneracy.

The people of Vombarf were monsters and abominations that relied on disturbing organic machinery; some of them were bizarre beasts, distended humanoids, vile creatures or chittering insectoids—their behavior was just as strange, reveling in the lawlessness and chaos...

In the walled and cramped megacity of Vombarf, deep in the Gutter District, Ocel's tail curled around his leg as he looked back at the orphanage—a squalid place built from an ancient carapace shell—tucked away in a tight alley surrounded by an orgy of tall buildings constructed from cement, bone and chitin. Hivelings scurried from the canvas covers above the rooftops; rusty pipes channeling amniotic fluids could be seen at every corner, leaking the strange liquid onto the damp walkways below. The tall structures were heavy with bloodmoss; azure fungus grew out of the cracked foundations and crevices of the rusted grates.

Ocel squatted below a tall fungal street lamp, and the horned boy's yellow eyes peered out from the alley; he noted the usual hustle and bustle of monsters, mutants and beasts, as well as the neon lights, the steam and the pungent smells of the dirty and dangerous Gutter District. A hawking merchant yelled out at the monstrous crowds passing through the tight thoroughfare, selling roasted shrieker maggots. Further, a bio-vending machine gurgled; an insectoid chose a piss-pocket with some contaminated water, and pushed a shard into the machine's fleshy slit to order the strange treat.

Ocel often did odd tasks and chores around the Gutter District, earning a meager payment of shards. Today, the orphan was tasked with