The Rows

Originally built when Uphor served as a military testing ground, the Rows were designed as utilitarian living quarters for soldiers. Long, uniform blocks in a strict grid. No ornamentation, no wasted space. When artist and design communities moved in during later development phases, most ignored the Rows.

After the collapse, the Rows were among the few structures to remain fully intact. Many had independent power systems, including backup generators, a critical asset when the rest of the city lacked reliable electricity. They became some of the first buildings to be reinhabited.

Today, the Rows are a practical, lived-in part of the city. Some blocks house small clinics, workshops, or community kitchens. Others have been converted into schools or co-ops. Despite their original rigidity, life here is shaped by adaptation. Some buildings are so heavily modified and decorated that their original shapes are barely visible. The neighborhood is known for tight-knit communities and self-reliance. People sometimes joke that if the rest of Uphor burned down, the Rows would just keep running like nothing happened.

“The Rows” is mostly an outsider term. Residents don’t often use it themselves. For people unfamiliar with the neighborhood, it can feel isolating, not hostile, but closed. Many who live here prefer to stay local. Some rarely venture into other parts of the city at all.