Constantinople

Constantinople, Istanbul - free city, espionage and mercenary hot spot

see Shadowrun Wiki

Name

Westerners tend to use "Constantinople", Arabs "Istanbul" ! inconsistency: Turks are not Arabs as implied, likely meaning: Turks and other muslim people use "Istanbul"	Dragons of the Sixth World p.39 STK
called "Constantinople" by Europeans and secular Turks	Shadows of Asia p.115 SF
use of "Constantinople" decreased in the early 2070s	Runner Havens p.130 SF

Geography

• map: Shadows of Europe p.14

Structure

Beyoğlu northern-most district corporate presence many churches, mosques centre for arts and mysticism	Runner Havens p.132 SF
Seraglio administrative district military infrastructure	Runner Havens p.132-133 SF
most local coporate headquarters	Runner Havens p.132 SF
Üsküdar asian bank	Runner Havens p.133 SF
fundamentalist stronghold slums	Shadows of Asia p.115-116 STK
Sultanahmet high-security, mansions, villas south: crime hot spot	Runner Havens p.133 SF

History

2030s
Euro Wars
assassination of Sayid Jazrir	Shadows of Europe p.13 SF
Jazrir visited Istanbul when he was assassinated	Shadowrun 20th Anniversary p.29 SF Runner Havens p.131 SF State of the Art: 2063 p.64 SF
assassination in 2035	Shadows of Asia p.94 TML
! inconsistency: assassination in 2036	State of the Art: 2063 p.64 SF
! inconsistency: 2034: European forces seized Istanbul	Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk p.7 GMI
after the war European Armies moved into Istanbul	Shadows of Asia p.113 SF
EuroWars justification for massive Ukranian military build-up in Istanbul	Shadows of Asia p.119 SF
2040s
Independence
Ukraine's goal of an independent Istanbul helped by Vladimir Ioukachenko's position in the provisional Turkish government	Shadows of Asia p.113 STK
2042: Istanbul declares independence, changes name to Constantinople	Sixth World Almanac p.60 IBX Runner Havens p.131 SF State of the Art: 2063 p.64 SF
October 21, 2042	Sixth World Almanac p.60 IBX
claims region around Bosporus Straits	State of the Art: 2063 p.64 SF
recognition by Ukraine Ukrainian warships sent to ward off Turkish intervention	State of the Art: 2063 p.64 SF
financial and military aid by Saeder-Krupp	State of the Art: 2063 p.64-65 STK
Ukrainian and corporate support	Shadows of Asia p.115 SF
Gray Wolves instrumental in independence	Shadows of Europe p.36 SF
August 7, 2045: major earthquake	Sixth World Almanac p.63 IBX
! inconsistency: 2045 earthquakes Beyoğlu required some rebuilding	Runner Havens p.132 SF
2050s
Infestation
August 2055: bug spirit attacks	Bug City p.9 SF
2055: insect hive discovered	Sixth World Almanac p.77 DOC
EuroForce intervention against hive supported by corporate military conclusion: magical support by Orthodox exorcists note: Sylvestrine priests also mentioned but could refer to the GeMiTo hive instead	Shadows of Europe p.15 SF
2056: insect hive assaulted (with Kurdish mercenaries hired by Ares acting as scouts and guides)	Dragons of the Sixth World p.42 STK Sixth World Almanac p.78 IBX
July 19, 2056	Sixth World Almanac p.78 IBX
Knight Errant assault on the hive, supported by Kurdish mercenaries	Artifacts Unbound p.88 GMI
Llyod Ritter in charge of the operation against the hive	Year of the Comet p.108 STK
2060s
February 5, 2064: joint Catholic and Orthodox accord recognizing Islam as a "kindred faith" negotiated between Leila Khales (IRM activist), papal nuncio to Constantinople, Patriach Bartholomew IV accord: Khales-linked religious figures rightful spokespersons for Islam	Shadows of Asia p.116 SF
result: diplomatic efforts for regional Christian-Muslim cooperation with IRM as official Muslim representatives result: shadow operations between conservative and moderate religious factions of all faiths late April, 2064: magical attack on Khales' aide (suspect: Templars) Bartholomew gains popularity in Kiev Bartholomew's reputation attacked by Russian Orthodoxy	Shadows of Asia p.116 STK
2064: target of Winternight EM pulse bomb	System Failure p.66 GMI, p.80 GMI
moved over the sea	System Failure p.80 GMI
shot down north of the strait, blast mostly absorbed by the sea	System Failure p.78 STY
Insurrection
late 2060s/2070s: fundamentalist terror campaign to reclaim Constantinople conclusion: ~ 2067 Bosporus suspension bridge destroyed by jihadists, note: "three years ago"	Runner Havens p.131 SF
2070s
2071: tempo drug war: Olaya cartel partners with a Grey Wolves faction	Ghost Cartels p.35 GMI
potential tempo distribution hub for the Middle East	Ghost Cartels p.35 DOC
2071: execution/s by Grey Wolves	Ghost Cartels p.24 STK

Population

cyclops

Runner's Companion p.55 SF

Economics

mercenary hotspot

State of the Art: 2063 p.65 SF

Corporate presence

Ares Macrotechnology Bioenergetica Ukraine Global Sandstorm Mitsuhama Saeder-Krupp Zeta-ImpChem

Runner Havens p.132 SF

strong presence of Bioenergetica Ukraine

Shadows of Asia p.116 SF

headquarters

Saeder-Krupp

Saeder-Krupp Middle East headquarters	Shadows of Asia p.116 SF
2064: rumours headquarters relocation to Arabia	Shadows of Asia p.116 SF
2064: Saeder-Krupp plans to relocate its Middle East headquarters to Riyadh	Shadows of Asia p.100 SF
(Riyalpolitik) relocation result of a secured Constantinople	Shadows of Asia p.116 STK
~ 2072: Middle East headquarters recently relocated to Riyadh, reason: political instability in Istanbul	Corporate Guide p.154 SF

10,000 Daggers

10,000 Daggers headquartered in the city	Jet Set p.162 GMI
10,000 Daggers based in the city	State of the Art: 2063 p.66 SF Vice p.100 STK

Politics

Factions

2064: fragile balance between competing factions

Shadows of Asia p.220 GMI

support by megacorporations, Philike Hetairia, NEEC	Runner Havens p.131 SF
member of the Philike Hetairia	Shadows of Europe p.41 SF
founding member of the Philike Hetairia	Runner Havens p.133 STK
(speculation) less than cordial past relationships among Philike Hetairia members (i.e. Constantinople and Ukraine) imply the influence of an unseen third party enabling the alliance	Shadows of Europe p.41 STK
Ukraine, Bioenergetica	Shadows of Asia p.220 GMI
Philike Hetairia guarantees independence	Shadows of Asia p.115 SF
regarded neutral buffer state and trade partner by the NEEC	Runner Havens p.133 STK
NEEC, Saeder-Krupp	Shadows of Asia p.220 GMI

mercenaries	Shadows of Asia p.220 GMI
influence on government by 10,000 Daggers	State of the Art: 2063 p.66 STK
government more dependent on the 10,000 Daggers than the mercenary group is on the city	State of the Art: 2063 p.66 STK
10,000 Daggers guarantee independence	Shadows of Asia p.115 SF

merchant association of the Grand Bazaar, head: Kamil Argubedi

Runner Havens p.132 SF

muslim, catholic, orthodox factions	Shadows of Asia p.220 GMI
Orthodox Church influential	State of the Art: 2063 p.65 STK
IRM influential with the city's young muslims	Runner Havens p.132 SF

good relations with West Turkey	Shadows of Asia p.116 SF
(Picador) West Turkey - buffer protecting Constantinople's independence	Shadows of Asia p.116 STK

Ruling council

Topkapi Palace, government seat

Runner Havens p.133 SF

Saied Bey, councilor representing Beyoğlu (2070)	Runner Havens p.133 SF
Mohammed Khebi, important functionary and fixer	Runner Havens p.133 STK

! inconsistency: governed by a UN selected board

Vice p.100 SF

! inconsistency: governed by parliament various communities represented: conservative and moderate muslims, orthodox christians, seculars secular faction supported by Bioenergetica Ukraine broad political support for corporate interests and good relations with West Turkey

Shadows of Asia p.116 SF

Espionage

(rumour) GRU maintains a spetsnaz cell to monitor Ukrainian activity and the Straits of Bosporus	Shadows of Asia p.126 SF
Embassy Row, centre for intelligence operations of various foreign powers	Runner Havens p.133 SF
2063: New Jesuits plan to set up a mission to monitor the Constantinople Orthodoxy	State of the Art: 2063 p.65 STK
2064: Seraphim shadowrunner team on retainer can work for other clients provides intelligence about the local shadow scene	State of the Art: 2064 p.24 STK

Religious conflict

2064: recruiting for East-Anatolian insurgency in East Constantinople recruited suicide bombers illegally cross the border to attack in West Turkey	Shadows of Asia p.115-116 STK
2064: East-Anatolian insurgents seek to end Constantinople's independence	Shadows of Asia p.116 SF
heightened fundamentalist terror since late 2060s	Runner Havens p.131 SF

some of the most radical IRM supporters	Shadows of Asia p.114 SF
IRM attacked by fundamentalists	Runner Havens p.132 SF
IRM offices a regular target of fundamentalist attacks	Runner Havens p.132 STK

Military

old harem complex 10,000 Daggers headquarters command posts of EuroForces, Philike Hetairia	Runner Havens p.132-133 STK
10,000 Daggers facilities for use by Brotherhood of the Iron Crescent members	Street Magic p.70 GMI

Culture

2064: multi-religious cooperation, peaceful community	Shadows of Asia p.115 SF
more open-minded islamic environment	Runner's Companion p.50 STK

Education

Ataturk Polytechnic Institute	Runner's Companion p.50 SF
New Islamic University	Runner Havens p.132 SF
university/ies and/or museum/s funded by Nubian Insurance Company (Apep Consortium)	Loose Alliances p.82 SF

Language

Turkish official language, but used with cyrillic alphabet Ukrainian, second most popular language Russian, Greek commonly used

State of the Art: 2063 p.65 STK

Magic

Brotherhood of the Iron Crescent (patron: 10,000 Daggers) based in the city, core cadre always present	Street Magic p.70 GMI
2034: Piri Reis map vanished during EuroForce takeover of Istanbul, when the Topkapi museum was set on fire	Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk p.7 GMI
protective enchantments on walls around Beyoğlu	Runner Havens p.132 STK
Oracle of Delphos office in the city	State of the Art: 2064 p.110 SF

Crime

Security

Polis, state police force mechanized troops patrolling outlying areas

Runner Havens p.131 SF

10,000 Daggers
contracted for policing and security	Vice p.100 STK
provide security	The Clutch of Dragons p.146 STY
provide most of the city's security, hired by government with NEEC backing	Shadows of Asia p.116 SF

(Black Mamba) licenses for automatic weapons and combat cyberware are easy to obtain and cheap	Runner Havens p.131 STK
border security	Shadows of Asia p.227 TBL, 228 TBL

Resistance

early 2070s: Sultanahmet hiding place for fundamentalist terrorist cells (i.e. Sayid Jazrir Alliance, Ottoman Matyr's Brigade)	Runner Havens p.133 SF
Grey Wolves cooperate with authorities to shut the cells down	Runner Havens p.133 STK

Shadows

Ya'mas operation/s	Vice p.157 SF
Grand Bazaar, hub for the shadow community	Runner Havens p.132 SF

Smuggling

(rumour) Kamil Argubedi competition for the Grey Wolves deals with Kabul Maffiya ships to Beirut

Runner Havens p.132 STK

Underworld

Grey Wolves centered in Constantinople	Vice p.35 SF
Grey Wolves heavy presence drug trade, prostitution, gambling online ordering of drugs	Vice p.100 SF
Grey Wolves powerbase in Sultanahmet	Runner Havens p.133 SF

(rumour) Kamil Argubedi shares profit from Grand Bazaar illegal activities	Runner Havens p.132 SF
(rumour) runs rackets on the west side	Runner Havens p.132 STK

Behahol, Kurdish fence

Vice p.153 IBX

Infrastructure

Matrix

RTG	Shadows of Asia p.230 TBL

Transport

airport/s managed by Maersk

Corporate Guide p.203 SF

Locations

Topkapi Palace (Seraglio)	Dawn of the Artifacts: Dusk p.7 GMI Runner Havens p.132 SF
Mevlevi monastery, Sufi (Beyoğlu)	Runner Havens p.132 SF
mansion of Saied Bey	Dragons of the Sixth World p.39 STK, p.100 SF
Grand Bazaar	Artifacts Unbound p.86 GMI Runner Havens p.132 SF
Book Bazaar Spice Bazaar Janissaries' Bazaar	Runner Havens p.133 IBX
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) Hagia Sophia (Sultanahmet)	Runner Havens p.133 SF

Trivia

beginning of 2063: a curse confined Saied Bey to his mansion for at least two month	Dragons of the Sixth World p.100 SF, STK
around 2062/2063: extraction contracts for IUM leadership and close Ibn Eisa allies were offered potentially connected to Saied Bey	Dragons of the Sixth World p.100 STK
2063: mercenary contracts for Central Asia were offered	State of the Art: 2063 p.68 SF
UGB Border Guards hired mercenaries through front companies	State of the Art: 2064 p.19 SF
November 14, 2063: Montyn Reinhart found dead in hotel room	State of the Art: 2064 p.144 SF
had obtained Mitsuhama property from the local black market	State of the Art: 2064 p.144 STK
2064: Black Star team/s operating in the city	Loose Alliances p.25 STK
2064: shadowrunners sought as as security for a prospective Catholic/Orthodox/IRM delegation to Medina goal: opening relations with the Arabian Caliphate	Shadows of Asia p.116 STK
2064: stronger Balkans presence of 10,000 Daggers could mean a weakening of Constantinople's defenses	Shadows of Asia p.116 STK
November, 2068: Picador in the city	Shadowrun 20th Anniversary p.141 STY
2074: meeting of Harlequin and Aden ! inconsistency: seems to assume Constantinople is close to Kurdistan and in a desert region	The Clutch of Dragons p.145-147 STY

Kurdish mercenaries renowned for the "Constantinople campaign"	Shadows of Asia p.119 SF
smuggler Sergei Vipin active in the city	Dawn of the Artifacts: New Dawn p.38 GMI

(speculation) Constantinople would be against an Islamic unification involving Turkey promoted by Ibn Eisa and might have contracted 10,000 Daggers for his assassination in 2061	State of the Art: 2063 p.66 STK
note: some evidence that 10,000 Daggers is responsible for the Ibn Eisa assassination	State of the Art: 2064 p.13 STK
note: doubt about 10,000 Daggers responsibility	State of the Art: 2064 p.20 STK