The Great Stink

It’s 1858, and you’re in London.

This summer has been especially hot. London is at the forefront of the industrial revolution, and it happens to be the biggest city in the world, and the beating heart of the British Empire, now the largest empire history has ever known.

London has been an important city for a long time, but it’s only fairly recently that the population has positively exploded. This has put incredible strain on the infrastructure of the city that was founded during the time of Emperor Claudius. Ancient architecture meshes with 19th century state-of-the-art design.

There’s both extreme wealth and extreme poverty here. Victorian England, in all its splendor, showcased opulent mansions right next door to crowded slums. Disease and social unrest rule the day.

Dear lord, what is that smell?

Your nostrils are filled with the acrid odor. Even your eyes hurt from the wretched smell. It follows you into parliament, where you take your seat alongside other MPs trying to do the bu…