Arklay Mountains
The Arklay Mountains are situated north-west of Raccoon City, and are a popular
hiking/camping destination frequented regularly by Raccoon's nature-loving populace. Most of the Arklay region is unused and
is almost completely covered with heavy vegetation.
The Arklay Mountains are classified as temperate hardwood forest, with the region
being dominated by Pine trees, Maple trees, Oak trees and other native plantlife such as Raccoon City's signature colored
herbs. The herbs were first discovered in the Arklay region and are often used for medicinal purposes both locally and abroad.
Concept Art for the Arklay Forest.The Arklay Mountains are well known throughout
the medical community, with the Green, Blue, and Red herbs having revolutionized the healthcare industry and garnering massive
profits for pharmaceutical companies (including, but not limited to, the Umbrella Corporation). Each has its own unique medicinal
value and are not only completely natural, but also have no known side effects associated with their use. They can be mixed
together and converted into capsule or powder form to achieve different curative effects. The herbs can be found in many areas
of Raccoon City, including several of the city's key public buildings, such as the Raccoon Police Department. The citizens
of Raccoon City have also been known to keep the Herbs in their houses and places of employment for decoration or use.
Ecliptic Express
The Ecliptic Express was an inter-city train privately owned and maintained by
the Umbrella Corporation for exclusive use by its executive employees and V.I.P. clients. The train was not tied to a specific
line or route but ran primarily through the heart of the picturesque Arklay Forest and ended its service in central Raccoon
City.
Notable Features
The Ecliptic Express was a first-class locomotive, designed to transport its passengers
in absolute luxury and comfort. The train and its crew were well-equipped to handle this task with the Ecliptic Express bearing
all the hallmarks of its elite status, such as:
Luxurious interiors.
A dining carriage/salon and bar.
Four private rooms.
A kitchen with cargo carriage.
A control room and rear deck.
Six carriages in total.
Prelude To The Outbreak
On July 23rd, 1998, while the Ecliptic Express was passing through the Arklay
Mountains, James Marcus attacked the train with T-Virus infected leechs. When the train was finally overcome by the leeches,
all passengers on-board (primarily Umbrella's research personnel) were killed and/or infected themselves. Several hours later,
the train was found by S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team during their investigation into the recent incidents in the Arklay region.
The Arklay Research Facility
The Arklay Research Facility, or Spencer Mansion, is the location in which the
epic Resident Evil tale begins. On July 24th, 1998, Raccoon City's S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team flew over the Arklay Mountains in
search of their missing compatriots, Bravo Team. Aside from finding the corpses and wounded surviving members of Bravo, the
Alpha Team also found that the powerful Umbrella Corporation had been conducting illegal biological research in a laboratory
hidden beneath the mansion and that their sinister influence had insidiously spread throughout nearby Raccoon City, using
key facilities and personnel to conduct its viral research in secret. The citizens of Raccoon City, largely employed by the
Umbrella Corporation, had little or no idea as to the nature of the events transpiring around them. This clandestine method
of operation had proven successful for Umbrella in past instances as their private township, located on Sheena Island, was
modelled in much the same way.
The Management Training Facility
On July 23rd, 1998, the RPD's S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team was sent to investigate several
bizarre, cannibalistic murders that had recently occurred in the north-western Arklay Mountains region. While monitoring the
area from above, the team's helicopter suffered an engine failure mid-flight, forcing Bravo Team to make an emergency landing
in a densely covered area of Raccoon Forest. Bravo Team's medic and rookie operative, Rebecca Chambers, and former USMC 2nd
Lieutenant-turned-fugitive, Billy Coen, crossed paths aboard the derelict 'Ecliptic Express' (attacked earlier that evening
by the vengeful James Marcus) and grudgingly decide to form an alliance in order to survive the onslaught of freakish creatures
attacking them. The pair eventually find themselves at the locomotive's previous destination, the abandoned Management Training
Facility, which had been undergoing evaluation by Umbrella's security and research teams for re-opening at a later date. Inside,
the two witness horrible truths about the Umbrella Corporation's shadowy past, whilst attempting to escape the infected Umbrella
personnel wandering the facility and the rampaging James Marcus hunting them at every turn.
The Abandoned Hospital
In addition to their concealed facilities deep within the Arklay Forest, the Umbrella
Corporation supervised the illegal secret testing of experimental medicines and products on patients in a local hospital situated
at the edge of the forest. Disguised as "Drugs, Inc.," the Umbrella Corporation supplied this hospital with experimental products
whilst managing to completely avoid involvement or detection by having the hospital's staff and its administrator, Al, carry
out its nefarious acts. Al, whose wife was suffering from a debilitating terminal illness, was desperate to find something
capable of curing her, even if the chances of success were remote. When 'Drugs, Inc.' proposed testing of its products (including
the T-Virus) on the hospital's patients, Al eagerly agreed to assist them in their efforts. Several patients, including Dorothy,
were injected with the T-Virus and monitored closely by Al. Initially, the T-Virus cured Dorothy of her illness, but after
several days of observation, it became apparent that Dorothy was no longer herself, having succumbed to the effects of the
T-Virus in much the same way as all people do.
Hospital Administrator 'Al' (aka: The Axeman) pictured with his wife, Dorothy.For
an unknown period of time, the hospital covered its crimes by telling the families of the research victims that their loved
ones had died as a result of illness, or during surgery. After many of these cover-ups had occurred, the families and friends
of the victims began protesting and rallying at the gates of the hospital, demanding answers and accusing the hospital's staff
of negligent malpractice. Eventually a journalist from a local Raccoon City newspaper, known only as Kurt, decided to investigate
the situation. Researching the hospital's staff and its supplier, 'Drugs, Inc.', Kurt was unable to find any detailed information
regarding the company or its products. Attempting to question the hospital's staff in an official sense, Kurt became frustrated
with the administrator's stonewalling tactics and lack of any solid evidence as to what was transpiring behind the hospital's
closed doors.
After an unknown period of time, Kurt's failure to locate any real leads or information
regarding the true nature of 'Drugs, Inc.' and the hospital's wrong doings lead him to act on instinct and break into the
facility in an attempt to gather drug samples or some other sort of credible information. This move would prove fatal for
Kurt, as he was killed by the infected Dorothy that night. The Raccoon Police Department had already been investigating the
illegal drug imports into the hospital when the incident occurred, and Kurt's death forced the investigating team into action.
When the police warned the administrator and his staff that they would be pressing charges, Umbrella decided to utilise their
contacts within Raccoon's political and law enforcement community. Police Chief Brian Irons had the official investigation
dropped and saw to it that Kurt's death and the illegal drug imports were quietly forgotten. The investigating unit had suspicions
of Umbrella's involvement in the incident and pleaded with Chief Irons to have Umbrella's local activities looked into, not
knowing Irons was actually on Umbrella's payroll. Of course, the Chief denied this opportunity, citing a lack of any evidence
as his reason for doing so. Deciding not to risk another incident, the Umbrella Corporation had the hospital closed down and
its remaining staff dispersed elsewhere to avoid any further media scrutiny.
After the hospital was closed, Al continued to care for Dorothy in the basement's
intensive care unit, building a cabin close to the hospital so that he'd always be close to her. A decorative plant inside
the room somehow became infected with the T-Virus and, much to Al's fascination, began growing at an incredible rate. The
plant consumed Dorothy and infected Al, gifting him with superhuman strength and making him almost impervious to attack due
to his now rapidly healing body. In some sense, at least in Al's fragile mind, the plant 'became' Dorothy. He began to tend
to and care for it, bringng it small animals, such as birds and dogs, to nourish it. Eventually, Al witnessed 'Dorothy's'
rapid growth when it managed to catch a human and, excited by the effect the victim had on the plant's overall development,
decided to start luring hikers and campers into the hospital's abandoned walls as fresh victims for 'Dorothy'. It can be assumed
that many of the reports regarding missing hikers and campers issued before the events of the 'mansion incident' were the
result of Al's twisted desire to keep 'Dorothy' alive by any means necessary.
The Arklay Forest, as seen in Outbreak.It's unclear just how long Al carried out
his sick mission, but by the time the survivors of Resident Evil Oubreak File 2 were lured into its bowels, the hospital had
been completely infested by 'Dorothy', which was now hundreds of feet tall, and had the building on the verge of total collapse.
After finding research notes left by a team of ill-fated botanists, who fell victim to Al and 'Dorothy' not long before the
arrival of the survivors, they were able to find the plant's Achilles-heel and destroy it, taking Al, Dorothy's corpse, the
entire derelict hospital, and any evidence of Umbrella's involvement along with it.
These locations are confirmed areas in the Arklay Mountain/Forest area
Raccoon Dam
Raccoon Dam is situated in the Arklay Mountains. The dam provides the bulk of
Raccoon City's water supply and connects with the Circular and Marble rivers as well as Victory Lake. During the investigation
conducted by the S.T.A.R.S. unit, Bravo Team's Rebecca Chambers and fugitive Billy Coen sought refuge in the dam during the
viral outbreak in the Arklay Mountains on July 23rd, 1998.
Victory Lake
Victory Lake is a popular tourist destination and holiday spot for Raccoon City's
nature-loving citizens. During the T-Virus outbreak in the Arklay Mountains, the mutilated corpses of Deanne Rusch and Christopher
Smith were discovered on the lake's shoreline. The attackers were described only as mysterious monsters that had been witnessed
in the area several days earlier.
Circular River
The Circular River flows through both the northern and southern regions surrounding
Raccoon City. Precious little information in known regarding this river's background and history.
Marble River
The Marble River flows from the Arklay Forest region and runs through Raccoon
City's Cedar District. In May 1998, a deceased woman in her early 20's was discovered close to the Marble River. It is believed
that this was the first victim to spark the public's concern regarding a vicious cult operating in the Arklay Forest and the
ensuing investigation involving the S.T.A.R.S. unit.
Raccoon City
Raccoon City was governed by Mayor Michael Warren, who was elected in 1987 and
served in that position for eleven years. Warren was the engineer responsible for the establishment of the cable car transportation
system and who also made contributions to the city's electric system. In his campaign to modernize the city, he made a deal
with the Umbrella Corporation, which provided funding for several of Warren's projects, including public utilities, welfare
work, and law enforcement. The campaign was known as the "A Bright 21st Century for Raccoon City" Project.
Because of Warren's campaign, the town gradually transformed from a rural community
to an industralized city. However, the city's expansion and modernization was accompanied by rising crime rates and even terrorist
activities. The local police established the Special Tactics and Rescue Service in 1996 as a countermeasure to the wave of
crime.
Raccoon Police Department.
Umbrella Subterranean Laboratory - One of Umbrella's secret laboratories was located
below an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Raccoon City. This lab was used primarily by William Birkin and his staff for
research into the T and G viruses. It was here that Birkin injected himself with the G-Virus after being fatally wounded by
Umbrella commandos. The laboratory contained facilities for viral research and vaccine synthesis, a station for cryogenic
experiments, a smelting pool, and two train terminals (a rotating turntable elevator on the uppermost level and a freight
train at the bottom platform).
Emmy's Diner - This greasy spoon was Claire Redfield's first stop in Raccoon City.
She was nearly killed by zombies lurking within, but was fortunately rescued by Leon S. Kennedy at the last moment.
Uptown - Uptown Raccoon occupied the southern city portion of Raccoon. This area,
also called the Cedar District, contained Jack's Bar, Kendo's Gun Shop, a boutique, and the Raccoon City Police Precinct.
The area is bordered in part by the Marble River.
Downtown - Raccoon's Downtown section was located north to the Uptown area. This
part of the city contained a restaurant called Cafe 13, a movie theater, the office of the Raccoon Press, and City Hall.
St. Michael Clock Tower - Prior to the outbreak, the Clock Tower was a popular
tourist site located in the north of the city. The site was a dedicated extraction point for the U.B.C.S., but was heavily
damaged by a crashing helicopter.
Raccoon General Hospital - Raccoon's largest hospital was established in 1992,
a few blocks from the Clock Tower. During the outbreak, hospital staff on Umbrella's payroll engineered a vaccine for the
T-Virus. Unfortunately, the hospital was overrun before the vaccine could be produced in large quantities. U.B.C.S. supervisor
Nicholai Ginovaef destroyed the hospital to eliminate evidence of Umbrella's experiments.
Raccoon Park - A large park was located behind the Clock Tower. It contained a
forest path, a cemetery, and an adjacent cabin. The Park was connected by rope bridge to a Dead Factory which housed an Umbrella
facility.
Dead Factory - This apparently abandoned structure was used by Umbrella for processing
of unwanted or hazardous biological material. In the months leading up to the outbreak, this included an increasing number
of destroyed zombies, which taxed the facility's capabilities. The site contained a small water-treatment facility, a large
room used for chemically processing dead experimental subjects, an incinerator room, and a small helipad. At some point, U.S.
Army forces attacked the facility, bringing to bear an experimental railgun. Umbrella responded by deploying several T-103
Tyrants against the attackers. Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira escaped from this facility by helicopter moments before
the destruction of Raccoon City.
Umbrella Corporation Office and Research Facility - Umbrella's main corporate
office was located in Downtown Raccoon City. This facility was Umbrella's public location. The laboratories contained Hunters
and a T-103 Tyrant Unit. Umbrella researchers Linda and Carter developed a cure to the T-Virus here.
Jack's Bar - A bar seen in Resident Evil 3 returns in Resident Evil Outbreak with
an altered and expanded layout. When the outbreak begins, this bar is one of the first places besieged by zombies.
The Apple Inn - Two firefighters searching for survivors are killed when a faulty
boiler explodes in the heart of this hotel. The resulting explosion spreads fire throughout the building and traps a number
of survivors inside with the zombies and mutants roaming the halls.
Raccoon City University - A good-sized University was located on the east side
of the city. As with many establishments in Raccoon, Umbrella's influence extended even here. Some of the faculty toiled at
perfecting biological weapons. Others, somehow privy to Umbrella's T-Virus research, worked at a cure. In another parallel
to Raccoon Memorial Hospital, the University was destroyed by Nicholai Ginovaef.
Raccoon City Zoo - Raccoon City boasted a popular zoo near a a main trolley hub
in the northwest part of town. Its mascot, "Mr. Raccoon," was known throughout the city. When the outbreak spread here, it
infected several exotic species including hyenas, lions, and a very angry elephant.
Raccoon City Subway - Raccoon's subway system was little safer than the surface
at the height of the outbreak. Wrecked trains congested the tunnels and mutant ticks proliferated in the dark tunnels, making
the underground a dubious refuge.
Rockfort Island
Alexander Ashford, one of the original co-founders of Umbrella Corporation, settled
on the island after the demise of his father, Edward. Here, his offspring, twins Alfred and Alexia, were born and raised in
a lavish environment with guards and hi-tech biology labs. The island boasts an Umbrella Corporation detainment center with
a medical ward, a military training facility, airport with 5 C-130 cargo planes, a private residence of Alexia and Alfred
on a hill behind the palace, research laboratories containing an experimental Tyrant, Gulp Worm and Giant Spider, the Ashford
palatial house and an underground hangar beneath the training facility containing the base's Harrier jets for use in an emergency.
They come armed with 2 external fuel tanks for long journeys to the Antarctica base and a built-in cannon for self defense
against any enemies. Rockfort Island does not differ much from the standard Umbrella Corporation base, full of traps and luxury,
but dark secrets lie hidden here that Alfred doesn't want anyone to find out about. Alfred's demential tastes have taken a
heavy toll on the population of the base, with queries from base personnel to his secretary about his sanity and even the
secretary questioning his mental well-being. The island is supposedly destroyed when Alfred sets off the self destruct system
for the island, however the device obviously fails to detonate fully; the training facility is left partially standing, although
badly damaged, as is the airport and the Harrier facility.
Sheena Island
Sheena Island is a top secret island located off the European coast. The island
is a research facility that houses a community of researchers that work on the mass production of the tyrant series.
In 1998 a disaster struck the United States midwestern residence of Raccoon City.
An outbreak of the T-virus transformed the residents of the city into zombies. In an emergency move the U.S launched a missile
to destroy the city. When a helicopter crashes into a secluded area of Sheena Island, Ark Thompson found himself fighting
a battle against the living dead.
Salazar's Castle
During construction of the castle, many passages were secretly constructed that
lead from one side of the castle to another. Death traps were also constructed to prevent intruders from leaving the castle
alive. Enormous in scale, the castle is also heavily guarded with strange creatures and mutations.
In 2004, U.S. agent Leon S. Kennedy was sent to a deserted village in a Castilian-speaking
European country to retrieve the U.S. President's kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham. While Leon and Ashley were escaping from
the village, they decided to hide in the castle. They soon realized that it was a mistake. They were attacked by zealots,
religious members of Los Illuminados. When Leon and Ashley become separated within the castle's confines, Leon encounters
insect-like monsters experimented by Osmund Saddler called Novistadors in the sewers, and strange creatures like Colmillos,
Garradors and Armaduras as well. He is attacked by all sorts of creatures which are seemingly controlled by Ramon. It is here
where the unfortunate death of Luis Sera at the hands of Saddler occurred. Leon learns the history of both Las Plagas and
Los Illuminados. He also learns that Ramon's ancestor, the first castellan, sealed away Las Plagas under the castle to stop
the progress of Los Illuminados. When Ramon later came into power as a castellan he made every effort to unearth the sealed
Plagas and release them, reviving the cult.
