City X's (to be determined, taking suggestions--can be fictional or otherwise) crime rates have always been scary high. Almost no one walks the streets after dark, much less alone. Those who do have been lucky to get away missing only a wallet. Parks and playgrounds are always empty save for suspicious thugs. The city is poor and underfunded, so there aren't enough police officers to push back the criminals. Hell, with so little money being made, even much of the law enforcement is crooked.

However, over the last couple years, that crime rate has slowly been declining. First, it was just one paladin. But, boy, s/he couldn't do it alone. Eventually it was two...then three...And now, there's a budding community of paladins within City X and they're slowly--but surely--working together to protect the people. It's easier to keep their abilities hidden than it is in most other places, as well, since the locals find it safer to stay inside while they do business. Safer streets, though, are incentive for the normals--curious and otherwise--to begin exploring their city...

While most people look upon a decline in crime with gratitude, a darker force sees a problem: shades. Many have seen these miracle-like patterns before--some over multiple life spans. And, quite frankly, they've been targeted by the do-gooders far too long--and very rarely actually killed. More like subdued and imprisoned, forced to rot away so their evil can't start again for at least another generation.

Well, paladins aren't the only ones who can band together for a common goal. Outside of City X, it took just one shade to counter that single paladin. S/he sought out other shades, offering revenge and safety: if shades could ban together and kill this growing nest of paladins, the world would would become increasingly easier to "discipline."

Now that many shades are in on the action, they're ready to strike. However, unlike paladins, shades have a harder time working together. So, an organized attack just won't happen--but shades will still go about the destruction of paladins. Some might blend into the city as paladins at first, only to stab friends made in the back. Others might try to persuade paladins to "switch sides;" the life of a paladin isn't an easy one, after all. Many will simply prey on the weak to draw out the paladins or find the target themselves.

Crime rates in City X will be on the rise yet again. Will the paladins persevere and stop the evil? Or will shades come out on top?

(I left the paladin and shade taking initiative's gender open in case anyone wants to make either of those characters. uwu I think I good motivation for the paladin could be that maybe s/he was born there, so of course s/he wants to make it right. Or maybe just passing through, up to anyone who would like to take it, haha.)