Though the Department of Transportation wields considerable authority in Midtown Station and along the roads and tracks that converge there, it has little power or business in the primarily residential parts of the neighborhood. In fact, no one ruler or body does have authority there; a few blocks may be under the sway of a local gang, another area placing considerable trust in a particular demagogue, and so on. One organization that has been waxing in power over the City Center, however, is the Church of the Imperfect One. The church has had considerable success converting residents of the neighborhood, and while certainly not all or even a majority of the people living in the city center belong to the church, enough do to give it a great deal of influence.

Unfortunately, while the Church of the Imperfect One preaches many ideals that are good by almost any measure, different sects and congregations may have different ways of interpreting and enforcing those ideals, and the congregation in the City Center leans toward the more demanding and reactionary side. The church in the City Center preaches many policies and prohibitions not common in the mainstream religion, and disapproves of many common practices and lifestyles. Of course, the church has no official power to compel nonmembers to comply with its precepts, but it can exert considerable social pressure through its members. The church does have a genuinely charitable side and has done its part to help the needy and provide beneficial services, but some argue that its repressive nature makes it overall do more harm than good.

The local consiliary of the Church of the Imperfect One is a golden malwas named Reimen Estreau. Estreau is tall and sturdily built and keeps herself well polished. She has a square-jawed head that she usually keeps tilted slightly upward, gazing down at her large, angular nose at those in front of her. Estreau has a resonant, bell-like voice and her speech alternates rising and lowing pitch and volume like rolling waves. She generally wears the white robes of her order, with fine gold trim.