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1. Tower of the Arcane This ancient stone tower rises nearly as tall as the library. Its surface is dull grey and dingy, with vines creeping up its height. The tower has but one door and only narrow, shuttered windows. The tower has six floors with varying numbers of rooms per floor. Several floors are living quarters for the city's mages and sorcerers, others are laboratories and arcane libraries. The master of the tower is known only as Master Grimm, a tall, stooped human male of indeterminate but certainly old age. Grimm wears a voluminous black cloak and carries a crystal topped walking staff. Those seeking to study the arcane arts are made apprentice to Grimm, or one of his teachers and do not leave the tower until they have passed their apprenticeship. This process takes anywhere from one to four years. Some have entered and not come out again. See this location on the map. 2. Magical Market These shops sell both arcane and divine spell components, charms, talismans and mystical items. Potions, scrolls, oils, ointments and an odd assortment of trinkets which promise to accomplish nearly anything the heart desires. When frequenting these stores, shoppers will often greet each other as they pass with the phrase 'Caveat Emptor', which replaces the standard 'Good Day'. A wide variety of people interested in magical goods are found here. See this location on the map. 3. Temple of Naslam This foreboding and mysterious building is the temple to the goddess of death and magic, Naslam. Walled off from the rest of the city and accessible only by crossing the bridge from the Street of the gods or by scaling the high, glass-topped walls. A large iron gate stands at the temple end of the bridge and is only opened at appointed times when the followers of the Stern Lady file in. The courtyard is filled with dead and barren trees and an old well which may or may not contain water. The city tolerates the temple only because it seemingly does no harm and no one is sure what catastrophe might befall the city should the Legion raid the building. The High Priestess of Naslam, Elura Gloriel is seen rarely and only as a fleeting, cloaked figure. Some rumors say she is a Drow, others that she is a ghost. Some whisper that she is something much, much worse. See this location on the map. 4. Legion Barracks The Legion maintains a strong presence here, due to the number of people living in the area and the opportunity for crime. This building serves as barracks for the guard as well as an armory and if necessary a fortress. Forty guardsmen of the Legion are on duty here at any given time and patrol the district streets in 1/2 squads of four. See this location on the map. 5. Residence of Senator Vanderis Grackis This two story stone structure is very grand to look upon. Its front facing boasts marble columns and it has many balconied windows. Inside, the home is richly decorated and lavishly furnished. Senator Grackis enjoys his comforts. Grackis shares his land with a number of ordinary citizens; some of whom work in his home as servants. The bulk of the citizens make their living elsewhere however, and Grackis looked upon favorably by many citizens of his district for living among them (albeit in much grander style) and for allowing them to share his family's land. However, a good number of the residents here see this as a simple ploy to curry their favor and to head off any thoughts of protest against the lack of food, water and basic necessities that this district sorely lacks. See this location on the map. 6. The Shady Tree This small tavern is a favorite watering hole for the residents of this district. It is not too dirty, the drinks are not too watered down and the food is not too bad. The chances of a fight are about even every night except at week's end, when the chances increase dramatically as citizens who have been paid for their week's labors come to spend it all on drink and gambling. The Shady Tree is run by a portly human male known only as Bob. His name comes from the peculiar way his Adams apple moves up and down when he speaks or drinks. Three serving wenches attend to the orders here. All are stout and plain, but friendly to the polite guests and quick with an open hand to those who aren't. The inn has become a favorite watering hole and jumping off point for the adventurers of the city, and 1/2 a dozen would-be heroes can be found here at any given time. Due to the increase in adventurer patronage, Bob has added a semi-private bath facility consisting of three iron tubs separated by screens. Hot water is brought in by buckets. See this location on the map. 7. Rowhouses These three story wooden structures house as many people as possible. They are divided up into ten tiny apartments on each floor with a common lavatory at the end of the central hall. Using slanted pipes linked to a large vertical one, the waste is carried by gravity out to the canals. Problems with clogs are frequent. Pestilence and disease are prominent here, owing to the unsanitary conditions and the close proximity of the people. The citizens who live here do so because they have nowhere else to go, and though it is a miserable existence, it is safer than the streets of the warehouse district. See this location on the map. 8. Citizens' Huts These tiny straw and wattle huts house single families or individuals lucky enough to have had ancestors who claimed space decades before. Though not much larger than a fifteen foot square, these huts are far more preferable than the squalid conditions of the rowhouses. In this district, the number one crime is the murder of a homeowner by a rowhouse resident who can no longer stand the living conditions of his apartment and seeks to better himself by taking one of the small huts. Naturally, the victim's neighbors almost always hear the crime or notice their neighbor is not the same as the day before. See this location on the map. 9. Family Homes The truly lucky or middle class citizens make their homes here, in this quiet area of the district. These homes are larger and better built than the huts and often contain more than two rooms. The well here is failing, its waters almost completely contaminated now by sea water. These citizens have taken to buying water from the rowhouse residents nearby, whose well still functions. Naturally, the prices are steep and only the long walk to a fresh well compels these middle-class families to pay. See this location on the map. 10. Legion Headquarters This large, stone structure serves as headquarters, training ground, barracks and armory for the bulk of the Il Senso Legion. Two stories tall with thick walls and arrow ports interspersed with windows, this building can withstand a siege or assault for many days. Unfortunately, the well inside is dry and so water is stored in barrels in the cellar in case of attack. At any one time there are over a hundred legionnaires in residence here; training, drilling or attending to the maintenance of the legion's equipment. General Longinus Merick is often here, and maintains a small office on the upper floor. He drills his men relentlessly, for attacks on the city are common and the possibility of a citizen's uprising is never far from his mind. See this location on the map. |
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