Difference between revisions of "Quarters of Soba"

Latest revision as of 17:51, 31 July 2015

The city of Soba is split into several distinct Districts, or Quarters, separated by the Rivers, and the main roads. Each Quarter is home to a particular peoples, and although some (such as the Artisan Quarter)are open to visitors, others (such as the Dragon Quarter, and the Citadel Court) are carefully guarded.

(The Citadel Court and the Bazaars of Soba are detailed separately.

The Kif Quarter.

The Quardrant of the city between The Shadow and the Road of The Prophet is the preserve of the Kif Desert tribes. The 13 Tribes have a long history with Soba, claiming it as their capitol in accordance with the decrees of The Prophet. Unfortunately for them Soba is an Imperial Dependant territory in accordance with the Treaty of Taral RY435. By Decree of the Plum Council members of the Kif are forbidden from entering the Citadel. As the Kif themselves have a cultural issue with Boats and the only bridge across the river enters the Citadel this means that the Kif are constrained to the south bank of the city. A very few Kif serve the watch, are allowed to use the bridges. The Kif Quarter is dominated by tents covering much of the area with occasional blocks of mud-brick shanties for more permanent residents. The population of the Quarter ebbs and flows with the seasons peaking in Ascendant Water and the yearly Dragon Races.
The Kif Quarter is the best place to find those willing to trade in the Spice Melange, and many merchants will be tempted to enter the district to get the best deals. A wise merchant should realise that during festival Kif Tribal law dominates the quarter. The unwise could find themselves strung up before their guards can reach them to offer hostage on their lives.

The Farmers Quarter.

This district occupies much of the space between the the Southern road and The Serpent River is taken up by the mud-brick shanties of the Farmers. Much of the arable land downriver of the city is farmed from this quarter. The extensive Farms upriver fall under the jurisdiction of The Hidden Lightning Immaculate Monastery.
Of particular importance is the temple of The Merciful Lady on the river bank facing the Citadel. This marks the start point of the yearly Dragon Boat Races. The racers will circumnavigate the citadel 3 times widdershins before making their way upstream to The Serpent Gate against the full flood strength of the River.

The Artisan Quarter.

The City's Artisans occupt the Quarter between the River and the Champoor Gate. Most artisans of the city take their wares to the Little Moon Bazaar and their are few workshops who open their doors to the casual buyer. The very few who do are likely to be Masters of their trade, Expect to pay proportionately. Their is also a Temple precinct to The Righteous Lady near the walls. This makes the artisans quarter a reasonably safe one unless one is a vagabond.

The Dragons Quarter.

This occupies the Quarter between the Champoor Gate and the Serpent Gate. This is largely the preserve of the wealthy, the gentry and their servants. Of particular note is the Immaculate Temple for the City on the banks of the Serpent, which is said to date from before the Contagion. This is also the location of several of the oldest and most well respected Salons in the city.

The Foreign Quarter.

The Foreign Quarter occupies an area between the Cis Gate of the Citadel and the outer wall. By the Decrees of the Plum Council foreign merchants who do not maintain permanent residences in the city are required to abide here for the duration of their sojourn. The Foreign Quarter is well patrolled by mercenaries belonging to various merchant factors, but there is little watch presence. The visitor should be careful here, where a hundred different creeds and nations jostle in the streets. Though there is a common agreement that trade should be sacrosanct there is little tolerance for fools here.

Intermingled with the Quarter on the Serpent side are the main docks for the city. It is here that the Traffic of the desert and the river intermingle. The Docks are controlled by the powerful Dockhandler's Guild and little meaningful business is done without their involvement. It is believed that the Dockhandlers are also involved in a range of more larcenous activities and this is a good place to come to look to put hostage down on a precious item stolen by city's many vagabonds.

Ancestor District.

On The Bank of The Shadow is the Ancestor District. This area is largely concerned with the business of funerals. It is not uncommon amongst the Kif and the Alodians to put their dead into a boat and send them up river. In most cases such reed boats are burnt as soon as they are towed beyond The Shadow Gate, only the most well off adherents still goes all the way to Kodor by river.