West Bank
Where the River Breathes Life into Trade
The West Bank is a hive of industry and river commerce, sprawling along the western shore of the River Lygol, just outside the massive walls of the City League. It stretches from the high-arched Southern Bridge, where wagons and merchants stream in from the south, up to the low, sturdy Northern Bridge, a lifeline for local trade and foot traffic. The river is the district’s beating heart, and every street, workshop, and dock hums with the rhythm of loading, building, and bargaining. Smoke from forges and carpenters’ yards rises into the air, mingling with the sharp scent of river water and freshly hewn wood.
Here, shipbuilding is both craft and culture. The yards along the riverbank are filled with the skeletons of vessels in various stages of construction—river barges, fishing skiffs, and the occasional sea-faring trader destined for more distant shores. Shipwrights shout over the din of hammers and saws, and apprentices run with tools, materials, and messages. The West Bank’s reputation for sturdy, reliable ships has drawn traders from across the region, and it’s not uncommon to see vessels launched into the Lygol to the sound of cheers and ringing bells.
Trade doesn’t end with the building of ships. The West Bank docks are alive with activity, as goods arrive from upriver and beyond. Grain, timber, ore, and exotic wares are offloaded daily, destined for warehouses on the eastern bank. Barges ferry stock across, where long rows of stone and timber warehouses store the lifeblood of the city’s economy. The East Bank, while quieter, is no less important—a place of accountants, clerks, and guild agents, watching over the steady flow of wealth with sharp eyes and ledgers in hand.
For those who live and work on the West Bank, life is hard but honest. The taverns here are rough but lively, filled with sailors, labourers, and craftsmen boasting of their latest hauls or best-built hulls. It’s a district of calloused hands and practical minds, proud of its role in keeping the City League’s trade alive, and always looking to the river for the next opportunity.
Comments