Lowcleft

Nestled at the bottom of the Seacleft lies one of Magnimar’s most vibrant districts. Numerous small playhouses, pubs, brothels, hookah bars, dance halls, and a wide variety of other entertainments make Lowcleft—or “the Rubble,” as locals typically call it (as much because of the minor but frequent small rockfalls that tumble from the face of the Seacleft and land here, as to the district’s perceived low morals)—a home to the city’s artistic and avant-garde community. Many of Lowcleft’s citizens see themselves as the city’s true artistic heart and soul, and regard the fine arts of the Capital District or the upperclass entertainments of the Summit in general as falsified institutions that cater to a muse made of money. In Lowcleft, subversive entertainment, anti-establishment rhetoric, and wild social experimentation are the norm. Aristocrats often sneak down to Lowcleft to enjoy its edge just as middle-class workers often visit the district to escape the drudgery of mindless work. Those who choose to live and work in Lowcleft often regard these visitors as lesser forms of life or unwelcome intruders, yet they are always careful to avoid voicing such opinions in mixed company, since if there’s anything that binds the people of Lowcleft together, it’s an appreciation of the money these frequent visitors spend in the district’s distractions.

Gazetteer

Lowcleft is unlike many of Magnimar’s other districts in that it doesn’t truly come to life until the sun sets. During the day, the place is quiet and calm as its workers and offerings sleep in rooms with dark curtains drawn to block the sunlight. At dusk, when those who live elsewhere in the city finish their day’s work and filter down to Lowcleft for some relaxation and relatively safe entertainment, Lowleft rises from its slumber to become one of the city’s busiest districts. The clash between light and shadow is a common theme in Lowcleft, for many establishments pay significant amounts for magical illuminations or colorful alchemical lanterns not only in order to light their facades to attract customers, but also to distract the same from their competition. Despite these frequent islands of dazzling color, many stretches of Lowcleft remain in shadow or even darkness—not all entertainments thrive in the light and direct scrutiny, after all. Buildings here are often built of stone, although in the back alleys wood and stone buildings are more common. Streets are cobblestone, but again, in the back alleys standards slip and wooden walkways or even packed dirt replace stones. The city watch patrols the major streets of Lowcleft, but mercenaries paid for by the district’s larger establishments provide most of the street-level security. These mercenaries are often called upon not only to watch against crime, but also as distractions against overly zealous city watch patrols or Hellknights who might be tempted to overstep the bounds of what Lowcleft expects of its law enforcers.