Parade Route - Valtaska
From the entrance of the city's main entryway to the Shimmer Castle, the Parade Route is less of a proper district and more of a landmark within the city itself. With large, gilded streets, and a strict demand on the leased buildings on the main street, the parade route is the pride of the city and the greatest chance for Valtaska to show its might.
Most of the buildings on the street are leased, rather than properly owned by the tenets of the building, though a few exceptions do exist. Every few blocks is a new temple, most of them dedicated to one particular god rather than being generalized. Most buildings are dedicated to the administrative aspects of larger businesses, many being enterprises that have reach across the peninsula, though several are leased by prestigious guilds or local and successful merchants specializing in quality products.
With large streets, the road can support two wagons going toward the Shimmer Castle, divided by a small and embellished divide flattened on the ground that separates another pathway for traffic heading south. This is the only section of divided traffic in the city, but it is the heaviest trafficked routes in the city.
Along the side, gilded lamps, keep the route illuminated all year long, and large arches stretch overhead to connect them from over the streets. While normally the arches hold flags of the city and alliance billowing in the winds, they are often decorated for holidays and special events.
Security and Encounters
As the pristine example of Valtaska's might, the Parade Route is the second most guarded district of the city, second only to the Shimmer Castle. Eight Guard Towers, four on each side of the street and spread evenly from the entrance to the end provide the primary barracks for the elite soldiers of the entire city. With Royal Paladins, Officers, and guards and soldiers on generalized patrol will regularly be rotating from these buildings to their appropriate posts. If a crime is committed, often a Shimmer Wisp, dispatched from the towers, will arrive first. They will attempt to subdue the offenders until the guards can arrive. When they do, elite soldiers, guards, and city-employed Paladins channeling the divine might of Holona will respond, ready to defend anyone that needs it, and enforce the laws broken. Due to this, patrols themselves are often only composed of two guards at a time, though equipped with Vocal Orbs to call for immediate backup.Potential Threats
As with any city, pickpockets are a regular problem on the parade route. Other petty or violent crimes are often pushed off the route and into the connected districts. Often, a person's largest threats will be caused by failing to meet the often overly harsh demands of contracts that may be associated with the businesses that call the Parade Route home. Event Ideas:- A broken wagon is stalling traffic. All pedestrians and vehicles are being detoured into the other districts
- An enticing guild offer is being advertised to people that pass by. The offer seems too good to pass up if you don't read the fine print.
- Everything is stopped and the entire route is forced to the sides as a royal dignitary rides to or from the Shimmer Castle.
- A ceremony for one of the gods is disturbing the flow of traffic. Attempting to move through may offend the priests.
- A Shimmer Wisp, returning to one of the towers, suddenly seems intrigued by someone, and appears to be following them.
Services
A few Mundane Services can be found, but only providing high-tier products/services, at excessive prices. A couple Magical Services, provided through Guilds, can be found here. A single Alchemical Shop can be found. Recreational Activities do not exist on the Parade Route. Illicit Activities exist are unheard of on the Parade Route. Transportation to other districts does not exist as a service.Interesting Facts
- The First Breath is the only Alchemy Shop on the Parade Route, and was the first one created when Valtaska was being founded.
- Once a year, the Avalanche is held. It's an up-hill obstacle run from the base of the Parade Route to the Shimmer Castle.
- The traffic on the Parade Route doesn't have an official direction, but often the north side is used to go down the mountain while the south goes up.
- It is customary for a crier to run the parade route to announce a coming foreign dignitary. When they return to the bottom, the party may advance.
- Approximately three quarters of the way to the Shimmer Castle is a patch of off-colored stone. It's the source of numerous rumors, but the real reason for the difference is lost.
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