Alkali (al-KALL-ee)

General Information

Alkali is the most commercial ward of Tamel -- Its streets are constantly alive with the sound of citizens and tourists alike buying, selling, and haggling over various trinkets and curios. These Veiled Markets stretch across several streets in every direction, and the noise can always be faintly heard throughout the entire district. Alkali is the version of Tamel that wants to be seen.

Demographics

Alkali is home to around 12.5 thousand people, weighted heavily towards working class humans. Around 500 people in Alkali work as Pharmacists, holed up in a large stone structure near the Alkali Chime, and another 900 are split roughly evenly between tabaxi and kenku. The tabaxi tend to work as traders, while kenku either work in factories or The Raven's Crematorium.

Locations

Alkali is the most dense part of Tamel, with several important locations packed into its streets. Everything from the largest market in Idyllis to the standing government of Tamel has its home in these cramped, bustling roads.

The Alkali Chime

At the center of Alkali, in a little cul de sac surrounded with tents and markets, lies a giant clocktower with no apparent entrances or exits. The structure seems to divert attention away from itself against all logic, and the few that can look at its peak seem to notice the decorative gargoyles staring back at them with burning ruby eyes. The chime doesn't seem to have any pattern to when it rings, but all logic and reason are replaced with compulsive consumerism whenever it does.

Pharmacist Quarters

Pharmacists are lucky that the Family has spared enough off-white stone to create this massive structure. It juts out into the street near the southwest corner of Alkali, contrasted heavily against the rotten brown apartments on each side. Anyone loyal enough to the Gracious Family to don their mask can always count on a warmer bed and a better meal than nearly anyone in Tamel could dream of.

The Palace of Corvids

In the northern peak of Tamel, seemingly carved into Kjana's ring of walls, is the massive mansion known to most as The Palace. Nobody ever seems to enter or leave, save a few kenku that tend to its small garden, but it's well known that the True Family reside here with their silent kenku servants. Even with this building's grandeur and beauty, it's hard not to be unnerved when looking at it. However much the Family hides their machinations, the negativity can always be felt.

The Veiled Markets

To most from outside the district, these tangled streets are Tamel. Betweent ibrant colours, bustling roads, and an infinite selection of wares, this is how the District of Commerce wants to be seen. From the inside however, it's almost impossible to count this as part of their home. It's too loud, too alive, too good to be true. Even residents in Alkali tend to avoid these markets for fear of their lives being shattered to pieces.

People

Alkali serves as home base for several colourful characters. If the Veiled Markets didn't flood the ward with the constant buzz of activity, the following people just might keep the place feeling alive.

Brother Carlile

Known for his blank mask, unconventional greeting, and handling of the Family's entire treasury, Brother Carlile, the Magpie is a sophisticated young man with a penchant for theatrics. His relatively plain clothes and unusual mannerisms combine to turn the de facto ruler of Alkali into little more than another clever businessman to many. However, none can deny his seemingly boundless charisma.

Doctor Ffraide Omicci

A highly skilled surgeon, Ffraide Omicci is the head of the Omicci family business of engineering a plague and overthrowing the Family. She takes a small trinket from each patient which are then processed and stuffed into dolls to sell throughout Alkali. However, it seems that her plague is finally catching up to her. A large wound on her right hand seems to have mushrooms growing out of it, and when asked, she simply refuses to acknowledge it.

Alternative Name(s)

The Trade Ward, Alkali Street

Type

Quarter

Population

12.5k

Inhabitant Demonym

Alkali

Included Locations

• The Palace of Corvids

Owner/Ruler

Brother Carlile, the Magpie

Owning Organization

Tamel