Strangers District

The Strangers District is that part of the City of Gathetoken in which those only partially trusted by the city administration are permitted to live.

n.b. The district has no gates in the wall and the roads into and out of the district have watchhouses observing them. There is a notional Curfew, but this is only strictly enforced in times of troubles - or when the guard feel like it.

Demographics

Almanac

• Baker
• Brothel (x2 Common)
• Butcher
• Carpenter
• Cheesemaker
• Cooper
• Dyer (x2)
• Fishmonger
• Glue Maker
• Grocer
• Jeweller (Merchant, Wealthy)
• Lamp Maker
• Seer
• Sharpener
• Stonecutter (x2)
• Tavern (Strangers, Underhill, Hard Rock Tavern)
• Bard's Theatre
• Bronzesmith
• Cabinetmaker
• Greengrocer
• Leatherworker
• Mason
• Messenger Service
• Inn (Stonekeep Inn)
• Guildhouse (Lapidaries)
• Guildhouse (Masons)
• Shrine (Disorder{Thieves} - Officially closed)
• Shrine (Stasis)
• Shrine (Rock)
• Shrine (Illusion)
• Shrine (Dark)
• Temple (Aethyr)
• Stranger's Well
• Empty Properties (x4)
• Tenements (x7)
• Other Residences (x30)
• Watchouse (Darkhill Street a.k.a. Troll Watch)
• Watchouse (Strangers)
• Giant's Chimney Tower

Government

See Corporation of Gathetoken. Both the Masons and Jewellers Guilds are represented by Warders, as is the the Temple of the Aethyr (Known as the Temple of the Dead). It should be noted that this Temple's Warder does not, by convention, attend meetings unless the agenda includes an item directly related to Temple.

Defences

This district has two Watchhouses and the Giant's Chimney Tower on the wall. It has no gates.

Infrastructure

The two main streets, Darkhill Street and Stranger's Row converge at the Stranger's Well.

Where Darkhill Street climbs the rock to the East Market District is a stair of some 72 steps. All wheeled transport entering or leaving the Strangers District must go via Stranger's Row - a road that is not straight at any point and climbs quite steeply out of the district. This road will require heavily laden wagons to double-team on the way up and to descend carefully lest they over-run the teams hauling them.

Guilds and Factions

This district has a reputation for disagreement - with Humans, Aelves, Trolls and Dwarves all resident, it was never going to be an easy place.

History

When the city walls were being layed out, there was a vigorous debate as to whether the Giant's Chimney should be the outer-edge of the city, or whether the low-lying Strangers District should excluded and the wall run along the edge of the heights in East Market District and Coral Gate District. When it was discovered that the demolition of the Giant's Chimney would require extensive preparations and magic, the decision was made that it would be just as hard to demolish by any attacker and thus it was incorporated into the defences leaving what is now the Stranger's District inside the walls.

Architecture

The presence of the Mason's Guild in the district has allowed a few of the buildings a level of grandure otherwise seen only in the wealthier districts. Those buildings that have been the residences of Masons inevitably have all or part of their structure in dressed stone or mortared rubble - as are the Guildhouses, Temple, some of the shrines and the premises of the Jewelers and the Inn. With the ground level of the majority of the district barely above sea level, there is little space for cellars below ground. Those on the higher land adjacent to East Market District and Coral Gate District have been known to tunnel into the rock underlying those districts - which has then led to disputes over tenure.

Geography

The district is mostly low lying with the south edge being the foot of a rock escarpment leading up to the East Market District and the west edge rising to the Coral Gate District. The North-East corner of the district is another rocky outcrop, on which sits the Giant's Chimney.

Type

Neighbourhood

Population

550-600

Location under

Gathetoken

Owning Organization

Corporation of Gathetoken