Bravidia - Beacon of the Middle Kingdoms

The expansive city of Bravidia is centered around its fortified hilltop keep and roughly divided into five tiered rings dropping in elevation to the river running along its northern side.
Bravidia’s outermost ring pulses as the heart of commerce. Crowds bustle along the docks where barges loaded with goods float downriver. Storehouses packed with grain, ore, and exotic wares line the banks. One dilapidated warehouse dubbed the “Rat’s Nest” is a secret haven for smugglers and thieves. Among the ramshackle apartments housing dockworkers is the Harpy’s Roost, a noisy tavern where sailors gamble and brawl into the night. Nearby inns offer simple lodging, while brothels satiate more carnal cravings. The Jolly Lotus is a discreet favorite of nobles slumming for discretion. Higher on the hill, the Redoubt district protects the merchant and craftsmen classes residing in tidy brick homes. Overall, the sprawling outer district encapsulates a microcosm of life - both seedy and sublime - pulsing along the great river artery connecting Bravidia to the wider realm.
Imposing walls and gated checkpoints stand between each district, restricting access and flow. A central road winds its way up to the central fortress. There are not gates between districts that line up. The "Snake Way" weaves through the districts to prevent and army from rushing to the main fort. Several choke points increase the defensive posture of the city.
The bustling second ring hosts commerce, shops, tradespeople, and eateries. Temples, gardens, and fountains adorn the third ring. Nobles and artisans reside in the elevated fourth circle nearest the castle.
At the pinnacle rests the ancient keep, Great Library, and vaults - seats of knowledge and power. Farmlands outside the city feed its masses.
However, an entire swath of Bravidia remains sealed off in ruin after unknown magically-infused disasters during the Collapse reduced it to a hazardous crater. Rumors speak of lingering taints twisting man and beast alike still roaming the quarantined ruins. The remaining rings stand as testaments to humanity's resilience and ingenuity, sheltering behind mighty barricades.