Shelter Market
Over the years, the bridges the cross the mighty River Wutjörn in the city of Craysilt have been reinforced, expanded on, and built upon, so many times that many people do not even realize they are traversing a bridge as they walk along the city's streets. Businesses such as Popeye's Real Estate Holdings own many of the properties built upon the bridges, which include entire fisheries buildings and warehouses.
Over the centuries, however, one particular section of the main bridge has been used as a marketplace. A first-come, first-served type of place, with open stalls and spaces available to vendors who get there early enough. It is maintained by the Kingdoms, kept spic and span clean using a system of pressurized hoses, and has a reputation as being the place to be able to buy almost anything. The City erected a series of semi-permanent canopies over the entire area in 5322NG, and these have been the norm now, ever since. They have needed changing many times over the years, but have always been replaced in good faith by either the City, or the Kingdoms, or some wealthy benefactor.
Street food is especially popular here at Shelter Market; vendors ply their wares from hand-pulled carts called "wains", selling everything from flavored ices to hot sausages smothered in peppers and onions. Many people who live in the city come here to eat their lunches, or to wander around and experience the newest food-wains. Hand held foods are especially popular, although there are plenty of benches and tables for the so inclined.
Purpose / Function
This gathering space has been subdivided into stalls and spaces for vendors to display and sell tyheir wares during the day. It is first come, first served, with the earliest of the entrepeneurs receiving the choicest spots wherein to set up and operate.
Alterations
The stand-offs and tarpaulin poles have been changed many times over the years, but the market is essentially the same today as it was when it was first built.
Architecture
It is a roughly hexagonal area of the largest bridge over the River Wutjörn, that has had poles driven into and fastened to the pilings supporting the bridge. These poles are massive; thirty feet high, and as big around as a man can reach. The sailcloth shades, themselves, cover over an acre of market stalls.
Defenses
The Garda patrols the area ceaselessly, ensuring that people are safe, and that all laws are followed.
History
Historians have found that this area has been an open air market place from as far back as the building of the bridges during the founding of the city.
Tourism
People come here from all over the Kingdoms, in fact some merchants make their entire living off of buying and selling goods from this marketplace. Tourists come to spend the day eating the wonderful street food, and buying hard to find gifts and tools.
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