The Bazaar of Gold (Ététhíané Líeldrí)

Welcome to Yr Jardonh, a sol'Aeldvaren city of ancient wealth that sits on the intersection between the continent's largest river and the longest landlocked trading route. Everywhere you look, perfectly symmetrical geometric designs emboss or engrave solid stone columns, walls, and streets. In a world full of lush organic shapes, the flawless straight lines and sharp right angles seem to be an expression of wealth all their own, for where else could a master artisan spend so many years beautifying merely a small piece of public walkway?
The market district is the southwest portion of the city, closest to the mighty Bure River and just south of the crossing of Heavensway, the continent's longest landroute. A full quarter of the city's generous footprint is dedicated to the Bazaar of Gold and the immediate industries that service the constant ebb and flow of itinerant merchants. A traveler will never want for delicious food, delightful drink, or dazzling delights as long as they have something to trade or a coin in their pocket.
Despite the warm, summery tint of golden stone and burnished metal accents everywhere, the city is nestled in a coolly temperate location and receives its share of cold, wind, and rain. The Bazaar is riddled with subtle lines of irrigation that prevent flash-flooding, and dozens upon dozens of particularly fine locations are uplifted an additional half-step with crisp brickwork. While the layout of the market is purposefully modular, allowing a merchant to rent out a small corner or several large squares as they need, each site bears a permanent shelter from the weather, just as lovingly and lavishly decorated as the rest of the carven city.
Many merchants who fill the Bazaar of Gold are, of course, locals to Yr Jardonh. They trade from traveler to traveler, or from allied gran'Duovaren clans upriver to those without access to mountain-deep mines, or from their city's own skilled crafters and enchanters. But far more numerous are brief visitors who walk or ride along the Heavensway, or sailors from the far sea hundreds of miles southeast, or neighbor-cities along the winding length of the Bure river. It is said that there is no material good or magical artifact that cannot be found and obtained in the Bazaar of Gold.
So, traveler, what is it you seek?
Come with me on a stroll through the marketplace.

We stand now at the northeast corner of the Bazaar of Gold, where the beating heart of the ancient city opens up into a delta of pathways that curl through the cluster of stalls, wagons, and tables. The day is new and the sun is bright, and thousands upon thousands of tiny, faceted gems glitter in places of honor within the designs wrapping around poles, pergolas, and pavilions. The pale brickwork underfoot is smooth and clean but for the occasional drifting red leaf or loose silk thread.
None of the individual merchant plots are fully enclosed, but many have one or two walls behind a table, booth, or display case featuring their wares. A considerable number of the visible traders are sol'Aeldvari, short and ebulliant kinvari with deep golden skin and fire-bright eyes, but nearly every kinvaren race is represented amidst them, from night-dark lun'Aeldvari to stone-grey gran'Duovari to brown-skinned Hymvari. A dozen languages in a hundred voices grace your ears from traders and travelers alike.
Walk with me. Let us see what we can find.
Here is a local sol'Aeldvar selling small, carefully-weighed gold nuggets for use in jewelry or trade. Each ovoid is polished to shine under the barest touch of light.
Here is a visiting tem'Duovar trading cleaned, scrimshaw-carven pieces of animal bone, tooth, and horn.
Here is a melodramatic dar'Aeldvar offering deeply cryptic personal prophecies. There may be no cost, but it is unwise--perhaps even unsafe--to not leave a bauble or a coin in gratitude for the glimpse into your future.
We have only seen the barest edge of the Bazaar, my friend. Let us continue. There are hundreds of merchants and, truly, miles to go before we see the other side and hear the roar of the frothy Bure.
Here, exquisitely tiny glass vials filled with precise measurements of different chemicals and solutions. Here, a jeweler's toolkit wrought in iridescent anodized steel. Here, an organized pile of foreign furs and hides, expertly tanned and trimmed. Here, an enchanter's booth with pre-enchanted objects: an illusion-cloaked coin purse, an arcane lamp crystal, a scarf that can both warm and cool upon command.
Here, a chef's display of spices and salts, herbs and seasonings. Here, jars upon jars of looseleaf tea blends, unique to this lun'Aeldvar and made from tea leaves from all over Lumasca. Here, another enchanter's booth with more personal items: an unwilting flower, a comb to speed hair growth, an oil to adjust hair color, a brooch to artifically brighten and saturate the colors of fabric while it's attached. Here, and here, and here, mana crystals in various sizes and shapes, including mana flour, mana sugar, and mana salt.
We have reached the first ring of many where food and drink are sold. Fresh, cold water is always free, as are the kinds of muffins and small cakes that can be made from arcana alone. More interesting treats are also available for a modest fee: kebobs of spicy meat and vegetables and mushrooms, small cups of stew or chowder that can easily be carried with you while you browse, delicate and colorful sweets. Drinks? Of course. There are uncountable flavors of tea, wine, and fruit juice, along with unique brews of mead, sweetmilk, and coffee.
See that sol'Aeldvar there, in the black and gold robe? When you tire of walking, find someone in that tabard and they will translocate you to the inn or tavern of your choosing. There are many establishments that line the edges of the Bazaar, ready to welcome visitors such as yourself. Of course, many of them are day-aligned, but several are nocturnal to accommodate lun'Aeldvari and others who sleep off the light. Some have refined eateries and rare drink selections; some have music and entertainment and dancing; some have hot baths and restorative treatments; and some are simply quiet and private. Anything you desire for your stay can be fulfilled at one of our many inns.
Yes, of course. For now, we continue. A map of merchants? No, my friend. Who rents each square changes by the day, and the impossible labyrinth of goods and treasures is part of the Bazaar's particular charm. This is why guides such as myself offer to assist those new to the city, or those seeking a very specific item.
Here is a florist with flowers from across the continent; yes, you can have them enchanted to remain in full bloom for a very long time, or even preserved forever. Ah, look, here is a fine gran'Duovari engineer with arcane machines made with clockwork and arcana-infused gemstones. Such devices can serve as trinkets or as powerful tools, if one has the knowledge and interest; there is nothing in this world like a self-powered Duovaren apparatus.
Here is a pensmith with wood-barreled ink pens, and there is a seller of glass-blown pens, and past her is a merchant who offers only traditional quill and ink pens. Yes, there are many parchment vendors and scroll-sellers, some of whom offer enchantments to water- and fire-proof these paper goods. Books? Oh, my friend, I cannot count the number of kinvari who sell books here. Stories from other places and other times, stories from memory and from imagination, historical recountings of every event of any note, tomes of magic and science and philosophy... The Bazaar of Gold is as good as any curated library, though its contents are in constant flux.
Ah, here: arcane reagents and components commonly used in spells and rituals. The finest incense and distilled oils--do not touch them with your bare hands, please--and colored chalks and ethically-obtained samples of creature blood. Stones, shards, powdered gemstones, faceted crystals, pieces from every part of nearly any plant... Elsewhere, we can find crafted wood, stone, glass, or metal figurines that can be used as spell receptacles. Over here is a mystic offering divinatory tools in exchange for a boon, but be careful, my friend, for boons are often more costly than aeldgold.
We have come to the next ring of victuals, so top up your cup! We have hardly begun to see the delights of the Bazaar.
Smell? Ahh, the fresh scent of hay, yes! The market may be crowded, but nonetheless larger goods are bartered and sold here, including living animals! Only the safest domesticated and trained beasts are allowed within the Bazaar proper, worry not. Should you wish for a steadfast steed to carry you across the land or into the skies--yes, of course, let us behold them. The city is known for several unique landraces of companion animals and mounts, some of which have been bred to boast beautiful golden pelts...