
Alliria is a city marked by its imposing perch on both sides of the Allir strait. Located at the tip of the Allir reach, the strait is a section of two opposing continents that miss each other by a single mile. This is where Alliria was built.
Originally composed to two separate settlements on each continent, the two were eventually joined into one single city by massive stone bridge. Many others have sprouted to connect the two banks since. These days, the sea is practically invisible between the flocks of ships and bridges.
The layout of the city is confusing to some, though quite simple when viewed from the air.
On the western bank of the strait is the Allir keep, a massive stone fortress that was built by the original lords of the western settlement. This keep has been expanded and built upon over the years, now serving as the center of government for the Merchant Council and the bureaucracy. Around the keep and on the opposite side of the straight is the Inner City.
The Inner City is the richest portion of Alliria. It contains the docks, most merchant houses, guilds, and dozens of manors, upper-class inns, and entertainment houses. Around the Inner City is a huge stone wall, and built up right against it is the Outer City.
The Outer City is where most of the working class live. Surrounding the Outer City is another stone wall, this one taller and thicker than that of the Inner City. This wall was only recently constructed at the behest of the Merchant Council, and its construction was a rather contentious event.
Outside this final wall sit the Areck slums. Originally built on reclaimed marshlands that had once been the outskirts of Alliria, the slums are where the less fortunate dwell.
Though Alliria is a city of 'layers' there is an almost constant similarity in architecture that seems to hold true through every section of the city save for the Areck slums. Every building, every street is built with the same kind of stone, brought from a quarry situated on the western bank. This stone gleams a beautiful white in the sunlight, giving the city an almost joyous appearance at times.
Allir keep - Located on the western side of the strait on the northern edge of the city, The Allir keep is a great walled fortress that serves as the governmental offices of the Merchant Council. The keep is without question the most defensible position in the entire city, its wall standing as the tallest and most well constructed of the three in Alliria. It was designed as a bastion, the place to take a last stand.
Of course nowadays the keep serves an entirely different purpose. Ever since the joining of the two settlements Allir keep has served as a primary government building of Alliria. The Merchant Council meets daily within the Great Hall and most of Alliria's bureaucracy can be found in one corner of the keep or another. The towers are used to house the City Watch and the courtyard is used regularly for open forum discussions by various traders, merchants, and craftsmen.
Ostensibly by law the keep is open to any citizen of Alliria, though in practice this is not at all true. Usually it is only the wealthy and noble who can gain entry into the keep itself, and gaining an audience with the Merchant Council is incredibly difficult for anyone who hasn't paid the proper bribes.
The Inner City - The most important part of Alliria itself is the Inner City. It is here that one can find the true lifeblood of Alliria, its docks, craftsmen, and markets. Every day hundreds of ships enter the harbor, each offloading their cargo and selling to the various guilds and merchant houses. The docks are a mass of activity and allow even the lowliest worker a glance into the opulence of the wealthy.
The Inner City is the wealthiest part of Alliria, and it is here that many of the rich live and work. One can find and buy almost anything here, and its markets are famous all around the world for their extravagance.
Throughout all of the Inner City one can also find dozens of manors and grand stonework houses. Beautiful homes built by wealthy merchants and landed nobles are spread all throughout the Inner City, some even walled off with small courtyards. The Inner City is a sight of true capitalist wealth.
The Outer City - Beyond the second wall of Alliria one can find the Outer City. It is here that most of the working class can be found.
Populated by inns, leatherworkers, common blacksmiths, and less 'desirable' positions the Outer City is what many consider to be Alliria's true face. Most people who come to the city live and stay in the Outer City. Despite this more common atmosphere there is still a certain beauty to this section of Alliria. If you're after a good Smithy why not check out the
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The buildings are more roughly hewn, the streets a bit more bumpy, but it is all still born of stone. Everything holds the same tone as the rest of Alliria, and even the most common house seems to catch the eye.
Areck Slums - Not everyone sees the money that flows through Alliria. Large numbers of humans from arable land moved towards the city to find work. Many end up in the slums. Outside the protection of the walls many live in wooden buildings. Most make enough coin to get by in the city. The expanse of tents near the western gate is where most of the beggars live.
The Shallows are something of an exception. This area of reclaimed marshland has its own economy run by criminal enterprises. If you can't find what you need within the walls, you'll find it here.