The South End

In AC 681, as the Vampire Wars raged across Traladara, Marilenev’s town government invested in a programme of city fortifications. This included a major defensive wall circling the settlement. By the middle of the 8th century AC, a large part of the rural population, encouraged by the Town Council and in fear of war and other threats, had settled within the city walls. The area to the west of the Old Quarter became the South End which grew to provide residences for Marilenev’s labourers. In the late 8th century AC, the newly formed Dyers’ Guild established its Guild house in the South End, and later the Brewers’ Guild moved its headquarters there, leaving its original 6th century location in the Old Quarter. Duke Stefan granted the establishment of a Magicians Guild in AC 970, and its tower and adjacent library is a
South End landmark. More recently (AC 996) the United Criers Guild has established a Specularum office in this district. The majority of the South End district is residential, but there is also an active business community, primarily along the Westroon Alley, and a market in the area near the south gate. Some local shops are found across the district, and there are small taverns serving as local meeting points throughout the neighbourhood.

After the building of the outer city wall by Duke Stefan (post-AC 970), a largely “New
Karameikan” area developed between the inner and outer fortifications. This South End “extension” was the agreed approach rather than expand the district west towards
the Hill District– a proposal opposed by the Torenescu clan and the Thyatian aristocracy that resided in that district. As such the outer extension has a more agreeable and friendly atmosphere to it. Some say it is more congenial than the original South End that has influences from the Old Quarter and Bricktop, Without the presence of active adventurers and businesses related to their activities (save perhaps for the Magicians’ Guild), the South End is a little quieter than other parts of town. Long-time adventurers, now retired, sometimes taking up residence in South End. Accordingly, the district may be a source of
information for current adventuring groups when the tales of old campaigners lead to new quests. A generous meal accompanied by fine alcoholic refreshment has been known to wrest stories and secrets of past endeavours from an inactive adventurer. Although, sometimes the memories many be muddled or just flights of fancy. Some of the labouring population may decide it is time to seek adventure by putting
themselves forward to be hired as retainers. Or perhaps they have valuable information acquired in the course of their jobs which might be useful to someone seeking a particular treasure. And there is the Magicians’ Guild tower and library - sources of much arcane lore and equipment. Mages and mystics have a reutation for inventiveness and inquisitivenes - maybe they might need the help of an adventurer or two?