The North End

During the period known as The Dark Age (BC 800 to AC 1), the integration of the Vandar tribe with the native Traldaran led to the rise of agriculture in the area north of Mirror Bay. The success of the farming ventures contributed to the growth of what became a regular market trading with other local settlements. Farming remained a major industry of the area for many centuries. The importance signified by the 7th century AC construction of an irrigation channel to overcome threatened droughts. However, as the Free City of Marilenev turned to the sea for most of its trade, and isolated itself from the rest of Traladara, the growth of the Mirror Bay harbour necessitated facilities to support these new activities. By AC 700, the eastern part of the North End area began to transform from open land to buildings that supported the maritime industries. While farming continued outside the city walls, the North End area continued to be urbanised with residential blocks appearing in the western half of the district. In AC 929, during the period of Thyatian Occupation (under the rule of GovernorGeneral Iulius Bassus), the old irrigation channel was filled in to provide space for the Lesser Merchant District and Westron Alley. By AC 1000 the ancient farmlands have been reduced to a small area in the north western corner of North End. In present-day Specularum, the North End’s western half is a mostly residential section of town; many people who work as servants within the city or as seasonal labourers in the surrounding Estate of Marilenev live here. Many active adventurers also settle here, due to its proximity to the Merchant District, the Foreign Quarter, the Docks, and a number of taverns and inns. The eastern half of the
district includes the seafarers’ quarter, housing sailors, shipwrights and carpenters amongst others. It is also the location of the Karameikan Naval Shipbuilders. The North End has a mixed population, with many New Karameikans and Thyatians; a rough but straightforward people, epitomizing the New Karameikan spirit. The Guildhalls located in this district reflect the area’s commerce -blacksmiths, carpenters, loggers, mariners, fishmongers, and innholders. This area of town benefits through the wide range of goods and supplies that can be obtained in the Lesser Merchant District – adventurers can be sure of finding all necessary equipment somewhere here. Adventurers are also always certain of finding
a new challenge in the North End. The many inns and taverns of the district, including Desmond’s Dive, The Gored Ox, the Hart and Harrow, and the Black Heart Lily, are places where adventurers may be hired for a variety of quests, or may give the adventurers the opportunity to hire retainers to assist them. The Black Heart Lily, in particular, is one of the better, though notorious establishments, where employment for bold and willing characters may be negotiated. Such engagements may take the adventurers across the ocean to somewhere in the Sea of Dread, or perhaps across the Grand Duchy to the infamous Black Eagle Barony. And it is not unheard of for a down on their luck individual to wake from a drunken night at the docks to find themselves part of aship’s crew!