The Plaza is the fourth tier and is a bustling district of commerce. Nearly every citizen of Cheshire, when asked about the capital city, have this tier in mind, whether conscious of it or not. Businesses are everywhere, and the neighborhoods are plentiful, clean and spacious. The Plaza is truly where the metropolitan nature of Cheshire is in full view, with various races and creatures eking out a living in relative harmony. There is a darling little gnome that works out of the Harmony District. Fantastic craftmanship. Ezzo is the only person I trust with my lyre.
The neighborhoods are plentiful. The areas closest to the Slums wall are multi-story, multi-room affairs. Families are crammed in to whatever space is available. Most are pleased to have a clean home, and the neighborhood reflects that sentiment. Streets are kept as clean as possible, although the closer to the Slums, the less cleanliness seems to be an issue. It should be noted that the alleys of the Plaza, particularly in the lower section are dark and filthy, and the inhabitants match the mood. In contrast, the closer you get to the walls/gates leading to the Rim, the homes become single family structures. An entire neighborhood filled with a dozen or so families to a block. It is an area filled with parks and trees, plenty of lanes to stroll across with a paramour in hand.
In the Plaza, owning one of these homes is a sign of wealth and prestige. Many lesser nobles find themselves here, either on the way the social ladder, or down. If down, then owning one of these homes is usually due to disgrace. Lord Fanta for example came from a family who made their fortune with a unique crafted beer. A family recipe. That was the claim anyway. As luck would have it, I sampled the exact same ale, from a brewery in Vorlaria. Absolutely fabulous. Well as luck would have it, Tirna Darkstone dwarven brewmaster came to Cheshire after reports managed to reach her adorable single ear of a copy cat. Lost the other one in a brewing explosion. Far be it for me to gossip, but apparently the Fantas once worked on the Darkstone wheat fields. So much drama. Secret recipes. Theft. Infringement. Lies. Tirna relocated to Cheshire and refurbished the brewery. Too much air she says. The Fentas, well they are trying to make a comeback with some sort of fizzy beverage. Sounds revolting.
To live in the Plaza is to work here, so the residents say, although you will find servants who serve nobles on the Rim here as well. On occasion, one can find workers from the slums, who saved their earnings, or made other arrangements, living in the apartments of the Plaza.
Like other cities, like tends to congregate with like, and neighborhoods tend to adopt or become known by those that live there. Heading to the Scales, and one would find all manner of lizardfolk, or those with draconic heritage living there. The Stones or the Groves have strong dwarf and elven population respectively. The human population tend to congregate around the businesses they work on. Head to the Kiln, and you’ll find all manner of restaurants as well as the chefs, and their families, there. Incidentally, do try the glazed boar ribs over at Naans. If you’re human you’ll need to make a reservation, that ogre bears a grudge.
The residences in general, are in a constant state of flux. There is a cycle of vacancies and occupancies that permeate throughout. The reasons for them is varied. In some cases, residents here find themselves in hard times, and can no longer afford to stay. In extreme cases, they are evicted, and ultimately have to leave the city altogether, or try to make it in the Slums. In more positive notes, on occasion residents find amazing levels of success with allows them to move up towards and eventually into the Rim.
Businesses too find themselves in the constant state of flux that plagues the ring. This leads to many businesses being more cutthroat in order to attract and make more money. If not for the guilds, the Plaza would be a region of all out war. Guilds run nearly everything in Shire, and most of Cheshire. In the very center of the plaza lies the Masters Lane. Here are massive buildings that house the heads of the various professions. The guilds cover every profession. Yes even the courtesans are represented, although the main headquarters are in the Duchy of Castin for some reason.
There are several tiers of guild status here. If you make anything of any kind, you are a Craftsman or Craftswoman. Although there is at least one Craftscorpse. He works for the sewer guild. Delightful fellow. Cheats a dice. Guildpersons are the managers and officers of a respective guild. They don’t necessarily out rank each other at base. In most cases, age is the defining factor. Some of the more scrupulous humans determine age as longevity in a field. This of course tends to bristle elves and dwarves for starters. Guildheads are commonly known as Boss of the respective field. Lugan is the Boss of Finance, overseeing the banks of Cheshire. He is a crafty and cunning human, with a penchant for lacy undergarments. Unsurprisingly, Madame Vina, Boss of Garments tends to get away with all sorts of pricing practices, others don’t.
As expected the Plaza is also a region where crime dominates. It is no surprise that the headquarters for the magistrates are centered here. Ironguards patrol regularly through the streets during the day, but not so much at night. Not that they don’t patrol. The Ironguards tend to patrol in greater numbers at fewer frequency. The uninformed believe the Ironguards are afraid to patrol more often. The truth is, even High Magistrate Talos the Mad realizes that the criminal element fulfills a function for society.
So the patrols are halved, and on a set schedule. This allows the criminals to “avoid” the patrols while committing such crimes. The most informed believe Talos has an arrangement with most of the criminal syndicates. This belief is strengthened by the fact that many of the criminal syndicates prefer to conduct their businesses at night. Not that it’s fool proof. Talos the Mad is known to meander through the streets at all hours of the day. Pity the fool that mistakes him for a doddering old and easy mark. Also, the Ironguards that patrol the night, tend to be on the more ruthless side of justice than their day shift counterparts. Fortunately they also tend to be savvy, if a bit droll businessmen too.
The Syndicate , the guild of crime, operates with very little oversight. Instead they tend to police themselves. The most important rule is to NEVER do anything that attracts Talos’ attention. The second is to pay respect to the Carrion. Any jobs done in the Slums must be approved by the Carrion, and he gets a cut. I find it fascinating that the Syndicate can squeeze the coffers of a baron or duke without breaking a sweat, but blanche at the bogeyman lurking in the Slums.
Speaking about Talos the mad. He looks unassuming. He looks like a old human, with a long beard. You know the type. His fashion sense screams wizard. Yet, I don’t think he is. I can’t put my nostrils on it, but ozone definitely permeates the man. I’ve also seen him left an ogre by the throat with one hand. I’m pretty sure the Mad portion of his name, is more like “mad dog” rather than crazy. If a criminal catches his attention, Talos will catch him. Within hours if the idiot remains in Cheshire. I’ve only seen the ‘man’ smile once. I was in Lorr dropping off a new chess board for Raz’iael, the Sphinx guardian of the desert floor, need to make a left past the necropolis sigils, and at the Neissithaar’s holy symbol, just say “Do you want to play a game?”. Seriously. Otherwise she as likely to eat you than toss you out broken and bloody. She’s not one for surprises. Loves her naps. Anyway, I was about to say the magic words, when a grumpy voice beat me to it. I turn and find Talos, glaring holes at me. Well not at me. My chessboard. He had an exact duplicate. I ran my hand through my mane and just snorted, “One of a kind my ass.” Talos grunted and said, “I can not abide liars.” We played Stone, Sheet, Blade to see who got to give her the gift. Talos won. And the smile, I thought his face broke. Since then, he’s never missed one of my shows. I wonder if it’s to make sure I stick to my play times, or if I found a new fan.
Ah well, off to the Rim we go!
Always take time to enjoy the music”
– Chord, the Ivory Bard
A Darkness Rising 