P'Bapar Part 6: The North Ward
- Bluffs Neighborhood
North Ward
The North Ward is the northernmost district in the city, and a popular
destination for locals and travelers alike. While the main avenues
contain businesses that cater to travelers, the back streets of the
North Ward are spared from most of the visitors. Locals have developed
an independent spirit, though they remain welcoming.
Four bridges cross the Banader River, linking the North Ward to the
Green Ward to the south and west. The landscape forces the roads
downward toward a narrow breach of buildings and streets, constricting
access before entering the Lower Ward. When weather is bad or at peak
times, the streets become congested with wagons, horses and foot
traffic.
An active place, tourists, travelers, mercenaries, merchants and
adventurers pass through the North Ward on a regular basis. Shepherds,
woodsmen, trappers, farmers and hunters come down from the mountains to
sell wares or restock supplies. Those seeking commercial transactions
can quickly enter the North Ward, conduct their business, and leave
without having to venture into the deeper and more congested portions
of the city.
The influx of travelers attracts criminals, troublemakers and thieves
to the North Ward. Taverns and inns are popular places for victims.
Talons patrol the ward at regular intervals, though these guards are
mostly active only from midday to midnight.
Many guild leaders and merchants live here, but the majority of
residents are low- to middle-class residents, such as artisans,
laborers, guildsmen and tradesmen. Neighborhoods are relatively free of
street gangs, but organized crime and guild thieves are never far away.
The influx of travelers and commerce makes land expensive in the North
Ward and particularly so along the busiest streets.
Businesses in the North Ward cater to travelers, tourists and merchants
arriving from the west to conduct trade. While the Eldan Marketplace in
the Lower Ward draws most tourists drawn, shops and smaller markets in
the North Ward do brisk business. Employment is plentiful. Sell-swords
spend their treasures in taverns and gambling houses. Mercenary bands
eager for new recruits ply the area. A young Baparan eager to make her
mark on the world could do worse than starting here.
Bluffs Neighborhood
Locals have nicknamed this portion of the city the “Bluffs” on account
of the rugged terrain. As one moves away from the river the streets
rise upward into the hillside. This creates a confusing mess of steep
streets, narrow and constructed alleys and stairwells. Traversing the
Bluffs is a cardiovascular adventure, made all the more treacherous in
the rain and snow. Those venturing to the outer reaches of the ward are
rewarded with spectacular views of P’Bapar.
Since the Bluffs Neighborhood is often the first district encountered
by travelers arriving from the west, businesses and merchants here are
hospitable to travelers. Those living here have grown used to seeing
new and unfamiliar faces. Although some long-time residents disagree
with anything that disrupts their daily lives and therefore possess an
attitude of elitism or disappointment about the influx of travelers.
Luckily, these attitudes are limited to isolated groups of locals
disinterested in the coming and goings of non-residents. The vast
majority of Bluff residents welcome travelers, and their coins, with
open arms.

20 pages + separate map
Revision History
1.00: (11/26/18) Initial Release
1.01: (11/28/18) Typos fixed including one on map. Thanks George Fields
for assistance.
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