Old Sky-Side

Weaving and tangled streets move about a plethora of buildings, townhouses and multi-dwelling blocks, giving way to some more middle of the road and quaint dwellings, with a bit of flair, still built in a symetrical and straight edged dwarven style, the dominant architectural style of Suranthi culture. This quaint northern neighbourhood twists and turns as one follows any of the main thoroughfares, and opens up into a small industrial complex in the south east, dominated by various metal manufacturing, mostly for locomotives or for sky-ships. From there, connecting to the southwest one will find the Sky-Side markets, an always bustling marketplace where one can find quite a wide and varied selection of goods, as these are the shops most often importing goods by rail and air. Though not quite the tourist trap of Dicetown, there are delights to be had here. It is also a busy central hub of trade as well. All this whilst overhead one will get occasional glimpses of the majesty that is Sky-Ships, as they fly overhead at quite a low altitude, doing their necessary circular approach to make dock at the Geata Sky-Port. Most of this district is quite old as well, and one can feel the history pressing all around them, from the architecture to the layout of the twisting streets, which were obviously grided out around the structures already in place, unlike future expansions of some parts of the city. An interesting blend of history and modernization to be sure, and with a fair number of destinations worthy of visiting. For a first time visitor, you will find a handful of notable destinations briefly noted here, but no more than that. For mere words pale to describe places, people and things that need to be experienced. I would urge you then, dear reader, to visit these locations yourself if they strike your fancy, and if you should ever find yourself in the Old Sky-Side district of Geata-Iarainn.

Mar'elin Du'ristic

Key Landmarks and Locales

• Geata Sky-Port: A docking area, able to fit 10 Sky-Ships, though it is nearly unheard of for this port to be at capacity. A picturesque view, nestled between the city's outer walls to the west and north, with the edge of a mountain as backdrop to the east, and the cliff that overlooks the bay far below to the south. Anchoring here is a harrowing and exhilirating adventure, one that only the most skilled pilots and Aeronaut crews would ever have permission to attempt. The unique geography, combined with the way the winds come in off the bay and the Nor'Westor Sea create a constant sort of vortex that requires precise guidance, and a precise pathing approach. Sky-Ships will come in high, swinging over the lower plateau to the east, sailing over the Sky-port, descending as they circle, passing over Old Sky-Side quite low. As they circle, back out over the bay to the west and south, passing over the cliffside walls, they may only be three hundred feet or so higher than the wall itself. This may sound high up, but I assure you for Sky-Ship travel that is, in most cases, concerningly low. Swinging in that wide spiral, riding the current, they steer around the three massive stalacites that protrude from the bay, finishing the loop in a tight arch that puts them on a straight away with the Sky-Port. Once they are about halfway through that final straight on approach, they are at the point of no return, the vessel is committed regardless of the outcome. They have not the time and distance to get high enough to avoid a collision, and if they come in to low, they'll smash into the cliffs. In spite of the difficulty of this rather tight and weaving approach, there has been but one accident in the three decades since the port opened, and it was in only its second year operating.

• Ironhide Eatery and Deli: This eatery and deli is run by an old dwarven couple, and is well worth the visit for those of an adventurous palette. The couple, Bavirn and Elda Ironhide, used to be hired blades of a sort, known as 'Tunnel Runners' by the various mining businesses across Suranth. It is not an official position, more one kept on contract or temporary mercenary status. The basic principle of such work is whenever a new set of caves or natural caverns is to be opened up for prospecting and mining, the regions that are to be sectioned off will need to be kept clear of the more dangerous varieties of Depths wildlife until such a time as the necessary expansions of the fortifications and external blockades and the like can be finished. Tunnel Runners are the answer to that gap in time. The basic job is pest control, essentially. Wander that outer region of the Depths, and keep things like Stone-Claws, Slivs or worse away from the expanding operations. The Ironhides over their years taught themselves many a unique recipe, allowing them to travel lighter and more effectively in the role, as they could sustain off the strange and unique wild-life of the biome that they were being paid to keep away already. Now they bring that knowledge and that world of unique foods and flavors to regular people. Naturally they do keep a healthy menu selection, offering a handful of more common and popular options for those whom are perhaps less brave of palette.

• Hall of Heroes Cathedral: A large religious institute, offering services to all nine faiths, with small chapel rooms to hold sermon for each, this institution does offer a moderate sized library, as well as being the caretakers of one of the major graveyards of the city. It is a popular enough destination, and the architecture is of a style no longer utilized, and is stunning in its stark beauty. The building carved in a simple fashion, mostly with that very symmetrical straight edged, tight cornered Suranthi and dwarven style, but with one caveat. The longer walls of the building, spaced equally apart, are thickened to allow statues, effigies of the eight Ascended besides Sir Kartheart to be carved into the building, as if part of the structure, the stonework wall partially hollowed out to form the shapes and likeness. This stylistic choice was the last of its kind to be constructed some four centuries ago, and is by far in the best shape of any like it anywhere in the world, the details still rather crisp, showing only the barest salt water weathering. They are part of the very structure, four to a side. Sir Kartheart stands dominant of course, out front of the structure, given his own pedestal to overlook the realm of his birth, as would have been custom in this style.

• The Blackened Pick Alehouse: This alehouse and eating hall is well known for its strong, hearty dishes and generous portions, as well as being a favorite drinking house of those in leadership positions in the mining industry. Foremen, lead prospectors, overseers and their ilk. It is a bit of an upper class establishment for the district and one should come with coin to match what that suggests if they intend a night out here or they may find themselves woefully short on coin very quickly. The coal and spruce smoked boar flank with the wild turnip, onion and radish mash is divine and well worth the price. For added kick besides whatever spices Gerino the head chef uses, ask for the halfman's house glaze over it all. The odd flavor combination of the mint and crushed pepper you would think would be inconcievable, yet somehow he balances it just perfectly, with a dash of honey to lead it, letting that sweet smokey flavor guide you to the heat, which rises to a crescendo before the mint begins to dance along the tongue, cooling everything off just before becoming uncomfortable. It is also a favorite destination in the local area for business types, and for non-formal business meetings, so one never knows what interesting word of mouth they may hear, if they are sharp and attentive.

• The Blackstone Hall: This is one of two inns in the district, and is the less seedy of the two, with a decent reputation as a comfortable, simple, but cozy middle of the road option. However it also gets its name from the infamous Blackstone Company, whom operate and recruit out of this inn and tavern as one of the many they have across the Tundra Realms. They are a well known private security sort of outfit, specializing in protective travel escorts in more rural travel and transit, though capable of doing the job in more civilized and urban settings in a pinch.

• Sky-side Markets: A bustling trade market, where one will find many a shop worth perusing, filled with all manner of odd and end. This market is worthy of note for its imports most of all, as a great deal of its stock is not local but is shipped in via rail or aero. You will find precious few custom craftsmen here, just business folk, and perhaps those whom dabble. This marketplace is where one would seek to go however, if looking for familiar delights, delicacies and comforts from more southern climes during the summer and autumn months, the busiest parts of the trade season. This is also where, once every three months, the GPD holds their auction, selling off old confiscated evidence, of a non-contraband nature of course, to paying members of the public.

• The Rusty Pickaxe: This inn and alehouse have a notably tough and rumble reputation, and one that is well earned. A favorite of the lowest end of the mining crews, the laborers and stone breakers, tough men paid rather tough wages for shite work. They are not harvesting valuable ores or gems or the like, but merely busting rocks day in and day out. Fights and brawls are common place, and things can get out of hand with alarming frequency. The local police precinct are very familiar with this establishment. The accomodations are of a poorer and lower end quality, but at the very least are serviceable, though with a notable risk of lice or fleas.

• GPD, Old Sky-Side Precinct: Run by Constable Torvar Crownhelm, a young dwarf approaching his second century, an up and comer in the force. This precinct is the operational center for some thirty or so of Geata-Iarainn's law enforcement officers, mostly just patrol officers.

Type

District

Location under

Geata-Iarainn

Ironhide Deli and Eatery by Keon Croucher (discord name, drizzt103) was the input operator, Midjourney AI took those inputs and put the image together.

Interior of Ironhide Deli and Eatery.

Hall of Heroes, in a Winter's Dawn by Keon Croucher (discord name, drizzt103) was the input operator, Midjourney AI took those inputs and put the image together.

Hall of Heroes Cathedral, early morning.

Constable Torvar Crownhelm by Keon Croucher, using Heroforge

Constable Torvar Crownhelm