Black Arch
Black Arch is a dark, foreboding district. Without the use of magic or flight, all traffic to the higher wards must pass through Black Arch, and the district has been built to hold off an invading army. Fortified spires and guard posts are everywhere, and each of the major entrances has a heavy portcullis enchanted with arcane lock. During the Last War, a detachment of the King’s Guard was stationed in Black Arch, but today it is back in the hands of the Sharn Watch. The Watch assigned to Black Arch takes its job very seriously, and its members are among the most ethical and trustworthy to be found in Sharn, mostly due to the efforts of the district commander, Iyanna ir’Talan.
Most of the trades and services in this district support the Watch. There are a host of smithies, and it is an excellent place to obtain masterwork weapons and armor. House Jorasco maintains a house of healing near the garrison tower, and there is a House Sivis message station and Orien courier post to ensure quick communication between the garrisons.
This district was designed to withstand a full siege. Every bridge to the outer realms has a guard post and a heavy portcullis that can be lowered at a moment’s notice. The walls are unusually thick stone, and arrow slits and murder holes can be seen in every wall. A massive tower of black stone dominates the center of the district—the garrison of the Sharn Watch, and the city’s first line of defense against outside attack.
