The High Quarter

What a grand array of buildings and personages await the fortunate traveler who decides to stroll down the Promenade! What marvels of architecture! What splendid grace and beauty, such impres sive style!

The grand edifices of the Free City's High Quarter are, in general, mansions that would be fit for the ruler of most political entities. In Greyhawk, however, such homes are the Just rewards for successful merchants, important ambassadors, the city's own Directors, and others of wealth and station. (Actually, in the Free City, wealth is station.)

The mansions sprawl over large estates-an equivalent amount of property might hold the homes of 1.000 souls in the cramped confines of the Old City.

Stores and shops are not found in the High Quarter; the residents can usually find everything they need at the city's High Marketplace. The only busmesses in the quarter are those gambling houses, taverns, and clubs that cater to a wealthy clientele.

The noble district 1s the best illuminated of the city's quarters after dark, for each mansion maintains a lamp on the road before it, and the city maintains other lamps at frequent intervals along each thoroughfare.

ln addition, the guard patrols of the city watch are diligent and common in the High Quarter. A standard patrol will arrive within 1d6 rounds following any loud cry of alarm in the High Quarter.

Also, the private agents of the Nightwatchmen are employed throughout the lligh Quarter, sometimes to watch a single mansion, and other times to patrol a region of several estates. When the Nightwatchmen form such roving patrols. they go in groups of five. accompanied by two great hounds (war dogs)

The roads of the High Quarter bustle with crowds only on the occasions of parades and festivals. The quarter receives a lot of traffic every Starday, attracted by the grand array of booths and stalls in the High Marketplace.

Otherwise, the quarter is quiet. with only a few people moving about at any one time. These travelers are nobles in carriages, on horseback, and afoot, their servants (with or without their masters), craftsmen hired to work in the High Quarter on their way to and from the Job, and many others. Travel is allowed to and from the High Quarter with no restrictions. but a visitor to the quarter who appears to be up to no good loitering about, acting furtive, associating with known criminals, etc.) is quickly ace ousted by a guard patrol. If the visitor can produce no good reason why he is in the High Quarter. he is escorted to the Garden Gate with orders not to return without a valid purpose.

The High Quarter was established centuries ago, and though nobles, merchant princes, ambassadors, and city officials have come and gone, their great estates and manor homes have largely remained intact. No shops or businesses are based here, as the High Market caters to most of the needs of the High and Garden Quarters. The landscape here is parklike, with marvelous gardens, exotic architecture, and open spaces common. The streets are crowded only during parades and festivals, and on Freeday, — the most popular day for shopping in the High Market. At other times, only a few nobles and upper class citizens are out in their carriages, on horseback, or on foot. At night, the High Quarter is well illuminated by streetlamps and lights on the mansions themselves. City Watch patrols are everywhere, and private guards are also numerous. The Nightwatchmen roam at night in groups of five, accompanied by war dogs. Anyone who appears to loiter or act suspiciously is questioned by guards and escorted to the Garden Gate, with orders not to return unless there is actual pressing business here.