The heart of any city is a place where the community can come together and let their beards down. Tavern squares are a prime example of this. In dwarven culture, a tavern square is a dedicated location where all manner of ales, dried meats, stews, sweets and savouries are sold and consumed. A place of games, gambling, smoking, flirting and tall ales. No-one does it better than the dwarves.
The tavern squares consist of a delivery courtyard in the very centre with small alleyways to each tavern that needs to be supplied. The taverns are a multi-level terraced square of structures that surround the delivery yards and gardens. In front of the buildings is a large open thoroughfare where markets or parades are held. Direct access to multiple levels of a city is also available here and a number of shops and services are available emanating out from the central structures. The usual pattern of higher social status being towards the top levels is no exception here either, with the top-most tavern usually being an exclusive venue only available to the city elites and nobles.
The Tavern square is seen as one building which consists of numerous internal parts. Much like a bazaar or market. Taverns within the square tend to follow quite an interesting naming scheme which generally consists of an activity and a mythical beast partaking in said activity. Some examples would be the famed “Drinking Bear” tavern in the mighty city of
Ang'verd or the “Jousting Dragon” in the city of
Longshard. Many taverns also place exterior signs up and have their mythical mascots competing with the tavern next door in a jovial way. The “Husband Hydra” and “Wife Hydra” tavern located in the centre of the city of
Jyok'var are both signs mounted on the same sculpted hydra torso.
Music is played almost perpetually by talented
songsmiths plying their trade. Their songs can be heard echoing through the nearby halls and alleyways a great distance. Much to the annoyance of some but sheer enjoyment of others.
If a patron is kicked out of one establishment, they’re free to wander into another neighbouring one. There are usually military patrols roaming throughout these areas which keep any conflicts that may arise to a minimum. Counterintuitively, these hearts of the city are usually some of the safest locations to be, although perhaps not from an outsider's perspective.
This is a submission for my first ever Summer Camp in 2024 - I hope you enjoy my writings and I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback!
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