Lockhinge Notes - Waterfront

The southern edge of Lockhinge is defined by the waterfront docks, overlooking the vast estuary that eventually runs into the ocean. For much of the city, there is a solid line of ledges and docks where house and market boats, and traveling rafts, can float right up and be more or less at "street" level. The ledges are tiered so that there is some dock along that edge roughly at the waterline as the tide goes in and out. Even though this docking area is fairly open and free to use, it is not counted as a third dock for traffic to enter the city, and is monitord closely. Everyone there is expected to have checked in and be carrying a permit to be there. Coming in from the swamp, even if you have a permit, youre expected to enter from west of the floating garden, which is considered riverside. the Waterfront is more considered a residential area, Riverside is considered the highway through which to reenter the city.
During market days, the waterfront becomes completely packed with boats and rafts selling food, drink, and wares. Shoppers can walk along the ledges and docks and make purchases from there, or take a raft to puruse the floating ones who couldn't or didn't want to park right up at the dock. (free for all but you do have to pay a fee if you dock? or it's just very busy and competitive, so some choose to free-float and are either confident enough in their products or don't want to deal with the chaos and only serve the ones who float out to them. Also maybe the fact that it's either locals, other houseboats, or really dedicated visitors who get on a raft to reach them)
When it's not a market day, the estuary bay is still full of houseboats and local fishers, considered another neighborhood of the city. area heavily monitored for threats, individuals in distress, or people trying to sneak into the city through the waterfront. sentries above and below the water.
While limited swimming is allowed in the bay, individuals are not allowed to get in and out of the water via the dock, and no swimming except around your own boat is allowed during market day.
The floating gardens are considered the western edge of the waterfront. everything beyond it is considered riverside, and that's where you go if you want to enter or leave the city, even if you leave via the waterfront.
further east, toward the keep, the docks break up as they reach land that stays dry even at high tide. this area is intentionally left more or less undeveloped, allowing for individuals to get to land and water on foot. This stretch of "beach" and open swamp is free for individuals to explore, but it is also heavily monitored, being that swamp threats are possible here, as well as environmental dangers such as the rising tide, and there are security concerns with it being closer to the castle. traffic is usually very light here, aside from events taking place (such as the giant bonfire during the Monster Parade).