Freeport Merchant District
The Merchant District is the swankest part of Freeport, home to the rich and influential upper classes. Many residents of Freeport never enter this part of town—and wouldn’t be allowed to stay long if they did. Only the wealthy are welcome here, and the teams of private guards that patrol the district make this abundantly clear to those of the lower class who might wander into the area.
Wave Street is the main drag that runs right through the center of the district. It starts up at the west gate of the Old City and goes from there to the Plaza of Gold, the highest point in the city proper. It continues past the plaza and down to the sea to the Marina, a private pier utilized solely by the city’s seafaring elite.
Despite being isolated from the rest of the community simply by its standards of wealth, the Merchant District still shares borders with other parts of the city. Drac’s End and the Temple District form the Merchant District’s western border. The Warehouse District and the Docks form the eastern border. The Old City, with its towering curtain wall, sits to the south. Freeport Harbor and the forests of Skull Island form a natural barrier to the north. Always the center of Freeport’s wealth and power, the Merchant District remains the most prosperous place in the city. Few here have truly suffered, but many fear that they yet might. The Lord might claim their finances, their business could dry up, or their servants might turn on them out of greed and jealousy. The scions of the Merchant District swagger in public, but in private, their paranoia continues to rise.
Wave Street is the main drag that runs right through the center of the district. It starts up at the west gate of the Old City and goes from there to the Plaza of Gold, the highest point in the city proper. It continues past the plaza and down to the sea to the Marina, a private pier utilized solely by the city’s seafaring elite.
Despite being isolated from the rest of the community simply by its standards of wealth, the Merchant District still shares borders with other parts of the city. Drac’s End and the Temple District form the Merchant District’s western border. The Warehouse District and the Docks form the eastern border. The Old City, with its towering curtain wall, sits to the south. Freeport Harbor and the forests of Skull Island form a natural barrier to the north. Always the center of Freeport’s wealth and power, the Merchant District remains the most prosperous place in the city. Few here have truly suffered, but many fear that they yet might. The Lord might claim their finances, their business could dry up, or their servants might turn on them out of greed and jealousy. The scions of the Merchant District swagger in public, but in private, their paranoia continues to rise.
Demographics
The residents of Freeport's merchant district are mostly Human, thoug a few wealthy Elves, dwarves, and even halflings find homes here. Demi-humans walking around the street will instantly bring attention unless they are well known residents of the district.
Government
The Merchant District is under the governing law of Freeport, but there is also an unofficial group that act as local decision makers, and gatekeepers for the district. They are made up of the wealthiest families in Freeport and have a strong influence on the Lord of the City. Some even sit upon the Captain's Council.
This group ensures the district stays "pure" and basically dictate who is allowed to have a residence or business in the district. They also act as enforcers of the district's code of appearances, establishing rules suck as the color of houses, the types of architecture is allowed for each neighborhood, and even down to ensuring the ground on each property are well kept. T hoes who do not follow their rules will find it very difficult to live in the district.
This group ensures the district stays "pure" and basically dictate who is allowed to have a residence or business in the district. They also act as enforcers of the district's code of appearances, establishing rules suck as the color of houses, the types of architecture is allowed for each neighborhood, and even down to ensuring the ground on each property are well kept. T hoes who do not follow their rules will find it very difficult to live in the district.
Defences
The residence of the Merchant District have hired a mercenary company called The Union Watch to reinforce the Freeport Guard.
While the Union and the Guard are supposed to work hand in hand, the union are better trained and armed, and both groups know this leading to some animosity.
While the Union and the Guard are supposed to work hand in hand, the union are better trained and armed, and both groups know this leading to some animosity.
Infrastructure
The roads of the district are well-maintained and clean. A crew of Half Orcs hired from Scurvytown ensure that by working on cleanup and repair crews. They are only allowed to do their work at night, as not to "muddy up" the atmosphere of the district. The work is a bit humiliating but pays well to a group that has trouble finding work other than labor intensive dock work. The district is the only one that all street are wide enough to support full carriages.
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