Marmella

Marmella is a bustling port city at the mouth of the Sylvan River. It is the regional capital and largest settlement of Illium, the easternmost province of the Pearl Empire. Whilst initially intended as an outpost for the Imperial garrison, it has grown larger and wealthier over the generations to become a beacon of culture, science and trade.

A Tale of Two Cities

The upper district of the city comprises the old temples, halls and mansions of the city's aristocratic elite, including the Duke and the Old Families. This upper city is built of marble and limestone, on the ruins of an ancient elvan citadel with The Ducal Palace at its peak. The nobles, priests and merchant princes of the upper city travel in well-guarded palanquins with silk curtains. One can hear chants echoing from the temple chambers, and Imperial legionnaires patrol the streets.
As Marmella grew beyond the safe marble confines of the outcrop its people built houses of stone and wood along the northern riverbank. This is where the city's traders, craftsmen and travellers mingle in the markets, inns and at the great Forum. Bridges have been erected across the river and canals cut into the soft banks, plied by barges and skiffs.
Across the bridges of the lower city Marmella becomes a great slum where once there were fishing villages. Thousands have come to the city for work or as refugees from other lands. They meek out a living along the riverbank, or travel up into the city to work for the wealthier.

The People of Marmella

As an imperial province, Illium is ruled by a cousin of the emperor, Duke Orchus from the safety of his palace. Though he holds ultimate authority the true elite of the city are the Old Families - merchant aristocrats who dominate the province's trade network.
Marmella attracts all sorts of people. Common folk from across Illium come to Marmella to make their fortune. The province's roads meet here at the rivermouth, and its great port makes it the export hub of the province's resources. Marmella is referred to as the "gateway to the Far East" and as such attracts adventurers and castaways. Walking the streets of Marmella is safe enough though like any city cutpurses and vagabonds stalk the laneways. The city's townsfolk are tough, good-natured and down-to-earth but they are wary of outsiders.

Marmella's Landmarks

Although Marmella does not boast the grand monuments and wonders of the Empire's Heartland cities there are numerous landmarks worth noting.

The Forum

The Forum is the beating heart of Marmella, a great meeting place for the city's people. On market days it is transformed into a patchwork quilt of stalls, vendors and shopfronts where bartering will work in lieu of strict coin. The city herald makes announcements at the Forum and great plywood boards display requests for tradesmen and workers, edicts from the Duke and other important notices.

The Pilgrim's Wife

The Pilgrim's Wife is the largest inn of Marmella. Right beside the Forum, it is at the city's great crossroads and attracts all kinds of locals and foreigners. Wine, ale and food is plentiful and affordable. Bards sing for their supper and townsfolk come to swap gossip and news.

The Ducal Palace

The grand home of the Duke of Illium, at the peak of the walled upper district. It is ringed with high stone walls and resplendent with gardens, ocean views and blue-tiled towers.

The Eagle Nest

The fortress home of the Imperial Legion, named the Eagle Nest for the Imperial eagles adorning its banners and sentries. The Nest is comprised of a keep, gatehouse and barracks. It separates the upper district from the lower parts of the city with a drawbridge and canal.

Weedy Lane

The craftsman's street. Smiths, weavers, tanners, joiners and more have their shopfronts along here. It's loud and raucous, smelling of leather and smoke. The Little Hammer is the city's most popular armoury, and the Misty Beaker sells potions, ointments and pastes for every day uses.

The Blue Library

The largest collection of written words in Illium. The Blue Library is a great trove of histories, stories and spellbooks, financed by the wealthy Medalyra family. One can sell and buy books here, or simply peruse them with the permission of the librarians.

The Great Odeon

An immense open-air amphitheatre cut into the rock by the cliffs, able to seat thousands. It has been refurnished of late by the Petalli family. At the Odeon one can pay for tickets to see tragedies and comedies, great works of song and poetry.

The Customs House

A fortified tower built on a small island at the Inlet mouth, connected to other islands and the upper district by stone bridges. The customs house is where all ships come to dock. It contains a weigh house for goods and a tariff office. The navy's shipyard is also adjoined to the customs house.

River Rat Lane

The scummy market street of Marmella's underbelly. Located in the riverbanks amidst hovels and mudpits, River Rat Lane is home to the city's brothels, cheap alehouses and gaming parlours. One must be wary of thieves... and worse. The River Rats - a gang of criminals and thugs who borrowed the street's name - run many of the establishments. One comes to this part of town to trade in the black market.

Type

City