Jan 25, 2019 2:09 am
It was a balmy night in Esterwyn, the crescent moon and twinkling stars bright and clearly visible. The cool sea air blew in from the ocean, cooling the night but not unpleasantly so. The brightness of the evening and the temperature meant that there was more foot traffic this evening than normal. The crowd, for the most part, was gathered around the taverns of the entertainment district, as well as its less reputable venues. The Merchant Quarter was alive with the night markets, with many stopping for food of all kinds before moving onto the night market. Bards of all stripes moved throughout the city, busking and trying to earn the attention of the crowd.
You found yourself moving through the crowds as well, whether by walking smaller roads or in a boat that was making its way through the canals of the city. Regardless of why you had ventured out that night, you found yourself in the Seafront District. The district was comprised of waterways and docks for the most part. It was an area that never slept, as captains came in and unloaded their cargo before moving on. The area was renown for its more colourful taverns, where dockworkers, sea hands and crews came to spend their money before the next ship or voyage took place. It was also not uncommon to find captains negotiating over the cost of their cargo, normally with city officials or representatives of the noble class. The landmasses that the docks and taverns existed on were almost like islands in the district, broken up by the canals, many of which were deep enough to have a full vessel make use of.
Despite it being a working district, there was still a beauty to the buildings and warehouses. They lined the streets or docks in an orderly fashion, many showing intricate carvings of the oceans, waves or marine life, particularly on the domed rooves that were tiled for the most part. Classic motifs like columns, pilasters, pediments and blind arches were common. Typically you knew that the more richly decorated a dock or warehouse was the more likely it was to be owned by a member of the Great Council. Everything was a reflection of themselves and they could allow nothing to call their wealth or honor into question. Even the cobblestone roads were decorated with vegetation and the occasional archway. You also passed the homes of the lower middle class of Esterwyn, many choosing to make their home here despite the constant noise and smell, so they could be close to the largest source of work in city. The city guard patrolled lightly, each carrying a musket and blade, adorned in the dark blue and red of the guard.
As you made your way through the night, the sea breeze carried on it the unmistakable aroma of smoke. Looking off into the distance you saw an orange glow. A moment later you heard faint screams on the wind. Without realizing it, you broke into a run heading towards the source of the commotion. It was not long before you were joined by the city guard. A fire like this was a great risk, not just to the people in the home but to the entire city, since if it wasn’t contained you knew the whole city could burn to ash. Eventually, you turned onto the street and looked to the end where several homes were engulfed in flame, smoke billowing into the night air.
The fire had engulfed three homes on all sides and what appeared to be a bakery in one of the basements. The fire was everywhere, the roof was on fire, the doors and windows were on fire, fire was even coming out of the house through various openings, as did the smoke. As you stood there stunned for a moment, you heard screams and shouts from help inside the burning building. The city guard seemed to be focused on stopping the spread of the fire, using buckets to put out embers before they could catch. Those men knew that for the greater good of the city, the fire had to be stopped, no matter the cost to life but even as you watched, more spot fires began to spring up despite their efforts.
You found yourself moving through the crowds as well, whether by walking smaller roads or in a boat that was making its way through the canals of the city. Regardless of why you had ventured out that night, you found yourself in the Seafront District. The district was comprised of waterways and docks for the most part. It was an area that never slept, as captains came in and unloaded their cargo before moving on. The area was renown for its more colourful taverns, where dockworkers, sea hands and crews came to spend their money before the next ship or voyage took place. It was also not uncommon to find captains negotiating over the cost of their cargo, normally with city officials or representatives of the noble class. The landmasses that the docks and taverns existed on were almost like islands in the district, broken up by the canals, many of which were deep enough to have a full vessel make use of.
Despite it being a working district, there was still a beauty to the buildings and warehouses. They lined the streets or docks in an orderly fashion, many showing intricate carvings of the oceans, waves or marine life, particularly on the domed rooves that were tiled for the most part. Classic motifs like columns, pilasters, pediments and blind arches were common. Typically you knew that the more richly decorated a dock or warehouse was the more likely it was to be owned by a member of the Great Council. Everything was a reflection of themselves and they could allow nothing to call their wealth or honor into question. Even the cobblestone roads were decorated with vegetation and the occasional archway. You also passed the homes of the lower middle class of Esterwyn, many choosing to make their home here despite the constant noise and smell, so they could be close to the largest source of work in city. The city guard patrolled lightly, each carrying a musket and blade, adorned in the dark blue and red of the guard.
As you made your way through the night, the sea breeze carried on it the unmistakable aroma of smoke. Looking off into the distance you saw an orange glow. A moment later you heard faint screams on the wind. Without realizing it, you broke into a run heading towards the source of the commotion. It was not long before you were joined by the city guard. A fire like this was a great risk, not just to the people in the home but to the entire city, since if it wasn’t contained you knew the whole city could burn to ash. Eventually, you turned onto the street and looked to the end where several homes were engulfed in flame, smoke billowing into the night air.
The fire had engulfed three homes on all sides and what appeared to be a bakery in one of the basements. The fire was everywhere, the roof was on fire, the doors and windows were on fire, fire was even coming out of the house through various openings, as did the smoke. As you stood there stunned for a moment, you heard screams and shouts from help inside the burning building. The city guard seemed to be focused on stopping the spread of the fire, using buckets to put out embers before they could catch. Those men knew that for the greater good of the city, the fire had to be stopped, no matter the cost to life but even as you watched, more spot fires began to spring up despite their efforts.
OOC:
What do you do?
