We start with the most basic of things, the streets. Unlike many towns of this time, the streets here are not simple hard packed dirt, but laid cobblestone. The better for goods traveling to and fro from the port to the surrounding towns and cities to be distributed, and the merchants and powers that be paid large amounts of money to lay such works. You have to spend money to make money after all, and this was deemed easier than having wagons slogging through mud being delayed and constantly having to be dug out during the spring rainy seasons. Time is also money after all.
The bay it sits on is shallow so the larger war ships cannot make this a port of call, but smaller craft do stop by occasionally. The bay however does house merchants, pirates, slavers and the over all dregs of society that shun the rule of law.
The Dock Ward
The Dock district is perhaps the largest district in the Port. It encompasses not only the docks themselves, but also the commercial /privately owned warehouses that the merchants, who use the town as a home port, own and operate here. Spaces in some of them can be rented out by smaller businesses, though during the busy season the rates rise exponetially. Storage space is at a preimium and many goods are unloaded right to wagons to roll through town and off to their final destinations. It is rumoured that certian criminal elements are involved in the steeper prices. Tales of extortion and theft run rampant even during the off seasons of winter.
There are a few places on intrest here.
The One Eyed Dog- This is a tavern mostly frequented by sailors when they make port. A rough place and not for the faint of heart. Blood is spilled in there every night, and more than once a body has been tossed out the back into the harbor. Smugglers use it for small shipments as the tavern itself sits right on the edge of the water. At low tide the small dock that is normaly hidden by water at high tide is revealed, and boats can slip in and out quietly in the darkness.
Antonio Raiez- Moneylender. He works out of a warehouse close to the crossing from the Dock Ward to the Merchants Ward. While moneylender is the polite term loan shark is probably more true to form. Antonio is never found without at least two burly thugs escorting him around. One way or another, the people who take out a loan pay back. In blood or coin.
Port Authority- This is actually an Administrative postion, but the current head of this office is notoriusly corrupt. For a price shipments have not been logged, duties not taken, mooring fees not paid. Sometimes its expedient to move in silence, and not have those in authority knowing your about after all.
The Bell and Anchor Whorehouse- One of the cheaper brothels in the city. More like a collective of whores for the newly paid that largely speacilaizes in lower class patrons. Sailors paid after getting to port are usualy the ones found frequenting the rickity cribs of this brothel.
The Merchants Ward
The merchants ward is located directly after the Dock ward. The headquarters of many of the merchants who do business using the port can be found here. The arcitecture is a little better quality, as the offices are often made of highly skilled labor and treasured building materials. Customarily deals are brokered here with the various merchants, and then the orders are delivered by trusted servants over the merchants seals to their factors on the docks. To date there are only two major movers and shakers in the merchanting community: Raul de la Vega and a frenchman named Pierre la Carte. Other smaller merchants come and go, but they tend to rent smaller offices that are not as grand. The art of professional moneylending and banking can also be found here.
Places of intrest in the Merchants Ward are:
Offices of Raul de la Vega- These offices are located just beyond the gate to the Dock Ward. Of the two major players, Raul seems to be the more prosperous of the two. His offices are built of marble, and are highly polished, as well as brightly lit with many costly candles and lamps.
Offices of Pierre la Carte- Like his competiton, these offices are also lavishly appointed, though the material used to build these offices is simple stone quarried nearby. The entrance way however is blessed with a fountain of three cherubs cavorting in a pool where two of the three are spitting water into the third ones mouth.
Merchant Offices- These are smaller offices, usualy only one room shops located on either side of the streets. They are fairly made, but very much cookie cutter buildings made more for habitation than substance. The only diffrence is the signs on the front declaring who is in where.
Money Lenders Business- There is no main or overpowering player in the money lending trade yet. But a few smaller ones have set up shop here in the port, ready to finance a burgoning business, or to help finance a venture that could be profitable.
The Administration Ward
This ward holds the town's administration offices, the home of the mayor and the wealthy upperclass. It also holds the armory and the jail for the watch. The Town itself does not have guards persay, but it does boast a watch of lightly armed and trained troops. Typical armament on a watch patrol would be a short sword, belaying pin, and a firearm, probably of the wheelock variety.
Places of intrest in the Administration ward are:
The Mayors House- A large house built in geographically the very center of the Administration ward, right next to the main adminsitration building. Vistors here are frowned upon, though rumours persist of a secret tunnel from the house to the Angels Descend Brothel. perhaps the mayor has a few more vices, or the burdens of leadership need to be expunged discreetly.
The Administration Building- This is the large building built of white marble. During the daytime it almost seems to shine brightly in the sunlight. Built by the Romans , it has been kept up faithfully. Here the governing body administrates laws, performs trials, and levies taxes on the citizens of the port.
The Jail- A large stone building which also serves as the headquarters for the town watch. Here prisoners are held for a variety of crimes ranging from non payment of taxes, to murder. In the courtyard in the center sentences for capital crimes are carried out. beheading, hanging or burnings at the stake are all standard issue.
The Angels Descend House of Pleasure- High class house of pleasure. Here any and every fetish can be found. Slaves can be used in the cellers of the house, and the dungeons there are first rate. Be warned though, entrance to the house is exorbantly expensive, as you will be brushing elbows with the nobility, though many wear masks if little else to maintain the illusion of discretion.
The Market Ward
Here the buying and selling of trade goods goes about. Shops abound of various tradesmen, and in the center of the ward here, which borders the Dock ward on one side and the Merchant ward on the other, lies a huge bazzar of vendors and craftsmen. While there are plenty of items found in this ward, sometimes you need to wait for nightfall to buy the more...exotic items, like slavs or secrets, as a crowded bazzar is a perfect place for intrigue. The buyers and sellers the world over tend to house various spies.
There are only two points of intrest here.
The Bazaar- Here one can find just about anything that is naturally made..baskets, foodstuffs, and textiles being the main items of attraction, but pottery, glass and ceramics can also be found here. Weapons are not found in this bazzar however.
Shops- Shops of every trade can be found here, though there are no master craftsmen in such a town.