Soleria

Early settlers of Terapersü chose Soleria's location due to its easy access to a plentiful supply of natural resources. Not only is it close to the coast to allow for fishing and trade, but it is also positioned in between several small rivers and has easy access to the forest and mountains for basic building materials such as wood, coal, copper, iron and stone. The land just south of the city provides thousands of acres of extremely fertile soil that support many large farms. Most of the city sits protected behind massive 80 foot tall stone walls with arrow slits and over 30 towers. There are three gates that allow entrance into the city: the western gate which provides access from the coast and the easy transport of traded goods into the city, the southern gate which leads to the main road and to the many farms to the south of the city, and the eastern gate which opens towards the foothills, forest and mountains.

If you entered the city through the western gate you would be met by the overwhelming stench of fish and feces. Unkempt, broken down wooden houses and stone buildings line streets that are split in half by an open waste-water runoff canal draining into the watershed. In richer areas of the city these types of canals are covered in order to greatly reduce the stench and cesspits are also used as a more advanced sewage system. The main road into the city is the widest, and also the only street in this part of the city that was covered in cobblestones. The rest of the streets in the western part of the city are narrow and often muddy. The lack of a proper waste system makes this area of the city the most ravaged by disease.

This part of the city is mostly consists of clusters of residential housing for the poorest people in the city. Some of these homes are well-known homes of brewers, where many gather every night to drink and socialize as there is no separate tavern here. As you enter this part of the city from the gate you will also find the city's fishery, warehouse, almshouse and shipyard. If you know where to go, somewhere hidden to most, you will find several random shops that specialize in very uncommon goods. An apothecary that sells extremely rare plants and herbs, a shop that trades in dwarven-carved jewels, dishware and other wares, etc.

The southern gate is the main entrance to the city for those travelling by land from the southern cities in the realm. This road into the city is very wide and cobbled, with a closed sewer canal running through the center. Branching off from this large road are much thinner streets, though cobbled as well. The homes in this part of the city are much larger, two story homes held mostly by middle-class shop owners and craftsmen. This part of the city is also home to a large stable where visitors' can house their horses while staying in the city or purchase horses. On the main street, along with several large estates and medium-sized homes is a large community well, a small tavern and brewery, a barber and a tailor. If you wander around the various streets in this part of the city you can also find a few shops that are tucked away from the main marketplace of the city that are mostly visited by those who live here.

Through the eastern city gate you will find the most expensive homes within the city. Nobles who do not live within the castle own homes here. Very talented and successful craftsmen, aristocrats that owned land of farmers, very successful merchants and traders may also be able to afford these large, extravagant homes. In this part of the city there are several smiths, masons, woodshops, etc. Many of the homes here have courtyards and gardens and sit behind a tall wall. Their homes are run by several staff members including a steward, cook, baker, gardener, housekeeper, nanny, housemaids, kitchenmaids, and possibly others.

The heart of the city, though, is the large marketplace at its center. From dawn until dusk the marketplace is alive with activity. In the center of the marketplace courtyard is a large statue depicting three merpeople weaving through coral. two basins sit beside it, fed with water by a natural spring. Several other smaller statues line the edges of the courtyard as well.

Within the large courtyard there are several entertainers set up, dancers and musicians, singers, etc. The courtyard is where music, dance, and singing tournaments are held on occasion as well. Covered arcades with arch openings surround most of this courtyard, with openings for roads leading into and out of the marketplace. Positioned at each of these arches are mobile stalls where merchants come bi-weekly to sell food, clothes, jewelry, and some high-value goods. Behind these arcades, through the marketplace streets is where you will find permanent shops, large taverns and inns, etc. On the right side of the marketplace you will also find a large community well.