Jestle
From The world of Yarel
Jestle
- Population
- 45,000
- Region
- Argatia
- Role
- Capital city
Jestle is the capital city of Argatia and home to the Argatian royal family. It lies at the main intersection between the south, the north and a major trade route through the Ridge Mountains to Espandor.
Contents |
[edit] Districts and layout
Jestle is roughly divided into six main regions - these divisions are not official or absolute but the names have stuck with the residents. There are also four main gates in the city walls.
[edit] The high
The high is a street stretching from the merchant's gate, running north-east through the city to the people' gate. The high is the bustling centre of commerce and activity, trade and events. Members of all walks of life may be found here, from beggars to gentry (and their minders). News, rare (and contraband) goods, gossip often reach the high before any other part of the city. As the saying goes:
If it's to be found in Jestle, you'll find it in The High.
The high is the site for the city's main daily market.
[edit] The neighbourhoods
The neighbourhoods to the west, intersected by The High, is the district that the middle and wealthier working class citizens call home. Public servants, artisans and business-owners make their homes here. Drinking establishments, ameneties and civic buildings are also a common sight in this area of the city.
[edit] Merchant's quarter
The upper eastern rise is filled from top to bottom with warehouses, luxurious dwellings and a few places of business owned by some of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the city. The presence of the city guard is also high, as would be expected in such a region.
Some trade is conducted from this region of the city, there is a market present in which more exotic goods are sold, particularly common in the merchant's market are sales of large quantities of goods between merchants.
Despite this, most of the goods stored in the warehouses here are transported to the high to be sold in the city's main marketplace, where higher prices can be demanded.
[edit] The noble's district
The north-west of the city is home to much of the gentry of the city, as well as the keep owned by the Argatian royal family. Security is high and guard patrols are a frequent ocurrence.
[edit] The hive
Visitors and outsiders may be forgiven for mistaking the hive for the neighbourhoods. Adjoining the neighbourhoods and running south of the high, bordering the beggar's district is this area of disrepute. This is the home of the free-thinkers and the adventurous, as well as the unofficial home of organised crime within the city. Crime levels as-reported are not that far higher than other regions, but this is because the locals know not to visit the hive unless they are prepared to defend their posessions.
The city guard are continually attempting to crack down on crime in this area but for every house of crime stamped out, two more appear in its place.
[edit] The beggar's district
A sea of habby dwellings in disrepair characterise the beggar's district. Cascading down the hills of the south-eastern quarter of the city, this urban jungle is perhaps the most hostile of the areas in the city. The guard do not spend much time here and often prefer to allow the inhabitants to fight their problems out amongst each other, as long as their conflict does not spill into the rest of the city or disturb important visitors.
There is a sense of pack loyalty amongst the natives of the beggar's district. A harsh form of unwritten law can be found here and it does not revolve around protecting the innocent. These people are insular and will stand up for one anther. Whilst the beggars may be weak individually, befriending just one may attract the assistance of many.
[edit] Major gates
- The noble's gate
- This gate opens into the noble's district on the north-west corner of the city.
- The merchant's gate
- The merchant's gate opens into the neighbourhoods on the south-west corner of the city and forms one end of the high. It is known as such because it is the primary entrance for trade caravans from Espandor.
- The people's gate
- The people's gate forms the other end of the high and is placed on the eastern side of the city, near the merchant's quarter and the beggar's district.
- The beggar's gate
- The beggar's gate opens on the south-east side of the city, near the southern edges of the beggar's district and the hive.
[edit] Notable organisations and establishments
- The Magi of Jestle keep a tower and school of magic 25 miles to the east of the city. Whilst the students' quarters are kept outside of the city, visiting students and professors are a fairly common sight in the city.
- A successful thieves guild operate within the city limits. It is widely accepted that their base of operations lies somewhere within the hive.
[edit] Politics
Queen Myless maintains a keep within the city walls that has served as the home of the royal family for many generations. The queen does not take an active role in the managing of the city however. This task is delegated to Lord Shernu who, along with a small council of officials, handle the day-to-day matters of running the city.
[edit] Noble families
- The Hezoru family have enjoyed status as official nobility for some generations.
[edit] Current events
A summary of the things going on in or around Jestle at the moment
