The Merchants’ Ward is the western half of Port Nyanzaru and represents the upper-class section of the city. Despite its name, most of the city’s merchants and traders actually live and work in the Market Ward.
Location and Features
The ward encompasses several significant locations:
- The Grand Souk - A major marketplace within the district
- Multiple merchant princes’ villas - The residences of Port Nyanzaru’s ruling elite
- Temple Hill - The westernmost hill, completely walled off and home to the temple of Savras
- Throne Hill - Connected to Temple Hill by a wide stone bridge with arched columns, site of Goldenthrone
Defenses and Structure
The Merchants’ Ward is protected by impressive barriers of massive, fitted stone walls decorated with colorful paintings of geometric designs, animals, and mythic figures. These walls represent the city’s “walls within walls” construction, raised by wealthy residents to defend against jungle dangers and potentially against the city’s less-well-off districts.
Access and Safety
When danger threatens the outer wards (Old City, Malar’s Throat, or Tiryki Anchorage), residents scramble to the safety of the Market Ward and Merchants’ Ward upon hearing warning horn blasts. The ward serves as a refuge during attacks by carnivores or undead.