Post by Cao Ren on Jul 7, 2006 23:12:41 GMT -5
A short walk from the docks at Xiang Yang finds one in the midst of the portside residential and commercial area. Many of the citizens that live in this part of the city are fishers or merchants that use the river to ferry cargo to and from the marketplace of the city. The market itself is located in this district, and abounds with a variety of goods from each and every city that shares the waters with Xiang Yang. As fish is one of their specialties, a plethora of the tents handle the catches of the city; one should be ready to endure the overpowering stench of fish before coming to browse!
Of course, as in every town, the nighttime sees a larger share of the crimes committed within the city walls, and as one walks the streets (hopefully with a weapon handy), one can count on hearing the shattering of pottery, the sound of a body hitting the ground, or even the desperate struggles between two or more men comtesting control of a knife. The city guard is particularly vigilant in light of this, however when dealing with a city of this size, there will always be that one back street, that one dark ally, that one death that will be missed.
The tavern, located just far enough away from the marketplace to occasionally be outside of the non-specific guard patrols, has always had a share of rough or seedy types stopping in for a drink. They often find sanctuary in one of the dark corners of the bar area, savoring the dimly-lit evening scene. A large number of tables and chairs stand ready for use, and by the dead of the night, most of them are usually occupied by ship crews or townsfolk confident in their ability to hold their own in a fight. The bar itself supports a dozen or so patrons, and a small stage towards the back. where the landlady and others she hires perform with musical instruments, mostly during the day, when she has run of the tavern.
At night the landlord, a man named Chen Jing, wakes and relieves his wife, who slips out the back to their home, which is nearby. Though honest enough, Jian is known and respected by his night patrons for the blind eye he turns away from the various acts of excess and vice that go on in his establishment. He tolerates these men, because their coin is as good as the next mans, and what trouble does start is often delt with before it gets out of hand...
Of course, as in every town, the nighttime sees a larger share of the crimes committed within the city walls, and as one walks the streets (hopefully with a weapon handy), one can count on hearing the shattering of pottery, the sound of a body hitting the ground, or even the desperate struggles between two or more men comtesting control of a knife. The city guard is particularly vigilant in light of this, however when dealing with a city of this size, there will always be that one back street, that one dark ally, that one death that will be missed.
The tavern, located just far enough away from the marketplace to occasionally be outside of the non-specific guard patrols, has always had a share of rough or seedy types stopping in for a drink. They often find sanctuary in one of the dark corners of the bar area, savoring the dimly-lit evening scene. A large number of tables and chairs stand ready for use, and by the dead of the night, most of them are usually occupied by ship crews or townsfolk confident in their ability to hold their own in a fight. The bar itself supports a dozen or so patrons, and a small stage towards the back. where the landlady and others she hires perform with musical instruments, mostly during the day, when she has run of the tavern.
At night the landlord, a man named Chen Jing, wakes and relieves his wife, who slips out the back to their home, which is nearby. Though honest enough, Jian is known and respected by his night patrons for the blind eye he turns away from the various acts of excess and vice that go on in his establishment. He tolerates these men, because their coin is as good as the next mans, and what trouble does start is often delt with before it gets out of hand...