A Time of Learning - Chyril 22nd Morningtide

[Guest]

The Bazaar is the center of commerce of Gulanadur. The everyday buying of goods here is what helps greatly to keep Gulanadur economicly afloat.

Most of the Bazaar does not consist of permanent shops, more of kiosks, or tents. These shops are run by individuals, however, they are only allowed to sell there goods as long as they also feature the goods of one of three merchant houses. So, that shop keepers may come and go, mostly the goods stay the same.

It is true, that the Bazaar holds mostly the mundane items of life. But a few exceptions can be found.

The Bazaar is perhaps the seediest place in Gulanadur, for where money flocks to, so do cutpurses. Also any many illegal trades go on in the havoc of the Bazaar, but one must know someone that knows something to get involved with that.

Yet there is eyesore amongst the Middle Tier, and the Bazaar, and that is the Merchant Houses. Staying close to there businesses, they have build guady houses, though they are built in the tradtional manner, and watch over the Bazaar and the entire tier with a wary eye. As one Merchant House gains more wealth and power, the more of this teir they can claim. It is a most unnerving sight for those merchant houses that struggle, as they can literally watch as there what they have worked be taken up by competition.

As he walked among the tents and ever moving shops of the Bazaar, Maevin contemplated more than a few things. Why had he chosen this place? The young adhiel had asked himself. The answer came to him soon enough, though. To learn what I may. It did not sit well with the boy that he had been so sheltered in his home, especially with one of his energy.

It was with these thoughts, then, that Maevin stepped lightly through the keepers, peddling their wares that had come from merchant houses. More often than not, many of the shops had similar items, but it was indeed true that a rarity could be found now and then. Dark elf wasn't really interested in making a purchase, though. Maevin merely wished to sit back and view his kin in a more natural environment, rather than the dwelling that was his home, or the slave compound that had been his fathers work.

Eager to see what could be expected of his newly appointed life of freedom in Gulanadur, Maevin sat down quietly with his possessions....and watched.

[Tristam]

The marketplace was not as packed as it used to be. Once the stalls were packed edge to edge with no gaps and the crowds were thick enough to have to press your way through. Then came the Great Ascent and many adhiel surged to the surface for Queen and country or the opportunities of war. After the peace was won and Gulanadur at last was recognized in the surface world, many more ascended to start new lives and spread Gulanadur's inflence.

The result was a more open marketplace: less crowded but less grand. There is a large black tent bearing the Queen's crest that looms over the smaller merchant tents. Months ago it was the recruiting center for the Great Ascent but there were no large throngs of volunteers needing to be processed these days. A small tent to one side handled the few that wished to join the armed forces instead of ascending by other means. Now the tent was the headquarters for the expanded Trail Hunter's Guild. They verify that all those that travel and trade with the surface pay their fair share of taxes to the Queen and hunt down those that don't.

Maevin found himself sitting next to a street vendor's cart. The meaty smell of grilling mushrooms filled the air around it and many people stopped there for a quick snack before going about their shopping. The vendor was a chatty sort and talked idly with each of his customer's about the day. Which was why him falling silent and both he and his customer staring off was noticable. They were staring at a rare but more and more common sight: a human. In all ways he stood out. He was pale of skin and dark of hair. His clothes lacked the shine of the spider silks and leathers common to the dark adhiel. Instead it was a flat blue of odd design.

"One o' them merchants from Dort." The vendor drawled.

"Still can't believe we let them walk down here." The customer spit into the dust.