Ah…the Marketplace. Finally I have managed to obtain that blasted commendation from the Harbormaster and gain entry to Stormreach proper. Now to explore my new locale…
On passing through the archway I am greeted by an amusing site: a barbarian/rogue dancing in the fountain, while the barbarian and ranger trainers watch with ill-concealed distaste. Seems some people are happier to be here than others. A rather surly Warforged named Bellwether Bill stands before the fountain, and I stop to see what he can tell me. He appears well-placed in the local community, and shares some bits of information about the market. It’s a good sized area, with convoluted paths and overarching bridges and various people scattered about. Mostly it’s divided into four “quarters” -- Jester’s Haunt, Soulgate, Falconer’s Spire, and Silversmith Road. I’m standing in Jester’s Haunt, which continues to the southeast. I’ll head that way first.
On my way out, I pass several class trainers. I make note of the ranger trainer for when I’ll be able to improve my skills. Following the road east, I pass by an odd assortment of folk. The dwarf collecting morbid curios is perhaps the strangest, although the pretty woman with the insect collection does make me shudder. There is a street performer, complaining about losing his clientele to the Phoenix Tavern on the west side. Maybe he’d do better to actually perform, rather than gripe. . .Speaking of taverns, I find my way southeast to the Rusty Nail. It’s not quite the dive I’m used to from the Harbor, but it’s not the classiest establishment either. It’s rather empty this time of day, but I do take the time to speak with the cleric on duty (just as a precaution of course). I’d hate to have to make the trek from the Harbor again. On my way out, I’m accosted by a young woman entreating for aid in the sewers. I shrug her off, but take note of her location – it never hurts to know where work can be found.