My time in Svartrau allowed me to walk the whole city, see both its busy streets and some parts that I would not dare enter if not for one of the locals who accompanied me.
Silberstein is where the rich and powerful lay their heads to sleep. The streets are clean and the houses that belong to the nobility are impressive. It is also one of the safest places in the city – the guards here are ever vigilant and known for their strict enforcement of common law.
At the other end of the scale, there are the Middens – while Silberstein is opulent and prosperous, the run-down houses of the city’s slums are a dreadful sight. People here are distrustful and desperate – vagabonds, paupers, and wretches of all sorts make their living in this district. It is ill-advised to go inside the Middens alone, especially at night.
As in many other big cities, Svartrau has a small but influential Jewish diaspora within its walls. By Vale Sangora’s rulers’ decree, the Hebrews are allowed to live and conduct their business in their enclave known as Neustadt.
And, last but not least, there’s Altenmarkt – by many considered the heart of Svartrau. Full of shops, stalls, taverns, and other interesting establishments, Altenmarkt is where city life is at its busiest. Just a day on the main square will suffice to see why Svartrau is considered to be a real melting pot of cultures, faiths, and traditions.
