by Tooey
Layout
The city itself lies in a valley, on the southern bank of the Olorun River. It is entirely walled, but for one place on its western border near the Merchants' and Gentry's quarters and the Temple District, where the city appears to break out of the wall. The gates are locked at night, at which point travellers must enter the city on foot only. The main gate, called the Great Gate, is located on one of the bridges, known as Kingsbridge. Three bridges link the northern and the southern banks of the river, with the wealthier homes to the northern bank and the less wealthy sticking to the southern.
Corus is comprised of five districts: the Lower City, the Marketplace, the Merchants' and Gentry's quarters, the Temple District, and the Palace. The Palace lies on the southern border of the city, with the Temple District and Merchants' and Gentry's quarters to the west. The exact locations of the Marketplace and the Lower City are a little bit hazy, but they're somewhere to the north and east of the Palace.
The Lower City is basically the ghetto of Corus. That's where the poor live, and also the burglars, cutthroats, murderers, pickpockets, cutpurses, and all-purpose thieves. It's also home to the Rogue and its King or Queen of the moment. This is the most dangerous area in Tortall. Crime and filth abound, as do unsavory types who enjoy stealing money and hurting people. The Lower City is avoided by those who can avoid it, its streets warily walked by those who cannot.
The Marketplace is exactly what it sounds like--a place for merchants and consumers to come during the day, to buy and sell and exchange goods and services. While it is a colourful and exciting place, it is also home to many pickpockets, cutthroats, and outright thieves, trying to make a living in their own way.
The Merchants' and Gentry's quarters is the opposite of the Lower City. That's where all the rich people live, or the people who are wealthy enough to not have to live in the Lower City. Merchants are those who make trade for a living, and the gentry is a fancy word for nobility. It's safer, swankier, and all-around better.
The Temple District is home to Corus's many temples, priests, and priestesses; places of worship and disciples of practically every god, local or foreign. Temples are holy ground, and any person may seek sanctuary in one. It is also home to the city's most impressive and bountiful gardens. This district is known for being safe, due to both the protection provided by the holy ground and the fact that beyond it lies the Palace, and sure safety.
The Palace isn't home to just the King and Queen and their family. It includes the court of noblemen and mages that choose to stick around, as well as a wide variety of livelihoods that support those who live there, including but not limited to smiths, woodworkers, livestock, and bakeries. At any given time, there may be one or more Shang living there. It has its own wall, plus a moat (complete with bridge), and just behind it, slightly beyond the city, lies the Royal Forest.
The University actually lies outside of Corus, though there are no specifics (found as yet) as to exactly where outside of the city it is.
The Rogue
The Rogue is the most widespread system of organized crime in the world, with its strongest branch based out of the heart of the Lower City in Corus. It has a Queen or a King, a Second, occasionally a Lady, Generals, a Spymaster, and various other positions. The Rogue in Port Caynn (and presumably other Tortallan cities) follows the monarch in Corus. For more information, see the Rogue tutorial.
Traveling
Have some travel times, for reference!
- The Great Southern Desert lies two days' easy ride away.
- It takes a week to ride from Corus to Persopolis, in the Great Southern Desert.
- It is a twelve day ride to reach the Drell River Valley.
- It takes about half a day to ride from Corus to Port Caynn.