Fast Facts
On the Western border marches of Olyalas, Taitaji is centered around the famous and spectacular Temple of Castanaea.
Population
Around 10,000 souls.
Governance
A border city of Olyalas. Ruled by the Lindeenil hearthbond who oversee the security of the Taitaji Marches, as the Marquisal Hearthbond.
Law and Order
The Bondguard, as usual in the Fireflow. They are inclined to lenience with revellers in Taitaji, thanks to the presence of the Temple of Castanaea.
Character
Trade flows over the Linemarmelta River (and other parts of the western border with Shemerion) more freely than over the southern border with The Grand Unity: the two upstart states both realising that they must at least co-exist peacefully if they are not to be re-conquered from Dradomanat. The border, however, is still a palpable one, and movement over it is closely regulated and is (at least formally) limited to a few key crossings. Taitaji stands well placed to benefit from this, being on the best trade route between the richest areas of each nation around their respective capitals of Nytheas and Vel-Shosha - a boardway along it's entire length.
As a well-sized city of almost 10,000 souls Taitaji has the bustling, hustling feel that might be expected of a town on a well-defended border that remains important for trade. It's barracks mean soldiers seem ever present - whether on patrol, or carousing in the "colourful" district of Ashlon, in the lowest habitable branches and on the border side of the city (also reputed to be the place to go if you need things that have travelled over the border via unofficial channels). Contrast this with the airy upper-branch district of Kysarine where the houses of the wealthiest merchants sprawl around the palace of the Marquesal Hearthbond of Lindeenil (the rulers of the Taitaji Marches regioin) and the spectacular (some would say gaudy) temple to Castanea, built through a grove of magnificent sweet chestnut trees. The temple with it's spiral-domed roof is a meeting point for making deals of all kinds, the site of regular, spectacular festivals of Castanaea, and the place to eat the most delicious sweet pastries in the Fireflow - at prices to match!
But the melting pot of Taitaji is Draze - the district on the edge of the main commercial area where all but the very poorest and the very richest in the city can enjoy spending an afternoon among the craft vendors, street food stalls and cafes, and the prime spots for street entertainment. Young and old can enjoy cooled drinks in the summer and warm snacks in the depths of winter. Some say it is the beating heart of this important provincial city.
Districts of Taitaji
As a well developed Stratified City (see Cities and Towns in the Trees), Taitaji has three layers: Treetops, The Branches and The Undercity, and its districts are spread across these, as shown below. "The Great Chestnut" is an ancient tree around which the city is centred, and where the most important transition point between the three strata of the city may be found.
Treetops Districts (Upper Level)
Kysarine
In the sunlit upper branches of Kysarine the houses of the wealthiest merchants and the well-to-do sprawl around the palace of the Marquesal Hearthbond of Lindeenil (the rulers of the Taitaji Marches region.)
The Chestnut Grove
The spectacular (some would say gaudy) temple to Castanea, built through a grove of magnificent sweet chestnut trees. Connections down into the entertainment district of Kapen are, of course, easily made.
The High Promenade
The city park where summer games are played in the sunshine, and winter ones in the snow. Where nobles go to practice their falconry, and those from the lower districts go to stare up at the sky and dream.
Haiburg
The high-class crafting district where the highest value crafts, needing the best light (and commanding the highest prices) are conducted. Jewellers, glass-blowers, the finest decorative woodcarvers, and the like.
The Branches Districts (Middle Level)
Note that the main ways in and out of the city are on this level.
The Forts
The military complex along the west of the city, defending the river crossing which forms the border, is centred in The Branches, although it extends both up and down to a more limited extent. The major barracks are at the southern end.
Kapen
The taverns, inns, theatres and music venues on which the town's economy thrives, associated more or less closely with the Temple of Castanaea, are concentrated in this area. The cater to the soldiers and general populace as well as to the visitors which the city attracts in numbers from all over The Fireflow.
Keltenstet
The main commercial, craft and administrative district of Taitaji. Administration is concentrated primarily close to The Forts, and the main market is in the northern section around the Nytheas boardway.
Draze
The district on the edge of the main commercial area where all but the very poorest and the very richest in the city can enjoy spending an afternoon among the craft vendors, street food stalls and cafes, and the prime spots for street entertainment. Young and old can enjoy cooled drinks in the summer and warm snacks in the depths of winter. Draze is the beating heart of this important provincial city.
The bustling boardways of Draze.
Waldbron
A mainly residential district where the middle classes live. Nicer than Monch, but linked to it by occasional stairways, especially in the north-eastern Equika enclave.
The Undercity Districts (Lower Level)
Hofterkirch
A rougher crafting district where the pile-'em-high-and-sell-'em-cheap basic manufacturing takes place. Leatherworking, tanning, cloth-dyeing and tinkering abound. Close to the lower section of The Forts to serve the lucrative military market as well as the general population.
Monch
The district where most of the poorer members of the populace live - the junior artisans, servants, and the soldiers who choose to live outside of the barracks with the wives, husbands or lovers. The Equika enclave close to the north eastern border of the city spans Monch and Waldbron.
Ashlon
The "colourful" district in the lowest habitable branches and on the border side of the city where a veritable tangle of ropeways lead to poor dwellings and businesses of a shadier or more morally questionable nature. Ashlon is also reputed to be the place to go if you need things that have travelled over the border via "unofficial" channels.