Sundown (Past Chronicle 2010 & Earlier)
Sundown Location Guide - by T.A. Saunders ©2012
<The city of Sundown is a thriving port city with a population of over 40,000 people that has gained notoriety throughout the length of its relatively short existence as a rough and tumble frontier city. Her citizens are hard-working, plain-speaking folk that consist primarily of Humans, Half-Eves, Moon Elves and a handful of Asyndi. Having just emerged from a civil war, Sundown is entering a boom phase in its economy, with people feeling a new sense of freedom and opportunity of both of the legal and illegal sort.
Because of this rapid expansion in such little time, one will note immediately that the city has very differing levels of urban development, with the Old City having the most run-down and neglected structures, while the Financial District and the Garden District seem to have the most upkeep. The Wharf District shows signs of rapid growth, with an eclectic mix of older structures with newer and better maintained buildings peppered throughout. Because of the big boom however, many of the more run-down places in the Wharf District are being replaced or renovated for new occupancy (in many cases, the previous occupants either having died without an heir or lost the building to gambling or debt).
The Old City is a special project of the new government of Sundown. The hardest hit during the civil war and the vampire safe house sweeps shortly thereafter, there are buildings that have been utterly destroyed by cannon-fire, Witchfire blasts and every imaginable form of offensive spell being hurled across the streets. The Old City is also a haven for most of the scum of Sundown; once controlled primarily by the vampires, it is now often plagued with turf war violence between rival vampires and other bandit clans attempting to seize control of the ripe criminal element and bring them all under one banner. This had been something Nevi`sasha Stormwillow, the eldest childe of Ko had begun to do, but with the news of her very recent death, quite literally all hell has broken loose between rivals without her firm hand to control the chaos.
The showcase of the city is the Garden District. Here, a great deal of the city's Elvish influence can be seen here, with lush gardens lining the brick face streets with fauna winding up the length of the gas lamp-lit streets. Many statues of various Elvish and Human heroes mark the center of the city, leading up to the city square and the Sundown Coliseum. The other important structures in the Garden District are the Hall of the Setting Sun, which is Sundown's City Hall and the very recently added Uth Braegon Public Library, which was privately funded by the city's Regent Governor, Kithanis uth Braegon. The Garden District overall is very well-kept and meant as a place that Sundown's citizenry can go, relax and enjoy recreation like picnics, walks and other leisure activities.
The Financial District is home to most of the commerce in Sundown, including the venerable Merchant Guild. Virtually untouched during the civil war, the Financial District is as well-maintained as the Garden District, though instead of greenery and statues everywhere, this section of the city is packed with large, sprawling buildings and businesses where one can find nearly any service or item they might seek, if it can be found in Sundown. A particular point of recent pride in this district is the addition of Sundown's School House. Previously, citizens were expected to home school their children or send them off to Vale, Windsong or elsewhere to gain higher education.
The Wharf District is perhaps the busiest part of Sundown and the most diversified. With nearly all foreigners, visitors and adventurers entering the city at this point, it's not entirely uncommon to find a Dwarf from Ishaela or a Voraath from Zoda meandering the same street. With the abundance of airship traffic Sundown receives from Anthalas and Farwind, the city enjoys a great deal of multiversal traffic as well, with people traveling from other planes of existence often coming to Sundown in hopes for a new beginning in their lives. The central hub of most of this activity is the Whispering Raven Tavern, where many of these travelers and adventurers go to find rest or perhaps trouble.
The Elvish Quarter is a very recent addition to the city, with construction completed at the beginning of 1322 AC. Built to address the cultural needs and desires of the city's significant Moon Elf population, the Elvish Quarter's architecture is quite reminiscent of Am-Raynia or some of the other older Elvish cities on Shalzaar.
The two most popular attractions here are the Yimir ri Sado, or School of Blades and the Dorna ri Aslyon, or the Hall of Music. While traditionally, those looking to learn how to use a blade were directed to the gladiators continually practicing at the Coliseum, but with the addition of this Elvish fighting school, a wider array of advanced techniques are now open to the public. The Dorna ri Aslyon provides Sundown with a year-round place to enjoy live music.
Sundown has something special to offer the discerning traveler or adventurer. It should be noted that there are several other smaller businesses and localities in Sundown, but these are the most prominent. The breakdown of these points of interest are done by district.