The Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the ancestral centre of Orthay—a densely woven maze of weathered stone and crooked alleys that predate most other parts of the city. Every building bears the imprint of the countless generations who have lived, worked and prayed in the city.

Medieval townhouses, supported by thick beams and decorated with antiquated family crests, loom over the cobbled lanes. If you walk these streets in the early dawn, you can hear hammer blows of blacksmiths and artificers, such as Hawberk from Harebrained Enchantments, echoing faintly on the morning breeze.

Today, the Old Quarter remains a tapestry of artisans, scribes and guild members, many belonging to lineages that have resided here for generations. Street-corner shrines—some maintained, others worn with age—honour lesser gods favoured by the Empire. At night, lanterns of warm yellow glass hang from iron hooks, bathing the district in a soft, mysterious glow.

The district’s most noteworthy landmark is Holven Castle, a sturdy fortress of grey stone whose imposing bulk has guarded Orthay for hundreds of years. The nearby Saints Garden Apothecary has helped tend to the wounds and ailments of cityfolk for almost as long.

Several modest gardens, tucked between Holven Castle’s outer walls and adjoining buildings, are dedicated to imperial saints revered throughout Valoria. These peaceful sanctuaries serve as quiet refuges for those seeking respite from the Quarter’s bustle.

Walking through the Old Quarter is like stepping through a living chronicle of Orthay’s evolution—a place where its storied history is figuratively etched in stone.