Avenio

Located on the coast where the Guarana River meets the sea. Being neither a provincial nor a grand city, Avenio still sits where land and sea trade meet. Being important and valuable enough not to be considered a punishment when assigned the governmentship of the city and the surrounding land.    The city's population is just below 13.000 but experiences seasonal swelling due to markets and farmers entering the city for trade.   The heart of Avenio is its harbour, being wide, windy and crowded with merchant ships, fishing vessels and piers that extend out into the water. The entry to the harbour is controlled by the priesthood of the local god Lassar, which operates a lighthouse off the coast and is quietly skimming tariffs of the ships coming into the harbour. Previous Governors have for the most part ignored the priesthood, and some have even participated, but governor Marcius Bucco was given the posting on the demand that he would rid the city of the corroupt priesthood.   On the small peninsula between the sea and the inland city, lies the low city, generally the most run-down part of the city, windy, and the air smells heavily of salt. In this part of the city, lies the cheapest taverns, warehouses, shipwrights and brothels. This part of the city is loud with drunkards and crowded, narrow streets; some streets rarely see sunlight reach the ground. Likewise, it's extremely dangerous after dark, and even the urban cohorts rarely go there unless they need to. It is also this part of the city where most of the foreigners end up.   The centre of the city is known for its markets, bathhouses, and its also this part of the city were the different guilds have their guildhalls. Walking down the streets, one can see the villas of rich merchants and some of the minor nobles who have made a career as naval officers. In the centre of the city lies the Forum from where the city is governe,d and the governatorial palace is located. The Senate of the city is likewise located across from the palace, and visitors to the Forum can regularly see officials walk back and forth between the two buildings.   Merchants of the city value the stability more than loyalty to the Empire of Dercia as they hunt the next big profit, and while the governor is appointed, the real power lied with the guilds and merchants of the city and every time the governor steps out of line, they gently remind them of who holds the real power.