The Meat Market is a district located in the southwest of Crescent City. It is currently under the control of the Viper Queen.
History[]
The Meat Market is a labyrinth of secret, subterraneanly, interconnected warehouses that make up the blocks of the district. The Meat Market is linked to the Western Road which is one of the four main roads leading to and from Lunathion. The color associated with the Meat Market is tiger's-eye, and its insignia is a serpent.
The Meat Market has its own laws and methods of enforcement. Even the Governor has no stationed legionaries in the district.[1] It's an incredibly dangerous and lethal place. The Viper Queen has ruled the district for longer than anyone can remember. There are predators, both born and trained, who use the Meat Market as their personal hunting grounds. Half-human females scape a living in the Meat Market by selling their bodies. Occasional Vanir are enslaved and bound with so many enchantments there's no hope of escape. Only the wealthiest can afford to purchase a few hours with them. Most of these women do not live long enough to make the Drop. The Meat Market has the Merchants' Gate in it, which is one of the seven Gates in the city.
Entering the district is not known by any sign or marker, but by a shift in darkness. No lights are visible in the skies above the low brick buildings that are crammed together. The shadows are permanent, tucked into alleys. The streetlamp are mostly shattered and are never repaired. In the warrens below ground are three different levels just for flesh; mostly human, mostly living. Every fetish can be bought, and no taboo is too foul. The streets are made of cobblestones. The market is packed with ramshackle stalls, vendors, and food stands. Smoke drifts throughout, along with the tang of blood and spark of magic. Above it all against the far wall of the enormous space is a towering mosaic. The tiles were taken from an ancient temple in Pangera and restored and recreated. The mosaic depicts a cloaked and hooded figure of death, whose skeleton's face grins out from the cowl, a scythe in one hand and an hourglass in the other. Above its head are words crafted in the Republic's most ancient language, Memento Mori, meaning "remember that you will die."[1] A rickety set of stairs leads to the mezzanine flanking either side of the warehouse floor. Doors are stationed every few feet.
Notable Locations[]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Ariadne (temporarily)
- Colin McCarthy
- Tharion Ketos (temporarily)
- The Viper Queen
- Unknown Satyr
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 House of Earth and Blood, Chapter 18