Arcade

The underground Arcade in T'Ell is considered one of the notable wonders of the Airhurst Empire. It's known to date from long before the Imperial reign started and is associated with the Nexus Gates below the city.The Arcade's main section is an arched space about 100 feet wide at the base and 200 feet to the top of the arch. There are three main 'levels' known as First, Second and Gallery levels. Both First and Second are referred to as either 'Promenade' or 'Arcade' interchangeably. Many of the surface establishments have sub-basements that reach down to the First Arcade and a few go as deep as the Gallery. Almost all have private lifts or at least hoisting shafts for moving cargo. Many small warehouses and small trade houses count themselves lucky to acquire space in the upper levels.

First Arcade starts at the tip of the arch (about 50 foot below ground) and goes to the First Promenade at 130 foot.

Second Arcade is a bit shallower and goes to Second Promenade at 180 foot.

The Gallery level extends down to the base at about 230 foot deep. The Gallery is where the main market is located as it has a large open floor space. There are additional drains and service area under the Gallery level that most folks never realize are there.

In form the main body of the Arcade is roughly a cross with 4 main galleries and a fifth gallery attached to the shortest (base) section at an angle. Looking down on the Arcade, there are four arms radiating out from a large (170' x 170') square. The left arm is the River Wing. It's about 650 feet long and runs perpendicular to the river. The right arm is the City Wing at about 1100 foot long. The section reaching up is the North Wing at about 500 feet long. The base is the South Wing and is only about 250 feet long. There are narrower extensions and squares beyond the North, City and South wings. For example the South Wing necks down to about 60 foot across for another 250 feet, then opens out to a 170 x 170 foot square. To the East side another gallery (The Elven Wing) attaches at about 45 degrees and stretches about 1400 feet to the large Market Square.

There are also several large spaces that are not as old as the Arcade. Some date from many years in the past like the Hobbit Market. Others like the New Terminal are very recent, within the century. To the East of the Arcade is a large cavern known as The Garden. It has fairly impressive spells that give an interior equivalent to full daylight. Most of the space is controlled by several half-elven clans and the Elven trade mission. There are several notable Inns and Hostels that cater to the finer Elven styles.

The floor (Gallery) level is covered with a maze of semi-permanent booths and tents. There are some general areas where similar vendors may gather if they've been vending for some time. Between specialty areas are 'open' sections where day traders and transients vend after purchasing a permit from the City. Along the sides of the Gallery are permanent shops, restaurants and residence entrances to spaces deeper into T'Ell. The Second Promenade is cut into the side of the Arcade and also has a balcony cantilevered out over the parts of the Gallery below. There are fewer shops, more restaurants and social meeting spaces along the Promenade. The First Promenade is similar but narrower. To facilitate traffic there are several suspension and fixed bridges between the sides of the Promenades.

To aid vertical travel there are several Lift shafts with access on the Arcade and numerous stairs and ramps for pedestrians. Lighting is provided by a mix of gas lamps, glow-stones and luminous mosses grown in large baskets. In a few places crystal shafts provide sunlight from collectors on the roofs of houses above. In all the inside of the Arcade ranges from nearly daylight during the day to twilight at night time. Trade slows at night and many of the booths shut down if the trader doesn't have apprentices or doesn't think he'll do enough business. The City Watch patrols the Gallery and Promenades heavily around the clock as a result.

Due to an immense 'behind the scenes' engineering effort the air within the Arcade and most of T'Ell stays fairly fresh. Water wheels take power from the nearby river and drive power trains reaching deep into T'Ell. The fans they drive help to move air through the city and power lifts. In addition the steep river cliffs allow ventilation shafts to harness the constant wind into ventilation channels and natural convection. Windmills also drive both city and private mills and ventilators.

Areas of interest

First Promenade

River Wing – CeramicsNorth Wing – Small business offices and residences

City Wing – Offices, clubs and traders

South Wing – Clubs and traders

Elven Wing – Residences

River Wing – Restaurants, public baths, Hobbit focused goodsNorth Wing – Restaurants, tailors

City Wing – Offices, clubs and traders

South Wing – Outfitters and clubs

Elven Wing – Craftsmen, watchmakers and artisans