This needs a name analagous to Hardfall or Highview.

Waterfront is the strip of land on either side of the River Iorium and is one of the most dynamic districts in the city.

The River Iorium is essentially a canal that threads an irregular circle through the city. It is a couple hundred feet wide, although at points it is wider or narrower. The river’s depth is highly irregular because it covers ruins of earlier parts of the city. Because the city has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, there is no ground that hasn’t been previously built on or built over. As such, the river bed is actually the ruins of the ancient city.

The River Iorium connects to at least a dozen gates through which ships can pass. The best known location is Anchorpoint, but the River connects to locations all across the world. In many respects, it is the literal lifeblood of the city and of civilization as a whole, such as it is.

This is a meeting point for cultures from across the world.

TAVERN
The waterfront is filled with taverns, brothels, and accommodation of every conceivable variety, from the scurviest dive to the most opulent inn to the most exotic and surreal entertainments found on Iorium.

Here are a few notable locations:

The Submersible is a tavern located underwater.

The Boat is a ship that docks every few hours to drop of old customers, pick up new customers, and take on supplies. It’s a favorite location for shady deals among the upper crust.

The Lighthouse is a decaying, labyrinthine structure that is equal parts tavern, drug den, and house of ill repute. At first light, bodies are pitched off the top and into the river.

WATCH
Waterfront is perhaps the plum assignment for members of the Watch, and many Masters have risen to power from the bribes they collected and favors they curried here as Captain.

The Watch Tower is located on a stone island located in the middle of the channel. It is connected to shore by two drawbridges. A docking bay in the guts of the Tower is secured with a gate. The Tower is well patrolled and heavily fortified. Security is equally tight inside the Tower. The Key has tried and failed several times to rob the treasury, which is believed to be particularly flush.

The current Captain uses a dozen prison barges to secure convicts, undesirables, and troublemakers. Like most Captains of the Watch, she can be bribed to hold a prisoner indefinitely on fabricated charges, and more than a few of those held captive have committed no crime. The barges make a slow circle of the river every few days. On occasion the barges have been known to make a detour through one of the gates to pick up or drop off slaves–a small but profitable side business of the current Captain.

THIEVES
Waterfront is one of the few districts that is not controlled by a single thieves guild. Instead, because the River Iorium cuts a path through much of the city, it borders the territory of at least a dozen different guilds. At times, Waterfront is neutral territory, where thieves can relax, mingle, and trade favors. Other times, it’s a war zone as guilds fight to control some of the most lucrative real estate in the world.

If there is a dominant thieves guild, it would be The Key.

On the whole, the Watch benefits from this arrangement, and does not act against the thieves guilds unless the violence spirals out of control.

WAYPOINT
Located underwater.

THE ABOLETH
The aboleth of the Black Cabal makes its lair in the submerged ruins beneath the River Iorium. The aboleth and its minions scour the submerged ruins looking for wealth and magic.

SAHUAGIN
The waterfront is infested with sahuagin that have infiltrated from Anchorpoint in search of easy prey.

UNDEAD
The submerged ruins beneath the river are filled with countless undead.

LIVING DUNGEONS