The Durem Grand Bazaar is no doubt one of the best known/littlest known parts of the town.
It is an area of covered market halls, interconnected by a maze of narrow streets and alleyways. While the architecture of the halls is distinctly Gothic (think Meanwhile City from the movie “Franklyn”) – this is Durem after all – the look and feel of the bazaar is otherwise heavily Asian/Middle Eastern. A great part of Gaia’s Naga population lives here.
“Westerners” generally tend to stick to the bazaar’s outer reaches, as to not become lost, wisely so.
What appears as solid blocks of buildings on the map is in truth riddled with narrow alleyways, just barely wide enough to allow for a single (slender) person to pass through.
It is an area of covered market halls, interconnected by a maze of narrow streets and alleyways. While the architecture of the halls is distinctly Gothic (think Meanwhile City from the movie “Franklyn”) – this is Durem after all – the look and feel of the bazaar is otherwise heavily Asian/Middle Eastern. A great part of Gaia’s Naga population lives here.
“Westerners” generally tend to stick to the bazaar’s outer reaches, as to not become lost, wisely so.
What appears as solid blocks of buildings on the map is in truth riddled with narrow alleyways, just barely wide enough to allow for a single (slender) person to pass through.
- Spice Market: Whenever the Bazaar gets mentioned, most think of the Spice Market first, as it seems the most exotic part of it. Clearly, those people haven’t ventured as far as the Apothecaries Alley.
Incense & Perfumes: One of the most popular market halls within the Bazaar. If you’re looking for perfumes, scented oils or candles, incense, potpourris or the like, you’re going to find it here.
Gardening Square: A relatively small and quiet market hall – this is your place to go to purchase seeds and saplings and the like.
Copper- & Brassware: Anything that can be made from copper or brass.
Gem Cutters & Goldsmiths: Another extremely popular market hall within the bazaar. Anything, from raw gems to custom-made jewelry may be obtained here. Though, for prices like this, this stuff has to be fake, right? Right?
Auction Hall: The Bazaar dwellers don’t consider it a part of their quarters, and it isn’t. But it is adjacent to it. Imagine Christie’s, auctions of fine art and the like.
Central Square: Lined with a number of various shops and stalls, your place to go if you are a tourist and want to experience the “bazaar” without actually venturing into it. This is where most of the snack and food places are, including the Golden Dragon, famous for it’s high end Asian Cuisine.
Wine Cellars: A former cistern just underneath the Central Square (as this is where you’d be in need of a well). This is where you’d go for any wine or liquor. The entrances are many, but a little hard to find. It isn’t the only underground location of the Bazaar. In fact there’s an extensive network of tunnels and storehouses underneath the bazaar quarters, cellars and cisterns – pretty much as much of a maze as the surface. But if you don’t live there, there’s no chance you’ll ever see any of it.
Apothecaries Alley: Whatever your ailment, you’re going to find your remedy here. If you are into dried bat wings and the like, that is. Generally this is where you’re going to find traditional healers, chiropractics, acupuncturists, witch doctors, and so on. Mang’s shop is in this area … somewhere.
Fabric Market: Your place to go for fabrics and rugs.
Philosophers Alley: The name is a little misleading, this is where most of the Bazaar’s antiques stores are set. The origin of the name is uncertain. Mayhaps this really was where philosophers, sages and poets used to dwell. Or perhaps the name was simply derived from how antiques cause one to contemplate the past …
Flower Square: Everything you need for your flower arrangements/bouquets/wreaths. Extremely popular.
Farmers Market: Vegetables and fruits, you have it. A lot of unusual/uncommon foodstuffs may be obtained here as well.
Potters Square: From rustic earthenware to most delicate porcelain, casseroles, tea cups, jugs and flower pots – this place has everything that was ever fired in a kiln.
Glassblowers: Anything glass. Another very popular hall.
Lantern- & Candle Sellers: Scented candles, floating candles, oil lamps, lanterns … if you seek to enrich your place with a warm glow and atmosphere, this is your place to go.
Fortunetellers Square: Fortune tellers, seers and prophets of all schools – whether you want your fortune told by the means of tarot cards, rune stones, necromancy or tea leaves, it wont be hard to find someone to suit your personal style. And should the fortune they tell actually be a bad one, there are enough vendors about with just the right amulet at hand for your needs.
Bookstores: At the very Southern outskirts of the bazaar you may find the book stores, selling old or new, rare and out of print editions, used books, or cheaply printed pirated copies.
Coffee- & Tea Houses: Just south of the book stores coffee and tea houses have settled. Indian masala chai, Japanese matcha, Turkish mocha … The perfect place to settle down for a bit and relax.
Fish Hall: The freshest fish you can get in Durem, if you get here by dawn. But many pickled or smoked specialties may be obtained here as well. The sushi restaurants nearby are excellent.
Meatmongers & Butchers: Everything for your meaty needs, so fresh it’s often still twitching. If you’re into it, you can watch the butchers do their work.
Livestock & Pets: Looking to raise and butcher your dinner yourself? Then you’re in the right place. Alternatively you could give that cute and fluffy bunny/dog/kitten/mogwai/monkey/whatever to your children as a pet.
Bone- & Wood Carvers: A small specialized market where you can find anything made from bone or wood, from the smallest beads to the biggest fruit bowl.
Basket Weavers: They share the square with the carvers.
Blacksmiths: Looking for a real wok, a hand-forged knife, or a new wrought iron gate for your mansion? Look no further. Anything made from steel and iron can be found or commissioned here.
Public Baths & Massage Parlors: Spas, saunas, public baths and massage parlors, anything you’d need to relax after a day’s hard work is done. Despite the persistent rumors, none of this places is a brothel or offering ‘special’ services.
Leather Market: Luxurious pelts, shoes, coats, wallets … In the leather market you’re going to find anything that can possibly be made from an animal’s hide.
The “Other” Bazaar: Occasionally you may come across rumors about it, about there being another, secret bazaar. There’s nothing to those rumors, really.
