Puerto Tulce
	Puerto Tulce is the largest, most sheltered harbor on the entire northern coast of Ele Oceano Azjareo (Aezjarean Ocean), and is the main reason for Merochas' success as a commercial power in the Central Basin Region. Puerto Tulce is home port for the great merchant fleets (vlotas te casas) of Merochas, and a favorite destination for hundreds of other vessels. Its stone and wood piers border a huge warehouse district (controlled and taxed by the Civic government) in which merchandise and commodities from the entire region are stored.
	Although the river port (Alisorio) handles most of the local river traffic serving the city, travellers entering Merochas from outside the country must do so through the main port. Ships which are not licensed to operate in Puerto Tulce (virtualy any ship not operated by one of the Casas Crantas, the Merochasean Merchant Houses) must take on a harbor pilot, who pilots the ship into dock. This service costs 10 Veryts for an average-sized trading vessel (more for larger vessels or for naval vessels). Upon docking, the harbor pilot also serves as the initial Atuanero (customs agent) for the port. Merchant captains who frequent Merochas will be familiar to the pilots, and can usually avoid egregious tariff assessments through the judicious use of bribery. As passengers exit the vessel,, entrance fees are collected by another Atuanero. Visitors bearing arms will be directed to the nearest Atalaya Cuartia Civica (Civic Guard Watchtower), where their weapons and armor will be bonded and taxed according to the law. Bonding consists of a piece of colored cord with a lead seal stamped with the bonding sigil of the Cuartia Civica. Anyone carrying an unbonded weapon or wearing unbonded armor outside of the port area is subject to immediate arrest and confiscation of illegal arms and armor. The Cuartia Civica maintains a notable presence throughout the port area, with Atalayas (watchtowers) all along the waterfront area (no more than 500 paces apart).

 

	Vasare Cran
	This enormous open-air bazaar is the earthier companion to Ele Mercato. Vasare Cran is located in a lower area of land, closer to the port area, and the trading here is more commercial in nature than in Ele Mercato.  Taxation rates vary here, depending on who is doing the trading.  Sponsorship by a Merochasan Casa is essential to gaining the most favorable tax and tariff rates, although sponsored representatives of favored trading partners (Belaquin, Karatas, etc.) also gain somewhat favorable rates.  Independent traders are the hardest hit, but many still ply their wares here, due to the great opportunities of the Vasare Cran.

 

	Ele Mercato
	This district contains huge open-air markets and collections of merchant stalls. Merchants of all kinds set up here to sell their wares in the busiest marketplace in the region. The civic government levies heavy sales taxes on merchants who operate here. Despite this high rate of taxation, merchants who can obtain a stall here to display their goods invariably make a handsome profit from the constant influx of buyers, though the goods displayed here tend toward luxury or durable merchandise.

 

	Plasa Civico
	The Plasa Civico is the site of most governmental offices and activities. With the exception of the port area, where the Departmento te Atuanos (Customs Office) is headquartered, all major government departments are headquartered here.
	The council chambers of the civic govenrment are located in the large Etifiso te Covierno, which dominates the peninsula on which the Plasa sits. The Merochasean bureaucracy, although small, is as convoluted and corrupt as can be found anywhere. Government office is the last, profitable refuge of those intelligent and educated enough to qualify, but not aggressive enough to compete directly in the great mercantile game of the Casas Crantas.

 

	Vortalesa Marina
	The Vortalesa Marina ("Sea Fortress") has been crucial to Merochas' development through the centuries. The large, rocky island on which it stands protects the Merochas harbor from the tumultous Great Ocean. The Aezjarean stronghold on the westernmost pinnacle was the first structure built on the site of the city. The current fortress, much enlarged from the first Aezjarean construction, is the base for the powerful Merochasan Navy and Civic Marines (ela Armada Merochasas, ele Navallos Civicos).  Ele Varatero (Merochasan naval shipyards is located on the gentle inner shore of the island.

 

	Universitat
	The University at Merochas is a privately-sponsored institution, which nonetheless receives several subsidies from the civic government. Students at the Universitat can study at several colleges, including faculties dedicated to the study of Natural Philosophy, Medicine, Engineering, and Humanities. Sponsorship of the University is primarily divided between seven of the Casas Crantas (Laertes, Stefano, Vincentio, Varrius, Orlanto, Lysantre, and Rinalto) and the Temples of Maeron and Estopa. Several smaller sponsors also contribute.

 

	Colejio te Sortilejio
	The College of Sorcery is the premiere institution of arcane education in the region. Established nearly 500 years ago, ele Colejio te Sortilejio instructs students in Sorcery and other magical disciplines. Tuition rates are steep, but scholarships are available to the talented, in return for service to Merochas. Graduates of the College often obtain profitable positions as House Sorcerers to one of the Casas Crantas, or if a scholarship student, serve in the Cuartia Civica or the Tunicos Asules (Blue Robes).

 

	Alisorio
	Alisorio is the river harbor district. It has the highest ratio of businesses to residences of any area in the city outside of the port district. Most river traffic coming into the city from the surrounding countryside uses Alisorio. The harbor is filled with riverboats, canalboats, and light galleys. Businesses in this area tend to be wholesalers of foodstuffs and other daily necessities, serving the city itself, rather than acting as merchandisers for export or transhipment of commodoties. Some retail businesses do locate here.

 

	Nortosona
	The Nortosona district is home to many of the artisans and craftspeople of Merochas. Although a working-class district, this area is much cleaner and less odorous than Ele Hetionto. Residents of this area tend to be almost supportive of ela Cuartia Civica (almost), and crime here is generally less violent than in the neighboring canal districts.

 

	Ele Hetionto
	Ele Hetionto ("the Stench") is the worst part of the city, so called because the prevailing winds from the coast are laden with the odors of the canals by the time the last vestiges of the sea breezes reach this area. The name is also a reference to the general lack of sanitation and the prevalence of bodies found floating in the canals in this area every morning. The Cuartia Civica does not enter Ele Hetionto frequently, and when it does so, it enters with no less than 20 Cuartianos (and has a very strong motive for doing so).
	Those who work and dwell in Ele Hetionto are the poorest and/or most desperate in the city. Travelers are cautioned against entering this area for any reason. Although most boatmen will enter this area in daylight (many live here), few will do so after dark without excessive compensation. The neighborhoods of Ele Hetionto are mostly controlled by gangs of thugs, many of whom work directly or indirectly with the Felile, the Merochasan underground criminal brotherhood.

 

	Mueyato
	The Mueyato district is primarily a residential area, but hosts some businesses and service establishments along the canals. Many civic employees and minor functionaries live here, as do many of those who work in the Alisorio and Puerto Tulce districts. Although not as affluent as Las Vrisas, the Mueyato district does contain some spacious apartments and several good quality inns.

 

	Las Vrisas
	This district contains the most affluent canal neighborhoods. Named for the fresh breezes which clear the canal odors and cool the upper stories in the hot summers and humid autumns, las Vrisas is in generally good repair. The canal-side walkways are painted in a variety of colors, and the bridges and cross-walks are sturdy and generally wider than those found elsewhere in the city. Businesses in this area cater to the wealthy or spendthrift, selling fine quality food and drink, expensive merchandise, and high-priced services.

 

	Isla te los Templos
	The Isle of the Temples is the center of Merochasean social life in many respects. The temples of four of the six Deities in the Jalani pantheon are located here (the Temples of Cyphus and Asuan are located elsewhere), providing for the spiritual lives of the citizens. And the Coliseo (Coliseum) and Teatro Macno (Grand Theater) sprawl across the seaward end of the island, providing entertainment and pleasant distractions.
	The temples are always open. The Santuario Hocario (Sanctuary of the Hearth, Natup's temple) faces a constant flow of those beseeching healing aid, or midwifery, or just a handout from the meager stores. The Temple of Maeron's lush grounds are just as busy. Its supplicants include both the wealthy, and those who desire to be wealthy (those two categories accounting for the vast majority of the population). Ele Templo Estopanos is quieter, but no less grand. In its landscaped gardens a supplicant can find mental peace, or understanding of dreams. And the Temple of Daedo, Goddess of the River, rises prominently above the northwest rocks, overlooking the river itself.
	Ele Coliseo and Teatro are open every day to the wealthy and their sycophants who can afford the entrance fees, and on Temple-day and holidays to the public, when sponsored shows and spectacles are performed.