Braavos

[Rivine]

It is a time of strife and violence in the Seven Kingdoms. It has been half a year since the death of Robert Baratheon and five kings have arisen to vie for the Iron Throne. With the kingdoms torn asunder there is ample opportunity for those who seek to advance themselves...

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Braavos, known as Braavos of the Hundred Isles, is the greatest and most powerful of the Free Cities, located in a lagoon on the northwestern end of Essos, where the narrow sea and the Shivering Sea meet. The nearby mainland is mostly marshland, whilst the seaward sides of the city are protected by tall, mountainous islands which form a semi-circle around the city. Firewood is brought in by barge, while pines on the islands surrounding the city are left to act as windbreaks to protect the harbors, and are illegal to cut down.

There is only one channel large and deep enough to accommodate ocean-going ships. This channel is defended by a massive statue called the Titan of Braavos, which serves as landmark, lighthouse and defensive fortification. Just beyond the Titan lies the citadel and the vast shipyard called the Arsenal. The city proper lies beyond, a great sprawl of domes and towers and bridges in hues of grey, gold, and red. Braavos is served by two main harbors. The Purple Harbor, in the north, is used by locals only, while the Ragman's Harbor in the west is where foreign ships are moored. All ships have to submit to inspection by the Sealord's customs officers at the Chequy Port. Scattered throughout the city are small wharves and landings for the fishermen and ferries.

The ruler of Braavos is known as the Sealord and it is from the sea that the city’s power and wealth flows. The city is sometimes called the Bastard Son of Valyria. All gods are honored in Braavos. Most of the temples are located on the isle in the center of the city, known as the 'Isle of the Gods'. Among them is the Temple of the Moonsingers who led the original Braavosi refugees to the islands. Another temple of note is the temple to the Father of Waters which is rebuilt whenever he takes a new bride, as well as temples to the Many-Faced God and R'hllor, and a sept for the Seven named the Sept-Beyond-the-Sea.

The Iron Bank of Braavos is the main bank of Braavos. It is very wealthy and often lends money to outsiders, among its clients is the King of the Seven Kingdoms. The Iron Bank was founded by twenty three Braavosi: sixteen men and seven women, each of whom owned a key to the bank's great subterranean vaults. Their descendants, now numbering more than one thousand, are known as "keyholders" and proudly display their keys on formal occasions, though these keys are entirely ceremonial. Certain of these founding families have declined, with some losing their wealth entirely, yet all of them they cling to their keys and the honors that go along with them.

 

[BlackestKnight]

Months prior...
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Braavos, the financial capital of Westeros it's sometimes referred to in passing. What business could bring the Lord of Spices all the way to Essos's northernmost territory? Other than being a hub for virtually all kinds of trade, it was a good place to overhear things, he found.

As well as the Braavosi paid, information was an invaluable asset for any likely tradesman. All one had to do was find the nearest pleasure house and bunker down for an interesting conversation, and that's something he'd find himself doing wherever he could.

Though the sight of the unusually heighty "dark" man wasn't something he could easily obscure. Braavos was a bit different than say King's Landing. A Summer Islander wasn't such a rarity. It was a free city founded by and comprised of slaves from west of the shadow lands to free folk of the North.

Sergio was vested in long azure robe of sorts, head to toe, underneath he wore a full leather set, iron bracers and greaves, at his sides were two curved swords, Arakh to be exact. A single piece of gold jewelry adorned Sergio's neck. It resembled two whole pieces. It's form and luster leaving little doubt that its craftsmanship originated in Mereen. His overall appearance would seem to suggest his background as both a merchant and free-ranged skirmisher. The man was quite traveled indeed.

There was some casual murmurs of the iron throne. Nothing particularly insightful, until the topic of King Robert's passing was mentioned and its implications for the other realms. Something that engaged him. He hadn't considered the possibility of another throne war so soon, though it hadn't surprised him in the least either. Westerosi were always a waring sort. His thoughts were of the Targaryens. Were the rumors of surviving heirs true?