The great city of Primus, the ancient capital of the Aldarian Empire of Meridia, lies upon the confluence of the Grandwater and Silvertine Rivers. It is a city of architectural wonder, sociological diversity and lofty political ambition. It is a city of over ninety thousand citizens and serves as a center of commerce and education.
The city was founded ages ago by the Aldarian tribesmen who gathered together under the rulership of one of their greatest princes. The Duke of Primus was a powerful and ambitious warlord. He sought to conquer and unite the neighboring tribes. When these goals were finally achieved, the Duke assumed to title of Grand Duke as well as Prince of All the Meridians, after the name of the large barbarian clan of the same name. The Grand Duke's capital city of Primus overshadowed all of its urban rivals in terms of both power and influence everafter.
The hub of the city rests upon a number of low rising hillocks nestled on the plains between the two mighty rivers that form a natural, defensive border for the city proper. The city itself is laid out in four separate and certainly unequal districts, each with its own individual character and atmosphere.
The heart of the Imperial City and the center of city politics and prestige can be found upon the highest hill of region which is surrounded by a defensive curtain wall and butressed with a number of towers. This area is commonly known as the Imperial District for it houses the Imperial Palace complex, military garrisons, the Imperial Temple and the Tower of the Celestial Knights. Surrounding this hill top is a lower plateau that is also protected by a small curtain wall and towers. This region is known as the High District and is home to many of the city's wealthier residents. Many successful merchants have built mansions, palaces and townhouses in this district dotted with several parks and flowering trees. The High District is known mainly for the many Meridian nobles who have built secondary homes here as a retreat from their fiefdoms and to allow them to remain close to the Emperor's favor. Several powerful wizards and high clerics also call this district home. The headquarters of the Indigo Order was once located in this area before the Order abandoned the city and moved up north. Many influential embassies as well as the Imperial College of Magecraft can also be found here.
Below the region known as the High District is the largest region of the city known as the Merchant District. As the name might suggest, it is the hub of commercial enterprise within the city. The vast majority of the city's shops, businesses and guilds may be found along the multitude of streets that wind throughout the city center. Most of the powerful guild halls may also be found in this area as well as numerous temples, lesser parks, theaters and schools. At the same elevation as the Merchant District are the final two regions of the city. The Foreign District houses many of the lesser embassies, visitors, counting houses, inns, stables and a few temples, mostly dedicated to "foreign" powers. The Foreign District is separated from the Merchant District by the Grandwater River and lies along the river's southern bank.
Finally, the Low District is the least of all the city's neighborhoods and perhaps rightly so. As its name might imply, the Low District is the region of Primus is home to most of the city's poor and destitute. The infamous Thieve's Guild and the Guild of Assassins are also rumored to be hidden somewhere within this area away from the prying eyes of the Imperial Watch. Also found in the Low District is the Imperial Prison, numerous gambling halls, brothels, the city docks and a number of lesser temples that honor deities who tend to favor the downtrodden such as Glanya and St. Brannoc. The Low District is separated from the Merchant District by the Silvertine River and lies along the river's eastern bank.
Multiple canals flow throughout the city and connect with either the Grandwater or the Silvertine allowing for easier flow of traffic and merchant activity. The canals, as well as the city's main thoroughfares, are monitored by the Imperial Watch, a well trained and well armed fighting force that protects the city and its inhabitants. Entrance into the city is through any number of primary and secondary gates. Visitors to the city must enter through one of the primary gates where they are asked to register with the City Watch. The gatehouses are located along the city's main outer wall, which forms the first line of defense in case of attack. The Outer Wall is twenty feet height and ten feet thick. Each of the gatehouses are flanked by two towers that rise an additional ten feet in height and are dotted with multiple arrow loops. During times of seige, archers are able to fire their weapons across a wide field of fire while remaining well protected within the towers. The towers also serve as military garrisons for the Imperial Watch