I enjoy the architecture here. It's not completely old Norse fashion but a bit of a mix between Victorian and Norse architecture. The stonework has long and tall feature with several disproportionate angles. The wood work has a Norse feel with patterns, elongated tips, and pillars.
Flying away from the gate I can't help but be in awe of the snow covered building around Muninn.
For reference, the city entrance is located at the Northern point of the mountain. South of the mountain is just more mountain due to the mountain range. It allows the city to extend forever if need be.
As Muninn flew over the outer city of Asgard I couldn't help but notice a few locations.
The fist and foremost coming right out of the gate is a large building with the words Mercenary Guild in big letters.
From what Muninn is telling me, Odd jobs and small scale work the local authorities can't our won't handle are handled here. Leading on is a set of restaurants and bars. Some of these bars work as taverns with lodging. I also can't help but notice the Mead halls. There's one on almost every corner.
Hotels and some other specialty business are located to the west. These specialty businesses include stables, breweries, and Service companies.
Now service companies are new term for me. I asked Muninn to sniff through some thoughts for me and basically head hunting firms. You request x amount of workers for one task and they'll look for the people for you. They hire for a variety of professions from miners to butlers.
Apparently, it's hard allocating everyone to a job when not all the cities need your profession so one of the past elders came up with the idea to have a universal head hunter branch in every city to allocate workers where their needed. Of course it's not forced movement of labor, but money talks.
Going more south and dotted all over the town are town house type neighborhoods and small private residences.
Some of the more expensive house look to be on the mountain itself. I also can't help but notice several watch towers dotted on the mountain.
The western side of the city is all inclosed in by a wall going from the top of one of the southern mountains in a semi circular fashion. From the point where that semi circle ends which is a few miles north of the entrance to the city, the wall continues straight until the ocean.
To the East of the entrance is the biggest marketplace I have ever seen. The one inside the mountain was so small in comparison. I assume the one inside has rarer items for sale but this one dwarfs it in pure scale. This one one looks like a fresh market you would see in Venice but triple the size. Prices and merchandise being called out for. Money being thrown around. It looks like a mad house down there. I've noticed several stores around the market as well. The biggest one being the large auction house at the center of the market.
Certain occupations are seen here like a blacksmith which the Asgard's are known for. Alchemist apothecaries and Druid healing services can be found all over.
Interestingly enough I see a specific street on the southern end of the market. It looks slightly empty at this time of day, but it looks to be a very particular area for more discreet activities. I also see some people still working the streets.
Ah prostitution, it's scourge will never fall out of style. Ironically though, I see more or less an equal amount of men and women working the streets. I think I'll attribute that to women in this world likely having magic or other skills that can easily kill a man.
There are some shops on this street as well but, I do question the source of their products.
Continuing away from the market I see the harbor. There looks to be plenty of Viking style ships docked here. The only difference here than the ones on Earth being their size. These are much larger containing two masts with triangular fore-and-aft rig. Their hulls were large enough to have multi levels, and a captains room. It was like a galleon mixed with a Viking long boat. I see plenty of runes as well carved along the hull.
Farther into the harbor I see the Dry docks, A Fish market and a Sailor's Guild. Muninn tells me it's a place where sailor's can be hired and captains can chart courses. Neighboring it is a cartographers building. Flying around I spot a light house at the end of the city wall at the edge of the sea.
To be honest, I'm extremely astounded by what I see. The city is extremely civilized. It's so advance in some places while lagging behind in others. Magic has had such a heavy influence that some inventions were never need to be made.
After flying around for a good while and taking in the sight I ask him to fly a little bit out of the frozen city.
As Muninn left the gates he was treated by a fierce storm. Apparently the city has found a way to keep out bad weather. The city is surrounded by snowy pines as far as the eye can see.
I quickly ask Muninn to fly back to me as the weather is too cold for him.
At this point I open my real eyes.
A melodic voice sounded next to me suddenly,"How was it sweetie?".
I turned and looked down from the tree to see my mother looking at me with a smile. She has some warm tea in her hand.
I started smiling "I explored the outer city mother and saw every corner of it. The docks were huge. The boats were so big and the market had everything for sale in it."
At this point Alfred lowered me into the seat next to her. I reached my hard out for Alfred to pour and pass me tea as well.
"Did you see anything particular. Something mysterious perhaps." Said my mother while looking at the sky.
[She's goading you with your curiosity]
I'm aware, and I know exactly what she wants me to notice.
I pretended to look like I was thinking for a moment then asked, "Mom why was there no blizzard in the outer city. Outside the walls had a huge blizzard but inside it was just cold."
She put her tea cup down and ruffled my hair.
She calmly explained, "It's the power of runes dear. Runes are words of power that have effects on items that you write them on. There a runes written on each corner of the outer wall which prevent the blizzard from coming in".
My eyes begin authentically smiling now. This is a new technology and could be the de facto technology of all the tribes. I must learn it.
"Mommy can I learn how to write runes?" I plead to my mother with puppy dog eyes.
She smiled again and did something strange. There was a sapphire necklace around her kneck. It perfectly accentuated her neck and color bone. Attached to it was a blue stone of unknown make. She looked down at it and stroked it gently for a second.
She then turned to me and said with a sigh, "I will start to teach you on your fifth birthday. Until then we can just enjoy quality time together while learning about nature".
WHAT IS UP WITH THIS FIFTH BIRTHDAY BENCHMARK?