Old Ashton

The Marketplace Center of Town

Old Ashton is the center of Brickwell and serves as a public marketplace for both the rich and the poor. It also has a relatively clean and large fountain that many of the poor see as a haven of water compared to the other public wells of the city.

Old Ashton is not only the literal center of town, it is also the metaphorical center. Old Ashton was the first part of Brickwell to be founded and hence has some of the oldest buildings and constructions in the city. Old Ashton was previously just called ‘Ashton’ and named after one of the first miners to occupy the coal fields and set up a permanent residence in Brickwell. His house is now a historical shop own by the Collfields and set up as a museum and shop selling coal for household use across the city. Once New Ashton was formed Ashton turned ‘Old’ and has since been named.

Built in the shape of a circle the area is set up more like a plaza than anything else. In the middle is a large cobblestone courtyard which presents a large and ornamented fountain splashing clean water. This courtyard holds a number of kiosks that are set up temporarily every day of the week. Citizens without a formal shop but still have wares to sell can open a kiosks wherever they find room within the courtyard to try and make a little coin. This systems turns Old Ashton into a bustling marketplace every day of the year.

Lining the courtyards edge are permanent shops owned by mostly upper class artisans or businessmen. These shops vary in wares but tend to cater to the middle class as a rule. Most lower citizens cannot afford what these shops sell.

The fountain located in Old Ashton is very popular as it runs clean water through its workings. Many children, upper and lower class, use the fountain as a pool and bathing area. However the guards that patrol Old Ashton primarily looking out for petty thieves, also keep an eye on the fountain. Because of its easy access to the lower class many try to gather their drinking water here on a regular basis. However the sight of numerous dirty peasants drinking from the fountain is unbecoming of the courtyard and so the guards make sure these people stay at bay. The guards tend to turn a blind eye when it comes to children, but with all things there comes a limit and if it is exceeded even the children can be quickly kicked out.