The construction of the brick Ziggurat of Kalak was a monumental effort that hurried hundreds of slaves to their deaths. Today, the Brickyards continue to produce bricks, although production has been diverted to the many civil projects that languished so long while the ziggurat was being built. The Brickyards no longer use slaves, instead paying laborers for a day’s service. Ironically, many laborers are ex-slaves who once worked under the threat of the lash.
The site remains under the authority of the city (that is, King Tithian and the templars), but workers have begun demanding control. Almost daily, protests and demonstrations begin in the Brickyards and march through other districts. Each parade includes workers loudly chanting “Brickyards for the Brickers!” and similar slogans. So far, only minor scuffles have resulted from brushes with the Tyrian Guard.