Government Building

This is a standard description for each government building in each ward, marked on the map with a "G."

Some wards have more than one government building, in which case the guard force is divided between the two buildings.

First Floor:

Post Office. A counter, rentable postal boxes for clients, and a wide open space.
Broadsheet Office - Small office of the Weekly News From Many Places (WNMP). This is a government broadsheet. Because news is considered crucial to an informed public, the broadsheet is distributed to subscribers for 1 copper piece (raven) within the city, 2 copper pieces to locations on the Island of Moog, and a silver piece to locations beyond. A reporter is here, such as Mirkspire Nightthorn.
Fire Brigade. A six person team with a water and hose buggy, pulled by horses. These would be trained members of the Iron Guard. Horses are uncommon but are considered the quickest transportation in an emergency.
Reeve/Time Keeper – A small office for one person. Combination administrators and business managers of estates and property. Maintains and sets the town clock tower that chimes on the hour during daylight hours. Handles other mechanical duties (like maintenance for the Fire Brigade).

Second Floor:

Iron Guard Barracks. This is essentially a "police station" with holding cells, desks, offices. It includes the office the captain, such as Captain Marieke de Vries and offices for lieutenants. The barracks are open 24 hours a day, with three shifts of guards working around the clock.
An average district would have 100 guards. There would be 8 sergeants and 80 guards, with 16 lieutenants, 1 captain, and 11 support staff. Each sergeant is responsible for 10 guards. There are 4 precincts per district with 2 units of sergeants/guards per precinct.

Third Floor:

Hospital – A floor of the building contains a clinic, with 8 doctors and 21 nurses per 8-hour shift, beds, and medicines, including a ready supply of Seregon Serum.
In an emergency this coverage can triple by bringing in all three shifts.

Fourth Floor:

The 4th floor functions as the primary passenger terminal and freight center, filled with the constant activity of people preparing for their journeys. The large space is filled with benches, ticket counters, and information kiosks where travelers can buy tickets, inquire about airship schedules, and check their luggage.

4th Floor: Airship Passenger Terminal & Freight Operations

Ticketing & Reception: The ticket counters are staffed by efficient clerks who handle both passenger bookings and freight arrangements. Large chalk boards display the airship schedules, departure times, and docking updates.

Freight Office: A separate section is dedicated to freight logistics, where merchants and transporters finalize cargo deliveries or pick-ups. Here, workers ensure that valuable shipments are cataloged and sent up to the airship docks via mechanical elevators.

Luggage Handling: Along the far wall, a series of mechanical elevators operate to send luggage up and down between the floors. Passengers drop off their luggage at counters, where it’s tagged and transported to the 5th-floor cargo hold. Other elevators allow them to retrieve belongings once they disembark from their journey.

Passenger Waiting Area: A spacious, open area with rows of seats where passengers wait until their airship is ready for boarding. Large windows give passengers a glimpse of the airships docking above, adding to the excitement of their journey. While waiting, vendors sell refreshments and travel goods.

Security and Checkpoints: Before heading to the airship, passengers pass through security checkpoints, where guards ensure safety by checking tickets and conducting basic inspections. No one boards an airship without the proper clearance.

Fifth Floor (Roof):

The 5th floor serves as the airship dock, a large open-air area where the skyships moor for passenger embarkation and cargo loading. The floor is designed to handle the logistical challenges of loading airships while keeping the passengers below informed and ready to board.

5th Floor: Airship Docking and Cargo Loading

Docking Platforms: Massive landing pads extend from the side of the building, allowing airships to dock and align their ramps with the station’s loading bridges. The area is constantly active with crews moving to unload and load goods, manage airship mechanics, and prepare for departures.

Cargo Handling: Workers use winches, pulleys, and mechanical lifts to haul crates of cargo, from simple supplies to precious goods, onto the ships. The cargo is then stowed in the lower decks of the airships, supervised by cargo masters who check inventories and manage space.

Passenger Boarding: Once boarding begins, passengers on the 4th floor are sent up to the 5th, where they can walk across loading bridges to board their vessels. Airship crews welcome them aboard, while security ensures the smooth transfer of passengers.

Here is a breakdown of backgrounds with possible connections to the Government Building’s varied floors and departments, followed by reasons each might have to visit:

First Floor

Acolyte
- Connection: An Acolyte could be associated with the broadsheet office, where they may seek to provide wisdom or religious insights for public knowledge.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To submit religious or philosophical articles to the broadsheet.
  - To advise the Reeve/Time Keeper on any local festivals or holy days that might impact the city clock’s chimes.
Artisan
- Connection: Artisans may have connections with the Fire Brigade for crafting or repairing equipment.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To maintain or repair equipment used by the Fire Brigade, like hoses or buggy parts.
  - To manage or inquire about postal deliveries of specialized crafting supplies.
Scribe
- Connection: Scribes would naturally connect with the broadsheet office or postal services, where they might work as record keepers or writers.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To deliver reports or research for publication.
  - To file important documents or messages with the post office.
Guard
- Connection: Guards work directly with the Fire Brigade and might assist in emergency situations.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To coordinate on emergency response drills with the Fire Brigade.
  - To manage the clock tower maintenance schedule with the Reeve.

Second Floor (Iron Guard Barracks)

Soldier
- Connection: Soldiers often have a direct connection to the Iron Guard Barracks, especially if they are veterans now working within the city guard.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To attend training sessions or drills, reinforcing security protocols.
  - To check on assignments or seek guidance from Captain Marieke de Vries.
Criminal
- Connection: Criminals might be connected to the Iron Guard Barracks as suspects or informants.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - If working undercover, they might visit to report findings or coordinate with the guards.
  - To negotiate the terms of a sentence reduction or deal as an informant.
Entertainer
- Connection: Entertainers may have past connections with guards and other city officials who frequent entertainment venues.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To lodge a report if they’re harassed during a performance in the city.
  - To organize a performance for a city-sponsored event or guard morale booster.

Third Floor (Hospital)

Hermit
- Connection: Hermits with knowledge of healing could be brought in to assist doctors in unusual cases.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To consult on difficult-to-heal cases, especially if they have unique herbal or spiritual knowledge.
  - To seek medical treatment, especially if they prefer reclusive living.
Sage
- Connection: Sages may be brought in for consultation on rare diseases or magical ailments.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To offer expertise on illnesses or magical curses that might baffle ordinary doctors.
  - To study Seregon Serum or other medical practices for research.
Farmer
- Connection: Farmers may visit the hospital in cases of illness or injury among their workers, especially after agricultural accidents.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To seek treatment for injuries sustained in the fields.
  - To consult on potential medicinal crops they could cultivate.

Fourth Floor (Airship Passenger Terminal & Freight Operations)

Merchant
- Connection: Merchants would frequently utilize the Freight Office for transporting goods and managing cargo.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To arrange transport of valuable cargo or oversee the shipping process.
  - To negotiate prices on freight transport or track delayed shipments.
Guide
- Connection: Guides may accompany travelers or help with logistics, often working out of the passenger terminal.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To meet clients arriving from distant lands and help orient them within the city.
  - To arrange transport for a guided expedition or adventure, ensuring safe passage for travelers.
Noble
- Connection: Nobles often have personal business at the airship terminal, either for personal travel or managing imported luxuries.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To secure a private cabin for themselves or family members for exclusive airship travel.
  - To oversee the shipment of rare goods or family treasures in the Freight Office.

Fifth Floor (Airship Docking and Cargo Loading)

Wayfarer
- Connection: Wayfarers frequently make use of airship travel and may have insights into various airship routes and docking procedures.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To board an airship bound for distant adventures.
  - To seek out a berth for themselves or their party, as they plan further travels.
Sailor
- Connection: Sailors with experience in airship operations may find employment as part of the dock crew.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To sign on as crew for an airship journey or meet up with fellow sailors.
  - To help manage the loading of cargo or monitor dockside repairs to the airships.
Charlatan
- Connection: Charlatans might frequent the docking platforms for opportunities to con travelers or “arrange” documents.
- Reasons to Visit:
  - To set up scams targeting new arrivals with promises of “insider access.”
  - To scope out wealthy passengers and plan cons or pickpocketing schemes.

Each floor of the Government Building offers unique opportunities and challenges, with various backgrounds finding a reason to visit, from professional duties to personal business.