The Saffron Canal

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The Saffron Canal is a fabled "first department store" or greatest department store, supposed to have existed during the height of the Marcon Alliance during the Dynastic Period of the Mage Wars. Unquestionably the most expensive store in recorded history, anything could be bought there, and it boasted the finest of everything. Access to the store was by invitation only, and only the highest echelons of Marcon society (and other dignitaries they deemed worthy) were ever granted access.

Description

The Canal is supposed to be in a series of underground vaults connected--as one would guess--by canals. The best account indicates a single, mile-long canal; 80 feet wide and 40 deep, perfectly straight, with dressed stone walls. The ceiling was a fantastic vault always shrouded in darkness, but the walls rose at least 100 feet above the water before disapearing. The light was usually green from special enchanted lamps. Stores would be accessed by barges, with the landings being a series of steps coming down to the water. The length and depth of the canal were used as defenses against thievery; supposedly the workers lived in their vaults and never came out.

Historical Accuracy

That an edifice like the Saffron Canal could have existed somewhere in Marconia during the era is not impossible. The Marcons built vast monuments to themselves and the elites no doubt became wealthy. However, enough evidence exists to indicate it was not located in either Centered or Lake Bentika. Lake Bentika is ruled out by secondary sources, which include several mentions of courtiers leaving the city to visit the canal. It was also not in Centered as that city lacked vast underground workings, according to first-hand accounts from both the Old Gudersnipe Army and Finious Aberton.

Modern Additions

Historical accounts describe the canal as little more than a very high-end department store. However, many later tales added on to it; mostly citing it as the final resting place of great lost treasures. Most notable are numerous stories of how it was abandoned, intact, with all the merchandise and wealth still stored within.