The Market Square is the heart of the town of Jade Mountain. It is on the northern bench of the valley, halfway down Broad Street. The square (which is actually more of an oblong) extends from Broad Street to the edge of the bench or terrace nearest the river, being about the size of a football field with its long axis along Broad Street. On the southern edge, above the river, there is a low wall, with several gates giving on stairs down to the bottomland and the riverbank proper. On the northern edge, from west to east (or upriver to down), are the Temple of Mantor, the Town Hall wherein records are kept, licenses issued and proclamations posted, the Constabulary Station, the house and office of Syelaran the Healer, Lalcar's Golden Platter, the most luxurious restaurant in the town, the station and express office of the Jade Hills Stage Company, the River House, the best hotel in town, and the Drinking Horn Inn and Tavern.

Market day comes every seventh day (we would call it every Tuesday) on Garendi. (The days of the week go: Luradi, Garendi, Semdi, Tirhadi, Komindi, Nilsardi, Varnsadi.) On Garendi, the square is full of booths and more are spread along Broad Street above and below it, further narrowing the roadway. On the other days, there are usually a few booths--produce of various sorts (garden truck, cheese, fresh meat), firewood, perhaps a fortune-teller, snack lunch booths, and the like; there is no rule that says you can't set up a booth to sell things on other days, but you get more customers on Garendi when everyone comes to town.

The owner of the Drinking Horn set aside one of his barrooms--one of modest size on the second floor, with interior windows that overlook the two main barrooms and access by an outside stair--for the use of arena managers, should they care to make it a favored haunt. His wines and ales are of good quality and reasonable price, and his cook is a very good one.