Ochaeus Square

When refugees first began to settle in Altheria, the need to setup a stable food source was of vital importance. To that end, haphazard crop gardens were established in a rush, in order to support the growing number of people fleeing the Blight. Ochaeus Square was, perhaps, one of the largest of these. Originally, the main area of the square itself was the remaining foundation of a massive building, the rest of which had long since crumbled to dust. Surrounding it were similar, smaller foundation remnants and a great deal of bare ground overgrown with greenery. The huge central foundation was paved over, allowing residents to setup thousands of containers in which to plant. As well, the entire area surrounding the square was tilled as best they were able and planted with larger food crops. Although the soil was within the central part of the city, it was still rich enough to support the vegetation, and soon a substantial amount of food was being produced. Gardens like these were the lifeline of the refugee population, and were in large part why they didn't starve despite the thousands that were pouring into the city.

Eventually, more productive fields were setup outside the walls and the hundreds of pots and other containers in the square were moved to the better, safer climate of the greenhouses established in the nearby Windsong Ward. What crops could be transplanted elsewhere were, but many were left to spread untended once better areas had been created for growing food. The access points to Trelest and Eldrun are still maintained, but the majority of the area ended up being left to run wild. While the eastern half of the square eventually became overrun with weeds, the western side still is full of food crops, which nearby residents living in northeastern Cyrcline can occasionally take advantage of. But with the area so overgrown, it's far easier to head to a shop for vegetables than wade through the greenery in an attempt to pluck a zucchini off the vine. Thus, the square has become a haven for birds and other wildlife, who share the bounty of this untended garden.