The High District occupies a gentle rise overlooking the Shad'li crossing. At its center stands Valentien's Fortress, originally built to defend the river and now serving as the royal palace of Valmark. Its commanding position and proximity to the crown have made the district the preferred home of the city's nobility.

Broad streets divide imposing townhouses, walled gardens, government offices, and the residences of wealthy courtiers. Unlike the grey cobblestones found elsewhere in Valmark, the High District's roads are paved with distinctive red brick quarried and fired near Valfort to the east. The streets are also wider, cleaner, and more heavily patrolled than those of most other districts, reflecting both the wealth of its residents and the importance of protecting the palace.

The Western District is the oldest surviving part of Valmark, founded nearly four centuries ago where the Shad'li River could once be crossed during the driest months of the year. Although the city's merchants later relocated to the newer Market District, the Western District remains an important entry point and a center of local tradition.

Its most notable landmarks include Analiy's Orphanage, supported by the Temple of Light, and the city's only bridge across the Shad'li, built over the original fording place. Old Ford Square beside the bridge hosts small markets, public celebrations, and street performers, while Westgate Commons provides travelers and laborers with inns, stables, alehouses, and inexpensive food near the city gates. Many of the district's narrow streets still follow the paths of the original settlement.

The Embersteps District stands upon a low rise near Valmark's southern wall. Once known simply as the slums, much of the district was destroyed by a devastating fire several decades ago. It was rebuilt in brick and stone, though its narrow streets still twist unpredictably between crowded homes, workshops, and small neighborhood markets.

Embersteps remains home to many of Valmark's poorer residents, but regular patrols keep it safer than similar districts in most cities, even after nightfall. The Hearthlight Theatre offers inexpensive plays, music, and comic performances, while the Southgate Lantern is the district's busiest tavern. Popular with laborers, soldiers, merchants, and travelers entering through the South Gate, it is known for hearty meals, loud songs, and crowded tables.

The Northern District is known for its workshops, warehouses, and small merchant houses. Although it sees fewer travelers than Valmark's western and southern roads, much of the city's timber, ore, stone, and other raw materials enter through its gates from the northern forests and mines of the Northern Mountains.

Craftspeople of nearly every trade can be found along its busy streets, from carpenters and stonecutters to metalworkers and leatherworkers. Near the district's southern edge, close to the Market District, stands the workshop of Ettio, a respected dverg weaponsmith and armorsmith. His work is valued by soldiers, nobles, and mercenaries alike, and his shop is among the best-known establishments in northern Valmark.

The Dawnspire District takes its name from the seven great towers rising above the Temple of Light within the enclosed Temple Court. The court contains shrines and temples dedicated to each of the Light-aligned deities, making the district the religious heart of Valmark.

Many of the city's wealthiest merchants maintain homes and elegant shops along the streets surrounding the court. Twice each day, at sunrise and several hours before sunset, large processions gather as worshippers make their way to the temples. Some come to pray or hear sermons, while others seek guidance, blessings, or healing from the priests and priestesses. During these hours, the district fills with bells, hymns, and the steady movement of pilgrims from across the city.

The East District is the smallest of Valmark's districts, built along the city's busiest eastern trade road. Much of the commerce entering or leaving Valmark passes through its gates, and its streets are crowded with caravans, couriers, merchants, and travelers.

The district is filled with stables, taverns, alehouses, inns, and shops catering to those rarely staying longer than a night or two. Its best-known establishments include The Copper Stag, a lively tavern favored by caravan guards; Mara's Hearth, a popular alehouse owned and operated by a local resident; and The Far Road Inn, renowned for its clean rooms, secure stables, and early breakfasts for travelers departing at dawn.

The Market District contains few permanent buildings beyond its central counting houses, public scales, and covered merchants' hall. Before sunrise each morning, traders arrive with carts, awnings, tables, and temporary stalls, transforming the open ground into a crowded maze of commerce.

From within, the district resembles a vast courtyard enclosed by the tall grey buildings of the surrounding neighborhoods. Nearly every kind of goods can be found here, including grain, livestock, clothing, tools, imported luxuries, and fresh produce from nearby farms. Fish, salt, timber, and cargo unloaded in the Docks District brought by river are carted inland each morning, while caravans supply goods from across the continent. By evening, most stalls have vanished, leaving only trampled ground and empty streets behind.

The Docks District abutting the Shad'li River is the only part of Valmark not enclosed by the city walls, which end on either side of the district. Nearly all trade arriving from downriver passes through its crowded quays, while stone, timber, ore, and other cargo too heavy for overland transport are loaded onto barges bound for settlements farther downstream.

Warehouses, small boatyards, cranes, taverns, and merchants' offices line the riverfront, and labor continues at nearly every hour. Dockworkers unload vessels by day, while night crews prepare barges for the morning. The district has a reputation as the least safe part of Valmark, attracting smugglers, thieves, and rough travelers. Even so, frequent patrols and guarded warehouses keep violence and crime far below what is common in the dockyards of many larger cities.