Lowtown is one of the main districts in Kirkwall. Lowtown serves primarily as housing for the city's less wealthy residents as well as the city's industrial center. In spite of this it remains a source of major commerce with markets lining the streets of Lowtown peddling their wares to all who pass.

The docks (and Lowtown) were carved out of the quarry rock by slaves when Kirkwall was part of the Tevinter Imperium. The docks are outside of the soaring city walls that border Lowtown to the north. To the south, the Gallows can be seen across the harbor.

The Gallows is an isolated fortress built in the harbor just off the Kirkwall Docks. It is sometimes used to control the flow of travelers arriving by sea but predominantly functions as the home of the Templar Order in the city as well as the site of its Circle of Magi.