Shiirati architecture

Okay so a Magic system, check.

World, universe, and physics, check.

Religions with zany philosophies at odds with each other, check!

What’s next?

Well, Eliza was good enough to give us worldbuilders a list of topics to consider. How awesome is that? I figure I can just work my way down. This is the way it starts->

• Architecture
• Art
  • literature
  • music
  • painting/drawing
  • poetry
  • sculpture
  • theater
  • use of art in society

Since a lot of the answers vary from city to city, for the questions that are more specific, I’m going to try and focus on one just one city- Shiira, the desert city.

(Something to understand about Shiira is the northern direction is considered bad luck. Many years ago, two northern kings warred over control of their territory. Now there’s all kinds of superstitious quirks, such as not furnishing a chair on the northern side of tables.)

Architecture:

Shiira is divided into 9 satropies, which are like provinces.

9th Satrapy: Underneath Shiira is a network of sandstone caves. Many banded tuscan pillars keep the ceilings from collapsing.

8th Satrapy: Shiira is surrounded by a circular wall about 300m thick and 100m tall. It tapers off to several walkways every 30m or so and has a vast network of aqueducts flowing through, which is heavily decorated with statues of Undine. Seven more aqueducts lead off of it to meet at the center of the city, running between the other satropies. They converge at a steam clock tower which is visible throughout the city. There are seven steam-powered fans built in the walls to keep out the excess sand and keep the city cool. There are two grand archways, east and west, which are about 120m tall. They are divided by seven massive pillars and eight iron access gates. The ceilings of the archways are painted with scenes from the opera “Gathadrel and Lon”. The entryways are guarded by four colossi—35m tall each—of past High Chancellors pointing their swords proudly to the north. Unfortunately, not every statue still has a face, or still holds his sword due to weathering. There is an overflow of tents for kilometers along the nearby Shiirati River, which is pretty much the unspoken “10th satrapy”.

7th Satrapy: The entire city is paved with octagonal brown marble tiles. At every street corner is a statue of a council member pointing their sword north, to oppose the idea of northern rule. The 7th satrapy, however, is the poorest housing district. It is located in the northernmost part of the city still within the walls. Collapsed rubble blocks some streets, and derelict apartment buildings are stacked seven stories high. Between the network of houses are many zig-zagging iron stairways, not unlike fire escapes. The sandstone apartments themselves are full of bright colors and the balconies are filled with knick-knacks. Closest to the outer wall is many stables.

6th Satrapy: A neighborhood of run-down businesses and bars. The soldiers have been provided housing here. Also city-owned establishments such as prisons and arenas are here.

5th Satrapy: Housing. Quite a bit like the 7th satrapy, but more upkept. People here have more money.

4th Satrapy: High-middle class housing. Gabled roofs and two-floored sandstone homes.

3rd Satrapy: Business district. Buildings made of imported stones are crammed together here, often covered with stylish flourishes such as venetian windows and gargoyle statues.

2nd Satrapy: Aristocrats and their manors, which are decorated much like the business district buildings.

1st Satrapy: The Shiirati Council’s ornate palace – gilded, covered in compound arches, and courtyard with twin reflecting pools. This district is located in the southernmost part of the city, but still within the walls.

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~ by cirellio on August 6, 2008.