MidGenertelanArchitecture

Architecural Keys of the Societies of Mid-Genertela

DaraHappa

First Age

Key features that identify early DaraHappan city planning is the circular city plan, reflecting the glory of the sun on earth. The city wall will have an even number of towers and gates placed as symmetrically as possible around the wall. The centre of the city is dominated by the temple of the sun, a circular ziggurat with a series of external spiral staircases representing the ascent of worshippers.

Peloria

First Age

Inspired by DaraHappan architectural traditions, with circular towns but often a square ziggurat in the centre, with a circular platform showing the relationship of the sun with the earth.

Lunar Empire

Building on the pre-existing traditions of DaraHappa, cities are still circular. The major contribution of the Lunars to Pelorian architecture is the arch and dome. Lunar temples tend to be square but with a dome on squinches, showing the relationship of the RedMoon, Earth and Sun. Pillars are also a key part of Lunar architecture. The other major change in Lunar city planning is the location of cities. DaraHappan cities tended to be on hills above the flood plain of the river, to allow for seasonal flooding. The amelioration of Pelorian weather since the coming of the RedMoon has resulted in less frequent flooding and as a result Lunar cities are often built on the river. The most desirable position is the build the city exactly aside a straightened section of the river, creating a moon rune writ large and showing that even the water obeys the moon.

Third Age

Sun Dome temples use the Lunar dome to replace the old circular tower on top of a square ziggurat, keeping the old symbolic relationships. This design of building has been exported wherever sun down templars have settled.

Tarsh & Sartar

All ages

Orlanthi tribal settlements are based around the longhouse, normally placed on the top of a hill for defense and surrounded by a palisade, normally with a single gate and using overlapping walls to create a killing zone. As new houses are added to the settlement, they are built along the outside of the path as it spirals down the hill. The outsides of the houses are fotified and joined to create a palisade that continues to spiral down the hill. Thus an attacker who enters the settlement has to battle up a long rising path under continual bombardment from troops maning the palisade of the next turn up and subject to attacks by ambushes left in the houses on the other side. From a cosmic perspective it also creates a town protected by being a giant air rune.