Post by Demogorgon on Mar 28, 2011 12:37:15 GMT -5
Kristophan
As the seat of the Empire, Kristophan’s claim to greatness is clear and obvious. Here is where the Emperor rules, the Senate meets, and the Imperial Arena stands. Kristophan is the center of all government throughout the Empire. Every soul seeking political appointment is drawn here. Every minotaur household of consequence and every Loyal Family lives here close to the Emperor.
In terms of raw power, no other city of the Empire can rival Kristophan. It rightly boasts the finest champions, the most skillful lawyers, the most spectacular buildings, and the largest population. It is gaudy, ostentatious, and domineering
in its displays of power. It is not, however, a beautiful city.
Built around the old human settlement, the capital is divided into three districts: the Old City, the New City, and the Imperial City.
Old City
The Old City district centers around the original human town of Kristophan and the neighborhoods immediately around it. The buildings here are older than anywhere else in the city. Most of the buildings are of two storeys and built of wood, except for the Old Armory and the Forest Gate that, though no taller than the rest, are all that is left of the stone fortifications that defended the town from land- based attacks. Most of the walls have long since been torn down, and the stone carted off to build the Imperial City. Fire, especially during dry summers, is the greatest danger to the inhabitants. Disease is a close second, for the narrow, twisting streets are muddy with sewage and the buildings are infested with rats.
New City
The bulk of the New City, however, is made up of the twisting lanes that run between the main boulevards. Here live the greatest part of the people of Kristophan. These are the homes of craftsmen, merchants, and minotaurs. On these streets can be found ship captains, carpenters, importers, respected champions, lawyers, clerks, scribes, shopkeepers, hostelers, and more. They do their best to live their lives peacefully and without fuss. Unlike
the Old City, the New City is regularly patrolled by the saiones, who are generally respected and liked by the citizens there.
The typical home in the New City is a small villa built around a central courtyard.
At the gate may be a storefront where the owner displays his goods or crafts for sale. Inside is the courtyard, perhaps
decorated with a few trees (and for the well-to-do, a private well). This is typically paved for appearances and the ease of carts. Surrounding this courtyard are the rooms of the house, facing inward.
Poorer citizens, nearer the Old City, make do with single-storey homes or share their houses between several families.
Wealthy families have two-storey villas and may even have attached gardens enclosed by a separate wall.
Imperial City
The most isolated and secure section of Kristophan is the Imperial City. Nestled in the center of the New City, this is separated
from all else by the Dux’s or Generals ’ Wall. This wall not only keeps the common people out of the Imperial
grounds, it also serves as the final line of defense for the city. It is not a ceremonial or decorative wall but a solid and wellmanned
fortification.
Entrance into the Imperial City is through one of only four gates: The Emperor ’s Gate, through which passes the Emperor’s March; The Oceangate, the one closest to the sea; The Wood Gate, which faces inland; and The Bloody Gate, where the bodies of traitors are displayed after death in the Arena. During the daytime, citizens are allowed to pass through the gates, but at night they are closed to all. Furthermore, citizens of the Old and New City must leave before the gates are closed or be arrested for breaking the curfew. Only those bearing a pass, issued by the Office of the Chamberlain of the Imperial City, can legally remain within the walls after dark.
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As the seat of the Empire, Kristophan’s claim to greatness is clear and obvious. Here is where the Emperor rules, the Senate meets, and the Imperial Arena stands. Kristophan is the center of all government throughout the Empire. Every soul seeking political appointment is drawn here. Every minotaur household of consequence and every Loyal Family lives here close to the Emperor.
In terms of raw power, no other city of the Empire can rival Kristophan. It rightly boasts the finest champions, the most skillful lawyers, the most spectacular buildings, and the largest population. It is gaudy, ostentatious, and domineering
in its displays of power. It is not, however, a beautiful city.
Built around the old human settlement, the capital is divided into three districts: the Old City, the New City, and the Imperial City.
Old City
The Old City district centers around the original human town of Kristophan and the neighborhoods immediately around it. The buildings here are older than anywhere else in the city. Most of the buildings are of two storeys and built of wood, except for the Old Armory and the Forest Gate that, though no taller than the rest, are all that is left of the stone fortifications that defended the town from land- based attacks. Most of the walls have long since been torn down, and the stone carted off to build the Imperial City. Fire, especially during dry summers, is the greatest danger to the inhabitants. Disease is a close second, for the narrow, twisting streets are muddy with sewage and the buildings are infested with rats.
New City
The bulk of the New City, however, is made up of the twisting lanes that run between the main boulevards. Here live the greatest part of the people of Kristophan. These are the homes of craftsmen, merchants, and minotaurs. On these streets can be found ship captains, carpenters, importers, respected champions, lawyers, clerks, scribes, shopkeepers, hostelers, and more. They do their best to live their lives peacefully and without fuss. Unlike
the Old City, the New City is regularly patrolled by the saiones, who are generally respected and liked by the citizens there.
The typical home in the New City is a small villa built around a central courtyard.
At the gate may be a storefront where the owner displays his goods or crafts for sale. Inside is the courtyard, perhaps
decorated with a few trees (and for the well-to-do, a private well). This is typically paved for appearances and the ease of carts. Surrounding this courtyard are the rooms of the house, facing inward.
Poorer citizens, nearer the Old City, make do with single-storey homes or share their houses between several families.
Wealthy families have two-storey villas and may even have attached gardens enclosed by a separate wall.
Imperial City
The most isolated and secure section of Kristophan is the Imperial City. Nestled in the center of the New City, this is separated
from all else by the Dux’s or Generals ’ Wall. This wall not only keeps the common people out of the Imperial
grounds, it also serves as the final line of defense for the city. It is not a ceremonial or decorative wall but a solid and wellmanned
fortification.
Entrance into the Imperial City is through one of only four gates: The Emperor ’s Gate, through which passes the Emperor’s March; The Oceangate, the one closest to the sea; The Wood Gate, which faces inland; and The Bloody Gate, where the bodies of traitors are displayed after death in the Arena. During the daytime, citizens are allowed to pass through the gates, but at night they are closed to all. Furthermore, citizens of the Old and New City must leave before the gates are closed or be arrested for breaking the curfew. Only those bearing a pass, issued by the Office of the Chamberlain of the Imperial City, can legally remain within the walls after dark.
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