gabbyncat: (Default)
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So the old city is divided by the rivers into three "Quarters" which I've tentatively named the North Quarter the Central Quarte and the Cultural Quarter. There aren't many bridges. There is a central curving "high street" which is where most of the old buildings can be found and this has a bridge over each river (Main Bridge - should think of a better name) and Roman Bridge. There is a second bridge, St. Peter's Bridge between the north and central quarters. In the central area is an old 19th century slum area (the old warren) and that's where Alex's tenement is. I think we are going to have to set the city in this world. I suggest an imaginary tiny European principality between France and Italy, possibly with a large English-speaking community, possibly with English as the official language.

NB. Subsequently agreed on an island in the Adriatic sea between Italy and the Balkans. The historical remnant of ancient `Illyria'. The island is English and Italian speaking with a large British ex-pat population for reasons not yet well specified.
gabbyncat: (Default)
Under the Cut )

I'm thinking we've got a rocky promotory, next to a big natural bay and a swampy river delta. So the old city is tucked into a flatish bit which is nevertheless rock for building on. This slopes gently down to the sea and the harbour, and is full of picturesque (or not so picturesque) old and cramped housing. Then the slope of the promotory gets much steeper and no one really built there, although there is a keep (?disused, ?ruined) at the top and a lighthouse on the point. However these days the steep slopes have been terraced and wealthy cliff-top mansions built overlooking the old city and the harbour. Meanwhile poorer housing has sprawled out from the city towards the marshy land of the delta, some of which is being reclaimed for yet more new housing. The old road from the city runs along the edge of the rocky ground, trying not to get too high. Meanwhile upriver from the delta is fertile farmland which used supply food to the city. There are a couple of much smaller rivers which essentially bring rain water run-off down from the ridge into the old quarter.

Hmm... not on the map but maybe a reservoir up there now and a hydro plant?

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