Drawn for an upcoming novel by Jason Tondro, this started out as an isometric map of a Roman settlement for a setting with more magic (and a lot more necromancy) than the real world and slowly morphed into more of an illustration of the same. It still works as a map but is significantly more fiddly and detailed than what I normally draw for such items.
The basic shape and structure of the settlement are based on the ruins of an actual Roman settlement in Spain. Some liberties were of course taken for this fantasy version of the settlement – with emphasis on shrines and two necropoli as well as a functional outer wall. The outer wall can be bypassed by climbing the tall hill upon which the Sanctuary is built – but that portion of the hill is quite steep with forest between it and the mountains shortly behind there, making it a possible way for a few people to slip in and out if they avoid the guards, but not a viable way of moving any decent military force into place. The rear of the Sanctuary provides a formidable wall of its own.
The main structure at the base of the hill is the forum, with the baths at the far end. Between the forum and the sanctuary are several temples (the main ones being to Dispater & Mercury) and some administrative structures. Down below the forum are the houses of rich locals who generally run the government of the civitas – the settlement and the lands around it – which in this case includes several copper and iron mines which make the local magistrates quite rich, which in turn results in the town’s upgraded baths and other structures as they compete with each other to be the most “generous” to the settlement to raise their own status.
This fantasy version of the town has a significant necromantic presence, thus explaining the two different mausoleums. The southern one is full of crypts, whereas the one on the very left of the map is full of niches where urns filled with cremated remains are placed.
When Jason Tondro’s novel is released, I’ll write up another post about it and where to get it. In the meantime, hopefully, this settlement can make an impact on your game worlds.
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