Sharn layout explanation - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Sharn layout explanation

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Gilbetron
Jan 21, 2010 15:05:56 What differentiates the different levels/wards of Sharn from each other? Are there artificial layers created by bridges, or ... what?

#2
AvonRekaes
Jan 21, 2010 16:29:30
Each ward is seperated into districts. Some of these districts border each othe horizontally, and some of them are stacked on top of each other. I'm pretty sure there are "borders" between each district and the next, in the form of such-and-such tower beloning in one district, and it's neighborign one belonging in the other. As for differences in levels, I imagine only the largest, thickest towers are divided between wards stacked on top of each other. In that case, it'd be "Floor 180 is in this district, Floor 181 is in the district above it".

Between wards, all but two of them in the main city are naturally seperated by being on different plateaues. Only Dura and Tavick's Landing occupy the same plateau, and they probably follow the same rule. (This tower is in Dura, and the one next to it is in Tavick's Landing).

Further, then there's Skyway, which has two districts, with only an arbitrary border dividing them. (One side of the street is one district, the other side is the other.)

Then there's the Cog, which are probably "this cavern/tunnel is in one district, the one it connects to is another."
#3
Hellcow
Jan 21, 2010 20:15:01
In that case, it'd be "Floor 180 is in this district, Floor 181 is in the district above it".

I see it as a combination of this and the fact that there are a few places were there are essentially plaza-like concentrations of bridges - central chokepoints where there's a high level of commerce.

Beyond that, Sharn wasn't built in a day. It's quite likely that you'll see a difference in architectural style from one level to the next - that "Upper Dura" was built a century after "Middle Dura".
#4
Madfox11
Jan 22, 2010 4:16:19 And I suspect at other places the border is a bit vaguer. Yeah, level 180 is District X, 181 might... depends on with whom you talk. Just as in RL cities the border between districts is not always a clearly visible line.
#5
Hellcow
Jan 22, 2010 9:25:49 I agree, Madfox. That's why I think architectural style is likely to be a good indicator. The dividing line between Middle and Lower Dura is where they started using that red stone... because that's an easy thing for people to remember. Which means it's not necessarily consistent across the city; Middle Dura might start at level 45, while Middle Tavick's Landing might start at 42.
#6
RedRider
Jan 22, 2010 13:42:57 Also, the dividing lines may be mostly based in length and breadth, since aside from the lifts, the main routes to the upper levels of the city are going to be based on ramps and stairways.
You can say that upper Dura has a border at the bottom of the stairways and ramps leading up to the Plaza of Flowers for example.

Airbourne and lift issues may be covered by another juristiction in cooperation with the numerous districts.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Gilbetron Jan 21, 2010 15:05:56	What differentiates the different levels/wards of Sharn from each other? Are there artificial layers created by bridges, or ... what?
#2 AvonRekaes Jan 21, 2010 16:29:30	Each ward is seperated into districts. Some of these districts border each othe horizontally, and some of them are stacked on top of each other. I'm pretty sure there are "borders" between each district and the next, in the form of such-and-such tower beloning in one district, and it's neighborign one belonging in the other. As for differences in levels, I imagine only the largest, thickest towers are divided between wards stacked on top of each other. In that case, it'd be "Floor 180 is in this district, Floor 181 is in the district above it". Between wards, all but two of them in the main city are naturally seperated by being on different plateaues. Only Dura and Tavick's Landing occupy the same plateau, and they probably follow the same rule. (This tower is in Dura, and the one next to it is in Tavick's Landing). Further, then there's Skyway, which has two districts, with only an arbitrary border dividing them. (One side of the street is one district, the other side is the other.) Then there's the Cog, which are probably "this cavern/tunnel is in one district, the one it connects to is another."
#3 Hellcow Jan 21, 2010 20:15:01	In that case, it'd be "Floor 180 is in this district, Floor 181 is in the district above it". I see it as a combination of this and the fact that there are a few places were there are essentially plaza-like concentrations of bridges - central chokepoints where there's a high level of commerce. Beyond that, Sharn wasn't built in a day. It's quite likely that you'll see a difference in architectural style from one level to the next - that "Upper Dura" was built a century after "Middle Dura".
#4 Madfox11 Jan 22, 2010 4:16:19	And I suspect at other places the border is a bit vaguer. Yeah, level 180 is District X, 181 might... depends on with whom you talk. Just as in RL cities the border between districts is not always a clearly visible line.
#5 Hellcow Jan 22, 2010 9:25:49	I agree, Madfox. That's why I think architectural style is likely to be a good indicator. The dividing line between Middle and Lower Dura is where they started using that red stone... because that's an easy thing for people to remember. Which means it's not necessarily consistent across the city; Middle Dura might start at level 45, while Middle Tavick's Landing might start at 42.
#6 RedRider Jan 22, 2010 13:42:57	Also, the dividing lines may be mostly based in length and breadth, since aside from the lifts, the main routes to the upper levels of the city are going to be based on ramps and stairways. You can say that upper Dura has a border at the bottom of the stairways and ramps leading up to the Plaza of Flowers for example. Airbourne and lift issues may be covered by another juristiction in cooperation with the numerous districts.