Some rambling thoughts about Tick-Tock Town...
Where does the gas for the gas lights come from? I could see a team of mining clockworks that operate in tunnels deep below the city or harvesting automatons that cultivate fungus farms somewhere nearby. They collect raw materials for the gas that are distilled in a Big Complicated Contraption to make the city's gas supply. Opportunities for malfunctions and/or sabotage abound
If the clockwork guardsmen patrol the city along prelaid rails or paths, I could see crime in the city finding the few areas with no rails, or perhaps sabotaging/blocking the rails/paths to prevent or delay the guards arrival to a particular area. Citizens who were used to patrolling clockworks would be easy pickings for a gang of thugs. Perhaps a gang has just begun derailing guards and the populace is afraid to leave the well-travelled areas and is looking to the mage for an answer. The clockwork mage had better find a fix quick before he loses the faith of his people.
Similarly, young hooligans running the city might think it is grand fun to vandalize cleanerbots or similar automata, covering them with graffiti, mud, or less savory items.
Does the mage make the mechanicals for his projects, or does he merely enchant existing devices? If the latter, the town would attract large numbers of smiths, engravers, jewelers, and other artisans to create the forms of the creatures he enchants into being. This would make the town THE go-to place for expensive, elaborate, or specialized crafting and repair. Also, the city will need large quantities of metals, raw ore, fine wood, and other crafting products for the mage's experiments and any work done by the populace. Having warehouses and either an overland or water route for supplies would add some depth. Since metal is very heavy, maybe the mage has a mechanical caravan he sends out for supplies?
Does the mage do all the repairs on his creations? Surely things get broken, sabotaged, worn out, etc. In a large city, he'd have to spend all his time repairing or remaking items instead of researching or whatever neato stuff he does with his time. I could see a guild of mechanics or technicians to handle basic repairs, maintenance, etc. Maybe they also act as a liason between the mage and the people, or assist in prep work for his more complicated work.
Looking at the intelligence of the automata can be fun, too. Perhaps some automata are mindless and simply do one task over and over. For instance, maybe one creation pumps well water all day long. He doesn't notice people around him or in his way, he's just going to pump water all day long unless his control word is spoken, even if some kid gets squished in the pump. Maybe some automata are aware of people and try to avoid them or not directly harm them, but they don't have programming to directly assist them if they need help. For instance, the cleanerbot who roams the city sweeping debris may carefully edge around a back alley mugging to dust a curb, careful not to touch anyone but leaving the helpless victim to his fate.
Woo, that went a little long. Sorry, hope there's something useful for you in there.
Where does the gas for the gas lights come from? I could see a team of mining clockworks that operate in tunnels deep below the city or harvesting automatons that cultivate fungus farms somewhere nearby. They collect raw materials for the gas that are distilled in a Big Complicated Contraption to make the city's gas supply. Opportunities for malfunctions and/or sabotage abound
If the clockwork guardsmen patrol the city along prelaid rails or paths, I could see crime in the city finding the few areas with no rails, or perhaps sabotaging/blocking the rails/paths to prevent or delay the guards arrival to a particular area. Citizens who were used to patrolling clockworks would be easy pickings for a gang of thugs. Perhaps a gang has just begun derailing guards and the populace is afraid to leave the well-travelled areas and is looking to the mage for an answer. The clockwork mage had better find a fix quick before he loses the faith of his people.
Similarly, young hooligans running the city might think it is grand fun to vandalize cleanerbots or similar automata, covering them with graffiti, mud, or less savory items.
Does the mage make the mechanicals for his projects, or does he merely enchant existing devices? If the latter, the town would attract large numbers of smiths, engravers, jewelers, and other artisans to create the forms of the creatures he enchants into being. This would make the town THE go-to place for expensive, elaborate, or specialized crafting and repair. Also, the city will need large quantities of metals, raw ore, fine wood, and other crafting products for the mage's experiments and any work done by the populace. Having warehouses and either an overland or water route for supplies would add some depth. Since metal is very heavy, maybe the mage has a mechanical caravan he sends out for supplies?
Does the mage do all the repairs on his creations? Surely things get broken, sabotaged, worn out, etc. In a large city, he'd have to spend all his time repairing or remaking items instead of researching or whatever neato stuff he does with his time. I could see a guild of mechanics or technicians to handle basic repairs, maintenance, etc. Maybe they also act as a liason between the mage and the people, or assist in prep work for his more complicated work.
Looking at the intelligence of the automata can be fun, too. Perhaps some automata are mindless and simply do one task over and over. For instance, maybe one creation pumps well water all day long. He doesn't notice people around him or in his way, he's just going to pump water all day long unless his control word is spoken, even if some kid gets squished in the pump. Maybe some automata are aware of people and try to avoid them or not directly harm them, but they don't have programming to directly assist them if they need help. For instance, the cleanerbot who roams the city sweeping debris may carefully edge around a back alley mugging to dust a curb, careful not to touch anyone but leaving the helpless victim to his fate.
Woo, that went a little long. Sorry, hope there's something useful for you in there.
