Brainstorming: A City Within a Wall

[Fallen Seraph]

Been giving it a bit of thought, and each section or caste within the city should have its own lingo. For example a noble might call the city by its full name, but in the market or slums it might be simply known as "The Wall" same way different regions could have different names depoending on who is talking at the time. It doesnt need to be too esoteric, but the slight differences in the way npc's speak depending on their caste or region should bring the city more to life.

Yeah that sounds good. The military could call it by its old defence name, "The Sea Wall", or perhaps by the actual type of wall it is. I dunno what exactly will be the kind of wall.

I agree with nobility/guilds calling it by its full name. As well as "The Wall" for common folk.

 

[EP]

Yeah that sounds good. The military could call it by its old defence name, "The Sea Wall", or perhaps by the actual type of wall it is. I dunno what exactly will be the kind of wall.

I agree with nobility/guilds calling it by its full name. As well as "The Wall" for common folk.

I disagree. Calling it by one name and one name only gives it a reverence and awe. Even something that would normally be slang for the socially elite will work because it's a term risen so high in awe that it's caught on to all its citizens. It should just be called The Wall (exactly as it's spelled).

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I disagree. Calling it by one name and one name only gives it a reverence and awe. Even something that would normally be slang for the socially elite will work because it's a term risen so high in awe that it's caught on to all its citizens. It should just be called The Wall (exactly as it's spelled).

I dunno how much awe and reverence there would be for the city however by the common person. You consider that generation upon generation has lived within it ever since they were forced there by the dangers of the cataclysm.

That means people would grow used to the city. Begin to see its failings; be it the crumbling walls, the cramp conditions, the heat, the smell, etc. It is a entire city crammed into the inside of a wall I imagine few would find much awe in it. The reason they stay it is safe, they can earn a living there, etc.

I imagine those visiting would be in awe, they would probably find it odd that the common folk don't have such a similar view. I think the outside world thanks to travellers would probably refer to it as simply "The Wall" (more out of it being the defining aspect of the city rather then common slang), as their imagination extrapolates what it looks like. Probably much to the chagrin of those Guild Masters, Nobility that travel and hear their city referred to by what they view as a "common slang" name.

 

[EP]

Hmm, what about the people of the slums? The slums of India are very proud people and open about their homes, even though they are barely standing. What if a sect of the population (merchants or gypsies possibly) would look upon the Wall that way?

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Hmm, what about the people of the slums? The slums of India are very proud people and open about their homes, even though they are barely standing. What if a sect of the population (merchants or gypsies possibly) would look upon the Wall that way?

While those in the slums of The Wall I don't think would have much love of the city. They probably would be the most surrounded by the dirt, garbage, lack of space, etc.

Merchants and Gypsies though that use The Wall for safety I can imagine using the term/viewing the city in a brighter light. They would upon it as a place of safety and refuge.

I could see actually, a kind of Gypsy group that stayed in The Wall during the cataclysm but left after and never found their homeland intact so became nomads. They could view The Wall as their second-home and refuge.

 

[Primal]

FS, for some reason I'm reminded of the "feel" of the Greenstone Cities in the Conan stories. You could check out 'Red Nails' (if you already haven't), which takes place in an ancient "closed" city environment with warring factions (perhaps some sort of hidden "enclave" within the Wall, lost and forgotten, which the PCs happen to stumble upon?).

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Shall check it out. Doing google searches/wikipedia to start.

Apparently it is being made into a animated film too. Ron Perlman is the voice of Conan.