D&D 5E How advanced/civilized are your cities?

[DND_Reborn]

So, I am beginning to flesh out my city for my city campaign game online (when we return to it LOL) and I decided to ask you how advanced or civilized or developed (pick an adjective and run with it!) are you cities?

So, the poll includes a number of options, select any and all that are typical of a major city in your game.

 

[Bawylie]

Geological Features FTW

great way to short-hand a memorable theme for each place. Also easy for players to remember.

 

[Lanefan]

It's the 'typical' clause that poses a problem when voting.

All of those features can be found in at least one city in my game world, but as very few can be found in every city or even most cities the rest don't count as 'typical' and thus didn't get a vote.

 

[Mallus]

I think it's fair to say most of my settings have cities that fall into the category: "now, in fantasy drag".

 

[Oofta]

Like @Lanefan it just depends. Cities will generally be trade points or points where there are significant natural resources such as mines.

But that could be along the coast, along a river, at the opening to a mountain pass, so on and so forth. Aqueducts aren't necessary when your city is next to a lake but are indispensable in a dryer climate.

 

[Undrave]

I think, in general, people in my circle love a good anachronism joke. I think we all have experience with Asterix so that might influence our taste.

So basically... anything can be there if its funny enough of a juxtaposition. Like the communist gnomes. Or finding a rule book on how to abjudicate some kind of game where you play a role...

 

[Mallus]

So basically... anything can be there if its funny enough of a juxtaposition. Like the communist gnomes. Or finding a rule book on how to abjudicate some kind of game where you play a role...

A city in my old World Of CITY setting had a trendy lifestyle goods store for adventurers called Urbane Outfitters.

The fact we all lived in the city that's home to Urban Outfitters might of had something to do with it.

Oh, and our others setting's Communists are goblins...

 

[el-remmen]

I am the only one who voted "aqueducts" so far. I mean, it is not every city - but sources of clean water are important to keeping a city going.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

As much as I hate to say it, half these things I don't even think about when 'building' my cities. So I didn't vote for them, even though some, like jails, would certainly appear if one were needed.

 

[Bawylie]

As much as I hate to say it, half these things I don't even think about when 'building' my cities. So I didn't vote for them, even though some, like jails, would certainly appear if one were needed.

Actually that’s interesting.

General question:
When building a city do you go for an aesthetic first approach and then populate on an as-needed basis? Or do you put in what’s relevant to that city (or adventure) first and then add an aesthetic as a flourish?

Fantasy or Function first?