I visited Edinburgh last year, and it's a fantasy city come to life.
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It is a walled city that provides a stark contrast to similar fortified cities, like the white walls of Dubrovnik. Please Note: I have friends who live in Edinburgh and love this city, no disrespect is intended by discussing its past.
From the 15th century onwards, the city was formally contained within a series of defensive walls, with a number of gates in these walls to allow access to and from the city. In the 1750s, this half-mile long city had a population of around 50,000 people. There is still a "World's End Bar" that, for the residents, was literally the world's end as it was the last tavern before the gate (Netherbow Port) to the beyond. Access to and from the Port required a toll, even if you were a resident; and some folks simply couldn't pay, which meant they couldn't go further from their homes than the World's End.
Since the city couldn't expand outwards, it went upwards, with buildings as high as eleven stories, the forerunners of the modern-day skyscraper. These were dangerous affairs, and some collapsed.
In a fantasy campaign, the claustrophobic allure of a walled city with enemies lurking outside makes for a decidedly gothic setting. It can act as a trap as well, with the impoverished unable to leave simply because they can't afford it -- in times of plague, being trapped in such a city is a literal death trap.
Legend has it that these subterranean passages became ghostly haunts, with tales of plague victims and criminals locked away in the dark. In reality, these underground spaces were often where the poor and working-class citizens lived. We took a tour at night of these tunnels; the depth is something of an illusion, it's not really underground so much that the rest of the city is raised above it. But in any case, it's an intense experience. While we were there, one of the other tourists fainted after we passed through a room full of (wax) plague victims.
The idea of a hidden, parallel city lends itself to endless possibilities in a fantasy world, where this underworld might be home to thieves’ guilds, cults, or secret magical societies. And of course, if you want a city where dwarves toil below and fortify above, perhaps separated by social class, there's plenty of inspiration to be found.
It's not hard to see how a castle surrounded by a walled city with several artifacts might make for an inspirational fantasy setting, particularly during a royal transition where these artifacts are of extreme import (and thus vulnerable to theft or destruction by opposing forces).
By pulling together Edinburgh’s unique architectural, historical, and mythological traits, you can build a fantasy city that is both believable and compelling. Its walled defenses, underground world, and royal relics create a setting ripe with intrigue, danger, and magic.
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It is a walled city that provides a stark contrast to similar fortified cities, like the white walls of Dubrovnik. Please Note: I have friends who live in Edinburgh and love this city, no disrespect is intended by discussing its past.
Enemies at the Gates
The fear of invasion was omnipresent, with enemies potentially arriving from any direction – the English to the south, and Vikings from the north. The city’s defenses included the Flodden Wall, built after a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden (1513) when the Scottish feared English retaliation.From the 15th century onwards, the city was formally contained within a series of defensive walls, with a number of gates in these walls to allow access to and from the city. In the 1750s, this half-mile long city had a population of around 50,000 people. There is still a "World's End Bar" that, for the residents, was literally the world's end as it was the last tavern before the gate (Netherbow Port) to the beyond. Access to and from the Port required a toll, even if you were a resident; and some folks simply couldn't pay, which meant they couldn't go further from their homes than the World's End.
Since the city couldn't expand outwards, it went upwards, with buildings as high as eleven stories, the forerunners of the modern-day skyscraper. These were dangerous affairs, and some collapsed.
In a fantasy campaign, the claustrophobic allure of a walled city with enemies lurking outside makes for a decidedly gothic setting. It can act as a trap as well, with the impoverished unable to leave simply because they can't afford it -- in times of plague, being trapped in such a city is a literal death trap.
The City Underground
One of Edinburgh's most fascinating aspects is its hidden city beneath the streets. Mary King’s Close is the most famous example of this underground labyrinth, where people lived and worked below the bustling city above. These claustrophobic and eerie tunnels were eventually sealed off, adding to the mythos of the city's mysterious underbelly.Legend has it that these subterranean passages became ghostly haunts, with tales of plague victims and criminals locked away in the dark. In reality, these underground spaces were often where the poor and working-class citizens lived. We took a tour at night of these tunnels; the depth is something of an illusion, it's not really underground so much that the rest of the city is raised above it. But in any case, it's an intense experience. While we were there, one of the other tourists fainted after we passed through a room full of (wax) plague victims.
The idea of a hidden, parallel city lends itself to endless possibilities in a fantasy world, where this underworld might be home to thieves’ guilds, cults, or secret magical societies. And of course, if you want a city where dwarves toil below and fortify above, perhaps separated by social class, there's plenty of inspiration to be found.
The Sword and the Stone
Edinburgh Castle, perched upon Castle Rock, holds the Honours of Scotland: the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State. It also contains the Stone of Destiny (Stone of Scone), a symbol of Scottish kingship. This ancient stone was used in the coronation ceremonies of Scottish kings for centuries, before it was taken to Westminster Abbey by Edward I of England. It was famously returned to Scotland in 1996, where it now rests alongside other treasures of the Scottish crown. Each of these items are highly symbolic -- we were there when the Honours of Scotland were presented to King Charles III in a ceremony held in St Giles' Cathedral.It's not hard to see how a castle surrounded by a walled city with several artifacts might make for an inspirational fantasy setting, particularly during a royal transition where these artifacts are of extreme import (and thus vulnerable to theft or destruction by opposing forces).
By pulling together Edinburgh’s unique architectural, historical, and mythological traits, you can build a fantasy city that is both believable and compelling. Its walled defenses, underground world, and royal relics create a setting ripe with intrigue, danger, and magic.
