Stephen Tempest wrote:
"Lawrence Whitaker" <lawrence.whitaker_at_TSr5tPdb9zNVVN_1GPqyQk625j64jhlG9ugoMptEetmVSTTozdLUA5dMLNYPkOvGkGGIZaDVF0TKrcL9NaEUE9xl4ag.yahoo.invalid
<mailto:lawrence.whitaker%40gmail.com>> writes:
> >Looking at the map in 'The Clanking City' this is clearly a smallish
city
> >that, whilst built on an island, is nevertheless compact. It is
surrounded
> >by open land, but a lot of it is sand, making only the area occupied
by the
> >city itself stable for building (and its reached its surface limits
in that
> >regard). Judging by the detail given, the city is approximately 500
metres
> >at its widest point, and 1,100 metres in length - so say 550,000
sqm. Its
> >obviously heavily urbanised too, above ground, and therefore densely
> >populated for its size. Estimate the population in the region of
5,000 to
> >8,000 people above ground, depending on influx (and pre-siege).
>
> Sorry to be picky, but this is always something that bugs me with
> depictions of fantasy cities. (And Lord of the Rings movie version,
> I'm looking at *you* here.)
>
> What do they eat?
I'm with you on this subject, Stephen. This always bugs me. I've tried
to keep Gloranthan cities within reasonable limits of the carrrying
capacity of the land, reasonable transportation, etc.
SO concerning this one in particular, it is deliberate. The huge, overpopulation is on purpose. You are supposed to wonder where he food comes from.
> The map shows no fields or farmland, and they're under siege anyway.
> Do they import enough food for 18,000 people through the teleportation
> gate from Seshnela?
No, but they get a huge amount brought in by ship. Yes, by ships, crammed with grain, dried meat, dried fruit, etc. And likely a large fishing fleet off shore.
> Or is one of the undocumented wonders of Zistor a
> technomagical device that produces endless amounts of food?
Not endless, but in fact this is (in my Glorantha) so---they have ways to create edible food in the underground city.
> Or is it a
> requirement to become a Cog of Zistor that your stomach is surgically
> removed and replaced by a photosynthesis cell?
> :-)
Ohh, I like that too! :D
Walktapus biscuits all around!!
Just kidding.
--Greg
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