danielsmaps
patreon
The Magnificent City of Mirrouse
🕑 Added 2024-09-25 10:24:40 +0000 UTCHey everyone! Let me present to you the City of Mirrouse, the final map for the Great Cities theme.
Ever since I made Mirrouse 2.0 last year I felt like the city didn't have the oomph that it needed. While it was by far the largest city map I for my setting at that point, it didn't feel like the capital of a once-continent-spanning empire; the beating heart of civilisation. At the same time, it didn't look like a city that had witnessed not one, but two societal collapses, followed by centuries of decline. With some helpful insight of Boi_TheGreat I decided to recreate this city one final time. This time I manage to capture that sense of awe. The feeling that there truly is no greater achievement of mankind, than the Magnificent City of Mirrouse.
On the shores of lake Ryrmon stands Mirrouse, the capital of the Burbric Empire. With a history going back nearly 2000 years, it is among the oldest cities in the world. It witnessed the rise of the Burbric Empire as well as its long, slow fall from grace. But even today, after centuries of decline, it is still an awe inspiring sight.
The city of Mirrouse was founded on the Hill of the Wise, in the late day sof the Ryric Empire. Buricatus and his people settled near the hills, and the when the Ryric Empire fell, they formed the kingdom of Buria, named after their leader. It was this kingdom that filled the vacuum left behind. From Mirrouse grew a kingdom, that expanded faster than any that came before it. In the chaos that followed the fall of the Ryric Empire, the kingdom of Buria emerged as conquerers and liberators. But the conquests were halted by the Fall of Parretoa, which lead to a century of darkness. But still they remained and even through plagues and disasters, they were able to built an empire like the world had never seen before. At its greatest extend, the Burbric Empire ruled over all but the most remote region of the continent.
But power corrupts, and so the Burbric Empire was torn apart from within. Power struggles and succession crises lead to unrest and instability. Slowly the empire lost its grip over its vassals and one by one they rebelled in what became known as the Sixty Year Rebellion. What followed was a long decline, fed by continues coups, succession disputes and civil war. Eventually the Empire became a shadow of its former self.
But Mirrouse remained. Its population dwindled as its outer most district fell to ruin, but it remained the capital of the Empire, the seat of the Emperors, and the beating heart of civilisation. Mirrouse's outer walls still show the furthest extend of its urban sprawl at its height, but these days the outer city is mostly covered by farmlands, gardens and old ruins. The true grandeur of Mirrouse can be found in the Inner City, where ceremonial streets and ancient theaters are preserved. Here one can still see a glimpse of the grandeur of the Empire at its height, if only one can look past the decadence and corruption.
The greater city holds many marvels, from palaces and arenas, to bathhouses, gardens, temples and large estates. As one approaches the city, the Hill of the Sacred stands out, crested by the Great Temple Dinnerva, Goddess of Civilisation. The temple district is home to archives, schools, sanctums and many shrines. This esteemed temple is the destination of many pilgrims from across the continent. To the south is the Hill of the Wise, from which the city is ruled. The Upper Curia is home to the most powerful and influential politicians. Here the highest ranking nobles and wealthiest merchants engage in a delicate ballet of intrigue to make sure their families remain on top. The Lower Curia is where the day to day business of Mirrouse is handled and is ruled by the lower nobility, of the city. Between the Hill of the Sacred and the Hill of the Wise is the Rú Cermonnièlle, a porticoed street, lined with shops, forums and used for ceremonial processions. Meanwhile, the Purple Guild, known for overseeing the production of velvet, is rumored to be a front for the king's spy-network. Other's believe it's the headquarter of a large criminal organization. Most agree that one does not rule out the other.
On the island of the mainland is the grand Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor and his court. Here is Castle Sassent the emperor's private residence and oldest building on the island. There is also a Baslique of Amythesar, dedicated to the purple dragon that guided Buricatus and his people to this land. Surrounding the palace is the Garden of the Emperor, where the oldest Purper Trees still bloom, a symbol of the rulers of Burbry.
But for all this greatness, the city is no less rotten at its core. The emperor's have grown distant from their people, reducing their entire lives to the confines of Mirrouse. They know little, and care even less about the people outside the city walls. But unrest is brewing after the War of the Vale, and it's no longer just the people that are unhappy with the status quo. The emperor can not deny the troubles of his realm for much longer, but by that time it might be too late.
Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license.
Comments
Jimble-jämz
Great work!
