| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ShadowKing |
Posted - 30 Sep 2013 : 21:53:55
Lost Empires of Faerun tells there were pyramids in Mulhorand and ziggurats in Mulhorand, Unther and Chessenta, prior the Spellplague.
In the same age, were there pyramids and ziggurats even in Thay, Murghôm and Semphar?
Were they buildings developed by the Untheric and the Mulhorandi Empires or inherited from the Imaskari Empire? |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 22:51:08
Yarash‘s Pyramid at Sorcerer‘s Isle, North of Phlan on the Moonsea, was the site of some rather exotic breeding experiments. Yarash spent much time attempting to create a race of superior-stock lizardmen servitors. I can‘t help but wonder if this is tangentially related to the REF5 Tomb of the Lizard King adventure which included an undead lizard king who possessed two Nether Scrolls, each revealing a powerful unique “creator“ spells which were well-suited for this very purpose.
As stated, pyramids are geometrically basic and very lasting structures, built by many diverse civilizations. Large pyramid are monuments requiring serious effort, time, and resources to construct, so they invariably serve some special ceremonial/religious/political purpose.
Pyramids have also long been associated with the occult, so it seems likely that (in the Realms, at least) they are useful or necessary constructs for powerful magical workings. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 16:59:33
Canonical answer: Yes, Thay had at least ziggurats. The Flaming Brazier temple in Bezantur was a step pyramid/ziggurat made of red marble. |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 15:03:22
Also remember that the pyramid is the most stable shape that can be constructed using relatively crude methods. Just like in the RW cultures across the globe built massive pyramids/ziggurats without knowing of each other, it's entirely possible for there to be pyramids scattered throughout the Realms, or even the lands around the old Mulhorandi/Untheric empires that don't have anything to do with Unther or Mulhorand. |
| Seravin |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 03:08:43
I believe there are 3 pyramids in the Moonsea area, one of which is on Sorcerer's Isle near Phlan and is possibly Mulhorandi in origin. The second one is near Thentia/Ironkeep I think? And the 3rd was never found if I remember correctly. |
| The Masked Mage |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 02:13:03
Perhaps Thaymount is the mother of all pyramids :P - Did I take that too far? |
| Quale |
Posted - 03 Oct 2013 : 18:59:09
quote:
Originally posted by ShadowKing
[i]
In the same age, were there pyramids and ziggurats even in Thay, Murghôm and Semphar?
Thay and Murghom should have pyramids, but not as many as in Mulhorand
quote:
Were they buildings developed by the Untheric and the Mulhorandi Empires or inherited from the Imaskari Empire?
Unther and Mulhorand brought their own style (from Earth, probably a fantastic version of Earth that had real gods and magic) |
| xaeyruudh |
Posted - 01 Oct 2013 : 18:05:39
Mulhorand is loose-ishly based on Egypt, and Unther on a broader swath of the "fertile crescent"/middle-east. This explains pyramids in Mulhorand and ziggurats in Unther.
I don't know of any specific canon answers to your questions. Thay, Murghom, and Semphar have all been under Mulhorand's control at various points, and it certainly wouldn't be "wrong" to have pyramids there and ziggurats in Chessenta. Unther also founded the "north coast cities" (Delthuntle to Thasselen) and expanded into the Eastern Shaar, so ziggurats are easily possible in those places as well.
The short answer is that the truth can be whatever you want it to be, in your game, without going against the spirit of the region.  |
| Derulbaskul |
Posted - 01 Oct 2013 : 11:11:27
Why can't the answer be both?
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