Post by Kurts on Jan 31, 2016 14:24:22 GMT -5
Tyrosh has become a perfect marriage of Ironborn utilitarianism, Tyroshi aesthetics, and Valyrian magic. The outer walls, Bleeding Tower, and Old Palace with its circular curtain wall have remained since the time of Valyrians; imposing defenses constructed of fused black dragonstone, a testament to the fact Tyrosh began as a military outpost raised initially to control shipping passing through the Stepstones.
The newer Ironborn additions to the defenses are immediately noticeable, the grey granite blocks of the new fortifications standing in stark contrast to the jet black color of the old. Taking a page from the Braavosi, a formidable sea wall has been constructed around the harbor to house the Eastern Iron Fleet, massive oak gates allowing the ships to sail in and out. A stone star fort has also been constructed around the circular curtain wall of the Old Palace. Square or ring-shaped fortifications, as typical Westerosi castles utilised, had been found to have a "dead zone" in their defenses. An attacking force that could get close to the wall was able to conduct undermining operations in relative safety, as the defenders could not shoot at them from nearby walls. In contrast, the star fortress is a very flat structure composed of many triangular bastions, specifically designed to cover each other. The shape also gave the keep its name, Krakenhal, the points of the star fort and circular central keep vaguely resembling a kraken with tentacles outstretched.
At the center of the harbor sits the newest addition, the Iron Colossus, a coronation present from the Goldlands to the Iron Empire. It is a 40 meter statue of wrought iron and brass plates, crafted in the likeness of the legendary Iron King wearing his robes of seaweed and pale crown carved from Nagga's teeth. He carries a sword in one hand and a torch in the other, serving as a lighthouse and defensive structure, the eternal flame symbolizing Nagga's living fire that once warmed his seat and recalling the legend that he brought fire to the earth by taunting the Storm God into setting a tree on fire with a thunderbolt.
The newer Ironborn additions to the defenses are immediately noticeable, the grey granite blocks of the new fortifications standing in stark contrast to the jet black color of the old. Taking a page from the Braavosi, a formidable sea wall has been constructed around the harbor to house the Eastern Iron Fleet, massive oak gates allowing the ships to sail in and out. A stone star fort has also been constructed around the circular curtain wall of the Old Palace. Square or ring-shaped fortifications, as typical Westerosi castles utilised, had been found to have a "dead zone" in their defenses. An attacking force that could get close to the wall was able to conduct undermining operations in relative safety, as the defenders could not shoot at them from nearby walls. In contrast, the star fortress is a very flat structure composed of many triangular bastions, specifically designed to cover each other. The shape also gave the keep its name, Krakenhal, the points of the star fort and circular central keep vaguely resembling a kraken with tentacles outstretched.
At the center of the harbor sits the newest addition, the Iron Colossus, a coronation present from the Goldlands to the Iron Empire. It is a 40 meter statue of wrought iron and brass plates, crafted in the likeness of the legendary Iron King wearing his robes of seaweed and pale crown carved from Nagga's teeth. He carries a sword in one hand and a torch in the other, serving as a lighthouse and defensive structure, the eternal flame symbolizing Nagga's living fire that once warmed his seat and recalling the legend that he brought fire to the earth by taunting the Storm God into setting a tree on fire with a thunderbolt.