Castles
(Broch, Agadir, Kasbah, Cap, Qsar, Bhur)
The architecture of the PE is disparate and varied1. There are many types and styles of military and
quasi-military building. The most common are the marginally more secure than their neighbours
houses of the majority of ilin (B. Taddart, S. Ilingobel) [probably should be Ilinobel? The relatively
recent/adjectival use of ‘Ilin’ prompting lenition, instead of the nasal mutation [> ?Iling’obel? if it was
an ancient compound?] Generally, this is only because they have a solid 5’ or 6’ wall about the house
and the adjacent stable and the associated yard and out buildings. It is to keep the ilin’s beloved horses
secure, rather than as a defensive installation. The Taddart is normally centred around a formal
dinning room2. Adjacent to this are the kitchen and store rooms. Any servants quarters will be here.
The ilin will have his own chamber. There will be a chamber for his wives and separate bunk rooms
for any children. Where local building materials and practices allow, the private chambers will be on a
first (or even second) floor.
One unifying factor of all of the following buildings is that the ground floor, or a large portion thereof,
is given over to stabling and provision of supplies for their horses (hay storage, a blacksmithy, tack
rooms etc). Also some access to a fresh water supply. Normally this is a well to prevent contamination
by hostile outsiders.
In many places with a nearby Perranic or Dwarven population, Saan (PF Plumbing) may be laid into
buildings. Normally this will use a diverted stream or portion thereof. There will be collection
chambers, stone lined channels (sometimes capped and buried) and header tanks to ensure a constant
flow. In this way even the modest Taddart of the rank and file ilin (and the villages in which they live)
can enjoy the benefits of constant running water for both consumption and sanitation. Aquaducting can
run (albeit a very shallow gradient) for tens of miles to deliver water to the houses and farms fortunate
enough to enjoy proximity to capable civil engineers.
The Hedgelord of an area will most likely reside in a Broch or Agadir. The Broch [Gael alt. of ON
berg “fort”] is the traditional extended family dwelling of Perranland. It is a double skinned outer
tower, circular and of stone. Most are three stories high and significantly wider at the base than at the
top. The interior is furnished with a wooden framework within which family chambers and work
rooms can be arranged. Normally this is sufficient for the Hedgelord and his family alone, although
one or two of his ilin might maintain a vigil from it’s roof or door.
An Agadir is normally a larger rectangular tower. At it’s heart will be two or more granaries,
generally one within the upper stories of the building and one pit granary underneath. The entire
structure will be stone or brick built with apartments for the Hedgelord and one or two of his ilin
(single in a modest example, apartments for families in a large one). There will also be two or more
halls or other large chambers that would act as a refuge for those living nearby in times of heightened
danger, when the normally comfortable hedgelord’s family can find their next village resident for a few
days. The stabling at the lower levels, over generous for the horses of two or three ilin, becomes a
refuge for the livestock of the village.
These two types of buildings, whilst family dwellings, display all the characteristics one would
associate with castle living. Thick walls, small narrow windows (arrow slits) and a robustness that
speaks of security first and comfort later. Both are designed to defend against small scale raids from
lightly armed marauders. The Agadir additionally offers sanctuary for neighbouring villagers. The
Broch is designed as in PEP Perranland, to be tall enough to allow it’s neighbouring Brochs to see it’s
beacon.
1
The ilin classes prefer to build in stone where they can. Tall pointed (gothic) arches are a common
feature as are horse themed decorations. Quite often the badge or emblem of the Clan also features
prominently, not only in the decorations but as part of the fabric of the building.
2
As noted elsewhere, this will be furnished with rugs and low stools resembling saddles. Other
furniture in the building will follow local patterns but always the formal areas are devoid of ‘real
furniture’ however plush the rest of their cushions and rugs are. This holds true for all levels of
accommodation for the ilin class.
Within an urban setting, the favoured dwelling is a form of Kasbah. There is usually a courtyard with a
fountain. The flowing water helps cool the courtyard in the hotter lands of the PE. This inner
courtyard will have cloisters around it, perhaps to one or two stories. There will be an outer courtyard,
also provided with flowing water. However this yard will have stabling on two or more sides.
Between the two courtyards lies the main hall, this is where the formal aspects of ilin life take place.
The rooms of Kasbah tend to be larger and airier than those of the more heavily fortified Broch or
Agadir.
In the settled, calm interior of the PE, some Hedgelords have altered or built new their homes so that
they are now more Kasbah than Agadir or Broch. The level for fortification at the average Kasbah is
intended to allow the building to be a rallying point in defence of the general area. Some are more
heavily fortified, although this is uncommon.
A Carnc will reside in a purpose built military fortification. Inevitably these have ‘Cap’ as part of the
their name (ie Cabūt), from the Baklunish for ‘castle’. Normally something on bedrock, designed to
withstand prolonged siege. Two or more curtain walls, towers (B. Borj), barbicans (S. Annon) and
sally-ports are usual features. Some are built on older Oerid Motte and Bailey castles, others are
Agadirs or Kasbah grown vast. Dwarven and Perranic castle builders will erect concentric castles for
the wealthy. Typically a Cap of this sort will have stables and billeting for between 100 and 200 ilin.
(most fall somewhere in between). The quality of accommodation varies wildly from Cap to Cap.
There will a palatial apartment for the Carnc and his family and suitable accommodation for the
members of his court. The heart will be a hall (PF~S. Lyrond) in between the horse marshalling area
and the familial apartments. This is where the formal business of ilin life and provincial government
take place. In some places there are also quarters for an element of a Jalee warband. Only in the very
biggest does this stretch to a full Battle (600+ men).
Where an entire settlement has been fortified then quite often it bears the word ‘Bhur’ somewhere in
it’s name. The word is a Perranic Flanne affectation. ‘Ksar’ is the Baklunish equivalent. Terraced
earthen breastworks, either with or without palisades are common for highland villages in Tenh and
other NE territories. Even modest towns in Udas and Eastern Nyrond often have substantial stone
walls with hollow backed ‘D’ towers (B. Borj) within easy bowshot of each other along their length.
The biggest cities of Udas are mighty citadels in their own right, laid out for defence as well as
domestic and commercial purposes (S.. Ost).
The overall effect of the various pieces of architecture is in step with the ilin-strategy for dealing with
incursions. The ilin are comparatively thinly spread over the area they claim. When attacked they fall
back to the next appropriate stronghold. Unless a raid is conducted in strength (several hundred
marauders) then the Hedgelord’s Agadir becomes the local Headquarters and Rallying point for the
defence. The local ilin will already be in the field harassing the intruders. Neighbouring
reinforcements3, summoned by signal fire, pigeon or rider will meet at the Agadir and repulse the
invaders. If this proves to be impossible, it is quite likely that this particular Agadir may be abandoned,
with the refugees shepherded away to neighbouring Agadirs. The nation-state’s main force, by now
assembled at the fort of the Carnc whose province (B. Wilaya) is being attacked, is able to take to the
field.
Sindarin
ARCHITECTURE: adab "building, house" (pl. edeb), car or cardh "house", henneth "window",
annon "great gate", fenn "threshold", thâm "hall", thamas "great hall", panas or talaf "floor", ram
"wall", tobas "roofing", telu "dome, high roof", rond "vaulted or arched roof, or a large hall or
chamber so roofed", barad, minas and mindon "tower", ost "city, town with wall round, fortress",
gobel "walled house or village, town", caras "city built above ground", othlon "paved way", ostrad
"street" (in Minas Tirith also rath, see UT:255).
Quenyan
ARCHITECTURE: ataquë "construction, building", coa "house" (also car, card-), ampano "building,
wooden hall", ando "gate" (andon "great gate"), fenda "threshold", sambë "room, chamber",
3
Liekly to be the Carnc and all of his forces that available.
caimasan "bed-chamber" (pl. caimasambi), tópa "roof", talan "floor" (pl. talami), ramba "wall",
mindo "(isolated) tower" (mindon "great tower"), osto "city, town with wall round", opelë "walled
house or village, town", hróta "dwelling underground, artifical cave or rockhewn hall", telma "the last
item in a structure" (such as a coping-stone, or a topmost pinnacle).
Buildings and the like
Ksar
Qsar
Borj
Koubba
Saha
Tigm
Taddart
Kērr
Kier
Kurr
Cap
Pha
Gol
Qissaria
Souq
Ksar
Qsar
Kasbah
Agadir
Funduq
Bab
Bidon
fortified village
Castle (arc)
fortification or part thereof, literally ‘tower’ (zei)
sanctuary or shrine
square or courtyard
house
house
Farm (arc) (can also mean the wider estate)
Farm (bak)
Farm (zei)
Fort, castle, Citadel or house.
Korral, pen, sty, ranch, heft, range
Town (possibly place where a ‘goh’ lives)
covered market
market
fortified village
Castle (arc)
urban or rural stronghold. Usually square, a single layer of rooms about a central
courtyard, anywhere from single to three stories
fortified communal granary. Generally larger than a kasbah, with space to keep
families and livestock during attacks.
A form of caravanserai. Unadorned façade with a big door. A large open topped
courtyard with stalls on all sides and accommodation for people above the stalls.
Ritual passage or gateway.
Slum or ghetto area
Other places and natural features
Oued
dry water course
Reg
Stony desert
Sebkha
saltpan
Wilaya province
Būt
Land (arc)
Bur
Land (bak)
Pha
Korral, pen, sty, ranch, heft, range
Eu
Field
Ek
Forest
Ket
Hill, hills, uplands, somewhere not flat and not mountains
Gol
Town (possibly place where a ‘goh’ lives)
Kērr
Farm (arc)
Kier
Farm (bak)
Kurr
Farm (zei)
Bass
Pass, road, valley or chasm leading to somewhere, route.
Pell
River
Bac
Valley, Chasm, schism, split, cleft
Bos
Pass, road, route, unifying force or element
Adfel
Snow
Ardar
Mountain (pl. idraren)
Afella
summit
Adgal
Pasture
Aghbalu
Water spring
‘ain
Water spring (arc)
aman
assif
azaghar
azib
Chaba
Ifir
Iferd
Kerkour Cairn
Talat
Tamada
Tizi
Hammada
Sebkha
Wilaya
water
Watercourse, river
plain or plateau
Temporary summer settlement (pl. Azerbane)
Ravine
Cave
Lake
dried up watercourse
lake
col, saddle or pass
stony desert (zei)
saltpan
province