Speaking of [the 20%-80% rule] I suspect a factor in Jibei’s renowned beauty is that its area is disproportionately taken up by the residences of all those clan hostages and their retinues, compared to the fraction of the total population they make up. The city is planned and architected geomantically, but also practically, such that the quarters of common folk are interspersed and easily overlooked
Out of sight, out of mind. Also fewer big gathering places for angry commoners, but at the same time, easy for someone to not be found who doesn’t want to be
The Sword Princes haven’t felt the need to march an army through their own city yet since their latest period of centralized power began so it’s worked out so far.
As in the current one and his predecessors. There aren’t multiple sword princes at one time or anything
[08:31]Atiye: I have no idea if any of this is legible
[08:35]Atiye: The books mention symmetry in jibei’s design but sue me asymmetry is visually interesting. Plus you can still have a feeling of symmetry in certain fractal patterns or symmetry within an asymmetric layout
[08:36]Atiye: Maybe the dragon-backed manse should instead be where the stream that goes into that border canal springs out of the mountain
[08:52]Atiye: South’s an unlucky direction, especially southwest. Just look at what’s left of Laris, or at those weirdo spirit-fuckers in Serpolet and the raids they face from their south. So you have a sacred mountain and a sacred lake to the south, blocking and cleansing any bad mojo from there. Water off the mountain is channeled around the city to ward and bless it in all directions