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Palanan
2014-01-19, 05:50 PM
I'm working on a fortress that's built into the steep slopes of a rocky stream valley, and I need some examples to refer to, either real-world or from game settings and encounter maps.

Ideally what I'd like is a design with terraced levels, something that looks heavy and imposing while also seeming a natural aspect of the surrounding slopes. This structure (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goclimbarock/3026892100/) has the basic feel I'm going for, but I'd like a much larger and more ominous design. The Kotor Fortress (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blase/2201776711/) is fantastic on that score, but much too spread out; I'm looking for something that's a single, unified structure. Koznik Castle (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=46687325&postcount=5058) is another contender, but again a little too dispersed for what I had in mind.

Can anyone suggest a fortress, real or imagined, that's closer to what I'm looking for?

ellindsey
2014-01-19, 06:20 PM
Minas Tirith?

Calen
2014-01-19, 06:31 PM
You may not find many real structures like that, it wouldn't be a defensible location.
http://www.durango.org/DATOSiteAssets/images/specials-dato/mesa_verde_2.jpg
Maybe something like that? There are many pictures like this try a search for "pueblo ruins"
Possibly Helms Deep as written about (not the movie) Hope this helps.

Bulhakov
2014-01-19, 06:51 PM
Castles are usually built on top of the hill, not on its side; however, if you're looking for castles built into natural rock formations or spread out to cover a whole hill slope (the terraces can serve as a winding road to get up a steep hill), I have some recommendations:

Ogrodzieniec (and other castles along the "Orle Gniazda" trail in Poland)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muCFuB4ZlRE/UAt4asukKPI/AAAAAAAAnkA/PLf5Xi7-V70/s1600/1294225054.jpg

or some of the many castles along the Rhine river valley:
http://p.im9.eu/rhine-river-valley-reichenstein-castle-amid-terraced-vineyards-1930-1758.jpg

EnglishKitsune
2014-01-19, 06:54 PM
I'm working on a fortress that's built into the steep slopes of a rocky stream valley, and I need some examples to refer to, either real-world or from game settings and encounter maps.

Ideally what I'd like is a design with terraced levels, something that looks heavy and imposing while also seeming a natural aspect of the surrounding slopes.

Can anyone suggest a fortress, real or imagined, that's closer to what I'm looking for?

Hmmmm... Dipping into Middle Earth for a second, you could always go for something like Helm's Deep, maybe crossed a little bit with Minas Tirith if Helms Deep is too small for you. Maybe cut out the extended wall and just focus on the Keep part, but that's pretty much what I picture when reading that description.

Edit: Ninja'd by several People.

Palanan
2014-01-20, 10:43 PM
Originally Posted by Bulhakov
Ogrodzieniec (and other castles along the "Orle Gniazda" trail in Poland)....

Very cool, thank you. Ogrodzieniec is probably the closest to what I was looking for, and I'll definitely be able to use aspects of its design.

Other suggestions welcome, from game settings as well as real-world structures. Keep 'em coming!

CalamaroJoe
2014-01-21, 10:57 AM
Take a look to Fenestrelle
http://www.struchil.it/struchil/images/stories/PIEMONTEVALSUSA/FENESTRELLE/forte_fenestrelle2.jpg
or Bard
http://www.initaly.com/regions/valdsta/pix/castles/bard.jpg
fortresses.
Both are rather modern structures, but you could use them as inspiration.
(of course a lot of other views can be found online)

Fouredged Sword
2014-01-21, 03:52 PM
Yes, generally a defended location was built on the top of the hill. There are two reasons for this.

First, back when visual range was the extent of long range detection, being up high gave the best warning that an army was on it's way. You wanted plenty of time to bring food and supplies in from outside the castle for a siege.

Second, high ground is good. Building on a hill side means that you have high ground from one direction, but your opponent has high ground from the OTHER direction. As it is generally the attacker who decided the angle of attack, this is a loosing proposition. Unless one side of the hill is truly impassable, it is far better to occupy the very top.

Palanan
2014-01-21, 10:06 PM
Originally Posted by CalamaroJoe
Take a look to Fenestrelle....

Fenestrelle is fantastic, thank you--almost exactly what I had in mind.


Originally Posted by Fouredged Sword
Yes, generally a defended location was built on the top of the hill.

There are some other story-based factors here, but yes, this is good to keep in mind.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks, very much appreciated.

CalamaroJoe
2014-01-22, 10:14 AM
Fenestrelle is fantastic, thank you--almost exactly what I had in mind.
You are welcome.

About the top/flank issue: they do different functions in different terrains. The fortress on the top of the hill is perfect when you have an elevated spot in a plain; fortresses like the Fenestrelle one are meant to close the passage through a valley (as was Palanan's situation, to my understanding).

EccentricCircle
2014-01-22, 01:04 PM
Mont Orgueil Castle on Jersey has a series of stages built up the hill, but it's hard to see from pictures of the outside of the castle. Each Courtyard is kind of backed by a cliff with the next bit of castle above. While taking a tour I repeatedly thought "Wow I don't want to ever have to take this castle by storm, oh, this bit has gunloops pointing down at that bit! I Really Don't want to ever have to take this castle by storm!"

http://www.jersey.com/PublishingImages/Attractions/display_detail/dis_mont_orgueil_castle_5.jpg