Settlement Planning and Design in the Steel Realms

Steel Realms
Settlement Planning and Design in the Steel Realms is not universal. There is no floorplan or urban development ‘guide’ that is used on a wide scale. Larger locales are found under Significant Places of the Steel Realms. Most Steel Realms locales fall under one of the common types of Settlements. Larger ones with resources may have some sort of Criminal Organization.

Cultural influences also cause the expression of what might the same general approach to look completely different. Materials, details and style, colors and images, position and facing – all culturally emphasized will cause seemingly similar ideas to have the impression of radically different. Cultural experiences can be found under the Characters of the Steel Realms reference.

Some settlements can provide Settlement Upbringing experiences. Knowledge about settlements is covered under the Lore: {Place} skill.

Common Settlement Elements

Common Governance Titles: Settlements use the common local social titles of Peerage, Titles, and Honors of the Steel Realms.

Design Approach: Most have a road that either ends in the public square or runs through it. If it is big enough there is a road with smith and a goods area/district – otherwise goods and services are scattered through settlement as ‘cottage industry’ businesses.

  • Public Square: This is usually the original center of the settlement. Off it or near it are administrative buildings, community offices, a crier platform and message board for notices and advertisements for transient accommodations and travelers. Often at least one boarding house or Inn is located off this area. Larger settlements may have more than one or one for each district.
  • General Market: For those seeking to sell their goods made at home and in cottage industry. Some retail businesses may be nearby as well, for convenience.
  • Jail: Sheriff/deputy/watch/police will have garrisons with jails in the smaller settlements off the public square.
  • Common Well: This will likely be near the market or public square.
  • Stable & Parcel:
  • Districts: If the locale is planned out and large enough, it may be divided into districts by function.
  • Inspection Points: Major routes/roads may have inspection points for tax assessments – documents might be required. This is especially true for Trade Houses in the MErchant Cities.

Distinct Settlement Types/Plans of The Realms

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic