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Buildings are an essential component of building a fantasy world from scratch. However, in order to make a world that feels dynamic and real, there is one thing you must do and that is to create a fantasy construction site. A construction site is the mark of progress, a new beginning, for a new structure is being built somewhere in the city.
No matter what technological level a world is in, the construction site shows everyone that the city is changing, not remaining static. Much like the real world, fantasy cities and towns expand and construction sites exemplify that expansion. Additionally, they’re used to demolish old, condemned buildings to pave the way for new and better ones.
With many stories in the genre set in medieval times, the construction site works a bit differently, compared to its modern counterpart. Remember, the workers don’t have the technologies that real world workers have access to and vice-versa. This can present interesting opportunities to shine a light in how buildings in your world are built.
Interestingly enough, having a fantasy construction site in your story or world is appealing to many people who will spend hours just watching its workers laboriously toil to construct a building that will be a fine addition to their town/city. They take immense pride in seeing what humankind or human-like species exist in the world is capable of.
Bringing a construction site in the world comes with several benefits, some of which can be used in the story. One such one is that it shows that the town/city is changing which makes your audience want to come back later on to see the final result. It eventually leads to new jobs, or new places for people to call home.
This is the twenty-seventh article in the series chronicling the different kinds of fantasy buildings. If you want to read more, check out our blog page!
Though a construction site is not a building, it is the origin point of such a structure. It is where workers spend hours, days, weeks, months, and even years using their hands to create a building that will last a long time, using the materials they have at their disposal. They work in all kinds of weather, from the hot summer days to the cold, bitter days of winter.
Since the majority of fantasy worlds take place in medieval times, it’s important to take into account how a construction site from those times would work so that it can be presented in a way that your readers find believable. The thing to keep in mind is that you can only use what’s readily available at that point in your world which means you can only use things that would have been used in the medieval era of the real world.
Common elements of a construction site set in medieval times comprise of things such as hammers, nails, mortar, and scaffolding. Cranes didn’t exist then which meant workers had to use a pulley system to bring materials from the ground onto higher floors. Additionally, workers didn’t have the safety precautions as they do nowadays, meaning they didn’t have hard hats or a set number of hours they worked. Some would work twelve hours before being relieved or the work would be done for the day.
There were 3 major types of materials used to build structures during the medieval era. Wooden structures were the most prevalent due to the widespread availability of wood and were the quickest to put together. Those built with bricks were also common, though not as common as their wooden counterparts. Buildings made of stone were the rarest and they were used for those in the upper class, such as the nobility and royalty.
This is fantasy, after all which means you have more leeway in showing how it works in your world. Using magic is a great way to show a building being constructed. You can have magicians use their power to move heavy objects onto higher floors without relying on a pulley system or hammer a bunch of boards instantly, saving time. The possibilities are endless here!
Just like in the real world, many people like to see what’s happening at a construction site. Some will spend the entire day just watching the site. Children are the most interested, for it’s something new to them.
In the medieval era, men worked at construction sites since women weren’t allowed to work in such dangerous places. Funnily enough, some women, especially those who are single and looking for love, will watch and flirt with them since they believe there’s nothing more masculine than creating a building.
What is it about the site that captivates many passersby? Is it the constant stream of activity where they see workers moving materials from one place to another or hammering the nails on boards to the structure or is it the camaraderie among the workers they find fascinating?
The answer to that question is that it’s a sign of progress, a testament to the human spirit to create something that will endure for a long time. People take pride in seeing what mankind is capable of with the tools at their disposal. This is true of all worlds, regardless of their technological level.
Yes, they know it will take a long time but they see measurable progress from day to day, week to week, and so on. There is nothing better than seeing something come together with your eyes whether you built it or not. It also shows the ingenuity of the human spirit to make something when there was nothing there in the first place.
At first glance, it’s apparent that the construction site comes with several benefits for the world. These benefits all come together to make it feel real and not merely created just for the sake of the story which is what you want as you build your own. You want your audience to feel like the world is a real, breathing entity full of dynamic characters with their own dreams and goals.
The first benefit a fantasy construction site brings is that it shows that the world is not static. Rather, it changes as time continually marches forward. New buildings rise and expand the boundaries of the city/town and the site is the origin point for all these buildings, thereby changing the lives of the people living and working nearby.
Secondly, the site is where future buildings that will serve as homes, stores, offices, and so on are built. These structures will increase the local population, add jobs, and so, forever changing the character of the town/city. This will leave a lasting impression in the world, for decisions that will shape the future will eventually be made in these new buildings.
The third benefit of a fantasy construction site is that it gives a chance for different groups of people to collaborate in order to make a great-looking building. You have architects, engineers, workers, and many others, all working together, forging lasting relationships that will reverberate across the city/town.
Fourthly, the local economy receives a boost from the construction site. Construction companies order plenty of materials from local places such as the general store or blacksmith to ensure that they have a steady source of supplies as they create buildings. Moreover, for those who are just staying in town temporarily until the work is done, they have an extended stay in inns. These sources of income help keep local businesses afloat which in turn gives their employees money in their pockets that they can spend in their favorite stores.
A fantasy construction site is a fun place for spectators to watch. There’s always something going on, whether it’s workers hammering the boards or using a pulley system to bring up wheelbarrows full of materials for upper floors. There’s something fascinating about seeing a new structure being erected using the materials they have available.
When making a fantasy construction site set in medieval times, try to make it as close to the real thing as you can. That means use common materials like wood and iron and tools like hammers. Avoid using things not associated with the medieval era such as cranes or trucks to deliver materials. They ruin the immersion and alienate your audience.
There’s always at least one person who’s watching the workers from a distance. Just as in reality, the spectators are fascinated by the process of building a structure though some, especially single women, watch the men. Seeing a new building rising from nothing shows what mankind is capable of.
The construction site features benefits that help the world. For instance, it shows that the world is changing, mirroring that of ours. It is the mark of progress as the new buildings will eventually play a role in the world, regardless of what they’re used for.
A fantasy construction site is an excellent addition to the world so what are you waiting for? Go ahead and bring it into yours if you haven’t already!
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Sunfire
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