New Dominion: World Building (Patreon)
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Attached to this post are two images stuff with reference images.
These are my visual reference pool for the answer to a question I got ages ago regarding how the Drakkari would influence the design aesthetic of Lordaeron & other human nations.
This is tricky cos their design doctrines are so different. Drakkari tend to build up, focussing on massive and extremely sharp megastructure be they temple towns, communal palaces or apartments, with a strong focus on communal areas. Human society tends to build outwards, with a high focus on smaller family units or noble households that are extremely stratified and tend to be less angular.
Cos of this, I struggled to find something to adequately convey my thoughts or even totally conceive of them, but I think these pieces from the amazing Ithya's Journey series come close. I'd say this best represents areas like Silverpine and late Lordaeron as its not a total overhaul like Alterac will be getting but still shows construction influence spreading.
First, the easier one, Infrastructure, this one is not all encompassing but:
1: I really liked this water filtration system and it seemed fitting given the Drakkari fields we see in game.
2 through 4: This is a concept I have toyed with before in some Mar's colonization concepts. But this is essentially a temple to the Spirits. Zul'Drak has its own variations but those also create spirits. This one is more for collective bargaining, bartering and weather management, essentially centralizing interactions with the Spirits as best they can. I imagine there's still localized Shaman, but this would be for major weather stuff.
The other piece is what I call Civilian Living, contextually we are mostly following the trail of an student scholar. Keep in mind I imagine this stuff would feel much less weathered in story.
1, 2 & 4: This is sort of how I conceptualize the aesthetic of cities evolving over time, definitely taking on some of the sharpness and love of patterns in Zul'Drak but still being recognizable in their origin point. Besides that, I imagine there will be a stronger focus on community centers designed to accommodate people of all sizes, over trying to make one size fit all everywhere.
3: This is a fairly basic one person apartment, an equivalent of which is provided as a sort of standard issue to all citizens employed or not. Its one room, but has all the necessary amenities.
5 & 10: This is sort of how I imagine farm towns developing a bit, the raised platforms likely blending with tiered gardens becoming a common feature which also encourage self sufficiency. I think in some areas we'd also see some Tulou Housing Guangzhou style places as well, especially in spots with a stronger Northern immigrant presence.
6, 7 & 8: I mostly like the atmosphere here, but also the mix of scrolls, tablets and books, as well as the ornamental window design and magical light sources.
9: I kind of like this style of design for soldiers going forward and the spears help ensure they can deal with even Ice Trolls.
11: Mostly noted for the massive domicile which I am choosing to envision serves as a essentially a foodbank for the locals to counteract poverty and famines.
Note:
I also feel her clothes patterns has a neat, subtle hint of troll influence to it.
I wanted to add examples from that awesome city she visits but I am too attached to it as this ancient Amani city over a modern one and its sadly a but too rundown for people to just breeze over its wear and tear. But the vertical nature and aesthetic are a great vibe.
I imagine there's other material I could use as reference, but those are some thoughts.