Qhapaq Ñan (Caw-pack Nan)
by hughpierre
Purpose / Function
The qhapaq ñan is a continent-wide communication, trade and defense network crossing through the most extreme geographical terrains and used over several centuries by caravans, travellers, messengers, armies and whole population groups.
Design
Main Royal Road
The capac ñan is only for those traveling on the emperor's business. It is the main axis comprised of the four roads leading to each of the suyus. The routes funnel into one of two rope bridges spanning the Cusp Crater where one runs along the crater walls. And the other via the peaks of Sacsayhuamán, then bends northward into Chinchaysuyu through, and around, the Bastards.Kuntisuyu
In the First Quadrant, the roads head towards the South and lower valleys along Hayaqiago; connecting Ca-Chisneu to its coastal territories.Antisuyu
In the Second Quadrant, the roads head towards the East and the lower valleys of the Great Green. They are the least complete with the smallest number of registered vestiges, due in part, to the raids by the ghost people and jungle savages.Chinchaysuyu
In the Third Quadrant, the roads head towards the North. This path breaks into three ways that go through and organize the most important administrative centers of Tawantinsuyu outside of Ca-Chisneu. These roads are transversal routes that guarantee the complementarity of natural resources, since they cross very varied ecological floors, in the varied altitude of that descent from the heights of the cordillera to the coastal spaces.Qullasuyu
In the Fourth Quadrant, the routes of Qollasuyu are claimed by Ca-Chisneu, but are in truth too dangerous to walk due to the still smoldering conflict there. From Canna the roads run towards the East on Fire Mountain before splitting into two branches on either side of snake lake. From where the southern branch unfolds to advance towards the Bastards and the other continues East into the land of honey. The western branch penetrates the ancient territories of the Silver Mountains and Dhani people, who had already developed a basic road network. Crossing the salt desert; the Qollasuyu route splits again into two branches to skirt Volta and rejoins again to reach the southernmost boundaries of Tawantinsuyu.Sensory & Appearance
Wak'as
Wak'as are spots of religious significance arranged along the siq'i highways. Some wak'as are natural features like springs, boulders, or caves; while others are man-made features like buildings, fountains, or canals. There can be 3 to 13, or more, wak'as per siq'i line.Denizens
Natives
Assimilated people, either via conquest or trade, are tasked with the daily supply of the tambo's stores. Stewards are more often a local of proven loyalty or high connections; and charged with managing its functions.Representatives
Stewards who live in the suyus' capital take great care to oversee that natives keep these tambos well supplied and are properly allocated among the tambos and distributed to travellers. They keep the quipu accounts so as to check there had been no fraud.Contents & Furnishings
Lodgings and Warehousing
Tampu sit along the four royal roads originating from Hawkaypata to the four regions of Tawantinsuyu.- Small tambos are strategically built around the main and offshoot and less travelled roads.
- Relay stations for the chasquis: state messengers who run along state roads
- Medium tambos are separated from each other by the amount time it takes a person to walk between them.
- Ceremonial spaces for religious purposes and as a rest spot for hunting, mining, and coca production
- Large tambos are separated from each other by the amount time it takes a herd of llama to travel between them.
- Where potters and weavers, produce their goods.
- Administrative centers from which local lords oversee the region
Hazards & Traps
Thin Air
Most tampus follow established routes, but rarely do those routes stay within the same altitude. As a result, people stop at these way-stops for the expressed purpose of reacclimating to the new environment. Simultaneously, the undulating mountainscape forces the weather to change drastically, sometimes right between two adjacent depos, and grants opportunities to buy and sell appropriate wears.Special Properties
Siq'i Ritual Pathways
Siq'i lines originate at the Qurikancha and travel in relatively straight pathways. Hayaqiago, Giantsfall, the Neverending Forest and Chinkapun encircle Tahuantinsuyo and mark where the roads end. The wak'a's location dictates the path of the siq'i line, and hence the road. They are constructed as straight as can be and are normally segmented such that the paths frequently curve or zigzag.Ceque lines mark where the divine winds intersect with the terrain and thus where knottery devices are able to 'turn natural energy' and produce their magical effects.
Alterations
Causeways
Causeways are built from embankments moving through terraces with retaining walls or paths dug into the rock Some take into account the periodic variation of water level due to alternating flood and dry seasons by stone bridges allowing the free flow of water below them.Stairways
On particularly steep slopes, flights of stairs or ramps are carved into the rock at narrow sections.Bridges
Bridges are made of parallel logs tied together with ropes and covered with earth and fibers being supported by stone abutments. To cross rivers and flat banks, floating reeds tied together are used to form a row of boats placed side by side and covered with a board and earth. Rope bridges, also provide access across narrow valleys and others are built of stone slabs resting on piled stones.Tunnels
Rare; a road is cut along a natural fault in steep rock and a tunnel carved to facilitate the rest of the way. Along with a series of side openings to allow light.Architecture
There is no road standard construction as the roads are set in such varied landscapes.
Pavement
Precisely arranged paving stones or cobbles are placed them with their flat face pointing upwards, trying to produce a uniform surface. Not all roads are paved. The high mountains and coastal deserts are usually made using packed earth, sand, or simply covering grassland with soil or sand.Stone Rows
Stone rows and wooden poles are driven into the sand as route markers. They are of similar size and shape and placed next to each other in a sort of curb.Mock-ups
Some rock shelters or cliffs show rock paintings or other works of local art next to the roads, which reinforce the signalization of the native population to anyone unknown to the geography.Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are made with stones, adobes or mud built on hillsides. These walls contain leveling fillings to form the platform of the road or to support the soil that could otherwise slide down the slope and obstruct traffic.Road Markers
Mounds of well piled stones with a surmounting stone are strategically placed on rises in order to be spotted from long distances. They are located on the side of the roads in transitional spaces such as passes or points of interest for travellers, who reinforce their visibility by depositing more stones as offerings to preserve their safety.History
The network is based on four main routes constructed over several centuries by local settlements of lower hierarchy that created linkages and cross-connections. They were already thousands of years old before the Innoit connected them all.
Tourism
Officials
Bureaucrats on official business are granted free food, goods and change of clothes whenever they present the steward with a specific quipu.Caravans
Trains of llamas, alpacas and some bihorns, guided by herdsmen, frequently pass by as both customers and sellers.Chasquis
Runners trained to carry, read and translate quipus to each other and to higher authorities.
Alternative Names
Type
Road
Environmental Effects
A great many mountains are carved deeply into
Connected Rooms
Related Professions
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2022
Answering: "A building associated with governance, leadership or change"
In response to the prompt I'm a young entrepreneur, what type of business would I start, and where would I set up?
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