The Tented Spire of Lankhmar

1,000 feet south of Lankhmar's Grand Gate—the southernmost city entrance—stands the Tented Spire. Originally erected for the Great Bazaar of Year 1422 RJ, this structure originally intended to be temporary has become a permanent and iconic landmark. The Tented Spire was created to provide a central place for dignitaries, merchants, and performers to convene and trade, with its interior dimensions vastly exceeding its exterior due to powerful magic.

Dimensions and Structure of the Tented Spire

Exterior Dimensions and Square Footage:

The Tented Spire by Chad Watson via Midjourney

• Base Diameter: 100 feet

• Height to Apex: 150 feet

• Exterior Square Footage: Approximately 7,850 square feet

Interior Dimensions and Square Footage:

Through the use of a permanent variation of the spell "Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion," the interior of the Tented Spire is ten times larger than its exterior.

• Interior Square Footage: Approximately 78,500 square feet

The Tented Spire, Interior by Chad Watson via Midjourney

Levels and Stories:

• Total Levels: 3
  • Ground Level: Main gathering area, market space, and central performance area
  • Second Level: Raised platforms and alcoves for private meetings, trade negotiations, and small gatherings
  • Third Level: VIP section and rentable hotel space, including balconies overlooking the central space

• Stories Tall: 3, with each level having ample vertical space to maintain the grandeur of the structure

The Great Bazaar

The Great Bazaar was initiated as a way to bolster Lankhmar’s economy by attracting traders and visitors from across Nehwon. Held annually, the event transforms the city into a hub of commerce and culture for one week. Merchants display exotic goods, performers entertain vast crowds, and dignitaries forge important alliances. The Tented Spire serves as the focal point of the Bazaar, providing a grand venue for trade and interaction.

The Architects Behind the Spire

The Tented Spire was designed by a collaboration of two master architects: Vorel Setram and Elira Windweaver.

• Vorel Setram: Known for his innovative designs and mastery of structural engineering, Setram was responsible for the overall architectural framework. He envisioned a structure that combined functionality with grandeur.

• Elira Windweaver: A renowned mage-architect, Windweaver specialized in integrating magical elements into physical structures. She was instrumental in casting the initial "Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion" spell and ensuring its permanence.

The Decision for Permanence

Initially, the Tented Spire and the spell "Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion" were intended to last only for the duration of the Great Bazaar. However, the resounding success of the event and the Spire's popularity as a gathering place led the city council to reconsider. They recognized the Spire’s potential as a permanent venue for trade, diplomacy, and culture, prompting the decision to make it a lasting part of Lankhmar.
Following this decision, the spell was modified to become a permanent fixture, ensuring the interior's vast dimensions and grandeur would endure.

Resilience Against Natural Disasters

The Tented Spire's resilience against natural disasters is ensured through a combination of powerful spells and strategic enchantments:

• "Wall of Stone": This spell can be activated by the maintenance managers using a specially designed glyph. The glyph, when activated, creates a sturdy, protective wall of stone around the Spire. This wall can be summoned or dispelled as needed, providing flexible and reliable protection against earthquakes and other physical threats.

• "Control Weather": A modified, permanent version of this spell is cast around the Tented Spire. Unlike the standard spell that affects a five-mile radius, this version is localized, protecting only the Spire itself. It ensures that severe weather conditions, such as storms or extreme temperatures, do not affect the structure, maintaining a stable and comfortable environment within.

• "Guards and Wards": This spell has been enhanced to distinguish between authorized guests and unwelcome visitors. Authorized guests, identified through magical tokens or pre-registered magical signatures, can move freely within the Spire. Unwelcome visitors, those without tokens or recognized signatures, trigger the spell's defensive mechanisms. This manifests as a maze-like distortion of the interior layout, creating confusing and impassable paths, and activating traps such as magical alarms, slippery floors, and fog-filled corridors. The spell's variation ensures that only those deemed threats experience these effects, leaving authorized individuals unaffected.

• Scrying and Surveillance: Magical scrying orbs are strategically placed throughout the Spire, providing real-time surveillance of activities within. These orbs are connected to a central monitoring room where trained mages observe and respond to any suspicious activities, ensuring the safety and security of the Spire's occupants.

Security Measures

Both physical and magical security measures are in place to ensure the Spire’s trading activities and guests are not molested:

• Physical Security: The Spire employs a dedicated guard force, trained to handle any disturbances. These guards patrol the premises continuously and are equipped with enchanted weapons.

• Magical Security: In addition to the "Guards and Wards" spell, other enchantments include "Alarm" spells at key entry points, "Arcane Lock" on sensitive doors, and "Glyph of Warding" to deter potential thieves or attackers.

• Scrying and Surveillance: Magical scrying orbs are strategically placed throughout the Spire, providing real-time surveillance of activities within. These orbs are connected to a central monitoring room where trained mages observe and respond to any suspicious activities, ensuring the safety and security of the Spire's occupants.

The Third Level: Rentable Hotel Space

Since the Spire was made permanent, the third level now includes rentable hotel space alongside the VIP meeting areas and balconies. The addition of hotel rooms has provided travelers and merchants with convenient and luxurious accommodations directly within the Spire.

Hotel Room Details:

• Total Number of Rooms: 50

• Room Features: Each room is elegantly furnished, featuring plush beds, ornate furniture, and magical amenities such as ever-burning candles and climate control. The rooms are designed to offer comfort and luxury to weary travelers, ensuring a restful stay.

• VIP Meeting Space and Balconies: The remaining area on the third level is dedicated to VIP meeting spaces and balconies, providing stunning views of the central space below and accommodating important gatherings and events.

Periods of Use and Inactivity

The Tented Spire is primarily in use during major events such as the Great Bazaar and other significant city festivals or gatherings. However, there are periods when the Spire is not in active use. These periods of inactivity are often due to:

• Maintenance and Upkeep: The complex magical and physical structure requires regular maintenance to ensure its stability and functionality.

• Preparation for Events: In the lead-up to major events, the Spire is often closed to the public for preparations, including setting up stalls, stages, and other necessary arrangements.

• Seasonal Considerations: During the harshest seasons, when travel to Lankhmar is less frequent, the Spire sees less activity.

Historical Events in the Tented Spire

Since its construction in 1422 RJ, the Tented Spire has been the site of many significant events. Here are three of the most historical:

• The Concord of the Spire (Year 1430 RJ): A historic treaty between rival merchant houses was brokered within the Tented Spire, ending a decade-long trade war that had threatened the city's economy.

• The Grand Debate (Year 1998 RJ): A series of public debates held in the Spire, where leading scholars and politicians discussed and ultimately reformed Lankhmar’s trade laws, leading to a period of unprecedented economic growth.

• The Shadow Conclave (Year 2750 RJ): An annual gathering of the city's most influential thieves and assassins, who used the Spire's many hidden alcoves and passages for their secretive deliberations, marking a pivotal shift in the power dynamics of Lankhmar’s underworld.

Architectural Significance

The Tented Spire remains a testament to architectural ingenuity and magical prowess. Its seamless transition from a temporary pavilion to a permanent fixture showcases the adaptability and resourcefulness that characterize Lankhmar. The Spire has profoundly affected the culture of the city, becoming a symbol of Lankhmar’s thriving commerce and rich traditions. Over the centuries, it has added a certain mythology to the city, with legends of deals struck, alliances forged, and secrets whispered within its walls. The Tented Spire is considered a world wonder, attracting scholars, architects, and travelers from across Nehwon who marvel at its grandeur and the powerful magic that sustains it. This blend of practical functionality and mythical significance has cemented the Spire as an iconic symbol of Lankhmar’s enduring legacy and cultural heritage.

Founding Date

1422 RJ

Alternative Names

The Tent, The Spire

Type

World wonder

Owning Organization

Kingdom of Lankhmar