A Question of Building Size

[StarFyre]

So, I've been thinking about Akelara a lot lately, and when I haven't been writing I've been getting some things in order.

One of those things is a floor plan of the complex itself. While I have the general idea already sketched out, I've come across one major 'problem'.

How tall would the ceilings be?

I'm not talking like 'how tall would it be in the hatching sands', because that answer is 2 to 3 Myrsilk-stories tall. I'm talking like in the private rooms and such.

The way I see it, there's two different ceiling height options - tall enough for the tallest Myrsilk + leeway like in human homes, or tall enough for the tallest Myrsilk to completely stretch their wings upwards + leeway. These two give vastly different numbers, on the order of "my mind is breaking at these numbers."

First option: about 70 feet (to account for the female's crest, which sticks straight upwards)

Second option: about 170 feet.

This also puts an entirely new perspective on the size of this complex. Wtfdie. And the wall that's around it.

So. Retarded or Super!Retarded ceiling height?

[Shard]

I'd go for the retarded height.

Though honestly I think it'd make a huge difference whether they often DO want to just stretch their wings open, or whether their structures would be made in order for them to hide, sulk, or feel 'snug'.

If you look at many animals, their dens are considerably smaller than their 'full upright height', cats, foxes, rodents of all kinds prefer to have narrow, snug dens that are easily hidden. Given that there are other things out there - at least in the distant past - which may have even hunted the Myrsilk, perhaps they'd have several different 'stages' of structure?

Like, open and huge areas for gatherings which would simply be "stadium" sized compared to their daily activity chambers, and then perhaps small personal dens that actually require them to slink or lower their frills to enter and stay in - hidey holes.

All of them are like, laughably huge. I'm thinking "gosh a human is like a kitten to them, stop crawling around in the walls you pest!"

[StarFyre]

You make a good point. I'd completely forgotten about that (which is stupid, since I watch my cat go den in one very specific size of cardboard box all the time, where he basically has to squeeze himself in then double back on himself to face the entrance).

And yes, humans and Myrsilk are really not designed to coexist. Luckily for the human members of the Clan (at least the ones not bonded to Myrsilk), the 'tail ends' of the crescent structure are built on a more 'human' scale, though still 'large' in comparison to our structures (though that's more because of the dragons that need to stay in those sections). Say, big-entrance-parlor large, approximately, since Myrsilk don't actually need to be next to the material they're shaping, just close enough that their magic can reach.

I brought up the size chart again to approximate this stuff, and had to pause a moment because I was giggling too hard at my mind going "Lulz, my ankle is the size of your body" "eeeek" between the largest-size on the chart and the little human figure standing there.

I'd just like to ask... what the frick was I on when I made these creatures all those years ago? Cause... I'd kinda like my past-self to ship me some of that, because it was obviously good.

[Shard]

lol!!

Well on Deviantart just now I discovered someone else has a size chart that you could contribute to. They go from like, "oh, moderately dog sized" to OMGDEMONDOGOFDOOM size.

[StarFyre]

Snerk. Link?

And I do have one normal sized creature! I swear!



See? SEE!! I AM CAPABLE OF NON-RETARDED THINGS! C_c;;;

*dies* =P But seriously, I set all this stuff up to be huge, so I might as well run with it and mock myself at every chance.

[Shard]

http://dracoticcannibal.deviantart.com/ ... -174138451

I don't know which species I should send, because honestly I have hardly made any unique ones. Probably the winter Deerdragons.

[JKatkina]

Hurhurhur.... giant dens.

I'd say retarded-large is better than super-retarded-large. I mean, plenty of people have places they live where they can't, like, do a cartwheel across the room. Total mobility isn't completely necessary -- nice, but not neccessary. Besides, would they be able to spread their wings out lengthwise to do stretches? At least in the larger rooms?

Either way though.... whoa. I want to do this for the asandae now so I know how ridiculous things get on Avengaea too. Awesome.

[Dray]

And now you also have to make the width wide enough to moderately stretch out their wings width-wise, as well. >:D

I'd say, make some shorter, some taller... probably not their full wing-span. You don't stretch your legs by walking around at home, you go out to do that -- even if only to the mall! I'd imagine that these guys probably do more walking around, since they're built to be graceful on the ground. They probably don't need to stretch out their wings too much unless they're kept somewhere for quite some time, like the hatching grounds or their raisin ranch equivalent. XD

Cool size chart by the way, Shard!

[Yakima]

I'd go for the retarded height.

Heehee, that's and interesting (yet funny) way of putting it, Shard.

But I understand the same thing. The 'standard' size of rooms at Treval Dragonry are about 12-14 ft tall which means the tallest of my dragon species have to duck to get in but the shorter 6 feet-ish ones can waltz in without having to duck at all. Of course, that may cause problems with my other Nexus species (like my Myrsilk and some of the few Avengaea creatures I have...) will have to live outside somewhere or something because they simply won't fit. [Or I can just give them all shrinking potions or something...lol. Kidding!). But yeah, I actually have the map started for Treval Dragonry which I can post.

[JKatkina]

Of course, that may cause problems with my other Nexus species (like my Myrsilk and some of the few Avengaea creatures I have...:P) will have to live outside somewhere or something because they simply won't fit. [Or I can just give them all shrinking potions or something...lol. Kidding!). But yeah, I actually have the map started for Treval Dragonry which I can post. :P

Funny you should mention that! Technically, Asandus shifting CAN encompass size-shifting, if they realllly work at learning how to. An itty bitty asandus form is teeechnically an 'intermediate form between asandus and human' -- but it's like learning to do a kung fu move, it takes some serious effort.

[Dray]

They could also always shift down into their human form when going inside -- give them some exercise with using their magic!

[Shard]

Waking up accidentally shifted on the other hand, would SUCK.

[Yakima]

Waking up accidentally shifted on the other hand, would SUCK.

LOL Only for the people in charge of building and maintenance on the Towers. *smirk*

I'll keep that in mind, Kat! lol Their are mountain dwellings, too, and not all the dragons will end up in the Towers, which are reserved for the fighters and those who are part of the Wings. The mountains also have caves which earth-mages can shift around and widen, shrink and what-not for bigger dragons if needed. This ain't Pern! I'm allowed magic to make things fit! WHEEEE!

XD Durnit, I need to get to bed now...heeheee

Anyway, here is the Map I started (which I may either have to shrink or forget about as PSP/my computer HATES opening it because the file is so freaking huge...even after a refromat. *glowers at it* Just poves to me that Falas Weyr is on a much smaller scale then the Dragonry...*sighs*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/cynte/map-2.jpg