Imperial Square

Settlements of the Empire of the Southern Sun are built around a standard form, with a roughly even grid of streets and, at the centre of the settlement, the Imperial Square. There are a few exceptions to this pattern, mostly older settlements, but also the Imperial city of Golean, which instead uses a six-fold plan to represent the six Imperial Houses.
The Imperial Square is a large, open plaza, with one of the four civic compounds - the centres of administration, governance, trade and spiritual life - on each side. The plaza itself is a public space, usually used for markets, public forums and even sporting events. Typically, the larger the settlement, the more formal the usage of the square, with city squares reserved for civic events and parades, while village squares are more likely to host daily markets and Korly tournaments.

The Imperial Temple

Located on the western side of the square, the temple incorporates shrines to the Imperial Gods, the Gods of Foundation and various local deities. The principle shrine, dedicated to the local Imperial God, is at the western end of the temple.

Hall of Administration

The seat of local government sits on the northern side of the Imperial Square. In modest settlements it is a simple building, in major cities and especially capitals, a palace. It is the diplomatic, legislative and administrative centre of the settlement and often the home of the ruling nobility.

Courthouse

The courthouse, located at the north of the square, is the centre of Imperial authority. It is the home of a local magistrate and their seat of judgement. It also houses the Imperial military garrison. The Courthouse deals with matters of Imperial jurisdiction, which means that its authority is technically subordinate to that of the Hall, until it isn't.

Merchant Exchange

On the east side of the square, the merchant exchange is the trade hub of the settlement and its dependency. High-status guilds will have their offices within the exhange, while others have their guildhalls in the city blocks behind it. In addition to trade, the exchange provides an informal second diplomatic hub and - as host to many visiting traders and other travellers - a meeting place and base of operation to many, many spies.