The Sewers of Port Karn
The sewer system under Port Karn is extensive, built over the centuries, and sort-of-but-not-really following the road layout.
There are several different kinds of tunnels. Main tunnels are 6’ in diameter, with a 3’ wide deeper section in the middle, such that there are two narrow “walkways” on either side. The deep part is 4’ deeper than the walkways, and under normal circumstances, the walkways are “dry”. During storms, however, the level of liquid rises, in some cases, almost to the top. Every so often, a ladder leads up to a manhole cover. These manhole covers weigh 250 lbs, and usually require a manhole hook to open from above.
Paralleling the main tunnel are two 3’ diameter tunnels; there are occasional cross-tunnels connecting them to the main tunnel; these cross tunnels are 3’ in height, and 2’ wide. To get in one from a main tunnel, you must climb into it; it’s about 4’ up on the wall of the tunnel. There are cut out steps under the opening to help with this. This puts the cross tunnels above the side tunnels, such that you drop into the side tunnel from a grate in the ceiling. This is to prevent too much water from flowing into the main tunnel. The main tunnel is usually in the middle of the street; the two side tunnels are under the sidewalks and are the main tunnels that the gutter drains lead to. This helps to keep the main tunnel navigable.
Some streets and areas don’t warrant main tunnels; instead, they have 4’ diameter tunnels.
Streets have drain grates in the gutters at the corners. These are also used for dumping chamberpots, in addition to runoff. Also note that it rains for a while almost every day, much like Hawaii, so the streets get a bit of a wash on a regular basis.
The Thieves’ Guilds have been using these tunnels for centuries, and there have been some “modifications” made to the system. They have added rooms, secret passages between tunnels, shortcuts, and who knows what else. There are also several large rooms that act as basins to keep the sewers from flooding and backing up. These are at places where several tunnels come together, like a nexus.
Detail: Here you can see the three main sizes of sewer, plus the modifications made by the Thieves' Guilds (darker tunnels).
Rich people might have a rinqualastë installed in their homes, and some might have Dwarfpipes. The Dwarfpipes will feed into the sewer system in the same way that modern plumbing does. The pipes are usually brass or copper. In the Dwarven cities, stone pipes are used (but they have the tools to shape the pieces properly, which aren’t as readily available in surface cities).
Purpose / Function
Main purpose is to channel sewage and storm water out of the city. It also acts as a thieves' highway.
Alterations
Most of the thieves' guilds in the city have made modifications to the system, usually by adding extra tunnels and spaces and rooms, often (but not always) hidden by secret doors.
Architecture
The tunnels, when not dug through solid stone, are lined with brick. With the exception of the cisterns/nexus points, they are all tiny and claustrophobic. Those with a fear of the dark, tight spaces, being buried alive, being trapped, or fear of dirt/sewage will hate it if they have to spend any time in the sewers.
Founding Date
Back before the Empire was founded.
Parent Location
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