Construction on York Minster Cathedral was finished in 1472, having begun c. 1220. For two-hundred and fifty years, the unfinished cathedral was a part of the city, an ongoing project longer than the life of any one person. In that time it brought in specialists and materials from far away and gave work and benefit to the locals.1
Toolbox
This toolbox is intended to quickly sketch a settlement defined by its largest ongoing project. The locals are building something massive, and this is hopefully a shortcut to intrigue and conflict.
What is it? (1d20)
- Amphitheater
- Bridge
- Canal
- Casino
- Cathedral
- Fortress
- Greenhouse
- Lighthouse (warning, beacon)
- Necropolis
- Observatory (telescope, supercollider, lookout)
- Palace
- Power Plant (wind, solar, nuclear, hydro)
- Pyramid
- Reservoir
- Roads
- Ship
- Stepwell
- Tower
- Tunnel
- Wall
How far along is it?2 (1d12)
- Design
- Surveying
- Permitting
- Site Clearance
- Excavation
- Foundations
- Rough Structure
- Exteriors
- Interiors
- Finishing
- Cleanup
- Warranty Period
What's the hold-up? (1d10)
- Beasts
- Beaurocrats
- Errors
- Funding
- Holidays
- Ill Omen
- Labor (shortage, strike)
- Materials (quality, supply)
- Plague
- Vandals
Why build this? (1d8)
- Convenience
- Defense
- Memorial
- Religion
- Research
- Spite
- Tourism
- Vanity
Who's building it? (1d6)
- Condemned Criminals
- Locals
- Military
- Refugees
- Slaves
- Sleepwalkers
Secret (1d4)
- Corruption in sourcing or labor
- Design is of occult significance
- Roll a second, hidden purpose (1d8)
- None
Thanks to David Macaulay.
1 I assume some of this, but it seems reasonable.back
2 Following the example of a cathedral, the barest functional parts may or may not be completed already.back
