Thassilonian / Varisian Architectural style

[vyshan]

So something I have noticed looking at the artwork for Thassilonian cities is that they have an Asian style of design to the buildings. Considering that they are not in the Asia expy of Tian-Xia I wonder why? Was this the style of Azlant? Did Xin just really like the style?

And how do Thassilonians of New Thassilon relate to modern Varisian Architecture? are they sending their architects to Minkai or other Tian Xia nations to get builders and planners who know how to build in that style. Or are they abadoning the ancient style of old Thassilon?

Since as far as I understand the cities of Varisia don't look anything like the Asian influenced Thasslonian Architecture or is that assumption wrong and they do look like asian villages?

To a lesser degree I think this applies to fashion too but I am not sure. The Rune giants had samurai looking armor. But the runelords themselves had all sorts of personal style and I am not sure what the style of their mages were like.

[magnuskn]

The Lost Omens Travel Guide has some stuff on Thassilon. Apparently they like see-through fabric and ziggurats.

[Virellius]

I have often wondered this too. The existing images of Xin-Shalast evoke a sort of 'Tibetan monastary hidden in the mountains Shangri-La' sort of vibe.

I haven't looked at the art in Shattered Star in a bit for the city of Xin; does it look similar?

[The Raven Black]

What we see of Xin-Edasseril when the Crystilan dome shattered does not look like Xin-Shalast at all.

[Dragonchess Player]

My assumption is that the architecture in Xin-Shalast may have been influenced by Leng, given the ties between Karzoug and Leng...

[zimmerwald1915]

vyshan wrote:

Since as far as I understand the cities of Varisia don't look anything like the Asian influenced Thasslonian Architecture or is that assumption wrong and they do look like asian villages?

If by this you mean Korvosa, Magnimar, and Riddleport, these outside surviving Thassilonian monuments these draw architecturally from the Chelaxian tradition—Korvosa having been a Chelaxian colony, Magnimar having been founded by Korvosan dissenters, and Riddleport having started as a base to raid shipping in and out of Korvosa. Kaer Maga was poured into a giant concrete mold and resembles nothing else. Urglin is expressly not Thassilonian.

Brinewall, which is in New Thassilon these days, was built by Tien exiles.