Buildings for my medieval capital map

[Depassage]

Hi and welcome!

If I were you, I would certainly gather some detailed info about history of representative european capitals: first London, but also of course Rome or even some other Italian cities like Firenze/Florence, then Paris and at some point maybe even Byzantium/Constantinopolis/Istambul...

So you could have in your imperial capital city a network of catacombs, then a network of sewer above, a romanlike circus/acropolis, different type of religious ensembles (churches/temples, monasteries, covenants, etc.), remnants of old early medieval buildings recycled or extended like castles/military buildings, fine palazzos, different market places, old and new bridges from different eras, etc.

I guess that some good ideas fitting your setting will come along reading details of the different cities...

Good luck in your search!

[heffnerc1]

Hi Macziggy!

One suggestion is to consider the types of people these buildings served, for it is the rare building that is built without directly serving a humanoid endeavor (even in death, like the Taj Mahal). Going from that, I'd suggest knowing what kinds of people and trades will you have in your world? The list below describes some profession-types that will all need buildings of some sort, even if they're only residential.

Leaders: Owners, Organization Officers/Foremen
Home and Farm
Specialists (Farmer, Herder, Butler, Gardener, Chef/Cook)
Common (Servant, Laborer)

Woods
Specialists (Foreman, Trapper, Tracker, Guide, Hunter)
Common (Woodcutter, Laborer)

Water
Specialists (Fisher, Navigator, Officer, Healer, Cook, Marine Soldier, Ship Repair, Dock Foreman)
Common (Sailor, Dock Laborer)

Work Sites
Specialists (Foreman, Carpenter, Engineer, Mason)
Common (Laborer, Miner)

Guilds and Guild Houses
For the organized trade of skilled laborers (thieves, assassins, crafters, sages, performers, adventurers, etc)

Market
Crafter (Liquids/Herbs, Metals/Stone, Woods/Paper, Leather/Tattoos, Brewer/Vintner, Millers)
Dealer (Mundane or Special/Upscale Goods, Magic Items + Services, Importer/Exporter, Moneydealer/Bank)
Professional (Mundane or Special Services, Schools and Tutors)

Government
Specialists (Mayor/Ruler, Diplomat, Administrator, Judge)
Common (Clerks, Customs, Jailor, Tax Collector)

Military and Law & Order
Specialists (Professional Soldier, Town Guard Officer, Healer, Tactician, Investigator, Spy, Gang Leader)
Common (Conscript, Town Guard, Thug)
Market (Private Security, Theft Ring, Criminal Ring, Smuggler, Assassins)

Hospitality (Bars/Inns/Brothels, Public Baths)
Specialists (Maitre'd, Bouncer, Chef/Cook, Prostitute/Courtesan, Artist, Performer)
Common (Server, Gambler, Thug)

Religion
Specialists (Clergy/Preacher, Healer, Hermit, Inquisitor)
Common (Parishioner, Heretic)

I hope this helps you a little in coming up with a building list.

Chuck