Sie sind auf Seite 1von 7

by Steve Kurtz

Photography by Karen and Steve Kurtz

Enrich your fantasy castles with a little history

60 NOVEMBER 1994
preted as private areas of the palace. Some- called Constantinople (from Konstantinou
times I imagine that Sinan, the court polis, meaning Constantine’s city). Even
The Ottomans are like unto the sun. architect of Sultan Suleyman the Magnifi- before the Romans, as early as the 7th
Above all they illuminate Europe, but cent, would be mortified. century B.C., the city was called
the light of their power shines also on As any Game Master knows, realistic Byzantium—named after the Greek tyrant,
Asia and Africa. They are spaces and objects help breathe life into Byzas. Although Topkapi was constructed
any role-playing fantasy campaign. In this between the 15th and 19th centuries, the
incomparable to other sultans who are
article, I will explore the history and struc- structure rests on Byzantine foundations.
like to stars. All are extinguished in the
ture of Topkapi, including some of the By the time the Ottoman Turks con-
brilliance of their radiance and treasures and ideas for conducting adven- quered Constantinople in 1453, the proud
splendor. This illustrious, heroic, and tures around the palace. At the very least, metropolis lay in ruins. Sultan Mehmed
intrepid dynasty has been ever I hope to shed some light on Middle East- the Conqueror was responsible for the
victorious, conquering all of Anatolia, ern architectural philosophy, so that other renaming and rebuilding of Istanbul. Part
Karaman, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Game Masters can devise realistic and of his vision included the construction of
Baghdad, Arabia, Egypt, the Balkans, exotic palaces for their campaigns. the Palace of the Cannon Gate, Topkapi
Hungary, end many other lands, as far Saray, sometimes simply called the “New
as the borders of Germany . . . There is Locus of antiquity Palace” by its contemporaries to differenti-
no limit to the power, extent end wealth Topkapi Saray sprawls across one of the ate it from Eski Saray, Mehmed’s first
largest hills along the Sea of Marmara, palace (sometimes called the “Old Palace”).
of their rule.
overlooking the confluence of the Bospo- Topkapi was first built between 1465-78,
—Dedication to Sultan
rus Strait and the Golden Horn, a site of but today nothing remains of the original
Suleyman the Magnificent,
unrivaled geographical importance since 15th-century wooden construction. Over
by Haci Ahmed of Tunis, 1559
ancient times. The waters in this region the past 500 years, fires and whims of the
not only link the Black Sea to the Aegean— Sultans have drastically altered the face of
providing access to the Mediterranean, the the palace. Topkapi was occupied by the
Atlantic, and therefore, all the worlds Ottoman royal family and imperial admin-
Adjusting the pack on my shoulders, I
waterways—they also form a bridge be- istration until the mid-19th century, when
peered through the misty morning pale-
tween the continents of Europe and Asia. the structure was considered “old-
light on my pilgrimage toward the looming
The armies of myriad empires have fought fashioned” and abandoned in favor of
minarets. Topkapi Saray, the legendary
over this strategic location for millennia. Dolmabahce, a more modern palace con-
Seat of Sultans, the Heart of the Ottoman
While bearing all the trappings of structed along the north Bosporus shore in
Empire, the magnificent Palace of the
modernity—from the tram lines and the continental French style, with golden
Cannon Gate lay before me enshrouded in
car-choked streets, to the coal-fire pollu- fixtures and 14-ton Baccarat crystal chan-
the early morning fog. While passage
tion that cloaks the winter skyline in a deliers in every chamber. Some say that
beyond the forebodingly massive gates
velvet brown haze—Istanbul also is a living the bankrupting opulence of Dolmabahce
once may have required permission from
shrine to the ancient past. The city’s cur- contributed to the collapse of the Ottoman
the Sultan, I entered bearing only a ripped
rent name was derived from a corrupted Empire.
three-dollar ticket. Within its high, forti-
Greek expression (stin poli), meaning “to The modern Turkish republic was
fied walls, a legion of cooks and servants
the city.” When “the city” was ruled by last founded in 1923 by Kemal Ataturk, a
once attended the powerful Sultan and his
vestiges of the Roman Empire, it was tremendously popular figure, whose por-
entire administration of viziers, ambassa-
dors, and sycophants. In the forbidden,
blue-tiled changers of the harem, the
Sultan relaxed in the company of his
wives, children, and countless concubines.
At the height of Ottoman power, Topkapi
housed over 4,000 people, a small city in
its own right within the Imperial capital.
Today, the renovated palace is a fascinating
museum at the center of Istanbul, a monu-
mental display of Turkish art and architec-
ture. Topkapi also contains one of the most
astounding collections of riches I have ever
witnessed, amassed by 32 Sultans over the
past five centuries. The treasuries in West-
ern museums do not compare to the stagger-
ing opulence of the Sultan’s hoard. In
retrospect, the Hope diamond and even the
Crown Jewels of England are a mere pit-
tance by comparison.
My personal interest in the palace
stemmed largely from my work on the
ALQADIM® setting for the AD&D® game. In
the City of Delights boxed set, for example,
the Palace of the Grand Caliph in Huzuz was
based directly upon the plans of the Topkapi.
The palace was already quite vivid in my
imagination, long before I set foot in its
historic confines. After my visit to Turkey, I
looked over the plans of the Grand Caliphs
fantasy residence and was amused to note
how public chambers were often inter-
DRAGON 61
trait adorns practically every public build- capture with a single photograph.
ing in the country. In contrast with many Walking through Topkapi is like peeling the world. Topkapi guarded the entrance
European political upheavals and revolu- away the layers of an onion or uncovering to the Golden Horn, and therefore
tions, there was no looting and pillaging of a series of veiled secrets. While the layout Mehmed the Conqueror massively forti-
the Sultan’s palaces. Unlike Versailles, for of the palace appears to be a chaotic co- fied the outer walls of the First Court,
example, which was stripped clean during nundrum, with multiple courtyards sur- especially along the seaward side, which
the French Revolution, all the imperial rounded by oddly-shaped chambers and historically had been the weakest link in
residences in Istanbul—including Topkapi crooked corridors, the palace is a surpris- the city’s defenses. In the 13th century, a
and Dolmabahce—were preserved essen- ingly ordered structure, consisting of four flotilla from the Fourth Crusade pulled up
tially intact with all their original furnish- main sections or layers of increasing pri- to the sea walls during a siege. Crusaders
ings after the founding of the Republic. vacy: the outer First Court, the Court of poured into the city by climbing the masts
Topkapi was opened as a public museum Ceremonies, the Enderun and the Fourth of their ships and surmounting the low
in 1924 and has been under a process of Court, and the celebrated Harem. The adjacent walls. To prevent such a debacle
continual restoration ever since. Topkapi First Court and the Court of Ceremonies in the future, Mehmed dramatically
contains a wealth of information for game were used for public purposes. The En- strengthened the three miles of walls
masters and designers alike. derun and the Fourth Court were re- around the palace with numerous cannon
served for the daily activities of the Sultan emplacements, for which the palace was
and his attendants. Finally, the Harem aptly named (topkapi meaning “cannon
enclosed the Sultan’s family in the most gate” in Turkish).
Topkapi Saray private section of the palace. The organi- The massive Imperial Gate, the main
Topkapi’s huge, sprawling complex de- zation of these four sections was tradition- entrance to the First Court, was always
fies simple characterization. Unlike Euro- ally employed in the layout of all of the guarded by at least 50 Jannisaries (imperi-
pean palaces, which were surrounded by imperial Ottoman palaces, and to a certain al guards). Eleven generations after
low-lying gardens that accentuated the extent, reflects the design of Middle East- Mehmed the Conqueror, Sultan Murad IV
beauty of the architecture, the palace of ern palaces. By understanding the role and enjoyed firing on pedestrians with his
Topkapi is obscured by a series of walls, function of these sections, a Game Master crossbow from atop these gates. Beyond
outlying buildings, and tall trees creating can more easily and realistically incorpo- the famous portals, the outer court of the
an atmosphere of intrigue. As one moves rate them into adventures. palace contained lush gardens, which
through the courts of Topkapi, architectur- were sometimes stocked with wild animals
al elements—domes and minarets—appear for the Sultan’s hunting pleasure. Hagia
and disappear behind the walls. Unless Irene, one of the oldest Byzantine church-
one views Topkapi from the air (or from a The First Court es in the world, also was enclosed within
map), the overall layout of the palace is The First Court acted as a protective the First Court and converted into an
difficult to determine and impossible to barrier between the palace and the rest of armory for the palace garrison.
As many as 500 Jannisaries defended the
outer fortifications of the First Court in
times of peace. These slave warriors, or
mamluks, were literally owned by the
Ottoman Empire. Hand picked as children
from predominantly Christian families and
trained in special schools in the art of
warfare, they formed the elite corps of the
Ottoman army. Despite their official slave
status, the Janissaries held a position of
considerable prestige in Ottoman society,
especially in the Imperial armed forces.
They received a regular quarterly wage
and could count on fair promotion within
their ranks (and perhaps eventually free-
dom) in exchange for devoted service to
the Empire. Unlike other forms of slavery
prevalent in Europe and America, the
state-sponsored slavery of the Jannisaries
was not hereditary. The Jannisaries could
marry, and their children were born free.

The Court of Ceremonies


The inner palace can be reached
through the Gate of Salutations, flanked
by two octagonal keep towers, where all
visitors—including viziers and ambass-
adors—were required to dismount. Only
the Sultan himself could ride a horse into
the Court of Ceremonies. Public execu-
tions were typically conducted in front of
these iron doors, and the severed heads
displayed here afterward. In the small
fountain outside the gate, executioners
would clean the blood from their great
scimitars.
A number of Imperial functions were
performed in this courtyard, including
62 NOVEMBER 1994
accessions to the throne, declarations of fountains of the courtyard. The Fourth ambassador or a minister in the govern-
war, religious festivals, and royal circumci- Court was like the royal living room, ment. The sultan’s concubines reached the
sions. The Jannisaries were paid their where the Sultan could withdraw to es- harem from many sources. Some were
quarterly wages from the treasury in this cape from the responsibilities of Empire given as gifts from leaders within the
court. On the occasion of a foreign ambas- and family. Together Enderun and the Ottoman Empire, others were presented
sador’s visit, the Sultan would delight in Fourth Court comprised the personal daily by foreign ambassadors (blonde-haired
paying the soldiers himself during a public living quarters of the Sultan. girls from Russia were especially favored
ceremony. Hundreds of soldiers lined up gifts by the Sultan).
in formation as the viziers brought for- The Harem While admittedly fascinating from a
ward massive trunks, brimming with gold. In Arabic, the word harim means forbid- male perspective, the harem clearly had its
The display no doubt impressed visitors den, and referred specifically to the wom- darker aspect. The future of hundreds,
with the tremendous wealth and military en’s quarters in the household. In Turkey, sometimes thousands, of women depended
prestige of the Ottomans. the harem evolved under somewhat entirely on the whim of a single man, with
Also known as the Court of Justice, or broader lines, consisting of a location possibly tragic results. One night, Sultan
the Council Square, this section of the reserved exclusively for the family. The Ibrahim the Mad decided to replace all but
palace formed the nucleus of the adminis- harem in Topkapi contained not only the one of his 300 concubines. The unfortu-
tration for the Ottoman Empire. The vi- living quarters for the Sultan’s wives, nate 299 ladies were bound in cloth sacks,
ziers (ministers of state) and the chief servants, and concubines, but also his wrapped in iron chains, and tossed into
vizier (the prime minister) conferred with children and himself. During the Ottoman the Bosporus within hours of the Sultan’s
the Sultan on a weekly basis in the council Empire, the harem developed into a for- decision. In the event of a Sultan’s death,
chambers. One of the meeting rooms was mal, structured institution, with its own the entire harem was vacated to the Old
fitted with a large circular window, called strict rules and established hierarchy. Palace (Eski Saray), where they either
the Eye of the Sultan, where the Sultan After the Sultan, Black Eunuchs were at lived out the remainder of their lives in
would sit and eavesdrop on his ministers. the summit of the harem hierarchy. Re- opulence or were married to eligible pub-
In addition to its administrative role, the cruited as children in Africa and surgically lic officials.
courtyard always was teeming with visi- operated upon in Egypt, they were While the Sultan could leave the harem,
tors, soldiers, and servants who main- brought to the harem as children and his hundreds of concubines were virtual
tained the stables, carriage houses, educated in their duties, which involved prisoners. All the windows were covered
pantries, food cellars, mosques, barracks, not only service and protection, but also with ornate iron grates. These bars were
bath houses, and officers lounges located the punishment of their female charges. decorated with intricate honeycomb or
along the periphery of the court. The most powerful Chief of the Black octagonal patterns, but they were bars
Eunuchs could promote or demote the nonetheless. The inhabitants of the harem
The Enderun and the Fourth Court social standing of any concubine or wife recognized this fact. One of the harem
The entrance to the Enderun from the within the harem. chambers, for instance, its walls decorated
Court of Ceremonies was guarded by the The most powerful of the Sultan’s wives, with pure gold, was called the Golden
Gate of White Eunuchs. Crowded with at the summit of the female hierarchy, Cage by its inhabitants. The Sultan sur-
trees and tiny, intricate pavilions, the stood the Valide Sultan, sometimes called rounded the concubines with wealth and
Enderun gives the impression of intimate the Sultana, the Sultan’s Mother, or the showered them with gold, but they could
privacy. Literally “the Inside” of the palace, First Wife. The Valide Sultan was pro- never leave the harem to spend their
the Enderun contained the residence for moted to her exalted position after giving treasure. If they wanted to go shopping,
the Campaign Pages, or Aghas, trained birth to the Sultan’s first male heir. She they had to rely on servants to choose the
since childhood in courtly arts such as presided over the harem from the largest best goods from the bazaar to suit the
music, poetry, dance, and calligraphy and suite of apartments, totaling as many as tastes of their mistress. In addition, the
serving as body servants, guards, and forty rooms, with the best location, venti- women of the harem were forbidden male
messengers for the personal needs of the lation, and sunlight in the palace. visitors (except doctors and teachers). It
Sultan. In this section of Topkapi, one also After the Valide Sultan, the Kadineffen- was said that even a male fly could not
can find the baths and massage rooms for dis (or Kadins, for short) enjoyed the long- enter the harem without the Sultan’s per-
the Sultan and the Aghas, the lavish Impe- lasting, personal favor of the Sultan. These mission. There were rarely exceptions to
rial treasuries (detailed later in the article), “Royal Ladies” were ranked by the Chief this rule, since the penalty for adultery
and the central audience kiosk, where the Eunuch in the Sultan’s order of prefer- according to Islamic law was quite harsh
Sultan would greet visitors of great impor- ence, and numbered between four and (death by beheading for the man, death by
tance from his wide, golden throne. Aside seven individuals. They shared multi- stoning for the woman).
from the audience chamber, however, the storied, wooden quarters overlooking a Structurally, the harem is a confusing
Enderun was typically the exclusive do- high terraced swimming pool in the ha- but intriguing place. Dark, narrow corri-
main of the Sultan and his attendants. rem. Sometimes the Sultan married one or dors twist at unpredictable junctures and
Two stone ramps descend from the more of the Kadins; more often, however, open into bright narrow courtyards. At
Enderun to the tiled terraces of the Fourth they remained his most exalted consorts. every turn, stairs lead upward and down-
Court, the most private of the Sultan’s The ikbals, or “Lucky Ones,” were the ward into darkness. After centuries of
daily living quarters, located farthest from sultan’s favored concubines, who shared building, at least two floors of the harem
the bustle of Council Square and the con- important duties within the harem. The are now completely underground, linking
fines of the Harem. The court’s prominent ikbals received honorific titles, such as the storerooms and cisterns with outdoor
patio, built around a rectangular pool with Sultan’s Food Taster, the Sultan’s Barber, pools and fountains. Above the gardens,
a fountain, is surrounded by a number of the Sultan’s Coffee-maker, etc. which were built upon the terraced roofs of the ha-
ornamental kiosks or pavilions, covered appropriate to their administrative role. rem’s lower stories, another three levels of
with ornate blue, green, and red tiles. They served the Valide Sultan and cared predominantly wooden structures were
From the opulent Baghdad pavilion, the for the royal children. erected in the 18th century. One can be-
Sultan could sip hot tea from a tulip- Any of the ladies, even the youngest come hopelessly lost within the harem’s
shaped glass while contemplating the concubine, could look forward to promo- warren of 400 chambers. The stone walls,
spectacular panorama of Istanbul spread tion within the harem to the dignified covered with brightly painted tiles, were
out below. Other pavilions, perfect sites position of the Valide Sultan. If not, after recessed with countless alcoves and niches
for reading or reflection, were designed to seven years of service in the harem, they for books, boxes, vases, and turbans. In a
overlook the tulip gardens and marble were typically married to a powerful few chambers, loud gurgling fountains
64 NOVEMBER 1994
were installed to foil eavesdroppers, and lain with white, green, blue, and red de- precious woods and adorned with gold (a
secret passages were hidden behind some signs, depicting geometric, radial, floral, or fad introduced from Europe in the 19th
walls, concealed by panels or revolving animal motifs (over 15,000 pieces, includ- century); gilded stirrups encrusted with
mirrors. The entire harem whispers of ing huge rose medallion serving platters, opals, aquamarines, and pale garnets; an
secrecy, intimacy, and intrigue. smaller individual plates, 5’ tall vases, and emerald-studded horse-crest plumed with
slender decanters); white ostrich feathers;
Treasures of the Sultans * Ancient illuminated manuscripts from * Ancient religious artifacts of Islam,
In addition to the quarters for the China and Persia; paper tapestries of reli- such as the footprint, hair, tomb soil, and
Aghas, the Enderun also contained the gious calligraphy; a writing box and pen tooth of the Prophet Mohammad; a jew-
repositories for the Sultan’s innumerable holder of carved jade; a coral-hilted pen eled case containing the Sword of the
wealth, a magnificent hoard accumulated knife; the first copies of the original 7th- Prophet and the scimitars of the first
by the Ottomans over five centuries. The century Quran, the holy book of Islam; Caliphs, the early political leaders of the
trade routes of Eastern Europe and Russia * Gilded clocks and music boxes (gifts Islam; a few Christian artifacts, such as the
were obliged to pass through the Bosporus from European ambassadors); gold and silver-encased hand and gem encrusted
Strait, en route to their home ports of call lacquer jewelry coffers inlaid with ivory skull of John the Baptist;
from the Mediterranean Sea. The legend- tortoise shell or mother of pearl and deco- * Arms and armor, often engraved with
ary Silk Road, linking distant China with rated with clover-leaf and floral patterns; serpent and peacock or eagle motifs or
Persia and Arabia, terminated in Istanbul. a golden box carved in the shape of a fish inscribed with elegantly gilded inscriptions
Being the inevitable crux of commerce and with ruby eyes; from the Quran;
trade, the Ottoman Empire became fantas- * Gold-embroidered and gem-studded —a fabulous jeweled jambiya, the fa-
tically wealthy. One of the Chief Viziers ceremonial clothing; a jade rose water mous Topkapi Dagger, its golden grip
once boasted that the state easily could sprinkler and hand-mirror; egg-shaped studded with brilliant diamonds and
afford to refit their Imperial Armada with perfume vials; golden candle snuffers; adorned with seven huge emeralds;
anchors of silver, ropes spun from silk, spoons carved from tortoise shell, coral, or —a wavy-bladed scimitar with an ivory
and sails sewn from satin. The trove on mother of pearl; zinc flasks and jars inlaid grip;
display in Topkapi affirms such arrogance. with tortoise and bloodstone; a gold water —daggers with red coral hilts and grips
The Sultan’s hoard contained the follow- pipe (narghile) set with intricate floral of carved alabaster, crystal, or horn;
ing treasures, which the Game Master may emblems and geometric designs; a gold- —silver-chased javelins, spears, and
care to gradually adapt and perhaps slow- plated cradle for the Imperial heir, massive halberds;
ly introduce into a campaign to augment golden candlesticks measuring 4’ tall and —a silver-hafted flail with five spherical
monetary booty: weighing over 100 pounds; a collection of quartz heads of differing hues;
five royal thrones; —a black iron mace from Egypt, topped
* Collections of antique Chinese porce- * Magnificent carriages fashioned from with a crude lion figurine;

DRAGON 65
—a gilded yatagan (a Turkish short- ancient vizier’s undying repose! Perhaps of Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the
sword, with a light, single-edged cutting expansion beneath the harem uncovers a Museums of Archaeology and Turkish and
blade); forgotten door, leading to cobwebbed Islamic Art, and (of course) the spectacular
—lamellar armor with gold-engraved vaults and other mysteries better left Covered Bazaar. For the economically
plates and arm guards; undisturbed. In either case, a group of minded, check out the Frommers Guide
—a mahogany box quiver (for a dozen adventurers might be called into the pal- (Turkey on $40 a Day), which despite its
flight arrows) inlaid with mother of pearl; ace to investigate the unusual discovery. lousy maps and occasionally poor direc-
—a gilded wooden shield, embossed with Besides ancient tombs, the courageous tions, does manage to highlight cheap
rose floral patterns and inlaid with rubies might discover an abandoned section of locales to eat and sleep.
and emeralds; the palace, once used as a laboratory or a My wife and I stayed at one of the small
—a lacquered leather shield, studded storeroom for fiendish experiments. bed-and-breakfast hotels in Sultanahmet
with 10 jeweled flowers; Of course, adventures in Topkapi cer- called the Berk Guest House ($24 single,
—an embroidered silk bow case, sewn tainly do not require such subterranean $32 double), which was located within two
with tiny pearls; delvings. In one campaign, the characters minutes’ walk of Topkapi and eight min-
—ivory-inlaid antique firearms, including could be enlisted by one of the Sultan’s utes from the Grand Bazaar. In addition to
wheel-lock pistols and heavy arquebuses; pages, entrusted with expanding the Impe- its wonderful location, the proprietor of
—a heavy footman’s mace with a carved rial collection of exotic treasures or the the pension, a charming young woman
head of mottled green jade; menagerie of rare monsters. The player named Yeshim, provided us with helpful
—a black-hafted battle axe, decorated characters might even be sucked into a advice and even included us in her circle
with ripping birds’ beaks; harem intrigue, when the Valide Sultan of intimate friends for Christmas and New
* Vast collections of gems and jewelry: a has a genie or another magically inclined Year’s Eve. Yeshim was not the only exam-
golden platter heaped with cut peridots servant collect the party for a special ple of warm Turkish hospitality we en-
and emeralds; the famous Spoon-Maker’s mission against an archrival. countered during our two weeks in
diamond (the pear-shaped jewel is almost Alternatively, the Sultan can be por- Turkey. In general, we found Turkish
2” across and weighs 86 carats); carved trayed as an archnemesis or evil figure in people to be exceedingly warm and friend-
jade rings; star-shaped pendants; carved the campaign, in which the Palace be- ly, perhaps because they have had a long
emerald covers for coffee cups; a golden comes a hive for corrupt viziers, vicious history of dealing with travelers.
brooch set with a huge mottled pearl; a mamluks, and depraved executioners. The Outside the Ottoman and Byzantine
four-winged turban pendant, set with party might be enlisted by one of the heritage of Istanbul, one can explore the
rubies, emeralds, pearls, and diamonds; a Sultan’s enemies in a plot to rescue one of underground cities of central Turkey (as
blue enamel pendant shaped like an egg the concubines from the Imperial harem reported by Allen Varney) and visit the
and encrusted with diamonds; wide red or salvage an important artifact from the excavated remains of the Hittite Culture,
velvet belts, covered with amethyst- treasury. One of the Sultan’s victims, be- which dominated central Anatolia many
studded golden buckles; and an ebony fore her execution outside the palace, thousands of years before the Byzantines
walking stick, studded with diamonds. might try to slip one of the PCs a cryptic rose to power. Otherwise, one might inves-
note: “Tell Kethuda that the Horse has tigate the western Aegean coast, where
Certain treasures could be adapted Twenty Fingers and the Moon Sings over a ruined Greek cities sprawl magnificently
easily into new, exotic magical items. A Summer Sky.” As the party tries to unravel across the acropoli of barren mountains
circular iron shield, covered with four the enigma of Kethuda’s identity, they and secluded valleys. Even more ruined
wickedly-spiked bosses and nine blade- become embroiled in a conspiracy to de- cities lie along the southern, Mediterrane-
catching iron rings, could become a shield stroy the wicked Sultan and replace him an coast of Turkey, interspersed with
of blade-breaking, which has the ability to with a benevolent prince, who mysteri- Crusader castles and modern vacation
destroy an enemy’s weapons. A set of ously disappeared after a “hunting acci- resorts. For the historically and archaeo-
ivory-inlaid bath clogs could provide the dent” three years ago. logically inclined, a sojourn in Turkey
wearer with fire resistance, and an en- Finally, out in the wilderness, the party promises to be a fascinating experience.
chanted rose-water sprinkler, shaped like might come across the palace in the
a perforated egg, might be used to detect wreckage of an ancient city. The palace References
the presence of poison in food and bever- itself might be crumbled into ruins, or Akshit, Ilhan. The Topkapi Palace. Akshit
ages. The Game Master is encouraged to somehow been preserved by powerful Kultur Tirizm Sanat Ajans Ltd. Shti.,
adapt the list of treasures to suit the par- magic. The littered courtyards, timeworn Istanbul, 1993.
ticular needs and flavor of a campaign. pavilions, and dark chambers might still Can, Turhan. Topkapi Palace. Orient Pub-
contain some remnants of the Sultan’s lishing Co., Istanbul, 1990.
Palaces in a fantasy setting former riches, scattered about the tiny DeLiagre, Cristina. “Istanbul Intrigue,”
A palace such as Topkapi would make an alcoves and secret vaults where mad, European Travel and Life, Dec./Jan.
ideal setting for a number of adventures gibbering horrors lurk in the darkness. 1991, pp. 102-111.
and perhaps the focus of an entire cam- Topkapi can be adapted to each of these Kaplan, Robert. “Istanbul,” Conde Nast
paign. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect visions, baleful and benign, providing a Traveller, Dec. 1993, pp. 134-150.
of the palace is its foundation in an ancient detailed setting for countless adventures Ozdemir, Keman. Ottoman Nautical Charts
historical context. Excavations in the Court in a Middle-Eastern campaign. and the Atlas of Ali Macar Reis. Crea-
of Ceremonies, for instance, have uncover- tive Yayincilik ve Tanitim Ltd., Istanbul,
ed huge porphyry sarcophagi, buried Traveling to Topkapi 1992.
since the Byzantine age. The palace was As Allen Varney pointed out in his article Rogers, J. M. (Editor and Translator); Chig,
built upon Constantinople’s ruined about the Underground Cities of Turkey Kemal; Batur, Sabahattin; and Koseoglu,
acropolis—what dark, subterranean cham- (DRAGON® issue #201), traveling to Istan- Cengiz. The Topkapi Saray Museum
bers still remain entombed beneath Topka- bul is relatively easy (Newark-Istanbul Architecture: The Harem and Other
pi? Some scholars have suggested that fares range from $750-$900, depending Buildings. Little, Brown, and Company,
Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror abandoned upon whether you want a direct flight or Boston, 1988.
his first palace because it was built on the stop-overs in Europe). Topkapi is located in
ruins of a Byzantine monastery and grave- the Old City of Istanbul, called Sul-
yard. Suppose Topkapi were erected over tanahmet, surprisingly close by other
such a site, and unwarranted excavation major attractions, including the Blue
(for a new well, for instance) disturbed an Mosque, Suleymanye Mosque) the Basilica
66 NOVEMBER 1994

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen