Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
60 NOVEMBER 1994
preted as private areas of the palace. Some- called Constantinople (from Konstantinou
times I imagine that Sinan, the court polis, meaning Constantines 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 Byzantiumnamed 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, Mehmeds 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
waterwaysthey 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
modernityfrom 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 hazeIstanbul also is a living the bankrupting opulence of Dolmabahce
once may have required permission from
shrine to the ancient past. The citys 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 Sultans 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 Sultans 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 Istanbulincluding Topkapi crooked corridors, the palace is a surpris- the citys defenses. In the 13th century, a
and Dolmabahcewere 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 Sultans family in the most gate in Turkish).
Topkapi Saray private section of the palace. The organi- The massive Imperial Gate, the main
Topkapis 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 elementsdomes and minaretsappear for the Sultans 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.
DRAGON 65
a gilded yatagan (a Turkish short- ancient viziers 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 Sultans 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 footmans 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 Years 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-Makers 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 Sultans 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 Sultans 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 Kethudas 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 enemys 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 Sultans 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 Constantinoples ruined about the Underground Cities of Turkey Kemal; Batur, Sabahattin; and Koseoglu,
acropoliswhat 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