Garm: The Towering Fountain of Orrisen Park

Transit

Orrisen Park is situated in There-Upon the Bannen, a quiet region on the northern edge of Garm. Traveling to There-Upon the Bannen can be confusing for foreigners, as the region has a complex history that has not been standardized among other countries.

Centuries ago, what is now referred to as There-Upon the Bannen was three separate towns: Bannen, Malthen, and Esphea, each half a day’s ride from each other by horse. As each town grew bigger over the years, their borders began to blend. Without getting into the tumultuous history, there is still some significant dispute as to whether the three towns merged into a single city, retained their separate jurisdictions, or simply cross-pollinated so much that the political situation is immaterial.

Suffice it to say, the somewhat confusing and still debated history makes it difficult to know exactly how to get to There-Upon the Bannen. Several countries have — for political or historical reasons — their own understanding of the region, and label their destinations accordingly. The Leinfanrer Zuig from northern Reghein, for example, travels through seven different countries on its way to There-Upon the Bannen, and travelers will hear their destination called Bannen, Malthen, the United City, and the Tri-city Region at various times throughout their trip.

I am using the name There-Upon the Bannen because that is the name still used in the area surrounding Orrisen Park. Once you get to the city, travel to Orrisen Park is comparably simple; while the city doesn’t have an official taxi or trolley service, there are significant numbers of Jzum-jzums¹ on the streets. Tell the driver you want to see the Towering Fountain and you’ll be there in no time.

The Place

One of the greatest parks from around the world, Orrisen Park was established in 921 by Countier and Countess Gusnavik. Originally built because their daughter wanted a place to rest and play her flute in the middle of town, the park was opened to the public in 1033, as a wedding gift from the then Countess Gusnavik to the citizenry.

The park was built in accordance with the principles of Rensha, a folk religion that equates locations with spiritual importance. The park paths, for example, are the appropriate width to allow for a healthy flow of energy when they are walked upon. The seven plazas are placed at the proper locations to channel and heal each of the Rensha seven virtues, and the six types of trees originally placed in the park were planted at the precise locations to shield any one in the park from the Demons of Westwind.

These days, while the old and stout trees still stand and the paths still wind in accordance with Rensha, a great deal of landscaping has changed the park from its original monastic style. Islands of flowers dot the gently sloping grass, transplanted from all across the world. Lilacs, roses, follow-me-bys, amprills, snapdragons, and lilies are most common on the eastern edge; while daisies, dandelions, lavender, blueflax, and water petals dominate the western side of the park.

Since its opening to the public, many statues and fixtures have been added to augment the experience for visitors. The seven plazas have all been given a central statue or fountain, though in the case of the sixth plaza, the statue is a functional Viistba.

Viistbas (VEEST-bahs) are small clusters of shops and stores with the storefronts all radiating outward from a central and often enclosed room. The most common example of a viistba is often found in the middle of a street roundabout, usually composed of one or two street-food vendors, a news-stand, a tinker, and an amusement stall or two. The storefronts are always compact, with the central space usually being little more than a place to rest or store specialty goods.

For visitors, the tinker is probably the most common store-front that will be least recognizable. In There-Upon the Bannen culture, a tinker can fix most broken items in a short period of time. They can patch clothing, repair broken glasses or damaged jewelry, and often have first-aid supplies and experience. Recently, some tinkers have even expanded into phone repair, though there are limits to their capabilities due to most companies’ antagonism towards device-repair.

While Orrisen Park is a beautiful place in itself, the Towering Fountain is the star of the show. Placed in the third plaza, the most interesting thing to me is how first impressions are, in fact, entirely correct. I myself almost immediately made excuses upon seeing the precariously balanced stones reaching high over my head; “Surely, it only looks like rock; it must be made of some lighter material.” “It is supported by steel rods, of course. There is no way a pillar of rocks could stand straight like that.” “There are wires or hidden levers that cause the stones to rotate about the middle, it is not magic.” “It’s too precarious, I can’t be seeing what I think I’m seeing!” But I was.

On first sight, the Towering Fountain looks like a bit of modern sculpture; a single pillar of rock reaching over thirty feet in the air. Several of the rocks seem impossibly balanced, ready to collapse on passers by with a slightest breeze, but the entire structure has been examined multiple times by expert engineers, and the entire structure is incredibly stable.

Circling the central tower is the Tower Clock; three shapes — named the lotor, the wellin and the ostri — set in slowly rotating orbit. Their steady perpetual motion is still somewhat of a mystery, with engineers considering wind-patterns and the shapes’ air-resistance as contributing factors.

The sculpture is all the more amazing due to the fact that there are no internal steel supports or hidden wires, save the internal fountain piping. The creators of the fountain — the married duo of Jann and Olira Hoth-Ryen — used only small amounts of a mortar-adhesive to attach some of the rocks together, while others are only carefully balanced. There is still debate as to whether the mortar or the weight of the stones is providing more stability. The three shapes were proved to be lodestones, and float because of a surprisingly and equally powerful lodestone in the pillar that supports their orbit through its magnetic field.

Perhaps the most interesting and gripping fact is this: much in the same way that Jackson Pollock had a connection to mathematical fractals,² the Towering Fountain has a surprising connection to natural mathematics — the presence of mathematical patterns in nature. Noble-Mathematicians from the High Chancellery of Ordered Integers have studied the structure for generations, and discovered countless mathematical principles as a result: the fountain naturally uses the Golden Ratio multiple times through its construction, the five mouths of the waterfalls cause the water to split in accordance to the first five Lucas numbers, the balancing points of the rocks and geometric shapes map to the Bell numbers, and the polishing technique the Hoth-Ryens used somehow (I could not grasp the explanation given to me) connects to Narayana’s Cows and the “supergolden ratio;” just to name a few.

Much hay has been made over whether the Hoth-Ryens were, in fact, genius mathematicians hiding their proofs in irrefutable metal and stone. Those who believe this point to the discoveries and advancements made as a result of the fountain’s study, and proclaim that such a bounty could not have occurred by mere chance. At the same time; the notes, diagrams, and messages used by the Hoth-Ryens during the fountain’s construction are a matter of public record, and it certainly appears as if they had no mathematical training nor passion. This has brought many people to believe that the Hoth-Ryens tapped into some underlying mathematical truths about our physical world, while others believe they were clever enough to hide their mathematical inclinations even in their private notes.

As a non-mathematician myself, I find the argument somewhat missing the point. If there is something to be said about Mathematics through the Towering Fountain of Orrisen Park, I think it is: math and similar sciences are a lens we view nature through. The stones know nothing of math, and so support crafted geometric shapes as readily as any other rock. The water knows nothing of the Fibonacci Sequence, and yet falls in such a way as to craft beautiful braids in the air and tap soothing melodies on the pool’s surface. To me, the Towering Fountain is a loving reminder that we use math to look at nature, as opposed to nature using math to create itself.

If this was indeed the Hoth-Ryens goal, they must at least have known some insufferable Mathematicians, if not been mathematicians themselves.

Accommodations

There-Upon the Bannen is a large metropolis with several locations suitable for visitors and tourists. For easy access to Orrisen Park, the Valtuuci is your best bet for a comfortable room at a premium price. Located just down the street from Orrisen Park, it is the preferred hotel for people who plan on walking to the park every morning. Be aware, you are paying for location rather than amenities; don’t expect luxury rooms or exotic room service.

For those who what easy access with a more manageable price-tag, Arin’s Rooms is the hotel of choice. The rooms are cozy and clean, and its front doors are only a short walk from the Rowan Station central hub for the high-speed subway, giving you easy access to the entire city’s expansive assortment of places to visit. Other excellent options include the Motel Evarra, The Open Door, and Wixwiggits.

There-Upon the Bannen is large enough and has enough in the way of attraction that you might wish to rent a room for an extended stay. If you are planning on staying in the city for two weeks to a month, consider renting an apartment: Windy Halls is a rental apartment complex for people who want a home away from home. They offer rentals from two weeks to two years, for a lavish bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, sitting room, and in-apartment utility room. They also supply a personal valet for each room, who can perform minor duties and errands should you require it. The price-tag is understandably high for the room, but for people who wish to travel and sight-see in luxury, there is no comparison.

Things to Do

Daytime

Apart from the Towering Fountain, Orrisen Park provides many amusements for the curious vacationer.

While the Towering Fountain is certainly the most famous centerpiece of the seven plazas, the other six are certainly worth visiting. The second plaza has the famous Dondai ce Torti statue, made by Oris Wompo of east Rhimsfar. Carved out of puddingstone, the perfect time to visit is during sundown, as the setting sun casts effervescent colors across the polished stone.

The fourth plaza holds the historical statue of Bon Uvrickt the Arccheadies sculpted by forgotten artisans from the 400s. Moved here in the 1830s, the statue is a marvelous piece of history and art that represents both the majesty of the era and the prominence that the regent still holds over the people of There-Upon the Bannen.

The seventh plaza holds the Maricches musical fountain, which plays the refrain from Pevucco’s Seventh Rondo. The harpsichord part of the rondo is made through a masterful construction of hammers and counterbalanced levers, while the violin portion is created through a series of thin metal bowls that are played with rotating mallets. The brass harmonies come from a series of bell-like vessels that collect water and are struck by falling water drops.

Performers and musicians populate the many walkways at all times of day, and it is rare that there is not some celebration that has chosen the park as the perfect location. Street vendors often sell their wares to the casual strollers-by, and travelers are well advised to bring pocket change; the constant smells have driven me to salivation even at my most full.

If you happen to see a large woman dressed all in blue with silver trim, know this is a Maiden of Round. Part spiritual leaders and part tour-guides, the Maidens of Round are a powerful social force in There-Upon the Bannen, providing community guidance and liaison-ship for any and all who need it. Do not mistake their politeness and willingness to help for servitude, however. To ask of a Maiden of the Round is no small thing, and to trespass on their good natures may result in your shunning. Make sure your questions are simple and you behave as the pinnical of politeness.

While the Towering Fountain is indeed a marvel to see and Orrisen Park is well worth a trip all on its own, the three cities of Bannen, Malthen, and Esphea are where many travelers will spend most of their time.

Malthen

Of the original three cities, Malthen was the port-city, founded by the Roosian sea. Called “City of the Green Sea” in the local language, Malthen is still a bustling port-district, and their fishing skiffs and net-haulers feed most of the cities bordering the Roosian sea, in addition to There-Upon the Bannen. Kelp-farmers and diving-hunters provide the delicate bluereed, ground prickleball, and eel that are exotic delicacies, while polished shell jewelry is available on every corner and woven Waveweed provides some of the silkiest water-proof blankets known in the world. The Dock-Markets are a great place to sample these luxuries, and you will be able to happily spend several hours here.

A few blocks away from the docks are the greatest seafood restaurants I’ve ever been in. I highly recommend The Green Hook, a tiny stall off of Endrim street. Their unique blend of spices and herbs bring out the subtle flavors of Malthen cuisine, and you will never look at whitefish the same way again.

Alternate options include the higher-priced Rogdenvall, which has a remarkable selection of wine and beer to go with their meals, as well as a well-trained waitstaff who will be able to help you craft an excellent meal and drink pairing. Jugg’s is an oddly named but well respected food joint, with a casual atmosphere better geared towards lunches and quick dinners, as opposed to a ‘sit-down-and-savor’ experience. Scripreef is an excellent street-café for those who like savoring their meals; with a sea-side view and outdoor dining, feel free to spend an hour or two soaking in the sights and cuisine.

Esphea

Esphea was founded atop the Yjugi Plateau, where the Palace of Baroner Ngaat once stood. Long since dismantled for materials, Esphea still retains most of the old streets and footpaths, and a large park is now in place of the Palace. Esphea is a verdant district, covered with gardens, flowers, and trees of all kinds.

Esphea is widely known for its textiles, woven from Malthen’s waveweed and lined with carefully spun pufflowers. There are traditions surrounding this fabric dating back to before Baroner Ngaat, and it would be wise for travelers to keep anything that may stain away from the locals. Damaging the wrong cloth could result in severe repercussions³

Local dining is limited in Esphea. While there are several traveler hostals which provide food at reasonable prices, Esphea is perhaps not the best location for travelers who wish to sample There-Upon the Bannen’s cuisine. Head to Bannen or Malthen for that.

If, however, you are a lover of theatre and live-music, Esphea has both the Aldebiim Theatre and the Splitt Music House, two of the preeminent theatre and music houses in the world. Tickets to performances are quite expensive, however, and you may find bookings difficult to reserve. Street performances are a common alternative, and the traditional local dance, the Ran Tan Tolarri, can be found on most street corners. Street theatre is a more spontaneous affair, with performances of Falderals — a comedy show performed originally with shadow puppets — appearing on the street at different places and times throughout the week. Walliis — dramatic and romantic performances with usually no more than two actors — are more predictable; Loglen Street has performers on every block, with hour and half-hour performances starting after the performance to the east has finished. This is called the Wallii Wave by locals, and a Wallii Walk is the practice of starting at one end of Loglen and walking to the other, following the dramatic recitations as you go.

Bannen

Bannen was the largest of the three original cities of There-Upon The Bannen. It is relatively cosmopolitan, and is also home to both the Industrious University of the Sciences and the Grand Institute of Highest Learning.

Naturally, due to the presence of these two institutions, Bannen is full of bookstores, libraries, scriveners, translators, and similar services for the local students. Lovers of the written word will find much to delight them here, and might wish to plan for a day or two’s worth of exploring. There are several museums dedicated to literature and the science history, as well as the Grand Institute’s Museum of Mathematical History.

If you are looking for “authentic” cuisine, you can do no better than the Cyan Crock. While not the most famous restaurant in There-Upon the Bannen, nor the most luxurious, it boasts the longest pedigree of chefs in the city. Originally founded in the 1200s, the Cyan Crock has only ever hired chefs that have lived in the city their whole lives, and who pass an intensive training regimen in classical cooking.

While you are here, you should also take some time to see the Rem’Allibaret, a architectural marvel and former hotel that is now one of the best restaurants in the region. While the meals are quite expensive, guests are permitted to take a free hourly tour to see 15th century architecture at its finest.

Evening

Nighttime activities in There-Upon the Bannen include all of the daytime activities — city and its shops don’t close down until almost midnight. The only significant difference is the opening of evening-bars; places where alcohol is served alongside a small plate of savory food, akin to other culture’s “teatime.” I cannot offer any reliable recommendations for evening-bars, as I have yet to visit one that was not special in some profound way. You simply cannot go wrong.