Ghyll:Baleman

Baleman was the primary theatrical location for the Amphitheatre aristocracy until approximately -75 EC. A decorative amphitheatre befitting to the Aristocracy, it was a place where they could practice theatrics in front of large audiences. Carved into the side of a large hill, the seating was entirely of carved stone, with historical scenes engraved below the seats. Said to have been built in 50 years, it was rumored to be one of the most impressive structures created by the current inhabitants of Ghyll.

Diagrams of Baleman indicate that it could have seated upwards of 25,000 audience members. The single largest amphitheatre in record as being used for theatrical performances, it was most likely here that many of the stories of Fijjit Mejora were first told. A round staging area was backed by a thick stone backdrop with several small cutouts, as well as a series of blocks behind which characters in theatrical performances could stand to aid in the creation of illusion.

Baleman was located at the northern edge of the Evesque Valley, in a relatively unpopulated area. The lack of artificial light in the area made it a useful tool for teaching interested Ghyll citizens about the night sky. Historical records indicate that at one time, these stargazing tours were at one time a common occurrence, but as Ghyll citizens became less interested in the night sky, they dwindled in frequency. The last record of such a session is listed as being in -90 EC, during which 4 students visited Baleman to learn about the sky.

Baleman was destroyed in -75 EC in the Earthquake of Fluyr. A previously stable fault line suffered a major shift, causing the majority of the seating to collapse. The thick white stone seats were designed to support heavy weights vertically, but could not support lateral cracks caused by the rift, and the theatrical location fell into ruin. It still exists today, however, but only as an attraction for tourists with a special interest in ruins.

Citations: Amphitheatre aristocracy, Fijjit Mejora, Earthquake of Fluyr.

--Christopher Schmidt Fri, 17 Sep 2004 21:13:36 EDT