Claire Hess asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Did you plan the progression of the temples in the world of the five gods or was it serendipity? The four square temples with the extra tower where Chalionese Quintarians replace Roknari Quadrenes through a vaguely impressive Easthome temple and various nook temples and a clear description of the Martensbridge six lobed flower in a flourish of impressive Darthacan design?

Lois McMaster Bujold
I figured the temple designs and decorations should vary by regions, their climates, building materials, and histories. In the Ibran peninsula, where temples keep changing hands as the endemic wars move over them, being able to alter allegiances without having to tear down the whole building is more parsimonious. Smaller wooden temples can get away with a pentagonal design, but once one hits the weight of stone buildings, stresses must be more carefully balanced, hence 5 sides plus devoted entry = a more even 6. Wooden carvings where wood is abundant, stone and mosaics and frescoes where it is not. And so on, as my invention holds up, my stories meander geographically, and my historical reading matter inspires or informs (or corrects.)

Ta, L.

flag