Perisal

Perisal is the capital city of Anticalum. It is the oldest, biggest and most modern city in Anticalum. It has a population of 15, 600 people approximately. The city is located in central Anticalum, in the valley through which the Alicarthin flowing water flows.

Structure
Perisal has a very unique and extraordinary structure. The city itself is built upon 6 land platforms which stick out of the sides of the valley, 3 on each side. They are placed one above the other, one above, one below and one in the middle. The platforms on either side of the valley are placed at the same height and therefore face each other. There is a gap of roughly 10 metres between the platforms on either side. The platforms themselves are about 7 metres in depth, and each platform is 110 metres above or below an adjacent platform. The platforms are all around 8 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide. Each of the platforms are referred to as upper, middle or lower platforms A or B. Side A is the dimqwan side and Side B is the choreman side to which the Teeth of Dravithe and the Gathering of Trees lies.

The Alicarthin Flowing Water flows roughly 300 metres below the lower platforms. Within the river itself there is a tall island protruding from the water. The island, simply called the Central Island lies just about 8 metres below the two lower platforms, and is very narrow, only about 200 metres wide, though it is about 4km in length, half the length of the platforms. There are two stone staircases descending from each of the lower platforms to the Central Island. The island is home to the Lord of Perisal, who is also the Governor of Anticalum. The wealthier, more influential Perisalists also reside on the island. Also all the government buildings, the Monastery and the Perisal Court of Justice are found on the island.

Each of the platforms are secured to the sides of the valley by ancient monolithic chains, that are said to have been made by the Originals of a substance that is a cross of metal and stone. Between each pair of platforms there are 8 stone bridges, allowing people to walk over to the opposite platform.

Another ancient system allows people to travel to a platform above or below the one they are on. A metal slab attached to a pulley system, carries people up and down, using the power generated by a group of 10 cows. The cows are harnessed to a shaft, which they walk around in circles. This generates the energy required to lift people, which is transferred through the pulley to the metal slab on which the people stand. This unusual system is called a ‘lift’. There are about 20 lifts on each platform. Each lift has a maximum capacity of 5 people at a time. The cows are fed the highest quality grass and apples, to provide them with the strength needed for their task. As times changed the people of Perisal have proposed using electricity as an alternative to the cows. But these proposals have been in vain, as most Perisaists prefer sticking to their traditions and also enjoy watching the cows suffer as they work to carry the weight of literally thousands of people every day. Each lift is operated by a man, who is the lifts cow-master, referring to the mastery one must have over cows to make them walk continuously in circles. The cow-master usually has a house near the lift and wakes up early so that the lifts can begin operating after the cows have been quickly fed. Occasionally however, the cows grow tired and refuse to walk. This results in several problems as people are delayed, and is one of the major arguments used by those who argue to use electricity to power the lifts. There is also a lift rising from Upper Platform A to the Perisal Bridge which stretches over the breadth of the valley and connects the city to the Main Anticalum road.

The two upper platforms of Perisal are where the majority of its larger buildings and commercial areas are. The 4 other platforms are predominantly used for residential purposes, although there are several shops and other buildings as well.

Culture
Though Perisal is certainly the most modern city in Anticalum, and possibly even in the entirety of Vlasaba, it has a very unique, rustic atmosphere. The city is quite thickly forested, in comparison to most cities.

Perisalists, as previously mentioned, prefer things to remain ‘traditional’. This results in an unusual style of architecture. The majority of buildings are constructed of wood or stone. Vines and other plants are allowed to freely grow on their walls. Even the buildings made of glass and steel, lie amidst overgrown plants and vines. Due to the structure of the city, vehicles are extremely rare. The larger part of the surface of the platforms is covered in grass. There are only a few roads though there are several dirt tracks and paths that weave through the city. The roots of the plants growing on the platforms hang underneath the platforms adding to the natural beauty of the city, although they are occasionally trimmed.

The Gardens of Perisal on Lower Platform A, are home to vast variety of flowers, trees and mushrooms. An annual exhibition of Anticlaumese plants and fungi is held in the gardens.

Another annual event is a party thrown by the governing body of Perisal on the Central Island, celebrating the end of the Season of Rain.

The home of the Lord of Perisal lies on a slight hill on the mabnyan part of the Central Island. It is a large wooden house that has stood on that spot since the year 1986, and is surrounded by a relatively large estate.