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Other Atlas

Cisterns

Cisterns

ELEMENT │ PLACE

Cisterns are large, artificial, underground reservoirs of water or other liquids. They are often built to catch and hold rainwater and are often present in areas where water may be scarce, such as deserts or badlands. Cisterns differ from wells as cisterns must be actively filled and act as a storage area, whereas wells tap into existing groundwater and are replenished via that groundwater source. Cisterns may be full or empty and may exist as an underground ruin in fictional worlds. They may lead to underground cave systems or the sewers.

Synonyms: underground tanks, wells
Example Mythonyms: the Central Cistern

Designing Fictional Cisterns

Archetypes

Flooded Chambers
Wells
Reservoirs
Sewers
Underground Lakes

Overview

When designing cisterns for your fictional world, consider their size as well as their need. Cisterns are not always filled with water, and may be used for some other important liquid resource in your world.

Fictional cisterns may be places to explore, and often serve as a type of underground ruin. There may be partially flooded chambers, collapsed sections, and graffiti.

Reference Image Gallery

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