Fountains
Fountains can highlight a world’s art or architectural style. They may be important community locations, especially in locations where water may be scarce, such as a desert. Fountains may be filled with liquid other than water (blood or elixir fountains). Fountains may be secret entrances, particularly to underground areas or the sewers. Fountains may be combined with a statue and may be located in reflecting pools. Fictional fountains are often found in the town squares and markets of fictional towns or the gardens of wealthy estates. Both wells and fountains may be the source of a fictional disease.
| Synonyms: wishing wells, waterworks |
| Example Mythonyms: the Great Fountain of Azaar |
Designing Fictional Fountains
Archetypes
Overview
Fountains were originally purely functional and used to provide water for drinking, bathing and washing to the residents of cities, towns and villages. Overtime they developed decorative elements and were often combined with ornate stonework, carvings, and statues. Until the late 19th century most fountains operated by gravity, and needed a source of water higher than the fountain, such as a reservoir or aqueduct, to make the water flow or jet into the air.
Fictional fountains are often places where the local history is showcased. Statues may be present of revered leaders. They also often act as a secret entrance to a tunnel system, sewers, or secret lair.
As with wells, fictional fountains may be a site where wishes are made (and possibly granted) when a coin is tossed into the water. Due to this, fictional fountains often contain currency and perhaps other treasures deep within their depths.
