1. How do the Dwarves keep water from coming down their light-shafts?
--Simple, the shafts are sloped, not vertical, and near the bottom of each one
is a drain. Rainwater runs down that into a nearby cistern, to be stored
for drinking and other purposes.
For that matter,how do they arrainge drainage throughout the whole of Moria?
--Most of Moria, and many other orc and dwarf dwellings, for that matter, are
carved into mountains and actually above the surrounding flatlands, not
below. So drains can run downwards and out. You can also have vents
running downwards to channel off carbon dioxide, saves having to install a
forced-air ventillation system.
2. How high ARE the risers of Dwarvish steps? I had assumed 2/3 of
a normal human step,since Dwarves are about 2/3 of normal human size....
--Sounds good to me, but didn't he describe some pretty steep steps here and
there?
4. Is it really feasable to have such a large city with only two rather
constricted exits? Should we not presume many dwarf-doors, secret and now
forgotten?
--Yeah, that always struck me as less than practical. Should be a LOT
more ramps than stairs, too, for hauling cartloads of food and other goods
around. But dwarves do love to carry heavy loads, and are definitely more
on the reclusive side, which would explain limited access to their
cities. I always figured there was only one gate at each end, the Bridge
serving very much a defensive function. Also, it's curious that the West
gate is invisible, while the East gate is monumental and includes great
windows. (Though I guess that's because of different building phases.)
5. What could that bridge be made of ? A single slender arch of
fifty feet that has stoodunmaintained for over a thousand years?
--Good construction, eh? There is a Roman bridge in France, made of
dry-laid stone, no mortar at all. It has been used for 2000 years and
even survived a bomb hit in World War II. Romans built to last, but
dwarves are even better! Kind of sad, though, the trail of destruction
that the Fellowship leaves in their wake...
CHALLENGE
As the Dwarves hollowed out these truly vast works extending for miles under
three mountains, what did they do with the tailings?
--Export it as building stone!! Also statuary, gravel, roofing slates,
etc.
Matthew/Ugluk
http://www.larp.com/orcs/
