Architecture of Neopia: Brightvale

One of the first things I noticed when entering Brightvale is how proud the inhabitants are of their architectural history. Outside one of the smaller residential shops littering the alleys of this market town, one can find several variations of building blocks of tiny replica castles and Brightvale's infamous stained glass windows. But what Brightvale is famous for is its literature, and I can assure you that there are no shortage of architectural guides. To accompany this report I offer one particular entitled Brightvale Architecture, which goes into great depth on the significance of the green frilly turrets and limestone stained rock work. But also, curiously A History of the Brightvale Book Shop, although a disinteresting story itself; the quaintness comes from the shape of the book being the architectural piece in question. Only in Brightvale would such an all round admiration for its own buildings be so prevailing in all aspects of society and culture. This is what I love about Brightvale.

In exploring the town of Brightvale itself - besides the occasional kitsch shop shaped like the wares it sells, most of the town has consistent medieval (bordering on gothic) styled architecture. The cobblestones and dirt path floor is mostly suitable for those on foot and the occasional carriage which would most likely be passing through Market Town or up towards Brightvale castle, for Brightvale is self sufficient but relies heavily on the tourist and information (books etc.) industries to survive. There is also a curious mix between the social demographic of the juxtaposed buildings. Whilst most of Brightvale town is dedicated to trade and smaller tourist shops - there are a great many manors including Haverbrook Manor towering grand beside tiny thatched cottages. I had the fortune to meet Sir Migwot Blumpington, owner of Haverbrook - who shares a common interest in architecture, and was able to show me around the mansion. Medieval architecture is beautiful, and this expensive piece is no different. One of the most striking aspects of Brightvale is that manors such as Haverbrook and Brightvale castle are built from stone, whereas the peasants constructions are all wattle and daub with thatched roofs - a visual representation of the social scale. Once inside Haverbrook, I received a tour and demonstration of all of the beautiful stained glass windows around the construction. From the main hallway, coloured light pours in behind depictions of ancient Brightvalian legends of knights and ferocious Draiks. I had the luck to witness this on a sunny day, but Blumpington explains that when it rains the pieces are just as beautiful for the light flickers. Much of the great house besides the beautiful mosaic windows consists of grand stairways and entrances. As history has moved on, this mansion originally would have been very uncomfortable and draughty, and the original design would not have included a toilet - but what with modern adaptations, the wealthy of Brightvale live in comfort and warmth.

Back towards the central town, I spent a while exploring specific buildings that I found interesting. Truly fitting of Brightvale and as previously mentioned, many shops are shaped so that one can identify what they sell from their outline - or at the very least, are identifiable by a sculpture attached to their roof. I presume this originated in Brightvale, as it is one of the oldest lands in Neopia - although the most famous of this style of architecture is now in Neopia Central where you can see a giant burger and know what's inside for miles around. In Brightvale, my favourite examples of these include the Royal Potionery, misnamed on account of it having little to do with our King Hagan instead a much more public affair. Nonetheless, the architecture of this building is impressive for the whole shop resembles a potion bottle, even down to the stonework and plump curvature of the doorway eluding to the curved base of a bottle. Instead of a roof, the piece has a blue potion bottle top with jewels draped around its neck. It's a spectacular sight - and quite probably the largest building not including the castle for all around. However tight competition for this space comes from the opposite Scrollery, who instead of a potion bottle has - you guessed it - a scroll for a roof. Though how either shop in Brightvale ever sells a single item is beyond me, for much of both shops are well overpriced. But having been so drawn in by their architecture - maybe that doesn't matter, for this tourist town is well able to hold its own.

As with Maraqua, the pièce de résistance of Brightvale would have to be Brightvale castle. King Hagan's home which stands mighty and tall overlooking the surrounding town surrounded by a thick moat is truly a spectacular sight. Castles of this nature were built for safety and for visual aesthetics more than their own comfort. This is evident in the small windows, barely big enough than slits with which to fire arrows from - when one would assume Brightvale castle would have huge and impressive windows of stained glass, this is not present. The walls are built high for protection, and this particular castle is flanked by four main high lookout towers and a further four shorter turrets at the back. Brightvale castle is also typical of medieval castle architecture as it has a keep in the centre of the castle complex - a fortified central point that is the strongest part of the castle and often where the king sleeps. Although I was lucky enough to meet Hagan, I do not believe I was able to offer him enough knowledge to be able to ask him such a personal question as where he sleeps, but we can assume. The curtain wall that surrounds the keep, is a wall strong enough and tall enough to keep out invaders, should that eventuality arise. However the moat itself also does this job, filled with water its purpose is to prevent siege towers from reaching the castle but also to dictate the enemy's method of approach thus giving Brightvale a stronger chance.

Despite all of this offensive and defensive architecture, its beauty can sometimes be overlooked, for the castle indeed has a very interesting and simplistic attraction to it. With beige brick typical of the surrounding landscape and green frills the style matches the local flag well but also demonstrates a certain level of regality that needs to be maintained, especially when considering the likelihood of invasion is practically nonexistent - but as a symbol of hope and an icon of Brightvale, the castle is everything.

In conclusion to my third piece on architecture of Neopia, in many ways Brightvale is similar to the Lost Desert and to Maraqua but also uniquely different. It is always interesting to see how a ruling body can change the face of architecture in a land, but also the cultural heritage and in this case it is the intellectualism and the inhabitants pride which brings out the best in Brightvale. It is been a pleasure to spend time here.