Monster-Safe Zones and How They Shaped Civilization

Since the beginning of civilization, people have had to deal with the problems presented by feral monsters. Feral monsters are largely incapable of respecting the boundaries and rules of society, and they often pose a danger to anthropes and domesticated monsters. To mitigate these dangers, even early cultures and societies established the concept of the "monster-safe zone": an area specifically designated, designed and controlled so that anthropes and domesticated monsters could live and work without fear of attack or interference from feral monsters.

Patrolled Perimeters

The earliest forms of monster-safe zones were nothing more than established perimeters patrolled by armed guards, often riding domesticated monsters. As clans, tribes and communities established permanent settlements, monster-safe zones became marked by simple walled enclosures, often surrounded by moats or other natural barriers. These enclosures were typically patrolled by armed guards or trained domesticated monsters, who would keep watch for any feral monsters attempting to breach the perimeter. In some cases, these enclosures were also equipped with traps or other defensive measures to deter or capture feral monsters.

This process had a number of effects on the development of civilization. First, it pushed people away from being nomadic and toward settling in the safety and stability of permanent settlements. This effect gave permanent settlements more political power and encouraged the development of centers of power.

Second, it promoted the use of natural barriers. Seasides and major rivers became preferred locations for settlements, as they provided natural defenses against feral monster incursions. This led to the growth of port cities and trade hubs, as people sought to take advantage of these natural barriers while also engaging in commerce and trade.

Mountains also became popular for settlements. A mountainside community had less of a perimeter that needed to be patrolled, and a lookout would be installed up the mountain. Mountainside communities gained the additional advantage of elevation, which provided better visibility and defense against both feral monsters and hostile tribes and clans.

Third, it promoted density. People sought to maximize the use of the limited space within the protected area. This density encouraged the development of infrastructure, such as roads, markets and public spaces, which further enhanced the safety and livability of these settlements.

Fortified Cities

As cities grew wealthier and rivalry between groups of people increased, defenses became permanent. For much of history, feral monsters were less of a threat than rival anthrope factions. As a result, cities began to build permanent walls and fortifications to protect against both feral monsters and hostile anthrope forces. These fortifications often included towers, battlements and other defensive structures, as well as gates and checkpoints to control access to the city.

The most popular design of a fortified city involved a circular or oval wall surrounding the city with at least four lookout towers spaced evenly around the perimeter. The wall would be several stories high and thick enough to withstand attacks from siege engines and other weapons. Defense against feral monsters came by default, but the idea of the city being "monster-safe" was still a key selling point for inhabitants and traders. Scholars believe that the notion of a city being "monster-safe" came from the equating of rivals or enemies with fereal monsters, or in more tolerant societies, the notion that feral monsters were always a greater threat than other anthropes.

For thousands of years, defense technology evolved in response to the advance of anthrope warfare. Walls became thicker and higher, towers became taller and more numerous, and defensive structures became more complex. As cannons and artillery made tall walls vulnerable, cities were designed around artillery logic, blending military engineering with urban planning. During the Five Centuries of War, the concept of needing to protect cities from feral monsters was almost forgotten as fear, bigotry and exploitation gripped. civilization.

Passive Warning and Active Repulsion Technology

As mobile armies and long-range artillery reduced the effectiveness of walls and growing populations made patrolled perimeters impractical, the concept of monster-safe zones evolved once again. Cities, no longer protecthing themselves from annihilation in war, sought to keep feral monsters at bay to allow for more open and accessible urban environments. The sponsors of scientists and engineers liberated them from tasks of war and reassigned them to work on protecting urban areas from feral monster threats.

The first post-war monster-safe zones relied heavily on passive warning systems: a renewed use of perimeter patrols, plus systems of towers and communication between lookout towers, ground forces and dispatchers. A typical urban system involved a network of lookout towers spaced throughout the city, each equipped with telescopes and communication devices. Lookouts would scan the surrounding area for signs of feral monster activity. If they spotted a threat, they would communication a signal to the dispatcher indicating the known location, type, size and trajectory of the feral monster. The dispatcher would then broadcast this information to forces and police in the affected area. Some cities equipped their towers with sirens or beacons to provide an audible or visual warning to inhabitants.

Over time, these tower-based systems adopted technology such as cameras, motion detectors and automated alarms to enhance their detection capabilities. A few wealthy cities trained flying monsters to patrol areas and alert for dangers. Despite the advance of technology, this sort of system remained the norm for several decades.

As the systems were integrated into police departments, they also served the purposes of law enforcement. Many cities became so effective at fighting crime with their monster-safe zones that their crime rates plummeted. Criminals simply fled those cities and departed for the wilderness. Ironically, this heightened the perception of the vast, undeveloped lands as dangerous places.

In time, progress led to technology designed to detect and repel feral monsters. These technologies range from simple alarms and warning systems to more complex energy fields and force fields that can create a barrier against feral monsters. The modern urban monster-safe zone is safe, not so much because it warns people about monster activity, but because cities are very unpleasant places for feral monsters. Light, noise and electromagnetic pollution are very unpleasant for most feral monsters, but the omnipresence of food and water still attracts them. The modern problem is more of feral monsters getting into homes or businesses along the edge of cities and becoming confused, disoriented and enraged by the antagonistic stimuli they face.

The Monster-Safe Oasis

With the development of transportation technology, people have become more mobile and able to travel long distances. However, in many places, protected cities and towns are few and far between, and a traveller may be forced to stop at a safe place for the night. This has lead to the development of the "monster-safe oasis": a temporary safe haven for travellers and their domesticated monsters. The concept is hardly modern at all; in ancient times, travellers would seek out inns, waystations that were known to be safe from feral monster threats. These places would often be located along well-traveled routes and would be protected by guards or domesticated monsters. In modern times, the monster-safe oasis is a product of capitalism. A typical monster-safe oasis is anchored by a multi-story hotel with a plaza filled with vendors of food and various services. The oasis includes fuel and parking for cars and trucks. The whole area is protected by an inward-facing lighting system and perimeter security.