Intervallens

Intervallens is a fictional city-state in the speculative world of Harmonia. It is known for urban design inspired by musical intervals and a culture centered on acoustics and harmony. The city sits on a high plateau at the confluence of two rivers, with terraced hills and resonant stonework that reflect its musical heritage.

The name Intervallens combines roots meaning between and valley in the language of Harmonia, reflecting both geography and musical identity.

Geography and urban design describe a city with streets laid in terraces and concentric rings around a central amphitheater called the Octave Forum. Public spaces align to tonal relationships such as unison, octave, and fifth, while building materials are chosen for their acoustic properties.

History: Founded by the Interval Guild in the early medieval era, Intervallens grew as a center for tuners, instrument makers, and scholars of acoustics. It survived the Great Dissonance and later unified under a constitutional framework that integrated governance with music education.

Government and society: The city operates under a constitutional senate with a Minister of Tuning and a civic court. Education emphasizes music theory, acoustics, and practical instrument making, ensuring a workforce attuned to both culture and industry.

Economy and culture: Major sectors include instrument manufacturing, acoustical engineering, and cultural tourism. The Interval Festival, a summer celebration of performance and tunings, draws visitors and scholars from across Harmonia.

Notable landmarks: The Echo Dome, the Gate of Modulation, and the Lattice Library are key architectural and cultural sites, all designed to enhance resonance and audience perception.

In fiction: Intervallens appears in several novels and video games as a hub for musicians, scholars, and artisans, often serving as a testing ground for ideas about sound, space, and society.