# Sovereignty Module: Raise the Stone

## Complete Masonry and Stone Construction: From Quarry to Cathedral

Stone outlasts all other building materials. This campaign covers stone selection, quarrying, cutting, mortar making, and construction of walls, arches, and buildings.

### Chapter 1: Stone Types and Selection

| Stone | Hardness | Workability | Durability | Best Uses | Weight (lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite | Very hard | Difficult | Excellent | Foundations, monuments | 165 |
| Limestone | Medium | Good | Good | Walls, carving, lime production | 150 |
| Sandstone | Soft-medium | Easy | Moderate | Walls, paving, carving | 140 |
| Slate | Medium | Splits easily (layers) | Excellent | Roofing, flooring, writing | 170 |
| Marble | Medium | Good | Good (interior) | Sculpture, flooring, decoration | 160 |
| Basalt | Very hard | Difficult | Excellent | Foundations, paving | 180 |
| Fieldstone | Variable | None (use as found) | Variable | Walls, foundations | Variable |
| River stone | Variable | None (use as found) | Good | Foundations, drainage | Variable |

### Chapter 2: Quarrying and Shaping

| Method | Tools | Stone Types | Output | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splitting (wedge and feather) | Drill, wedges, feathers | All | Rough blocks | Moderate |
| Splitting (fire and water) | Fire, cold water | Granite, hard stone | Rough pieces | Low (slow) |
| Sawing | Stone saw + sand/water | Soft-medium stone | Smooth slabs | Moderate |
| Chiseling (point chisel) | Point chisel, hammer | All | Rough shaping | Moderate |
| Chiseling (flat chisel) | Flat chisel, hammer | All | Smooth faces | Moderate-high |
| Grinding/polishing | Abrasive stones + water | All | Smooth/polished surface | Low (time-intensive) |

### Chapter 3: Mortar and Cement

| Type | Ingredients | Mixing | Set Time | Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mud mortar | Clay + sand + straw | Mix with water to paste | 1-3 days (dry) | Low | Temporary, interior |
| Lime mortar | Lime putty + sand (1:3) | Mix thoroughly | 1-7 days initial, months full | Moderate | Traditional masonry |
| Hydraulic lime | Hydraulic lime + sand | Mix with water | Hours-days | Good | Wet conditions, foundations |
| Portland cement | Cement + sand + gravel | Mix with water | Hours | Very high | Modern construction |
| Roman concrete | Lime + volcanic ash + aggregate | Mix with water | Days | Excellent (underwater) | Foundations, underwater |

Lime production: 1) Gather limestone (calcium carbonate). 2) Build lime kiln (stone chamber). 3) Fire at 900°C+ for 24-48 hours (produces quickite/calcium oxide). 4) Slake: add water carefully (violent reaction, very hot — produces calcium hydroxide/lime putty). 5) Age lime putty (months improve workability). 6) Mix with sand 1:3 for mortar. Lime mortar is self-healing (reabsorbs CO2, re-crystallizes). It has lasted 2,000+ years in Roman buildings.

### Chapter 4: Wall Construction

| Wall Type | Thickness | Mortar | Skill Level | Load-Bearing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry stone (no mortar) | 18-36 inches | None | High | Yes (if thick) | Field walls, retaining |
| Rubble (random stone + mortar) | 12-24 inches | Lime or cement | Moderate | Yes | General walls |
| Coursed stone (uniform layers) | 12-18 inches | Lime or cement | High | Yes | Quality buildings |
| Ashlar (cut blocks) | 8-12 inches | Thin lime bed | Very high | Yes | Fine buildings, facades |
| Stone veneer | 4-6 inches | Cement + ties | Moderate | No (decorative) | Over frame construction |

Dry stone wall principles: 1) Foundation: dig trench to solid ground, largest stones on bottom. 2) Batter: walls taper inward (wider at base). 3) Two faces: build two outer faces, fill center with rubble. 4) Through-stones: long stones spanning full width (every 3-4 courses) tie faces together. 5) Hearting: small stones packed tightly in center. 6) Capstones: heavy flat stones on top (lock everything). 7) No running joints: offset every course (like brickwork). 8) Each stone rests on two below (never stack directly).

### Chapter 5: Arches and Vaults

| Type | Span | Difficulty | Load Capacity | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat arch (lintel) | 3-6 ft | Low | Moderate | Doors, windows |
| Round arch (Roman) | 4-20 ft | Moderate | High | Doors, bridges, aqueducts |
| Pointed arch (Gothic) | 4-40 ft | High | Very high | Cathedrals, large spans |
| Barrel vault | 6-30 ft wide | High | High | Roofing, tunnels |
| Groin vault | 6-30 ft square | Very high | High | Large rooms, intersections |
| Dome | 10-100+ ft | Very high | Very high | Large spaces, monuments |

Arch construction: 1) Build centering (temporary wood frame in arch shape). 2) Lay voussoirs (wedge-shaped stones) from both sides simultaneously. 3) Place keystone (center top stone) last. 4) Allow mortar to cure fully. 5) Remove centering (arch is now self-supporting). 6) The arch converts downward force into outward thrust — buttresses or thick walls must resist this thrust.

### Reference Card

1. Foundation on solid ground (below frost line). 2. Batter walls (wider at base). 3. Through-stones tie walls together. 4. Offset joints every course. 5. Lime mortar for traditional (self-healing, flexible). 6. Arches are strongest shape (convert load to compression). 7. Let mortar cure fully before loading. 8. Stone lasts forever if foundation is sound and water is managed (drainage, caps, pointing).