Hjelmslev-quadrangles of level \(n\) (Q1813291)

This is the first paper in a series of four aiming at a characterization of affine buildings of type \(\tilde C_ 2\) via generalized quadrangles with valuations. In order to achieve this, the authors introduce the concept of Hjelmslev quadrangles of level \(n\) as an axiomatization of the geometry of the vertices at a given distance from a fixed vertex of a building of type \(\tilde C_ 2\). The relation between Hjelmslev quadrangles of level \(n\) and ordinary generalized quadrangles is similar to the relation between Hjelmslev planes of level \(n\) and ordinary projective planes. The authors show that the inverse limits of certain sequences of Hjelmslev quadrangles are ordinary generalized quadrangles and they associate a building of type \(\tilde C_ 2\) with each of these sequences. In a future paper they will show that every building of type \(\tilde C_ 2\) arises in this way.