New Imperial Palace

Quite marvellous, isn't it? Some of Vardanias greatest architects and builders have worked tirelessly to finish the masterpiece.
All I see is a pile of rubble. The monument of past hubris.
True it may be rubble, but even that is quite marvellous don't you think?

— Conversation between Lucius Gerin and Adeon Vargan

When the Second Tarquinnian Hegemony moved its powerbase west in the 18th century, it chose the small city of Velaris, at the foot of Mt. Omnis, as its new capital. What followed was a massive construction effort that took several decades and saw the formerly insignificant town grow into a metropolis to rival any in the known world. Part of this reconstruction saw the former citadel of Velaris reemerge as a palace of titanic proportions.
Partially carved into the reddish stone of Mt. Omnis, the New Imperial Palace was a massive complex, consisting of three terraces being placed atop each other. The lower terrace served as the main defence line of the complex, boasting strong walls and towers. Both the barracks of the Imperial Guard and the servant quarters could be found here as well.
The second level held halls and rooms for official festivities, diplomatic or otherwise important guests, as well as a vast garden. Separating the second from the third level were another set of fortifications. Behind them lay the heart of the compound, the vast quarters of the royal family and those of the highest officials of the Hegemony. With the Hall of the Great Council and the Emperor's throne room, it also contained the political centre of the known world. Additionally, this level contained vast storage rooms, the royal archive as well as the royal dungeon. All built deep into the flank of the mountain and connected to a vast network of secret passages.
It would serve as the home of the imperial family for over four-hundred years, see extensive damage during the Second Siege of Velaris and finally fall to ruin after the death of Seron Valerian in 2242. Nowadays, only a few ruins remain, still serving as impressive reminders of the wealth and luxury once found here.

RUINED STRUCTURE
2245 DA

Type

Palace

Build Time: ~ 7 years and 6 months
Build Cost: ca. 50.000.000 Denarii
Manpower Required: 15.000-20.000
Architect: Halius Gesalianus Argena
Patron: Emperor Lucius Amelianus Trajanus

by Marc Simonetti