Cerulean Palace

The Cerulean Palace, sometimes called the Azure Palace, is the seat of the Emperor of Mitzu. 
Following the theft of the Eye of Mercannan by Captain Thorne, as told in the The Legend of Captain Thorne, the Emperor instituted 'The Seclusion'. This meant the Emperor and family were restricted to the Palace and Grounds, not to leave for their lifetime.
This decision necessitated a significant redesign of the Imperial Palace. The entire complex was divided in two, with all rooms in the Imperial Quarters and all crossing points having bells that must be rung to before passage could be made. This would prevent accidental encounters with the Emperor. Extra staircases were added to reduce the need to overlap. Some floors, including the Library and the Praetorian Armory were only accessible from the Imperial Quarters.
Any who do reach the Palace can enter through the gate and into the Audience Chamber. There, they are met by a menial orderly. It takes truly phenomenal reasons to see the Arakon. None pass beyond the Audience Chamber. The rest of the Palace and its incredibly beautiful gardens are solely for the Imperial Family and Arakon.
The Imperial Throne room was divided in two by an ornate paper screen illustrating the events that lead to the seclusion. The sigil of the current emperor is always inlaid in the floor of the throne room, and is changed whenever a new Emperor is appointed.

 
A shaft of light falls from a certain window onto the screen, where a painted depiction of the Eye of Mercannan. When the Eye was restored to the Throne Room, and the screen is removed, this shaft of light shined onto the Eye and, due to the peculiar time and date, threws a line of blue light onto a distant mountain. It was discovered by the Thanes of Order that is was wherein lay the entrance to the Sacrarium of Water.
In the garden is the Imperial Fountain. This is fed by a powerful natural spring which is heated by the remnants of the volcano that broke Mitzuinia initially. This then feeds the streams that flow down the city.

Architecture

The Palace is built of the very whitest of the Mitzu rock, and uses the finest Mitzu Azure stone for its roofing. It has accents in gold. When caught in the light, the Palace sparkles. This is further enhanced by the spray from the Imperial Fountain, which in the right conditions creates a rainbow.

Japanese Castle by Ross McConnell

Maps

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  Cerulean Palace

Alternative Names

The Cerulean Palace

Type

Palace

Parent Location

Aratibo

Ruling/Owning Rank

Emperor of Mitzu

Owning Organization

Mitzu