Imperial Palace
The beating heart of the Empire, the Imperial Palace is the center for all commerce, war, diplomacy, and trade for the entirety of the Empire. Beautifully carved by the hands of Angels, and maintained by only the finest craftsmen, the palace is truly a monument to a time where the Gods walked, and even on this day, its splendour and grandness would still be worthy to house it ancient creators. It is usually closed to the common folk, for safety reasons, though sometimes for events and celebrations the palace gates can open for the public, of the Inner Circle. Inside, the halls and rooms are beautifully draped in red, silver and gold, and decorated with art pieces from centuries of artisans, and treasures from hundreds of military campaigns. Guards chosen specially to guard the palace are covered in ornate Steel plate armor, and armed with spears, all enchanted by the Arcanic Order. The greatest guardians of the palace however are the Royal Guard, a group of the most elite warriors, wizards and other specialists given to the service of the Emperor from each member of the High Council.
The palace's main function, besides a residence for the Lionel Family and their guest, is to house the Royal Court, the largest open court, where all kinds of diplomats, merchants, adventurers and generals meet to discuss and plan. The court itself is the name for dozens of rooms, halls and private meeting spaces, as well as the massive throne room of the Emperor himself, all areas where people meet to discuss. Of course, not every Duke and Count decision and treaty goes through the Royal court, and most deals and decisions of the Empire are made outside it. Still, it serves a critical role in the functioning of the Empire, and her continued growth and development, for two major reasons.
First, it serves as a central hub, for the leadership of all major organizations, and enables these different members to discuss, debate and, usually, come to agreements. The High Council convenes in one of the highest rooms in the castle, and between those doors, the future of the Empire is written in ink, soon to be written in blood. All members of the High Council reside permanently in the Outer Circle, and this proximity to one-another is necessary for the continued collaboration between organizations. It is said by many, that the bureaucracy of the Empire is the slowest, but most powerful beast in the world, and without Exelnar, and the Royal Court to centralise its leadership, it would be infinitely slower, and less powerful.
Besides that, the Royal Court is also a very important space for representatives and people of interest can meet, from all around the Empire, to discuss plans and make deals. Having a neutral space to make these discussions is very important and helps to significantly amplify the rate of growth and progress of the Imperial economy and technology. There is no other place in the Material Plane, where representatives of Ahridia, the Dwarven Clans and the Magical College of the Blue Rose can quickly meet to discuss the progress of a deal, without spending significant resources to plan and organize their meeting. It also provides a way for Dukes and other lower-ranking members of their organizations can participate, observe, and influence even to a limited extent, the decisions of the High Council.
This idea of being able to discuss and plan with many different people and organizations, has been significantly strengthened in recent decades, and blossomed into a culture where the Royal Court has become an extremely diverse and varied place. As long as the representatives are backed by a significant organization, almost all are welcome to join, from families of Dukes and other significant nobles, to Elves from the Elven Republic, Dragonborn from the Dragonborn Empire, and even some representatives of extraplanar regions and powers. This of course has to be tempered by safety concerns, and legal considerations, so many of these figures allegiances are not public, but if one knows what to look for and who to ask, almost anything and anyone can be found in the Royal Court.
Outside of its public uses, the Imperial Palace is also a fortress, covered in magical wards, and filled with undercover agents, masquerading as minor nobles, and ensuring the safety of all within. Due to the proximity of the Emperor and the Royal Family, there is no ambiguity as to who rules supreme here, and all who break the rules and laws of the palace are removed, or executied. There are also a number of hidden armories, trophy rooms, and other, stranger rooms and halls, commissioned by emperors of centuries past, that have neen forgotten to time. Deep in the bowels of the palace, guarded by guards, traps and ancient magics, is also the Royal Vault, where untold riches rest, and treasures, artifacts, and art from bygone eras rest. Attached to the palace, enough to receive the same protection, if not more, is the Imperial Mint, and near it is the Imperial Mint Mercenaries Guild, where mercenaries and Adventurers go to find work and coin.
The palace's main function, besides a residence for the Lionel Family and their guest, is to house the Royal Court, the largest open court, where all kinds of diplomats, merchants, adventurers and generals meet to discuss and plan. The court itself is the name for dozens of rooms, halls and private meeting spaces, as well as the massive throne room of the Emperor himself, all areas where people meet to discuss. Of course, not every Duke and Count decision and treaty goes through the Royal court, and most deals and decisions of the Empire are made outside it. Still, it serves a critical role in the functioning of the Empire, and her continued growth and development, for two major reasons.
First, it serves as a central hub, for the leadership of all major organizations, and enables these different members to discuss, debate and, usually, come to agreements. The High Council convenes in one of the highest rooms in the castle, and between those doors, the future of the Empire is written in ink, soon to be written in blood. All members of the High Council reside permanently in the Outer Circle, and this proximity to one-another is necessary for the continued collaboration between organizations. It is said by many, that the bureaucracy of the Empire is the slowest, but most powerful beast in the world, and without Exelnar, and the Royal Court to centralise its leadership, it would be infinitely slower, and less powerful.
Besides that, the Royal Court is also a very important space for representatives and people of interest can meet, from all around the Empire, to discuss plans and make deals. Having a neutral space to make these discussions is very important and helps to significantly amplify the rate of growth and progress of the Imperial economy and technology. There is no other place in the Material Plane, where representatives of Ahridia, the Dwarven Clans and the Magical College of the Blue Rose can quickly meet to discuss the progress of a deal, without spending significant resources to plan and organize their meeting. It also provides a way for Dukes and other lower-ranking members of their organizations can participate, observe, and influence even to a limited extent, the decisions of the High Council.
This idea of being able to discuss and plan with many different people and organizations, has been significantly strengthened in recent decades, and blossomed into a culture where the Royal Court has become an extremely diverse and varied place. As long as the representatives are backed by a significant organization, almost all are welcome to join, from families of Dukes and other significant nobles, to Elves from the Elven Republic, Dragonborn from the Dragonborn Empire, and even some representatives of extraplanar regions and powers. This of course has to be tempered by safety concerns, and legal considerations, so many of these figures allegiances are not public, but if one knows what to look for and who to ask, almost anything and anyone can be found in the Royal Court.
Outside of its public uses, the Imperial Palace is also a fortress, covered in magical wards, and filled with undercover agents, masquerading as minor nobles, and ensuring the safety of all within. Due to the proximity of the Emperor and the Royal Family, there is no ambiguity as to who rules supreme here, and all who break the rules and laws of the palace are removed, or executied. There are also a number of hidden armories, trophy rooms, and other, stranger rooms and halls, commissioned by emperors of centuries past, that have neen forgotten to time. Deep in the bowels of the palace, guarded by guards, traps and ancient magics, is also the Royal Vault, where untold riches rest, and treasures, artifacts, and art from bygone eras rest. Attached to the palace, enough to receive the same protection, if not more, is the Imperial Mint, and near it is the Imperial Mint Mercenaries Guild, where mercenaries and Adventurers go to find work and coin.
Header Image Credit: jbrown67
Type
Citadel
Location under
