Difference between revisions of "The Imperial City"

Revision as of 01:02, 19 May 2012

Suzaku Boulevard

Central Boulevard of the Imperial City. One hundred metres in width, paved with marble tiles. In places, tiles have cracked or weeds are springing up. On Suzaku, and

the other Five Boulevards, the Empress banned Dynasts from moving on foot: they were required to take rickshaws or palanquins (an exception was Legion officers). It

was said that the City’s labour force of bearers was riddled with agents of the All-Seeing Eye, so the Empress always knew which of her nobles had gone where.

The Five Boulevards

Like Suzaku, these are marble-paved, fifty metres wide, though the marble is showing many signs of wear and tear… on Higashi, there are even tiles missing where

thieves have pried them up at night. Their names are mysterious, with legends saying that they are named for the Shoguns of old.

The Districts

North Districts: The north districts house the private manors of the Dragonblooded, along with the most wealthy or powerful Patrician families.

East Districts: Patrician houses and high tenements for the urban poor.

West Districts: As the East, but on average a higher proportion of peasants and the impoverished, as the land tends to be more swampy and damp. In the spring, the stench of the West

District keeps many away.

Eastern Market: The Merchants’s Market. Open from noon until sunset, with opening and closing marked by the striking of a large drum three times. Thieves and criminals are subject to

public flogging in a squarehere, which can be witnessed regularly throughout the day. The Empress, in a move to force House Cynis out of its traditional holdings in

the East District, restricted the buying and selling of slaves in the City to the East Market.

Western Market: The Farmer’s Market. Open from noon until sunset, with opening and closing marked by the ringing of a large gong three times. The Empress, in a move to counter some of

House Ragara’s banking dominance, restricted all banking and moneylending in the city to the West Market… though the House has attempted to improve conditions for its

new holdings, the stench and filth still irks them to no end, especially as the city’s slaughterhouses are also found in the Western Market.

Five Dragons Courtyard: Pentagon-shaped space, paved with multicoloured jade tiles depicting a giant mosaic of the five Immaculate Dragons intertwined. The Courtyard is home to dozens of

different temples, both to the Immaculate Dragons and to lesser deities. Sometimes called the 'Temple District'.

Red Lantern District: Part of the West Districts. A place of brothels and bordellos, where any carnal lust or delight can be satisfied. Massive braziers burn sweet incense to cover the

stench of the West District, while the area is illuminated constantly by ten thousand red paper lanterns. House Cynis has fingers stuck deep in many of the District’s…

err, pies.

Kuwanan District: The Kuwanan district lies on the Northeastern edge of the North Districts, in close proximity to the Imperial Palace and the main boulevards leading to the City gates

and Deliberative. Those who manage to secure dwellings here are usually of substantial influence.

Seven Sages District: Part of the North Districts, near the Gate of Tranquil Rest. Home to the residences of many Imperial City sorcerers.

Rokkaku District: Part of the North Districts. Cathak Okubo was killed on the edge of the Rokkaku district.

The Deliberative Senate of Exceedingly Judicious Nobles

(this is the second building of that name, the first having been burned to the ground four centuries ago).

The Deliberative building itself is a massive structure of polished white stone set amidst immaculately manicured grounds in the Imperial City. The palace and its

attendant gardens are patrolled by the Guardians of the Deliberative, and by custom, all who enter must leave behind their weapons and accouterments of sorcery once

they enter the palace proper. This gesture is widely regarded as a symbolic one, yet the ceremonial surrender of one’s arms to the home of the laws of the Realm does

emphasize the putative nature of the work performed here. The interior of the Palace of the Deliberative Senate is laid out to facilitate contemplation of the weighty

matters of state, and as such, it features innumerable small gardens, pools, private chambers, baths, steam rooms, residential quarters, libraries containing every

debate the Deliberative has ever held, and kitchens. All of this is constructed around the two largest rooms in the complex: the Hall of Contemplative and Prudent

Debate, where the Lesser Chamber is seated, and the Great Hall of Most Inspired and Noble Lawmaking, where the Greater Chamber performs its labors.

Hall of Contemplative and Prudent Debate: The Hall of Debate is furnished entirely in wood, with the benches of the Senators surrounding the debate floor on

three sides. To the north are the seats of the officers of the Lesser Chamber. The benches themselves are plain wood and extremely uncomfortable. Officially, this

discomfort is to remind the Senators that they are present to perform a difficult labor and not to aggrandize themselves. In reality, it is to ensure that the

legislative process is as uncomfortable as possible for the lawmakers and that their workdays are short and their attention scattered. The walls are completely bare of

decoration. The Hall of Debate has nine doors leading in and out, for a reason no one has yet been able to adequately explain.

Great Hall of Most Inspired and Noble Lawmaking: The hall of the Greater Chamber is arrayed much like its Lesser counterpart, save in stone instead of wood. The

benches are equally uncomfortable, though Senators here are permitted use of pillows to mitigate it somewhat. The walls are adorned with tapestries, one representing

each Great House, beneath which sit the senator’s of that House. There are five doors into the chamber, each representing one of the Five elements: senators are

expected to enter and exit through the appropriate door for their aspect.

The Long Corridor: The ten-yard long hallway connecting the Greater and Lesser chambers.

Shrines and Temples of the Imperial City

Temple of the Reciter of Loud Hymns and Prayers

Nestor: Cathak Bankei.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: Temple of Hesiesh, Immaculate of Fire. A broad hall of polished sandstone and bronze, under a shining dome topped with an eternal flame. Its long, pillared

passages are lit by wide braziers and intricate panels of orange glass. Within the temple's central chamber is can be found a vast pit of smouldering embers, around

which monks sit and pray amidst the smouldering heat. Devotion is shown here by walking the length of this pit barefoot, with those able to linger long atop the coals

receiving the greatest reverence. Prayer at this temple are made by those who wish success at a single, all-important endeavour.

Temple of He who hath Strewn much Grass

Nestor: Varen Ayu.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: Temple of Sextes Jylis, Immaculate of Wood. A temple of living wood, huge trees woven together over the course of centuries to create the illusion of a

trunk far larger than that of any tree in Creation. The interior of the temple is a system of chambers formed amidst the trunks and roots where monks sit in

meditation. At the very heart of the temple, the roots rise up amidst a vast chamber, gathering in a bowl which illuminates the ceiling with a soft green light. Within

this bowl, a strange sap is gathered that is said to be the very power of essence, condensed by the temple plants into a liquid form. Ascent up the pillar of roots

beneath the bowl is difficult indeed, for the very act of climbing shakes loose thorns as long as a man's hand, which fall upon the hapless climber. Because of this,

the ascent is seen as an act of devotion, and to sip the sap is to be blessed indeed. Prayer at this temple is made by those seeking regeneration and healing, both

physical and otherwise.

Temple of the Petitioner of Clouds accordant to the Call of Battle

Nestor: Sesus Okuni.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: Temple of Mela, Immaculate of Air. A temple of airy spires and gossamer threads, rising high above the city. Devotion is shown by standing or sitting out

upon the highest spires and bridges, in meditation surrounded by the wind. The wind itself is welcomed into the Temple, the spires and openings shaped to channel the

breeze into a haunting and ethereal tune whose perfection is unmatched by any mortal artist. Only at the very heart of the temple is no wind felt, though even here

protection from the elements is achieved not through walls and doors but through alternating rows of twisting pillars... in this central space can be found an

extensive library of ancient and venerable texts. Prayer at this temple is made by those seeking to perfect themselves or their circumstances.

Temple of He who Illuminates both Worlds with Majesty and Power

Nestor: Mnemon Akkara.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: Temple of Pasiap, Immaculate of Earth. A low crystal dome breaks the earth’s surface within a circle of curved ivory pillars, the tusks or ribs of some

long-dead beast. Beneath, after one has descended below the surface of the earth, is a vast, low chamber, dimly lit, within which blindfolded monks chant incessantly.

Encircling the central chamber is a shallow pit, from which rise sharp stone spikes... to sit upon these spikes in meditation is seen as an act of true devotion.

Prayer here is done by those seeking good fortune in projects of construction and creation.

Temple of the Arbiter of the Immaculate Complaint

Nestor: Peleps Deham.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: Temple of Daana’d, Immaculate of Water. A tower of black obsidian, rising from the centre of a deep pool of frigid water. From a fountain atop the temple,

water cascades down its surface before flowing into the surrounding waters. Within the temple, reached by crossing a thin bridge across the pool, a penitent can see

thin pipes of blue-green glass, glowing with an inner light, through which water flows upward towards the thirsting rooftop spout. Devotion here is shown by immersing

oneself in the waters of the pool as one meditates, though the most ruly devoted dive into the deeper waters which surround the temple base and enter the submerged

chambers there to make their prayers. Prayers here are made by those seeking enlightenment and advancement within the Perfected Hierarchy.

Temple of the Dutiful Sun Gifted with the Immaculate Light

Nestor: Mnemon Lo'yuun

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: A squat, circular building between seven gold-domed towers, atop which a gold-plated saqil rises into the sky. The shadow of this sail, as it passes

between the towers and temple entrance through the passage of the day, marks with utmost precision the flow of time. It is here that artificers and craftsmen come to

calibrate their own solar clocks and artifacts.

The temple is a shrine to the Unconquered Sun, chief amongst the Celestial Gods at the behest of the Elemental Dragons. As his light reflects the true fire of Hsiesh,

many peasants across Creation are decieved by cults devoted to his worship, but not here: the Temple of the Dutiful Sun grants the Sun the prayers he is due for so

unfailingly fulfilling his proper role in the Perfected Hierarchy. Its doors are shut against visitors, save for a few festivals when Dragonblooded are invited to join

the monks in praising the Sun for its loyal service.

The Sun, unconquered in his quest to uphold the will of the Dragons, recieves significant worship as the head of the divine pantheon, and in addition to Temples

dedicated to his service, which hold mass four times daily (at dawn, at midday, at sunset and at midnight), each Immaculate monk grants the Sun a single prayer each

day at those proscribed times.

Temple of the Moon in Passage through Proscribed Phases

Nestor: Lonely Pine.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: A low dome of blue-grey stone, surrounded by a small forest-garden and a curved wall. This temple is a shrine to Luna, the celestial god whose passage

marks the hours of the night and whose light, a pale reflection of that radiated from the Immaculate Dragon Danaa'd, dispels the darkness in which the Anathema once

sought succour. For this service, the monks of the Moon Temple offer up prayers at the proscribed times, joined at certain festivals by other Dragonblooded who wish to

add their voices... invariably these are far fewer than those who visit the Temple of the Dutiful Sun, for Luna is less diligent than her daytime counterpart and hides

her face during Calibration out of fear that the bestial Anathema will return and again steal her power for their demonic purposes. The temple doors are most often

found closed to outsiders.

Temple of the Maidens in Diligent Attendance of the Loom

Nestor: Ledaal Shiashi.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: A low dome of dark stone, from which rise two twisted arches hung with threads of silk and wire. It is a shrine to the Five Maidens, the celestial gods

charged with caring for the great Loom of Fate, the pattern of the stars which tells of auspicious births, the rise of Anathema, and the fortunes of observers across

Creation. Maintaining this Loom is an arduous task, but the Maidens have fulfilled their role well within the Perfected Hierarchy and so the monks of this temple grant

them prayer as is their due. Its doors are closed, save at certain festival times when the Dragonblooded are allowed to enter and join in the rituals.

Temple of Salt

Nestor: Ledaal Iago.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: A gaudy temple, with domes of oxidized copper, sea-blue pillars and scarlet curtains, edged in plates and braids of gold. It is a shrine to the salt gods

of the Blessed Isle, where the Empress would come to set the salt rate and grant them the prayer due them for performing their role in the Perfected Hierarchy. This

ritual is still performed by the Regent, though with far less authority. The monks of this temple do not worship the salt gods upon any day sve that of the ritual,

spending their time instead in meditation or maintenance duties.

Temple of Preserving the Perfected Hierarchy

Nestor: Mnemon Guchen.

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard. (Temple District)

Description: This temple is not a place of worship, but one of battle. In its squat bronze tower, behind a wall of granite, monks train and spar not only in the forms

of the Five Dragon Styles, but in their application during the heat of battle. These monks emerge to travel the Scarlet Prefecture as itinerants, striking down any

whgo violate their place in the Perfected Hierarchy. Monks of this temple often visit the other temples of the city to ensure that those who worship gods do not exceed

the proper allocations, and to ensure that all mortal iconography is destroyed before it gives undue honour to a petty spirit.

Temple of War

Nestor:

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard. (Temple District)

Description: The Temple of War is a fortified structure, containing both a central shrine to Tachi-kun, the Central God of War, at the end of a long chamber containing

sixty alcoves. Just under half of these stand empty... the others are shrines to the gods responsible for each of the Realm's Legions. The Temple of War is not sealed

outside of its festival days as many other temples are, and is open for visitation by both Dragonblooded and Legion soldiers. The former, as defenders of the Realm,

are expected to offer small weekly prayers to Tachi-kun, while the latter must be watched closely lest proper respect be replaced by inappropriate veneration.

Temple of Thunder Booming over the Imperial Mountain

Nestor:

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District)

Description: Temple to Mareth-Annon, a lesser elemental dragon of air who serves as the Arbiter of the Storms of the Blessed Isle. His temple remains relatively quiet

throughout the year, save for occasional consultations by Dragonblooded serving in the Thousand Scales' weather control departments. The temple is opened to the public

once a year, during Mareth-Annon's festival in the Water season.

Saiji Temple

Nestor: Iselsi Shubin.

Location: Southwestern end of Suzaku Boulevard.

Description: The West Guardian Temple. A large temple, once sponsored by House Iselsi, it has slowly fallen from grace since the doom of that House, overshadowed by

its onetime twin Toji temple. Four years ago, the central pagoda of the temple was damaged by fire, leaving only two storeys where once there had been six.

Reconstruction has been slow due to lack of funds and an absence of Dynastic patronage. Within the walled enclosure are shrines to each of the Immaculate Dragons,

anointment chambers and clergy cells, though even these are beginning to look somewhat dilapidated.

Toji Temple

Nestor: Mnemon Hidea.

Location: Southeastern end of Suzaku Boulevard.

Description: The East Guardian Temple. A large temple, a walled enclosure containing worship halls for each of the Immaculate Dragons, anointment chambers, clergy

residences, and even a primary school for those seeking to put their children on a path to the clergy at an early age. The temple is very wealthy, due in part to

sponsorship from House Mnemon, though rumours of corruption abound... Last year marked the completion of an extensive upgrade project that transformed Toji's six-

storey square pagoda into an eight-storey octagonal pagoda.

Altar of Land and Grain

Nestor: None.

Location: Imperial Palace.

Description: A huge, circular altar made of stone, surrounded by a low stone bench and decorated with panels of green marble. Once each year, Dynasts and Immaculates

gather here for a ritual where the Empress and the Mouth of Peace lead a prayer and sacrifice of seeds to honour the harvest and agricultural gods of the Blessed Isle

for their diligent work in upholdng their posts in the Perfected Hierarchy. Through the rest of the year, the Altar is tended only by a young monk who has been seen as

needing a lesson in humility.

Temple of Glorious Obedience to the Exalted Word

Nestor: Cynis Sextes.

Location: Eastern Market.

Description: One of very few temples to recieve sponsorship from House Cynis, the Temple of Glorious Obedience is a simple structure with a large worship hall and

adjoining living chambers for its clergy. The monks of the Temple have as a key duty the dissemination of the Immaculated doctrines amongst the slaves being sold at

the Eastern Market, an attempt to pacify them to their lot by educating them in the nature of the Perfected Hierarchy and advancement throutgh obedience to the

Dragonblooded.

Iwakunin Temple

Nestor: Ragara Dango.

Location: Western Market.

Description: Once a small shrine to Pasiap located near the Western Market, patronge from House Ragara has transformed it into a well-off place of worship for

businessmen and craftsmen of all classes. Petitioners come here to pray for improvement of their material condition or financial affairs.

Temple of Gri-fel

Nestor: Ledaal Chinoma

Location: Five Dragons Courtyard (Temple District).

Description: A grand temple of red marble and gold, built up around the simple village shrine that once stood here eight centuries ago. Gri-fel is the god of the

Imperial City, and for such an important post in the Perfected Hierarchy he recieves substantial devotions from the monks of his temple, as well as other Dragonblooded

at proscribed festival times. Once a year, Gri-fel would emerge with his monks to visit the Imperial Palace and bow to the authority of the Empress... he has not done

so to the Regent, not because he feels no obligation but because such a devotion is inappropriate in the Hierarchy for any station but that of Empress.

Cathedral of Stars

Nestor: Wise Wind.

Location: Just north of the Imperial City.

Description: A massive dome of huge plates carved from lapis stone, set in gold atop a structure of dark granite. From without, the lapis appears dark and opaque, but

once inside it reveals itself to be perfectly clear, a fantastic lens which dims the light of the sun and lets the patterns of the stars shine through even in

daylight. The Cathedral is closed to all but monks of the Order, for it is not a place of worship but an observatory and training school for Immaculate astrologers,

both mortal and Exalted. Its nestor, Wise Wind, is known to be a Most Enlightened and Illustrious Master, one of the rare monks at the highest levels of mastery within

the Order.

Temple of Perfected Advancement

Nestor: Tepet Meldana.

Location: Toribeno.

Description: A fortified temple consisting of four halls and a three-storey pagoda surrounded by a stone wall. This temple is not a place of prayer but one of

vigilance, for it sits on a raised mound of earth amidst the tombs and pyres of Toribeno, the grave city. The monks at this temple assist with funerary rites and,

perhaps more importantly, disperse any hungry ghosts or spirits which seek to gather amongst the dead.