Difference between revisions of "Palace of Trees"

Latest revision as of 15:00, 16 November 2022

Rating: ••••• 

Aspect: Wood. 

Hearthstone: Orb of Boundless Ecstasy

Attuned: Cynis Belar, Cynis Falen, Cynis Wisel, Cynis Tiburon, Cynis Odassa, Cynis Tabar, Ledaal Aysara, 
Cynis Akabar, Cynis Etina, Cynis Theren, Sesus Kimiasha, Cynis Tiir, ?.   

The Palace of Trees is a massive, sprawling complex of forested gardens surrounding a central spire that rises high into the sky, towering over the flat plains of Pangu prefecture. To the west stretch out Wheat and Cattle farms, and beyond them the Imperial Mountain, while to the East Rice paddies extend to the blue expanse of the Inner Sea.

The residents of Pangu can see the Palace tower for miles around, and cannot deny its beauty, but their looks are more suspicious than envious: they are hardworking folk devoted to the Immaculate Faith, and their unwillingness to serve the Dynasts of House Cynis mean the Palace is staffed entirely by slaves. Every disappearance in Pangu is blamed in one way or another on the Dynasts of the Palace.

The deepest floors of the Palace of Trees house an extensive network of dungeons, filled with tools for those who enjoy inflicting pain, and those who enjoy receiving it. Rumours abound as to the evils and depravities contained within, but surely none can be true, for even the most jaded and immoral Dynast could not do such horrible things... could they?

The spire that rises at the center of the Palace is lined with balconies and terraces for enjoying the breeze and taking in the views. At the top are the rooms of the three sisters who rule the House. At its base can be found the vast chamber known as the Atrium of Roses, whose walls writhe with ever-growing thorns and flowers blooming and wilting constantly, releasing sweet scents that seem to strip away inhibitions. While the chamber is usually closed save to members of the House, one of the two grand celebrations of the Cynis social calendar occurs here on the first day of Ascending Wood, the Flower Soiree lasts for eight full days to mark the start of the Planting Festival of the Immaculate Calendar with blissful intertwining on beds of silk and rose petals, wine and narcotics flowing freely mouth to mouth. This Flower Soiree is not exclusive to the Exalted or the House, with invitations issued to many valued allies regardless of their social class or enlightenment. The Soiree is not so prized as the galas of House Mnemon, for the chance to forge political connections is limited by the unrestrained sensuality and excess on display.

While the Flower Soiree is the largest orgiastic party at the Palace, it is far from alone: there is ALWAYS a party somewhere in the Palace of Trees. Indeed, some speak of the ‘Eternal Gala’, the Celebration-Without-End, the fact that from the housewarming party of Cynis himself when the prince first came to this place there has always been a party going on, and guests at one have always moved on to another, a continual link across time binding all the celebrations together as one majestic expression of excess.

Around the tower, the outside edge of the manse is marked by a wall of living wood, which blossoms with leaves and branches and is said to heal when it is attacked. Behind the wall, root-like spokes connect the wall to the tower, from which jut bulges carved into rooms and villas. Between them, groves of trees and beds of flowers line gravel paths and ponds, areas for sensual pleasure or quiet reflection (sometimes both).

Just outside the main gate of the Palace of Trees is an area of constant activity, the Market of Myriad Impeccable Skills, a market for the numerous slaves required by House Cynis at its central palace, and the surrounding manses of Cynis Dynasts, as well as point of entry for slaves captured in the East (though these have always been few in number) and North. Recently, it has developed an expanded reputation as the market to visit if one seeks trained farmers or craftsmen, as satrapies begin paying tithes to Cynis with their subjects rather than jade. The Market also includes a large amphitheater for slave auctions and performances, including the vicious blood sports which add to the Palace's sinister reputation... slave-gladiators fight to the death or die by the blades of Dynastic duelists, and there are whispers of rape-hunts and other depravities that occur here on the nights of Calibration...

Several walled slave pens are located just outside the Palace, serving to house and train troupes of Cynis slaves. Most famed of these include:

- Garden of Roses: Home to the Rose Troupe, a dragon of slaves forming part of the Bevy of Effacious and Facile Blossoms. The troupe sees service primarily within the Cynis court at Pangu and the surrounding House manors. Overseen by Cynis Tiir.

- Garden of Chrysanthemums: Home to the Chrysanthemum Troupe, a dragon of slaves forming part of the Bevy of Effacious and Facile Blossoms. Least esteemed unit of the Bevy, it is home to slaves undergoing training, and thus is not deployed for service. Overseen by Cynis Tiburon, with Cynis Tiir serving often as his stand-in, though much authority rests with the most brutal slavemasters available to the Bevy.

Another estate outside the Palace is known as the First House of Equitable Prosperity, serving as a factory and embassy for Guild representatives who have landed slave cargoes at the port of Konjin to sell at the Market of Myriad Impeccable Skills. The quarters are opulent, but restricted: all movements to and from the First House are carefully monitored.

The Palace of Trees is connected to the House of High Waves (which serves as port for the Palace) and the Great Coast Road by two highways: one is on a raised berm elevated some four feet, for use by Dynasts, paved in green marble and surrounded by deep ditches to keep out interlopers. The other, paved in gravel, is for use by common folk, running alongside it. Other roads lead across Pangu to various Cynis estates and the Isle’s interior beyond.