The Imperial City
Contents
The Boulevards
Suzaku Boulevard : Central Boulevard of the Imperial City. One hundred meters 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.
Gates & Fortifications of the Imperial City
Gate of Eternal Harmony: A massive stone gate, seemingly made of poured granite, the main entrance into the City. Its massive bronze doors are carved with entwined dragons, and its parapets support catapults and scorpion-ballistae. All Dynasts who enter the city are registered at the Gate, though peasants are left to pass unhindered.
Gate of Tranquil Rest: A squat gate, seemingly made of poured granite, whose bronze doors are carved with images of prosperous and fulfilling lives, heroes receiving accolades, and children fondly remembering deceased parents. It is said to encourage the ghosts of Toribeno to remain at rest.
Watchful Stronghold: A squat tower, seemingly made of poured granite, housing imperial troops. Located in the southwest corner of the City. Formerly served as headquarters for the 1st Legion.
Iron Stronghold: A squat tower, seemingly made of poured granite, housing imperial troops. An iron roof covers its parapets, with wall slits for the firing of ballistae. The Black Helms of the City are headquartered here. Located in the northwest corner of the City.
Broken Stronghold: A squat tower, seemingly made of poured granite. A third of its upper part was shattered ages ago, and was never successfully repaired, leaving areas patched with thick stone and iron bracings. The Stronghold houses imperial troops, including soldiers levied from the Mountain Folk. Located in the southeast corner of the City.
Brazen Stronghold: A squat tower, seemingly made of poured granite, hung with gold and orange hangings that billow in the wind. It was nominally a Legion fortification, but its commander was always chosen from House Sesus, producing a tradition of using the Stronghold for wild parties and hedonism inappropriate for the Sesus wing of the palace. Located in the northeast corner of the City. Currently serving as headquarters for the 4th Legion.
The Districts
North Districts: The north districts house the private manors of the Dragonblooded, along with the most wealthy or powerful Patrician families.
-- 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'.
-- 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.
East Districts: Patrician houses and high tenements for the urban citizenry.
-- 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 square here, which can be witnessed regularly throughout the day. The Empress, in a move to force House Cynis out of its traditional holdings in the Red Lantern District, restricted the buying and selling of slaves in the City to the East Market.
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.
-- 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 money-lending 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.
--- 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.
