Difference between revisions of "The Imperial City"

Revision as of 20:24, 18 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.