Geckus
2016-07-15, 10:12 PM
The Conclave of the Pale
The Clan Holds, Western Aladar
At the tail end of a long, open valley between twin arms of the Blackspire Peaks lies the Clan House, a monolithic stone structure carved directly into the face of the mountains, most easily be reached by first passing through the bustling city of New Aladar at the mouth of the valley, then following the carefully maintained cobbled road which leads to its doors, a road whose every mile is marked by a red and white stone gate with towers emblazoned with the Wheel of the Clans and topped with the Arch and Veil that represents the House of the Pale Lady. On either side of the road, scattered grouping of Clan wagons can be seen, where drimma wanderers tend to their animals and upkeep between their long journeys across the Holds and beyond.
The House itself is a monolithic stone structure, it’s great open archway and pillared façade carved directly into the red stone of the mountain face. No gate or doors bar entry to the House, indeed few can be found anywhere within, with the exception of those guarding access to those wings of the House given over to foreign ambassadors. Past the open courtyard behind the archway, the interior is built on the same grand scale, with ceilings twenty feet high and corridors where five men can walk abreast, but in typical drimma fashion is largely ornamented, impressing not with gilt or gaudy display, but with the incredible craftsmanship that has been put into every facet of its creation – floors are perfectly level and fitted with interlocking tiles easily replaced when damaged, tables and chairs are carved to draw out the natural beauty of the wood grain, etc… Traffic through the House is constant, as men and drimma go about the business of running the expansive Clan Holds, meeting with foreign and domestic dignitaries, and carting supplies to and from the under-city of Klan'derzhat.
As each of the Lords Paramount and the Veiled Lady arrive at New Aladar, they find an honor guard culled from the best of the Aladarian First Legion waiting to meet them and ensure that the road is cleared for their procession. At the Clan House, the hustle and bustle comes to a near halt as the courtyard is cleared and they are met by a Senior Architect, who offers a deep bow of respect to each.
“Your Lordship/Great Lady, the Master Architect bids you welcome to the Clan House; quarters have been prepared for you and your retinue, should you wish to refresh yourself from your journey. The Dei Empyrius intends to begin the Conclave upon the morrow, to ensure that all are present and rested, but the Lord Paramount is always available to his honored fellows should you wish to meet with him.”
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj579/Geckus/The-Monastery-Petra-3.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Geckus/media/The-Monastery-Petra-3.jpg.html)
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj579/Geckus/red_gate_moscow_hi.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Geckus/media/red_gate_moscow_hi.jpg.html)
Upon the morrow:
The Conclave itself is held in a great hall reached via a grand spiral staircase that rises over eighty feet in height – a landing and alcove halfway up provides a convenient resting point for those unused to such climbing, as well as raised litters and bearers for those who might need them. The hall is built on the same scale as everything else in the House, but is clearly intended for small, formal gatherings; a single round table dominates the center of the room, with five chairs (thrones perhaps being a more appropriate designation, as each is topped with a golden crest in the shape of each Lord and Lady’s symbol of office) spaced evenly around it. The wall opposite the doorway is an open balcony looking over the valley below. A pair of servants stand near to each seat, ready to see to any need.
Pieto is there to greet each of the Lords and Lady upon their arrival; a powerfully built, grim faced, black-haired drimma, he bears the scars of many battles upon his flesh, including a vicious looking series which clearly resulted in the loss of his left eye. The remaining eye is dark blue, and no less intimidating than the steel orb which has been fitted in place of the missing eye. He wears a long white tunic covered in geometric patterns stitched in gold thread, with a mantle of Hortisian fur covering his broad shoulders, and the heavy gold crown of the Dei Empyrius rests easily on his head. He waits for the Veiled Lady to be seated before sitting himself and calls the Conclave to order.
“My Brothers in Empire, Honored Lady, We thank you for traveling so far at our request. As you are all aware, the Empyrium has grown by leaps and bounds since the days of its founding, becoming one of Arandi’s great powers and the defender of a faithful flock whose numbers have grown beyond counting. But these deeds have not come without struggle, without challenge. The first of these great struggles came with the loss of King Sharpclaw and the collapse of Hortis, a grave blow in the early days of the Empyrium, but one that was met by the Grand Princess of Anceris, Alessandra de Altan. In finding her faith and accepting the duty of Lord Paramount of the South, she met the challenge set before her and the Empyrium only grew stronger as a result. We face another great challenge today, one which I hope we will find the faith and wisdom to face as aptly. Unrest and outright rebellion have spread through much of the north, and We have come to fear for the safety and sanctity of the Lady’s House. Ehv'amhyr an Khuuldrumm was an admirable war leader, and instrumental to the formation of our great Empyrium, but proved unequal to the challenge of governing the realm he created. Ehv'amhyr an Duulah has since shown himself to be a true son of the north, stepping in to try and stem the tide of chaos left by his predecessor’s difficulties. But We believe those difficulties to be beyond the abilities of one man to repair, and so as Dei Empyrius must make a most painful request of the Lord Paramount of the North – to share the burden of meeting this challenge, for the sake of the realm and its people. What say you, Ehv'amhyr an Duulah?”
The Clan Holds, Western Aladar
At the tail end of a long, open valley between twin arms of the Blackspire Peaks lies the Clan House, a monolithic stone structure carved directly into the face of the mountains, most easily be reached by first passing through the bustling city of New Aladar at the mouth of the valley, then following the carefully maintained cobbled road which leads to its doors, a road whose every mile is marked by a red and white stone gate with towers emblazoned with the Wheel of the Clans and topped with the Arch and Veil that represents the House of the Pale Lady. On either side of the road, scattered grouping of Clan wagons can be seen, where drimma wanderers tend to their animals and upkeep between their long journeys across the Holds and beyond.
The House itself is a monolithic stone structure, it’s great open archway and pillared façade carved directly into the red stone of the mountain face. No gate or doors bar entry to the House, indeed few can be found anywhere within, with the exception of those guarding access to those wings of the House given over to foreign ambassadors. Past the open courtyard behind the archway, the interior is built on the same grand scale, with ceilings twenty feet high and corridors where five men can walk abreast, but in typical drimma fashion is largely ornamented, impressing not with gilt or gaudy display, but with the incredible craftsmanship that has been put into every facet of its creation – floors are perfectly level and fitted with interlocking tiles easily replaced when damaged, tables and chairs are carved to draw out the natural beauty of the wood grain, etc… Traffic through the House is constant, as men and drimma go about the business of running the expansive Clan Holds, meeting with foreign and domestic dignitaries, and carting supplies to and from the under-city of Klan'derzhat.
As each of the Lords Paramount and the Veiled Lady arrive at New Aladar, they find an honor guard culled from the best of the Aladarian First Legion waiting to meet them and ensure that the road is cleared for their procession. At the Clan House, the hustle and bustle comes to a near halt as the courtyard is cleared and they are met by a Senior Architect, who offers a deep bow of respect to each.
“Your Lordship/Great Lady, the Master Architect bids you welcome to the Clan House; quarters have been prepared for you and your retinue, should you wish to refresh yourself from your journey. The Dei Empyrius intends to begin the Conclave upon the morrow, to ensure that all are present and rested, but the Lord Paramount is always available to his honored fellows should you wish to meet with him.”
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj579/Geckus/The-Monastery-Petra-3.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Geckus/media/The-Monastery-Petra-3.jpg.html)
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj579/Geckus/red_gate_moscow_hi.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Geckus/media/red_gate_moscow_hi.jpg.html)
Upon the morrow:
The Conclave itself is held in a great hall reached via a grand spiral staircase that rises over eighty feet in height – a landing and alcove halfway up provides a convenient resting point for those unused to such climbing, as well as raised litters and bearers for those who might need them. The hall is built on the same scale as everything else in the House, but is clearly intended for small, formal gatherings; a single round table dominates the center of the room, with five chairs (thrones perhaps being a more appropriate designation, as each is topped with a golden crest in the shape of each Lord and Lady’s symbol of office) spaced evenly around it. The wall opposite the doorway is an open balcony looking over the valley below. A pair of servants stand near to each seat, ready to see to any need.
Pieto is there to greet each of the Lords and Lady upon their arrival; a powerfully built, grim faced, black-haired drimma, he bears the scars of many battles upon his flesh, including a vicious looking series which clearly resulted in the loss of his left eye. The remaining eye is dark blue, and no less intimidating than the steel orb which has been fitted in place of the missing eye. He wears a long white tunic covered in geometric patterns stitched in gold thread, with a mantle of Hortisian fur covering his broad shoulders, and the heavy gold crown of the Dei Empyrius rests easily on his head. He waits for the Veiled Lady to be seated before sitting himself and calls the Conclave to order.
“My Brothers in Empire, Honored Lady, We thank you for traveling so far at our request. As you are all aware, the Empyrium has grown by leaps and bounds since the days of its founding, becoming one of Arandi’s great powers and the defender of a faithful flock whose numbers have grown beyond counting. But these deeds have not come without struggle, without challenge. The first of these great struggles came with the loss of King Sharpclaw and the collapse of Hortis, a grave blow in the early days of the Empyrium, but one that was met by the Grand Princess of Anceris, Alessandra de Altan. In finding her faith and accepting the duty of Lord Paramount of the South, she met the challenge set before her and the Empyrium only grew stronger as a result. We face another great challenge today, one which I hope we will find the faith and wisdom to face as aptly. Unrest and outright rebellion have spread through much of the north, and We have come to fear for the safety and sanctity of the Lady’s House. Ehv'amhyr an Khuuldrumm was an admirable war leader, and instrumental to the formation of our great Empyrium, but proved unequal to the challenge of governing the realm he created. Ehv'amhyr an Duulah has since shown himself to be a true son of the north, stepping in to try and stem the tide of chaos left by his predecessor’s difficulties. But We believe those difficulties to be beyond the abilities of one man to repair, and so as Dei Empyrius must make a most painful request of the Lord Paramount of the North – to share the burden of meeting this challenge, for the sake of the realm and its people. What say you, Ehv'amhyr an Duulah?”