Post by Ciata on Jul 30, 2007 0:51:39 GMT -5
In the time that the Capital City in Luminara is being rebuilt the Emperor has ruled from the ancient traditional summer palace of the rulers of the clans, the Silver Palace high in the northern reaches of New Ciata and resting on top of a mountain, built into the very sides of a gray peak and growing out of the top. The name of the palace is not derived from the color of the stone that it is surrounded by and built out of, but in the vast quantity of silver that went into the making and decorating of the building and inner chambers. The entire facility had been recently re-painted in shades of light blue and yellow, as well as silver. Repairs and decoration had been going on since the destruction of the Capital City in the recent rebellion, and the palace had been restored to some degree of it's former splendor.
The palace was built over hundreds of years by many rulers and warlords, each adding the style and touches of the age and culture of the time to the sections that were built. Some square areas jutting out with walkways and elaborate designs on the overhangs and slanted roofs, others with rounded design and open balconies overlooking the valley and domed roofs. All these are built around a central pillar structure, reaching up and through the additions that now serve various purposes. This central pillar is the central space of the government. The throne hall being at the base, the level above that being a meeting hall of the representatives and the level above that the meeting place of the close advisers.
The surrounding various structures contain the living quarters of the servants and guards, not the other government officials however, who have their own structures further down the mountain near the city itself, as well as the dining areas for them, the kitchen, the areas of art, music, training, as well as a garden. The entire area is robed in various glorious colors, no stone on the wall or ceiling going unpainted and decorated, no place where the emperor might set foot un-carpeted, and various drapes and cloths covering the walls and flowing about. The whole place smells of a spring garden, scents of incense mixing in, so that touch, smell and sight are all almost assaulted by the liberal overflow of color and decoration and majesty in a surreal display.
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In the third level or meeting, the closest advisers from the kingdom had gathered together to discuss how the Emperor should react to the internal conflict in the lower states that was beginning to grow. The communication and co-operation between the local leaders had not gone as planned. The Mayor's of the provinces weren't listening to the governor and the governor didn't even know who the prefects were or where in some cases. Areas refused to send troops to other areas in conflict because to do so would leave them unguarded against attacks by bandits and thieves.
A gong sounded and there was a call "The Empeeeroor haaas ariiived!" The group of advisers and consultants rose from their seats and the massive oval shaped table, ordained with all sorts of flowers, ornate carvings, incense and such. They all bowed their heads and offered the paw and claw salute as the Emperor made his entrance. Leading a small group of servants that trailed behind him, the Emperor Stormwake's garments cast the fanciful and ornate robes of the advisers into shame. Covered from head to toe almost with them, the silver and white robes seemed to magnify his stature. Capes, train of robe, it all shone silver and white and with a few holy and royal symbols carefully placed on them. Blue gems seemed to be almost down into his fur on his forehead and his fingers were laced with silver string to keep his robe always in place. He slowly walked over and took his place at the head of the table in a large, armless chair. A couple of his servants fixed his robes after he sat down, and then were dismissed.
"Immortality to the Emperor." They all greeted him and most lifted and downed a cup of wine or tea of their choice with it.
"Inform me of the situation." The Emperor started with and one of the consultants, also a Ciatan, rose and bowed his head and said, "Sir, the conflict in the south is now reaching across three of the states and threatens to pull more into the chaos of war."
"And are the Governors not able to deal with this themselves?" Stormwake asked, sounding a bit peeved.
"Sir, the system you approved of would allow them to, but they are split and will not follow the hierarchy of command. They all look to their own interests while the warlords grow more and more united."
"How did this conflict arise?" He already knew perfectly well, he simply wanted to get all the things out on the table to sort out.
Another adviser arose and replied while bowing his head, this one a cheetah. "Sir, one of the local war clans, the Maux pride, killed Master Jui Ping in a dual over the ownership of an area of land that the Maux seized. Master Jui Ping was considered the most revered fighter by many in the state, and was the right paw of the governor. The added sting of death to the situation caused the governor to strike back with his army, first by attacking and burning the Maux's opium fields and clamping down on the trade to them. The Maux pride responded with attacks of their own and pulled in more clans into the conflict."
"How many have died?" The Emperor asked, more to put the thing into perspective for the others than for himself.
The cheetah continued. "To our knowledge the fighting has been small in scale to this point, and taken place outside of cities. To date we have lost 89 soldiers. 2 Prefects were also killed. On the side of the warlords, the numbers are un-exact, but they have suffered easily in excess of a hundred causalities, the most notable being two of the Maux family sons."
"And what plan of action would you all suggest?" The emperor asked, beginning the open ended discussion and debate over how to bring the tiered government together and battle the warlords.
The palace was built over hundreds of years by many rulers and warlords, each adding the style and touches of the age and culture of the time to the sections that were built. Some square areas jutting out with walkways and elaborate designs on the overhangs and slanted roofs, others with rounded design and open balconies overlooking the valley and domed roofs. All these are built around a central pillar structure, reaching up and through the additions that now serve various purposes. This central pillar is the central space of the government. The throne hall being at the base, the level above that being a meeting hall of the representatives and the level above that the meeting place of the close advisers.
The surrounding various structures contain the living quarters of the servants and guards, not the other government officials however, who have their own structures further down the mountain near the city itself, as well as the dining areas for them, the kitchen, the areas of art, music, training, as well as a garden. The entire area is robed in various glorious colors, no stone on the wall or ceiling going unpainted and decorated, no place where the emperor might set foot un-carpeted, and various drapes and cloths covering the walls and flowing about. The whole place smells of a spring garden, scents of incense mixing in, so that touch, smell and sight are all almost assaulted by the liberal overflow of color and decoration and majesty in a surreal display.
--------------------------
In the third level or meeting, the closest advisers from the kingdom had gathered together to discuss how the Emperor should react to the internal conflict in the lower states that was beginning to grow. The communication and co-operation between the local leaders had not gone as planned. The Mayor's of the provinces weren't listening to the governor and the governor didn't even know who the prefects were or where in some cases. Areas refused to send troops to other areas in conflict because to do so would leave them unguarded against attacks by bandits and thieves.
A gong sounded and there was a call "The Empeeeroor haaas ariiived!" The group of advisers and consultants rose from their seats and the massive oval shaped table, ordained with all sorts of flowers, ornate carvings, incense and such. They all bowed their heads and offered the paw and claw salute as the Emperor made his entrance. Leading a small group of servants that trailed behind him, the Emperor Stormwake's garments cast the fanciful and ornate robes of the advisers into shame. Covered from head to toe almost with them, the silver and white robes seemed to magnify his stature. Capes, train of robe, it all shone silver and white and with a few holy and royal symbols carefully placed on them. Blue gems seemed to be almost down into his fur on his forehead and his fingers were laced with silver string to keep his robe always in place. He slowly walked over and took his place at the head of the table in a large, armless chair. A couple of his servants fixed his robes after he sat down, and then were dismissed.
"Immortality to the Emperor." They all greeted him and most lifted and downed a cup of wine or tea of their choice with it.
"Inform me of the situation." The Emperor started with and one of the consultants, also a Ciatan, rose and bowed his head and said, "Sir, the conflict in the south is now reaching across three of the states and threatens to pull more into the chaos of war."
"And are the Governors not able to deal with this themselves?" Stormwake asked, sounding a bit peeved.
"Sir, the system you approved of would allow them to, but they are split and will not follow the hierarchy of command. They all look to their own interests while the warlords grow more and more united."
"How did this conflict arise?" He already knew perfectly well, he simply wanted to get all the things out on the table to sort out.
Another adviser arose and replied while bowing his head, this one a cheetah. "Sir, one of the local war clans, the Maux pride, killed Master Jui Ping in a dual over the ownership of an area of land that the Maux seized. Master Jui Ping was considered the most revered fighter by many in the state, and was the right paw of the governor. The added sting of death to the situation caused the governor to strike back with his army, first by attacking and burning the Maux's opium fields and clamping down on the trade to them. The Maux pride responded with attacks of their own and pulled in more clans into the conflict."
"How many have died?" The Emperor asked, more to put the thing into perspective for the others than for himself.
The cheetah continued. "To our knowledge the fighting has been small in scale to this point, and taken place outside of cities. To date we have lost 89 soldiers. 2 Prefects were also killed. On the side of the warlords, the numbers are un-exact, but they have suffered easily in excess of a hundred causalities, the most notable being two of the Maux family sons."
"And what plan of action would you all suggest?" The emperor asked, beginning the open ended discussion and debate over how to bring the tiered government together and battle the warlords.