The Palace

Every major city in Endros houses a Palace: the diplomatic heart of the region, operated by the Maidens of Concordia. These grand complexes serve as neutral ground where rivals negotiate, alliances form, and the political machinery of civilization turns. Palaces are deliberately vast, their construction made possible through magical means that allow foundations and scale beyond conventional architecture. Each Palace reflects its city's character, the aesthetics of its era, the tastes of its architects, and the culture of its people.

Grounds & Infrastructure

• Underward Access: Subterranean passages connect the Palace to the city's Underward, providing discreet entry, secure storage, and access to maglift transport.
• Aquatic Tunnels: Water passages allowing Merfolk dignitaries to arrive directly into designated areas.
• Portal Room: Many Palaces are constructed at Astralei Portal sites, allowing Maidens to access the Portal network where available.
• Enchantments: Palaces are among the most heavily enchanted structures in any city, particularly for quality of life such as magical illumination, mood enhancement, and climate control. Cleaning magic keeps every surface immaculate. Water enchantments feed fountains, pools, and aquatic infrastructure. The cumulative effect is effortless perfection that entices others into seeking the Maidens' favor.

The Social Wing

The public face of the Palace; where galas unfold, alliances shift, and reputations rise or fall.

Entrance:

• Cloakroom: Servants receive outerwear; valuables may be checked into secured storage.
• Antechamber: Formal receiving area where guests are announced and presented.

Main Hall:

• Ballroom: The central venue for music, dancing, and live entertainment.
  • Reconfigured during City Parliament, with seating arranged for attending nobility.
• Periphery: The surrounding space where mingling, political maneuvering, and quiet exchanges of favor occur.
  • Includes aquatic alcoves: pool-edge seating pods that allow Merfolk to observe and participate in festivities.
• Mezzanine: An elevated balcony reserved for high-ranking guests.

Gardens:

• Terrace: A semi-private retreat with fountains, greenery, and seating for polite company or romantic encounters.
• Courtyard: Outdoor space with plant cover offering discretion for clandestine exchanges.

Parlors:

• Supper Room: Buffet service, refreshments, and casual conversation.
• Gentlemen's Lounge: An exclusive retreat for cigars, strategy, and private counsel among men.
• Ladies' Lounge: A gathering space for noblewomen—gossip, social maneuvering, and the exchange of news.
• Gaming Parlor: Informal games and wagers that can shape alliances and rivalries.
• Music Parlor: Intimate performances and musical diversions between dances.
• Gallery: Art viewings, displays, and semi-private conversation.
• Drawing Room: Quiet spaces for polite company and discreet discussion.

Several parlors include aquatic access and pool-edge seating for Merfolk to participate.

Private Rooms:

• VIP Chambers: Reserved for the Anointed, royalty, and nobles who hold particular favor.
• Sealed Chambers: Warded rooms with soundproofing and scrying protection for sensitive discussions. Typically claimed and locked upon entry.
• Staff Areas: Kitchens, preparation rooms, and discreet servant corridors that allow staff to move unseen.

The Administrative Wing

The professional counterpart to the social spaces; serious, elegant, and businesslike.

• Audience Chambers: Formal spaces for receiving delegations and important guests, designed to place parties on equal footing rather than emphasize hierarchy.
• Diplomatic Parlors: Rooms configured for negotiation and discussion, several with aquatic integration for Merfolk diplomats.
• Offices & Workrooms: Administrative spaces where Maidens and staff handle correspondence, scheduling, records, and the daily operations of diplomacy.
• Mediation Chambers: Austere rooms designated for dispute resolution, contract review, and legal affairs.

The Exalted Wing

A wing designed exclusively for Gods and the Anointed, widely considered the most prestigious place in Endros.

• Access is only permitted to Gods, Anointed, and wing staff. All other access is permitted by invitation only.
• The wing serves world-class delicacies for meals.
• The area is kept immaculate, run by key professionals.
• Each chamber has powerful enchantments that are optimally suited for its occupants.

Chambers:

• Aureate Chamber: A beautiful, elegant, general-purpose dining chamber.
• Cerulean Chamber: A chamber well-suited for Sirens; access is available through aquatic tunnels.
• Moonwell Chamber: A beautiful, elegant, general-purpose dining chamber.
• Starvault: Optimally suited for Astralei Ambassadors.

Residences

• Maiden Quarters: Private living spaces for the Palace's resident Maidens.
• Archivist Quarters: Permanent residences for Archivists that live at the Palace.
• Guest Chambers: Rooms maintained for visiting Maidens, Anointed, high-ranking Adventurers, and similar dignitaries.
• Divine Suites: Permanent residences for the Gods who reside at Palaces.

Access & Protocol

• Invitations are standard. Appointments are scheduled through messengers or Palace staff.
• Walk-in access is reserved for those with standing favor: Gods, Anointed, high-ranking Adventurers, and nobles whom the Maidens have chosen to welcome regularly. Beyond these, access reflects one's relationship with the Maidens. Favor determines privilege.
• Weapons are permitted. Many visitors are powerful enough that restrictions would be meaningless. Secure storage is available for those who prefer it.
• Magic use follows sensible rules, but enforcement relies primarily on the understood consequences of causing trouble in Concordia's house.
• Security consists of a guard presence supplemented by an elite Adventurer in some Palaces. Guards maintain order and manage unwelcome visitors, but the Palace's true protection stems from political reality: no one wishes to invite Concordia's displeasure.

Staff

Vetted servants, diplomatic assistants, butlers, chefs, and support staff operate under strict discretion requirements. They keep the Palace running while remaining unobtrusive; present when needed, invisible otherwise.