Imperial Palace of Burius

"The greatest empire ever to rule the world was the Burbric Empire. At its height, it stretched from the eastern to the western coast, encompassing all the northern lands save for The Fjords of Knurden. To the south, it reached the realms of Preica and Elmara, and only the impassable Aganaan Desert kept Burbry from conquering the kingdoms of Akamta and Tarnen.   Such a mighty state required a capital worthy of its power, a place from which the emperor could rule. That place was the Imperial Palace of Burius, a vast complex of wings, gardens, and courtyards where the entire imperial court could reside. The palace was larger than most cities and remains, to this day, the beating heart of Burbric authority.   The Imperial Palace was built on an island just off the coast, during the reign of Buricatus, the first emperor. It was he who ordered his residence to be constructed here, surrounding the island with walls and connecting it to the mainland by a single stone bridge. In those early years, much of the island remained untouched, home only to a fortress tower, a small chapel, and a modest supply dock.   Since the days of Buricatus, countless emperors from many noble houses have ruled from Burius, each leaving their mark upon the empire, some through decisive rule and glorious conquest, others through negligence or corruption. Yet all expanded the Imperial Palace. With each generation, new wings, halls, and towers were added, until the palace became a city unto itself.   Even now, the old tower can be seen within Castle Sassent, the residence of the current emperor from House Sassent. The chapel, once small and humble, has grown into the Basilique of Amythesar. The Imperial Palace now boasts nineteen courtyards, surrounded by corridors, galleries, and grand halls that stretch across every corner of the island. Within its walls live not only the emperor’s family and personal servants, but also countless others, clerks, scribes, and messengers who hurry through the colonnades carrying decrees bound for every corner of the empire. In the Hall of Petitions, nobles and commoners alike await their turn for a fleeting audience with the emperor.   In the Ballroom and the Great Hall, one finds wealth, pleasure, and intrigue in equal measure. Banquets are held in honor of esteemed guests, yet every toast is calculated, every smile rehearsed. Here, each dance step is measured, and every word carefully chosen. For those who seek influence, this is where it must be won, for at the Burbric court, power is gained as often through grace as through strength.   But not all within the palace is politics and pretense. In the Imperial Library lie vast collections of tomes, scrolls, and ancient manuscripts, knowledge of history, philosophy, theology, and forgotten arts. In the Imperial Greenhouse, plants from across Wordal are cultivated, while in the Purple Gardens, lavender blossoms bloom year after year, their scent drifting through marble colonnades and quiet fountains.   Great temples are scattered throughout the palace complex, each dedicated to different gods and goddesses, though above all is revered Dinnerva, the Goddess of Civilization. The Burbric emperors have long believed themselves to be the embodiment of her divine order, the pinnacle of culture and enlightenment, and they give her praise for their dominion over the world.   For adventurers, the Imperial Palace is a labyrinth of both opportunity and peril. Here, one might find employment as a royal agent, a scholar in the archives, or a sword for hire in the emperor’s service. Yet every corridor hides a pair of listening ears, and every favor carries a cost. In the court of Burius, gold is power, secrets are currency, and silence is worth more than a king’s ransom.   And when the sun sets, the palace shines like a purple star upon the sea, and in that light, it is easy to believe the stories: that the gods still watch over the Imperial Palace of Burius, where the heart of Burbry still beats."