The timeline of the Empire is convergent, meaning all timelines exist be it modern or medieval. The Empire itself has a very old world feel to it, however, the city’s architecture and design modeled heavily after the old world European cities as the Empress prefers a more antiquated appearance. Those who flocked to the Eternal Empire came from all times and eras and as a result it is perfectly normal to see a car idling next to a horse drawn carriage, or someone in jeans standing next to a person in a full 16th century gown. As most of the citizens of the Empire are immigrants it is not uncommon to hear references to other worlds, times, places, and eras and there are even those within the Empire who make it their business to import, or smuggle as it were, modern conveniences or contraband from other realms, such as Earth.
Technology exists but not as it does in the Earth realm and it exists subtly, hidden out of sight when not in use. Cars are parked in hidden or underground garages when possible, lights are disguised as lamps or candles; things such as televisions, computers, and other modern conventions are hidden in wooden chests or armoires when not in use. One will also notice that there are no power grids, no telephone or electrical lines, or anything of the sort located in the Eternal Empire. The technology of the Empire might appear identical to the technology you would find in the Earth realm, but it is all magically powered. The world itself was created through the powers of the djinn Empress and magic exists in its very foundations allowing for a magical “power grid” of sorts to support the use of certain types of technology. Weapons can be found from all eras but munitions within the Empire are crafted by specialized tradesmen only though one can search out underground sources if they are brave enough.
Eternelle Lune, the Imperial Isle, is a small island that plays host to the Imperial Palace and City. The Palace sits upon a cliff at the top of a hill overlooking the city in one direction, the ocean in the other, and is surrounded by lavish manicured gardens, wild forests, and a large silver pond with a small island in its center that is always shrouded in mist. At the base of the hill that houses the Palace is the Sang de Lune Inn which plays host to weary travelers who do not reside within the Palace and acts as sentinel to the forest and the woods surrounding it, woods that lead up to the palace walls and house the public transportation portals that allow people to arrive and depart the Empire for other dimensions. The Sang de Lune Inn is the first building you see in the distance as you step from the large portal erected between two huge sentinel oaks in a small clearing lit with a ring of gas lamps, two guards flanking the portal at all times to ensure the Empire’s safety. The portal is always open and ready for travel, appearing as little more then a heat shimmer between its guardian oaks until it is in use when it glows with iridescent color. It can take the traveler to any of the dimensions it is linked too simply by thinking of their destination.
Beyond the inn is the City and within the city you will find everything you might have hoped to find. Shops, boutiques, and restaurants of all sorts as well as the more casual and rowdy pubs and bars like the Slap and Tickle and the Ground and Pound. The docks marks the end of the city proper and is often a dangerous place to be at night as it is a meeting ground for the more unsavory people within Eternelle Lune. Beyond the city in the less populated area of the Empire one would find Pit Falls, the Empire's combat arena for sport, or challenge. On the crest of a hill opposite the Palace and creating the small valley where the City was constructed rests Mount Cithaeron, the Temple of the Vine, Wine, Lust, Intoxication, and Pleasure. Ruled over by the Daughter of the God Dionsyus, Callidora Dionysia, she has offered her loyalty to the Empress and Emperor and it is there that any can go to worship and indulge in the carnal arts as a form of spirituality. The vines of Mount Cithaeron also serve as the sole supplier of the Eternal Empires grapes and wine. Because of this the Temple of Mount Cithaeron and the grounds it encompasses is always warm, regardless of the season.
There are many delights within Eternelle Lune to excite and entice one, but it is at the Palace that most choose to gather. The Great Hall is open to all who reside within the Eternal Empire and is where the Imperial Family and their Friends and Guests often gather. The Great Hall is not what one would expect. While certainly grand in every aspect it is homey as well. The grand staircase dominates the wall across from the arched entryway, giving the sense that the room has been divided in half though the space remains open. To the left you will find gatherings of large stuffed chairs, love seats, and couches resting on a spacious fur rug in front of the large hearth. To the right is the old style mahogany bar where those who wish to indulge can arrange for a beverage, behind the bar a barely discernable door leads to the kitchens where servants await to attend to any and all needs of those within the Great Hall. Along the wall to the right of the grand staircase are large glass double doors leading to the royal gardens, to the left a set of heavy wooden doors leads to the lower levels of the Palace, the dungeons and beneath it the Catacombs.
The stairs themselves lead to the upper levels of the palace, to the left are the quarters reserved for family and permanent residents of the Palace, to the right are the guest quarters.
There is one more entrance into the Great Hall that is worthy of notice. Along the same wall that houses the hearth is an arched entryway leading to a long corridor that if traveled will take you to the Royal Baths. The Baths were designed by the Empress to be the ultimate sensual experience. Inspired by the Turkish Baths the large room plays host to a dozen smaller baths set into the marble floor. The luxurious sunken baths large enough to accommodate at least six people are spaced throughout the room to provide a sense of privacy at each individual bath, narrow paths wind their way throughout the sunken tubs, lush plants and flowers providing additional cover should your presence in the baths be of a clandestine nature. At the side of each bath rests a marble bench holding stacks of fresh towels as well as trays with a multitude of the finest bathing oils, bubble baths, soaps, and scrubs to ensure that most enjoyable experience possible. To the far right of the large columned room is a row of glass enclosed showers, the frosted glass hiding the more modern convenience. Bathing attendants are always present, though very discreet, to see to any and all needs of those who choose to frequent the Imperial Baths.
The Imperial Gardens open off of the large double glass door in the Great Hall. The gardens are large, exotic, and are a favorite haunt of many who reside within the palace. At first glance it is a maze of manicured lawns bordered by flower beds housing whatever flowers strike the Empress' fancy, often ranging to the exotic, lush, and unusual. Cobbled pathways lined with rose hedges snake throughout the gardens leading to secluded areas hidden by the branches of the various willow trees, alcoves formed of clinging ivy and night jasmine, with marble benches to offer respite to those who might prefer a more private meeting within the Gardens themselves.
Beyond the manicured gardens is a stretch of grass leading to small lake, roughly two miles in diameter. In its center rests a small island shrouded in mist that can only be reached if one is granted permission and is taught how to raise the Mists. It is the portal guarded by the Empress' sister, Nimue Le Fey, and leads from the Eternal Empire to the shores of the Silver Isle, Avalon. Or, at least, the Avalon of Nimue's time and dimension. Thick woods surround the lake and the gardens, separating it from the Inn and City below. Somewhere in those woods, if one looks hard enough, they will stumble upon a gypsy caravan ruled by the Empress' sister, Cahira Desiderio.
A tall stone wall with a single door leading from the gardens to the cliffs that over look the ocean borders the other half of the gardens, beginning where the woods end and curling around to the front of the Palace where the guards stand sentinel. At the base of the cliffs is a sandy beach with private dock where residents of the Palace can make berth and beyond it is a small privately owned island.
The Empire does not necessarily work along the same natural means as other realms. The Empress is the Creatrix of this realm, its Goddess and Earth Mother and she controls all natural elements of it, which is why there is a mountain that is eternally covered in snow to the north of the palace and a bayou that is eternally warm and balmy year round just south of the palace. The Empress and Emperor are Goddess and God to this realm and it exists solely upon their whim.
There are two portals that open into the Empire. Most notably is the portal guarded by the Sang de Lune Inn of course; it is the public portal and sees quite a bit of traffic. The second portal opens into the palace and can only be accessed by those wearing an imperial bloodstone that can only be gifted by the Empress, Emperor, Princess or Prince.
There is something for everyone within the Eternal Empire. Explore and find the vice that suits you.
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:40 pm