The Ivory Palace
The Ivory Palace is the centerpiece of the sovereign lands. It serves as the central palace in Norteferro, which in turn is the capitol of Pianti, which serves as the center of the sovereign States. To say the Ivory Palace is a place of great political and historical importance is an understatement.
In the palace, the High King resides with their family. Sovereign ceremonies and courtly events are held in the palace's halls, but more political events are taken to the Delegates Hall nearby.
Physically, the palace is a sight to behold. It gets its name from the milky off-white stone that makes up its walls and buildings. The palace also boasts a large dais out front. On the dais rests a victory reflection pool with a statue at its head depicting the slaying of a great wyrm. The palace's courtyard holds the lushest and most diverse gardens in the lands.
Purpose / Function
The Ivory Palace is the home of the familial nobility of Pianti as well as the home of the High King and their kin. The palace is mostly a public place where the common folk may come and go as they please, but living quarters and the secluded gardens are private and roped off from the common public.
In the opulent halls, courtly functions, balls, and galas are held in the Crown's name, and announcements and verdicts are spoken from either the palace's steps or the throne room. The Great Hall is rarely used save for days of feasting in the summer and autumn months.
Alterations
The palace's Blue and Jasmine Wings have been added post construction. The Blue Wing came about before the introduction of the sovereign States and the crowning of the first High King. It was introduced by Queen Fattia of Pianti in 285 PL. The Jasmine Wing was constructed in 30 REA after the birth of Prince Rosele (the wing which was later given solely to the child and still bears wall scribblings in some hidden alcoves.
Architecture
The palace architecture is a series of garden-decorated walls, tall, gentle arches, and sweeping cathedral-like ceilings. True to its name, it is constructed with ivory-white marble blocks, polished to gleam in the sun. The few roofed sections of the palace are clay tiled with bright blue accents in the forms of tile murals. The floors are mostly the same granite as the walls, but the upper floors are rich oak wood, the same wood as the thick beams that interlace the Great Hall and throne room.
History
The Ivory Palace was first started in 306 PL, but its construction was not completed until 283 PL. A coup raged in Pianti's heartland (circa. 298 PL) put strain on the import of raw materials, and the palace's construction was put off for a good five years before it was taken up again. Even after the coup had abated, major construction did not begin until 290 PL, another 3 years after the coup's defeat.
Year 285 PL saw the construction of the Blue Wing, put into motion by Queen Fattia of Pianti. Along with the Blue Wing's construction, the palace's historical gardens were put together. In the garden's heart, the great olive tree was planted, where it still remains in modern times over 400 years later. The tree survived the pillaging and burning of the Ivory Palace in 122 PL that saw most of the palace's art and cultural tapestries destroyed.
In 1 REA, the Ivory Palace became the center of the sovereign States and the home of the High King. Although the first two High Kings were not natives of Pianti, High Queen Sarefini di Norteferro began the bloodline of Pianti-born High Kings.
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