Central Palace of Khit

Seat of the Adhīh̹ | Heart of Shīddūnti | Gate to the Vault of Lines

Overview

Rising at the heart of the city like the keystone of a vast wheel, the Central Palace of Khit is more than a residence—it is a hub of arcane power, governance, and philosophical order. Constructed according to Kir Dhi’s radial design, it anchors the three concentric districts of the city and stands directly above the Vault of Lines, where the founder himself is entombed.

The palace is a seamless blend of functionality and symbolic geometry. Its structure harmonizes leyline resonance with administrative clarity: it is said that the Adhīh̹’s word, spoken from the High Chamber, echoes throughout all of Khit in both tone and intent.

Purpose / Function

The Central Palace is both a sanctum of state and a sanctum of will. Kir Dhi intended it to function like the auxilia cor of the city—activating only under great strain, to preserve circulation of order and clarity throughout Shīddūnti.
It is where the Scepter of Kir Dhi is passed from one Adhīh̹ to another to the Scepter Bearer, who carries it down to the Vault of Lines to be retrieved by the next Adhīh̹, in turn; where decrees are etched into crystal tablets and archived; where apprentices of the Tower of Knowledge and Magic are knighted into service of the civic order.

Architecture

Exterior

Built from greenstone, gold-veined granite, and translucent stoneglass, the palace glows in the midday sun and shimmers under moonlight. The outer walls slope gently inward, following the same design as the city’s defenses, and are carved with spiraling glyphs that draw in ambient magical energy. Atop the palace’s domed roof, a spindle tower known as the Aural Spire captures the ambient resonance of leyline flows and focuses them downward into the palace’s core.

The Three Tiers of Governance

The palace is divided into three major levels, reflecting the civic philosophy of Shīddūnti: Observation, Deliberation, and Direction.

1. The Chamber of Observation (Upper Tier)
   • An elevated viewing hall open to both celestial alignment and elemental flux, used for divination, prophecy, and celestial navigation.
   • Contains a ring of enchanted lenses and mirrors calibrated to the motion of the stars and aurorae.
2. The Hall of Deliberation (Mid Tier)
   • The civic heart of Shīddūnti, where policy is debated and recorded.
   • Houses the Arcane Ledger, a living magical document that records binding decisions made within the hall, visible only to those attuned to governance.
3. The Foundation Ring (Lower Tier)
   • The administrative offices, archive vaults, and sealed passage leading to the Vault of Lines.
   • Admittance to the Vault is limited to the Adhīh̹, the High Archivist, and the Scepter-Bearer, each of whom must activate their glyph-seals for the entrance to open.

Defenses

• Resonant Field: A subtle enchantment woven into the palace’s foundation harmonizes the thoughts of those within the Deliberation Hall, reducing hostile intent and sharpening clarity. It cannot prevent deception, but it can make truth feel louder.
• The Light of Order: A radiant globe at the palace's center pulses with the leylines’ resonance. It dims in times of civil unrest or magical imbalance.
• Silent Steps: Defensive wards silence and disorient any unauthorized intruders, dulling sound and distorting perception until palace guards can respond.

Type

Palace

Parent Location

Khit

Included Locations

• Vault of Lines

Ruling/Owning Rank

Adhīh̹

Owning Organization

Shīddūnti