Sea Lord's Palace

Like the walls protecting The Old City, the Sea Lord’s Palace is a symbol of the Sea Lord’s strength. Having housed every Sea Lord since it was raised, it looms large in the minds of Freeporters, who can only stare in wonder at the wealth and opulence contained within its walls.

Architecture

The Sea Lord’s Palace is by far the most impressive of all the administrative buildings at the heart of The Old City. Protected by a thick, 15-foot-high stone wall topped with broken glass, the only access to the grounds is through the black iron gate that faces the street. Four men of the Sea Lord’s Guard are posted here at all times, preventing access to all but those on official business at the palace. Those who linger are encouraged to move along, the guardsmen’s no-nonsense warnings punctuated by rattling swords.
Just beyond the gate are the palace grounds. No expense was spared here either; the gardens are exquisite. Carefully kept by a staff of gardeners, there are topiaries depicting sea dragons and other monsters all set around a large fountain of polished blue-gray marble. Row upon row of aromatic flowers stand along the gravel pathways, leading to hidden areas for private meetings or secret trysts. At the far end of the grounds, behind the palace, are the servants’ quarters. Even these areas are well-appointed, with statues of famous residents placed along the paths, demonstrating the successes of those who served Freeport well. There are dormitories for both men and women and larger quarters for married couples here; in addition, there is a full kitchen and dining hall to accommodate the serving staff.
The gardens may be fine, but the palace itself is the true wonder. The palace is as much a fortress as it is a home. At five stories tall, it rises even higher than the walls, granting an impressive view of both the district and the gardens below from the uppermost balconies and numerous windows. The palace was constructed in an octagonal shape, built from white stone imported at great expense. The roof comes to a sharp point, from which rise copper lightning rods. At each of the roof ’s corners are massive gargoyles that spew rainwater away from the foundation.
Inside, the décor is elaborate, walls covered in paper imported from the continent, furniture shaped and crafted by the best woodworkers, and tapestries woven to capture the history of the city. In the halls are portraits of the past Sea Lords (presented in their best light, of course). The floors are all of polished wood, except the ground floor, which is tiled in white-veined black marble. Even the doors are fine, made from stout oak covered in ornate carvings and in many places decorated with gold leaf.
The Grand Ballroom dominates the ground floor. The ceiling rises up through the first floor, creating an impressive spectacle perfect for impressing visiting dignitaries. At the far end is a dais that holds chairs enough for each member of the Captains’ Council. Like the entrance, the floor here is black marble. The rest of the ground floor consists of a massive library, sitting rooms for guests, and a modest audience chamber for personal meetings with the Sea Lord.
The second and third floors contain the guest quarters, each a large and comfortable suite with a bedroom and sitting room. There are accommodations enough for 20 guests at a time, along with their servants and attendants. The fourth floor is the Sea Lord’s living quarters, featuring a private dining hall, secondary kitchen, meeting rooms, and a small hall for private performances, all kept immaculately clean by the palace staff. Finally, the uppermost level has the sleeping quarters for important dignitaries and the Sea Lord’s family members.

History

One of the oldest structures in the city, the Sea Lord’s Palace is the physical representation of the Sea Lord’s power and authority. Its construction was a lengthy, costly undertaking that claimed numerous lives and incredible sums of gold. While the palace is structurally the same as it was when first completed, its interior has undergone widespread renovation. Each new Sea Lord inspires a flurry of activity as he or she makes a personal mark on this famous building. The extent of the changes has varied with each Sea Lord’s taste—some being simple changes, light touches that improved upon the décor of the previous Sea Lord, while others gutted the place, pulling down walls, renovating floors, and substituting new trappings, gaudy or otherwise.

Type

Palace

Parent Location

The Old City