The Royal Palace of Lygos is a masterpiece of Byzantine grandeur, a breathtaking structure designed to awe and inspire rather than defend. Its gleaming domes and golden mosaics catch the sunlight, radiating a sense of wealth and divine favor. The palace rises amid the heart of the city, surrounded by manicured gardens enclosed by a low, decorative wall of white stone adorned with intricate carvings of dragons, stars, and crescents.
Exterior and Grounds
The palace is sprawling, built in harmonious tiers of white marble and red brick, with arched colonnades and ornate windows inlaid with colored glass. A single, lone tower rises above the rest, its slender form capped with a crescent moon wrought from polished silver—a tribute to Selûne.
Beyond the wall lies the lush Royal Gardens, filled with flowering trees, vibrant blossoms, and winding paths lined with fountains. The air is perfumed with the scent of roses and jasmine, and nightingales can often be heard singing in the evening.
To the side of the palace is the Royal Stables, where the king’s prized horses and mounts are cared for under the watchful eye of expert stable hands.
Interior Features
Inside, the palace is a marvel of Byzantine artistry. Vast corridors lined with mosaics of historical scenes and celestial patterns lead to the key areas of the palace. The ceilings are vaulted and decorated with intricate frescoes depicting gods, dragons, and legendary heroes.
The Throne Room
The Throne Room is a grand hall of marble and gold. A raised dais supports the throne, an elaborate seat of gilded wood and dragon motifs, under a domed ceiling painted to resemble the starry night sky. Here, King Arius Evermore holds court, addressing the concerns of his people, nobles, and ambassadors.
The Dining Hall
The Vast Dining Hall is a sight to behold, with a massive table capable of seating dozens under glittering chandeliers. Golden dragon-shaped candelabras light the room, and the walls are decorated with rich tapestries depicting the Evermore dynasty’s storied history. Here, Angus Tanglethorn, the halfling royal chef, serves culinary masterpieces fit for a king.
Guest Rooms and Private Quarters
The palace also includes luxurious guest rooms, where the king’s suitors and their entourages reside during their stay. Each room is appointed with fine furnishings, silken draperies, and breathtaking views of the city or gardens. The king’s mother, Ceroessa Evermore, maintains her own permanent quarters in the palace, decorated with an elegant, feminine touch befitting her status.
The king’s private chambers are opulent yet dignified, reflecting his personal style and love of art, with many dragon motifs throughout.
The Crescent Tower
The Crescent Tower stands as a symbol of the royal family's devotion to Selûne. It houses a private prayer chamber at its summit, open to the night sky, where the king and his family can offer their prayers under the crescent moon.
The Palace Staff
- Nibnop, the Nilbog Jester: A chaotic and mischievous goblin with a warped sense of humor. His antics both amuse and exasperate the court, and his sharp wit often hides keen observations.
- Angus Tanglethorn, the Royal Chef: A halfling male with an unrivaled talent for crafting dishes that blend flavors from across the realm. His jovial nature keeps the kitchen lively.
- Nigel Bendis, the Royal Herald: A human male with a booming voice and a penchant for dramatic flourishes. He announces decrees, visitors, and events with theatrical flair.
- Lucan Margrave, the Butler and Chief of Staff: A dignified copper dragonborn who oversees the palace’s day-to-day operations with meticulous care. Lucan ensures every detail of the palace’s affairs is handled flawlessly.
- Jaci Avalon, Head of the Maids: A plump woman in her 50s, with a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp eye for detail. She keeps the palace spotless and the maids disciplined.
- Boots, the Royal Cat: Boots is a sleek black-and-white tomcat with piercing green eyes and a regal bearing. In the throne room, he is the picture of perfection: strutting gracefully with chin held high, curling at King Arius’ feet, or curling up in the king’s lap to purr contentedly. To the court, Boots is a paragon of feline nobility—graceful, composed, and endlessly charming. But the moment he leaves the throne room, Boots transforms into a mischief-making phantom. He vanishes into shadows and secret passages, slipping through half-closed doors like a rogue on the prowl. His favorite antics include hiding in chimneys and then padding soot-covered paw prints across pristine palace floors, knocking over expensive vases, and stealing food from unattended platters. At night, he somehow always manages to slip past his keeper and sneak into the royal chambers, curling against King Arius as though nothing had happened. The king, of course, remains convinced Boots is nothing but the most perfect of pets.
- Neville Hearthshorn: Boots’ long-suffering caretaker is Neville Hearthshorn, a stout, fussy halfling with perpetually rumpled clothes and a harried expression. Charged with keeping the royal cat immaculate, Neville’s life is a daily battle of chasing Boots through corridors, coaxing him out of chimneys, and scrubbing him clean of soot, grease, or feathers before presenting him once again to the throne room. He is often seen muttering under his breath, red-faced as he wrestles the struggling cat into a washbasin. Despite his exasperation, Neville is devoted to Boots—though he often wishes the royal court knew the real truth about the “perfect pet.” Among the palace staff, Neville is a figure of sympathy and amusement, but he holds his position with pride: after all, tending the royal cat is still service to the crown.
The Balcony
From a grand Balcony overlooking the gardens, the king addresses his subjects during important ceremonies or proclamations. The ornate railing is decorated with dragon designs, and the balcony offers a commanding view of the bustling city below.
The Royal Palace of Lygos is not just the home of King Arius Evermore but the beating heart of the city’s politics, culture, and grandeur—a place where beauty, intrigue, and power intertwine.