Imperial Guang Palace
The Imperial Guang Palace (literally Light Palace), or Daocheng Palace, is the home of the Heavenly Light and the seat of the government of the Jingdaoese Empire. Located in the capital city of Daocheng, the palace and surrounding grounds served as the spiritual and political center of the entire Empire. The palace is a superb example of traditional Jingdaoese architecture and its massive scale makes it unlike anything else in the Realm.
The Palace and surrounding grounds were, in fact, a city on their own. Therefore, the Palace is divided into an outer (mainly the living quarters of those belonging to the Household, some palaces for dignitaries and princess of lower rank), a central quarter (government buildings and living quarters for closer relatives or friends) and the inner Forbidden City (only accessible for the Emperor and His most loyal staff).
Outer Court
Entrance into the Guang Palace. Used as a public courtyard for military ceremonies and religious rites.
Outer Forbidden City
Temple of Benevolence
Imperial Shrine
Royal Residencies
Living Quarters of Governors
Living Quarters of the Household Staff
Jade Teahouse of the Double Eagle
Garden of Natural Beauty
Gongdian Armoury and training grounds
Home to the Myxosean Palace Guard (Gongdian Guards).
Central Forbidden City
Hall of Heavenly Purity
The Hall of Heavenly Purity houses the throne room of the Heavenly Light. Diplomats and dignitaries are brought before the Emperor in this Hall to offer tributes, discuss matters of great importance or to hold official ceremonies. The Hall is separated from other parts of the palace quarters and often seen as the beating heart of govermnent affairs.
War Council
The Military Council Building, exterior.
The Military Council Building, exterior.
The Military Council Building, exterior.
The Military Council Building, interior.
The Military Council Building, interior.
The Military Council Building, interior.
Imperial Household Administrative Building
Zhou Administration buildings
The Three Ministries & Eleven Secretariats
Each Ministry has its own building within the Outer Forbidden City. The current buildings all differ in style and were influenced by their respective Ministers at the moment of their construction. The Eleven Secretariats are separated from the Ministry buildings and located closer to the Hall of Heavenly Purity, as it was deemed a necessity to handle the paperwork quicker and have the offices of the bureaucrats nearby.
Garden of Internal Peace
Grand Teahouse
Gate of Sisera's Wrath
The Gate dates back to the era of the Duchang Emperor and were moved to the palace when it was constructed. Because of the reconstruction, the gate is different in architectural style from the rest of the palace (except for the Ministry of Stability, which had its architecture influenced by it). The Gate connects the Heavenly Central Palace in the Inner Forbidden City directly with the War Council pagoda in the Outer Forbidden City, making it easier for officials to move between the two buildings during war time and crises.
When opened, it indicates the start of a war, but when closed, it indicates an era of peace. The gate was last open in 1657 AN, when hostilities of the the War of Lost Brothers ended.
Inner Forbidden City
Heavenly Central Palace
The Heavenly Palace, exterior.
The Heavenly Palace, exterior.
The Heavenly Palace, exterior.
The Heavenly Palace, interior.
The Heavenly Palace, interior.
Half of it is in the Forbidden City, other half in the Divine Forbidden City. Diplomats and government officials, even the diwang, are only ever allowed in the forbidden part, never in the more forbidden part. Only the staff needed to maintain these premises are ever allowed there.
