Imperial Citadel

The imperial citadel is the seat of the imperial Family, which includes Emperor Xavan and his heirs, Princess Xedalli and Prince Xeleth. The citadel is a mile-wide, floating platform of hewn stone shaped in the form of a moth.

The citadel, which has its own air envelope and gravity plane, is home to approximately 10,000 people, most of them Astral Elves. The few non-Elves are diplomatic envoys to the court, traders, and skilled crafters whose work is esteemed by the emperor.

The imperial guard, which provides security within the palace and throughout the citadel, is composed of 150 astral elf warriors and 30 astral elf honor guards of various alignments, with half that number on duty at any given time.

No structures are built on the underside of the citadel, which is dotted with natural rocky protrusions. On the topside, stone walls 20 feet thick and 40 feet high control access to the gardens, the Imperial Palace, the Great Orrery, and the Citadel Docks. Sixty-foot-tall stone Towers built into the walls are topped with ballistae and mangonels.

The citadel is made up of the following regions:

Temple of Light

Common Docks

These docks are used by Ships belonging to Merchants, visitors, private citizens, and Mercenaries. Much of the traffic at the common docks consists of cargo vessels delivering food and other supplies.

Citadel Gardens

The citadel’s gardens are trimmed and cultivated to represent an idyllic vision of Xaryndar’s Forests. The greenery replenishes the citadel’s air envelope and serves as a bucolic refuge. Discreet conversation away from the prying eyes of the court often takes place here.

Great Orrery

The Great Orrery is the center of scholarship in the citadel. Enclosed by high walls, the facility is built around a gigantic orrery of Xaryxispace. This magical and mechanical contraption features levitating models of the Wildspace System’s Planets and Moons, all orbiting a brightly glowing crystal orb that represents the Sun, Xaryxis.

A Lawful Evil, astral elf Archmage named Magister Theraxana is here day and night, studying Wildspace Systems that have been surveyed by astral elf Explorers and looking for new worlds that can be exploited to keep Xaryxis burning bright.

A chamber beneath the Great Orrery contains a ring of twelve Spelljamming Helms joined together by crystal filaments. Theraxana and her fellow Mages use these spelljamming helms to move the citadel across Xaryxspace and the Astral Sea, in accordance with the wishes of the emperor. All twelve helms are required to propel the citadel, which has a flying speed of 50 feet (5½ mph).

High Quarter

This region is where the palace’s courtiers and trusted servants maintain their residences. A handful of Shops and other establishments that cater to members of the court are also located here.

Imperial Docks

Only ships belonging to the imperial family—which includes the imperial navy as well as an assortment of pleasure craft—are allowed to dock here. Guards patrol the imperial docks constantly.

Imperial Palace

From the upper floors of this stone and crystal palace, the ruling family has a commanding view of the vista that stretches out below. Including courtiers, guards, and servants, over a thousand people are in the Palace at any time.

Low Quarter

The citadel’s laborers and servants have dwellings in the low quarter. Here, too, are relatively cheap lodgings for visitors.

Military Quarter

Members of the imperial navy and the imperial guard maintain residences in the military quarter. Most members of the guard can be found here when they are not on duty.

Trade Quarter

Most of the citadel’s merchants and crafters live and work in the trade quarter. Much of the citadel’s commerce takes place here, making it the liveliest area of the City. Well-appointed lodgings are also available for visitors with coin to spare.