Belendar - Palace Throne Room

Type: Royal Chamber
Region: Belendar Palace, Odessia
Status: Site of Regicide / Active Combat Zone (Sessions 23-25)
Tags: #location #location/palace #location/throne-room #combat-zone

Description

The grand throne room of the Odessia royal palace, a magnificent chamber designed to project power and majesty. High vaulted ceilings with ornate pillars line the sides, while the throne sits elevated at the far end on a dais. This chamber is forever marked as the site where High King Everglade was assassinated (Session 23) and where Thalas's true identity as Elincia Flowers was exposed (Session 26). The room is large enough to accommodate hundreds for court proceedings and has served as the site for formal ceremonies including knighting rituals and noble elevations (Session 26).

Geography

Layout:

Long rectangular chamber, approximately 100+ feet from entrance to throne
Raised dais at far end with throne
Ornate stone pillars along both sides
High vaulted ceilings
Multiple entrance points (main doors, side passages)
Windows allowing natural light (flames visible from outside Session 25)

Materials:

Polished stone floors
Carved stone pillars with royal insignia
Ornate metalwork and decorations
Rich tapestries (likely burned/damaged in siege)

Key Features

The Throne - Elevated seat of the High King, currently occupied by High King Everglade's body (sword through neck)
Royal Dais - Raised platform where throne sits, provides elevated position
Ornate Pillars - Stone columns along sides, providing cover during combat
Main Entrance - Large doors (likely ceremonial, ornate)
Side Passages - Access to palace corridors and other chambers

Historical Significance

Site of Regicide (Session 23):

High King Everglade assassinated by Thalas in this chamber
Sword thrust through neck while seated on throne
Marks end of his reign and beginning of succession crisis
Body remained on throne during subsequent civil war battle (Session 25)
This location will be remembered as where the monarchy fell

Civil War Battleground (Session 25):

Eagles vs Falcon factions fighting for control
Multiple casualties from both sides
Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade fighting Thalas here
Symbolic struggle: whoever controls throne room claims legitimacy
Royal Advisor Eldrin Oakenhart nearly died here defending crown

Thalas Identity Revelation (Session 26):

Thalas's helmet melted away by acid damage
Face exposed as Elincia Flowers (Lady Alysanne/White Falcon Knight)
Triple identity revealed: Thalas = Lady Alysanne = Elincia Flowers (same person)
Recognized by party as woman they'd met previously
Escaped via fire teleportation after throwing necrotic dagger
Final words: "This isn't over, the war has only just begun" / "The kingdom will be ours"
Major conspiracy exposed in this chamber

Formal Ceremonies (Session 26):

Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade sat throne for first time (three days after battle)
Ser Tessell Highfrost knighted formally (Knight of the Storm Riders)
Lady Odonia of Galantri elevated to Lady of Sylobelle and Royal Advisor
Marshals of the North commissioned (Riders of the Storm)
Military ranks bestowed (Generals of North/Left/Right, Chariot General)
Official deed to Stormhold Keep ratified
First major state ceremonies under new Princess's rule

Population

Normal State:

Royal court during proceedings
Palace guards (stationed)
Petitioners and nobles
Royal advisors
Ceremonial attendants

Session 25 State:

~15 enemy soldiers (Falcon faction, orange/blue colors)
Party members (Riders of the Storm)
Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade (heavily injured, fighting)
Thalas (Black Knight, bloodied)
Mysterious Cloaked Man (skull face, watching)
Unknown Axe Fighter (watching)
Eldrin Oakenhart (dying, slumped against pillar)
High King Everglade's body (on throne)
Multiple dead from both factions scattered throughout

Leadership

Ruler: High King Everglade (DECEASED Session 23, body on throne Session 25)
Current Authority: Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade (fighting for life Session 25)
Royal Advisor: Eldrin Oakenhart (dying Session 25)

History

Purpose:

Traditional seat of Odessia monarchy
Location for court proceedings, judgments, royal decrees
Ceremonial space for coronations and state functions
Symbol of royal authority and legitimacy

Significant Events:

Countless royal decrees and judgments over centuries
Coronations of Everglade dynasty
High King Everglade's assassination (Session 23) - Defining moment: End of reign, beginning of succession crisis
Civil war battle for throne room control (Session 25) - Eagles vs Falcons fighting for symbolic legitimacy
Royal Advisor Eldrin Oakenhart's last stand (Session 25) - Dying defending throne room

Post-Battle Status (Session 26)

Battle Concluded:

All enemy forces eliminated or fled
Thalas/Elincia Flowers escaped via fire teleportation
Mysterious Cloaked Man and Unknown Axe Fighter departed
High King's body presumably removed for proper burial
Dead cleared from throne room
Room prepared for formal ceremonies

Three Days Later (Session 26):

Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade sat father's throne for first time
Formal assumption of rulership
Morning meeting (6:00 AM) with surviving nobles and military leaders
Approximately half nobles/knights from tournament had departed
Ceremonies for elevations and appointments

Throne Room Ceremonies:

Lady Odonia of Galantri elevated to Lady of Sylobelle
Given Royal Advisor position (chair left of throne)
Ser Tessell Highfrost formally knighted
Riders of the Storm commissioned as Marshals of the North
Military ranks bestowed on party members
636+ troop reinforcements distributed
War chest authorization granted
Official Stormhold Keep deed presented

Palace Status:

Secured by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian and reinforcements
Two-day reconstruction period throughout city
Castle functioning as command centre for civil war
Strategic planning for northern campaign

Connections

Within Palace:

Belendar - Palace Corridors - Access passages
Belendar - Palace Courtyard - Interior courtyard
Belendar - Palace Ramparts - Defensive walls
Belendar - Palace Entrance - Main doorway

Part of:

Belendar - Capital city
Odessia - Kingdom

Inhabitants

Major NPCs (Session 25):

Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - Defending throne, heavily injured
Thalas - Black Knight, attacking, bloodied
Eldrin Oakenhart - Royal Advisor, dying
Mysterious Cloaked Man - Unknown, skull face visible, watching
Unknown Axe Fighter - Unknown, watching
High King Everglade - Body on throne (deceased)

Factions Present:

Riders of the Storm - Party fighting Thalas
Eagle Faction - Crown Princess's forces (mostly dead)
Falcon Faction - ~15 soldiers remaining, Mysterious figures

Appearances

Session 23 - 6 April 2025 - High King Everglade assassinated by Thalas, sword through neck, died on throne
Session 25 - 14 June 2025 - Party arrived to find throne room mid-battle, engaged Thalas and soldiers, Princess heavily injured fighting Thalas, Mysterious Cloaked Man's skull face revealed, Unknown Axe Fighter present, Eldrin dying, combat ongoing (Round 2 completed)
Session 26 - 16 July 2025 - Thalas's identity revealed: Helmet melted exposing face as Elincia Flowers (same person as Lady Alysanne/White Falcon Knight). Escaped via fire teleportation after throwing necrotic dagger at Princess (intercepted by Ser Tessell Highfrost). Battle concluded, all enemies eliminated or fled. Three days later: Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade sat throne for first time, formal assumption of rulership. Major ceremonies held: Lady Odonia of Galantri elevated to Lady of Sylobelle and Royal Advisor, Ser Tessell Highfrost knighted, Riders of the Storm commissioned as Marshals of the North with military ranks and 636+ reinforcements.

Notes

Triple Historical Significance:

Site of regicide - High King Everglade assassinated here (Session 23)
Site of identity revelation - Thalas exposed as Elincia Flowers (Session 26)
Site of new reign - Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade formally assumed rule here (Session 26)

Symbolic Significance:

Site of regicide - High King Everglade assassinated here (Session 23)
Throne room represents legitimacy of rule
Whoever controls this space controls symbolic heart of kingdom
High King's body on throne creates powerful visual of fallen dynasty
Battle here determines future of Odessia
This location will be remembered in Odessia's history as where the civil war truly began
Future rulers will sit on throne where their predecessor was murdered

Tactical Considerations:

Large open space (difficulty for cover)
Pillars provide some concealment
Elevated dais gives advantage to defender
Multiple entry points = vulnerable to flanking
Party cannot easily retreat (palace interior compromised)

Session 25 Combat Mysteries:

Why are Mysterious Cloaked Man and Unknown Axe Fighter not engaging?
What is their objective? (Just watching the duel?)
Are they waiting for specific outcome?
Connection to "the vessel" prophecy?

Historical Questions:

Whose sword is through High King's neck? (Thalas's weapon?)
Why hasn't body been moved/honoured? (Combat ongoing, no opportunity)
Will throne room be reconsecrated after regicide?
How will this location be remembered by future generations?

Mysteries:

Whose sword is through High King's neck?
Why hasn't body been moved/honoured?
What will happen when Thalas falls? (Will mysterious figures engage?)
Is this a trap? (Two powerful figures waiting)