Editing Character:Imperative Harmony of Order (section)

==The Azure Court of Spider Lillies (Manse •••••)==


[[File:Azure Court of Spider Lillies.jpg]]<br>


The current administrative headquarters of the Ministry of Justice of the Deliberative, the Azure Court of Spider Lillies is perhaps one of the most aesthetically complex and geomantically refined masterpieces of occult architecture built since the foundation of the new Celestial Deliberative. Sitting in the political heart of the Imperial City itself, the sanctum of justice still nevertheless finds a way to be surrounded by high walls which hide most of its splendor from the sight of those who have no business standing within its hallowed halls. Behind the walls one would find nothing but a simple quay of stone with an elegant if not particularly massive boat waiting beside it for any passengers. The real eye-catcher however would be the widespread artificial lake which extends almost as far as mortal sight can go in all directions defying space and logic in an astonishing display of mystical engineering. Thousands of vivid crimson spider lillies grow from this pond of water nearly fifty years deep all the way to the manse proper itself, giving it the name for which it is most well known. As one would traverse the still waters forward they would feel the ominous watching presence of an invisible creature all around them which they cannot explain even as their instincts draw their sights toward the countless flowers floating wordlessly on the water. Could this be it? None know for sure, but the somewhat disturbing sight has been known to silence even the boldest fool into contemplative silence of what they are soon to witness.<br>

The Azure Court of Spider Lillies itself is a tall yet elegant structure which spreads wings of stone and alabaster painted azure and decorated with orichalcum and green jade over what might be an otherwise lush island but is almost completely occupied by the court, leaving barely enough space for another wharf for the boatman to leave their charges. Evidently eyes would be drawn toward the tall doors of raw orichalcum with scenes of justice and the holy nature of virtue carved upon the imperishable material for all to witness. As the heavy doors would part to give way to the manse's interior, one would be swamped into the bustling and noisesome life of the Ministry of Justice. Lesser bureaucrats and serving elementals running around in the service of the legal system of the entire Deliberative from even past the reception of the place where a polite but incorruptible Ifrit by the name of Rakal greets and guides all those who come to their proper place within this microcosm of perfect order. Past this reception rows upon rows of desks built into large tiered stairs which go higher and higher into the depths of the manse are cut in half by the immense and long corridor leading past them. In this place the most urgent and important affairs of the Ministry of Justice are cared for by the greatest legal specialists and their wise and helpful fiery advisors.<br>

At the end of the hallway there is nothing but a door of solid white jade which is otherwise featureless but for the symbol in Old Realm for the most divine of words that is 'Law'. Within the premise which it protects lies the courtroom of the Judge Supreme of the Deliberative where the most notable and complex legal affairs of the entire Deliberative are presided over by Imperative Harmony of Justice herself. Rows of Ifrits clad in shining armors of priceless jade and wielding lances of raw elemental fire casting intimidating light on the walkway toward the accused's box look over the vast affair that is this tribunal. High above all else sitting on the throne of unquestionable authority and ancient wisdom sits the presiding judge herself to hear the case at hand, banners on either side of her reading in High Realm the words as follow 'In this place, there shines only the light of Truth'. The words of an oracle and the order of a shining God-King indeed for those who can feel the power invested within these banners. Nevertheless the senior magistrate does not preside alone. She is almost at all time assisted by a Second Circle Demon which acts as bailiff in the current affair at her behest along with a pair of dragon-blooded or otherwise exceptional enlightened mortal scribes and lawyers who take note of everything and may help her with any point of law for which her vast and almost infaillible legal sagacity might fail. Furthermore there is a single chair in an high balcony which can only be reached by means unknown to most which is dedicated to any visiting Celestial Exalt guest whom would like to bear witness to the proceedings. Due to the authority invested upon the presiding judge however, only Celestial Exalts are welcome to do so and all others would have to contend with her polite but firm rejection of their request.<br>

The Azure Court of Spider Lillies is easily one of the crowning jewels of the Deliberative in terms of efficiency and utility. Though it does act as the current center of the legal bureaucracy, through rather keen and subtle bureaucratic and legal manoeuvering on the part of Harmony it is currenly also the sole property of herself. She does not make much of it at the moment but should any attempt to seize it away from her she would bring the full weight of the law behind her to keep it from any hands she finds unworthy of the privilege. The five dots manse produces a Stone of Loyalty hearthstone and also is home to many useful miracles of its own. For one, it is entirely indestructible. Nothing short of an attack upon its geomancy could ever pierce the fundamental justice and the principles of law and order which flow unbound within its walls and foundations. It is effectively imperishable and eternal to those who would use physical force against it. Furthermore, the Court also acts as a rainbow tabernacle within the private quarters of Imperative Harmony of Order which allows her to further enhance her already potent sorcery if necessary. Not only that but the premise may sustain a population of up to Magnitude 6 with the help of the Provider trait in complete autarky. This miracle allows the manse to produce enough healthy food, clean water and purified air in absolute isolation for it to sustain such a population in perpetuity. Lastly through extremely complex rituals, deals with distant elemental courts and political manoeuvering within the celestial Bureau of Nature in Heaven, Harmony has managed to acquire for herself a complement of five hundred bound Ifrit to serve as guardians and custodians to her manse. She is particularly proud of that last feature as this has proven to be perhaps her greatest political achievement to date and has greatly helped with the enhancement of efficiency within the central bureaucracy she manages.<br>

However all of this comes at a price. Not only does the manse require weekly attention and maintenance of great complexity from occult experts, which currently reside in the manse itself and work for the Ministry of Justice, but in building this place she found even her great competence challenged and her knowledge strained to its very limits. As such she found herself in need of help and assistance by one who could even surpass her in certain areas of expertise and called upon none other than the Shining Lord of Gold and Ivory for help. Even if she did pay him handsomely in jade for his timely assistance, she still found herself to be in his debt for the tremendous service he granted upon her back then. The favors she owes him are not forgotten and to this day she is still willing to come to his assistance in what matters she can help should he request it until her debt is fully cleared.<br>

Mechanically, this five dots manse possesses the Rainbow Tabernacle, Provider, Bound Servant Force and Indestructible traits and the Maintenance 4 flaw.<br><br>