Jade Palace

"We know that Ariel liked to use unconventional building methods and materials. Who knows how he created the Jade Palace? Its walls have no seams at all. Almost as if this entire structure had been cast instead of being constructed... or grown."

~Sunny, Chapter 2303,"Jade Palace"

Description

The Jade Palace is the main citadel of Ravenheart, which belongs to clan song. It's a huge and ancient castle, that stands on the slope of a snowy mountain, perched at the very edge of a bottomless chasm. According to the legends, the palace was originally made from pure white jade. However, after being exposed to the volcanic ash and heat for thousands of years, the outside has turned completely black, almost like obsidian.^[1] Interestingly, its inner walls were still pristine and white, as if cut from flawless jade.^[2]

The palace itself is extremely large and complicated, almost like a maze. There are countless halls, rooms, and corridors, and some parts feel like they were not even built for humans because of their massive size. Even though it stood empty for a very long time, it was still emanating a subtle feeling of elegant opulence and majesty.^[2]

Another important feature of the Jade Palace is its Component. It allows the ruler to slowly transform the surrounding land, making it warmer and enriching the soil with mystical volcanic ash. As a result, countless people can find shelter from the cold in the realm surrounding Ravenheart, and gather many bountiful harvests a year. However, if misused, this ability can also turn the land into an uninhabitable wasteland.^[3]

Geography

The Jade Palace is located in Ravenheart, far to the northwest of Bastion, across the chain of Death Zones crowned by Godgrave.^[1] It is built on the slopes of a towering mountain chain that branched out from the Hollow Mountains, right beside an endless chasm, and is directly connected to a volcano by a massive stone bridge.^[1][4]

The climate of the region is extremely harsh. The area is covered in snowstorms and falling ash from the nearby volcano. However, the volcanic heat balances out the cold in certain areas, especially near the city, making it possible for the people to survive there.^[1]

The palace has been roughly divided into 3 areas. The smallest one surrounds the gateway and is open to public. A larger area was meant for Kai and his people. Finally, the largest area by far was uninhabited.^[2]

A notable feature of Jade Palace, is that the palace itself extends deep underground, connecting to a vast system of ice caves hidden inside the lonesome mountain.^[2]

Inhabitants

"Gods and demons once rested in this garden, just like I am resting here now. Isn't it amazing?"

~Kai, Chapter 2303,"Jade Palace"

The current ruler of the Jade Palace is Kai, who governs the region as the steward of the west after the fall of Queen Song.^[5] The seven princesses of Song are also present and continue to play an important role in maintaining control over the domain.^[5]

There are hundreds of thousands of Awakened anchored here. Most of them were Nightsingers, who had been following Kai since the southern campaign. The rest of the staff was composed of local Awakened, government agents, emissaries of Immortal Flame, and assistants, sent over by the daughters of Ki Song.^[2]

In the past, the palace was home to the Jade Queen, who ruled over the Jade Court and attracted visitors from many realms.^[6]

It is also mentioned that the ice caves beneath the palace had once housed the great army of dead puppets of Queen Song.^[2]

Points of Interest

"Yes. The Toy Room... and before you ask, my lord, it is just that. It is a storage room where various toys are kept - dolls, toy knights, playing sets, strange oddities, and the like. Most of it had long turned to dust, of course, because these toys are as ancient as the Jade Palace. But some of them were preserved surprisingly well, and there are too many to count."

~Seishan, Chapter 2306,"Forbidden Fruit"

• There are 2 throne rooms in the Jade Palace. Both are majestic, with thrones that would suit a human, but while one was obviously meant for people, the other was too immense and cavernous, vast enough to fit much larger creatures.^[7] There was a third throne room, too, hidden in the ice caves below the palace, but that one had been created by Ki Song.^[7]

• The Toy Room is a hidden area filled with ancient toys, some of which are enchanted with mysterious magic and are potentially dangerous.^[8]

• The walls of the palace interferes with spatial abilities. It also blocks senses, making it difficult to look past them.^[2]

History

"The Jade Queen seemed to have quite the influence in the ancient past, presiding over the Jade Court. She was known across many realms for her beauty and wisdom - so much so that many pilgrims sought to gain an audience with her, braving the snow and ash. Not everyone survived the journey... and not everyone survived the Jade Queen's hospitality, either. Apparently, she had a habit of turning those who looked at her funny into nightmare creatures. Well, some kind of creatures, at least."

~Sunny, Chapter 2302,"Beautiful Monster"

The Jade Palace was built a very long time ago by Ariel, the Demon of Dread, for the Jade Queen, who was known for her beauty and wisdom.^[6] She ruled from the palace and gathered many visitors, forming what was called the Jade Court. However, her court was not safe. Some people died trying to reach her, and others were turned into strange creatures.^[6]

Trivia