Encyclopaedia Elysia | Places / The Cloud Palace

History

Original image from Google. Manip by Emma.

The Cloud Palace was built over the course of a full century before Elysia even existed, back in 2,500 XA when the Anyeli Civil War was still relatively fresh. Commissioned by Xanth Herself, it was an attempt to bridge the gap between the factions and end the war.

It failed, but instead became the seat of government for the Anyeli Empire and a sanctuary against the violence outside its walls. It was eventually moved to Elysia and sited atop the tallest peak in the Duskies, circa 6,300 XA, where it remains today.

Layout

1 – Main Tower: The Main Tower, also known as the Central Tower (though it's unclear why since it is far from the centre of the palace geographically), houses many of the offices and chambers of the Empire's administration, including the Archon's quarters at the very top. The majority of Anyeli bureacracy takes place here, and most branches of the government have at least a small office here.
2 – Great Library: Founded by a great Anyeli hero, the Great Library was originally just one tower but grew so large that extra towers have been built on and the entire stock now contains thousand of books, most of which pertain to the Anyeli themselves. The majority of the library's shelves are open to the general public since it is one of only three libraries in the whole of Elysia, but there are some sections restricted to Anyeli only.

3 – Apartment Towers: At the peak of Anyeli civilization, the four dormitory towers were full to the brim with fledglings — most of whom were war orphans or destined for the barracks. In recent years, few of the beds were occupied and many of the floors were closed down to save resources. Though many of the residents were still fledglings, there were enough who were older (and therefore members of a faction) to necessitate the segregation of not just gender but also wing colour.; However, the Rhea family bought the palace after the Synedrion Council threatened to shut it down. After renovations, three out of the four dormitory towers were converted into apartments to bring in revenue, the final tower still reserved for fledglings and orphans of the
4 – School: In its hey-day, the school was filled with Anyeli of all ages, coming from villages miles away to learn the practical skills they'd need during their military service and life beyond. Lessons included cooking, sewing, flying, and more or less anything a fledgling might need to survive in the world outside the palace.; In recent years, only students living at the palace itself were able to attend — partly due to the coffers running dry, but also because the most recent outburst of fighting made it too dangerous for others to travel. However, since the palace was bought by the Rheas and the Anyeli entered into a ceasefire, the school towers have opened once more and now admit entry even to the non-Anyeli children living in the Palace apartments.
5 & 6 – Skouros & Leikos Towers: Skouros and Leikos Towers are the Skotadi and Apali headquarters respectively, serving the factions much the same as the Central Tower serves the Archon and the Synedrion. The Kurio and Arkigo both have residences and offices on the top floor, and their senior staff (including their respective caste leaders) take apartments and/or offices on the lower floors.; But the faction headquarters house more than just bureacracy. There are rooms dedicated to training, armouries, exercise rooms and so-called "quiet rooms" for Peacekeeper students. However, despite their floorplans being identical, their decor differs a great deal, and no one from the opposing faction may enter. There are even guards posted to prevent spies and unwanted incursions.
7 – Fountain and Statue: Inside the main gates, the architects of the palace erected a statue dedicated to Xanth and sat it atop a glorious fountain. It is a popular picnic area and lights have been fixed so that at night it is displayed in its full glory and visible from the highest floors of all the towers.
8 – Main Gates: These wrought-iron gates stand over one hundred feet tall and pierce the guard towers on either side. Such a feat in itself is awesome, but the architects were not satisfied with stopping there. The gates depict one of the most famous battle scenes in Anyeli history and, despite their name, were never intended to be opened. Instead, there are smaller gates a mere seven feet in height at the centre of the massive iron network that act as the actual entryway, with guards posted either side.
9 & 10 – Gate & Guard Towers: Moulded seamlessly into the Outer Wall at regular intervals, the Guard Towers were shaped into enormous statues of Anyeli heroes and hollowed out to house the offices and barracks of the Varagoi, palace guards who patrol the Wall.; Two of these towers, into which the main gates were secured, are known as the Gate Towers and are taller and wider than the rest. Instead of Anyeli heroes, they are mirror-image statues of Xanth with Her arms held out in welcome.
11 – Outer Wall: This massive wall surrounds the palace more as a symbol of Anyeli fortitude than any real defence (though it does do a remarkable job of keeping out the non-flyers). The base is fifteen feet thick and the wall gradually slopes in towards the top, where it is capped by a narrow, crenulated path that allows the Varagoi to patrol.
12 – Inner Wall: Only twenty feet high, the inner wall is more for decorative purposes than for defense (though, again, it would be serve as such if the outer wall was ever breached by non-flyers). All manner of blossoming plants cascade down the walls and grow into cracks in the limestone, providing a sweet smell and a pretty view all year round. The inner wall is also used as a jumping point for fledglings learning to fly and instructors overseeing their warriors-in-training.; Inside the inner wall, which is some ten feet wide, lies the Great Corridor, a mysterious hallway that is split into 'sectors'. Each section is decorated differently, from the brightly lit halls where sun streams in through the windows in honour of the Apali, to the Hall of War where each window depicts a bloody battle scene that makes the light itself turns blood-red. The transition between sectors is incredibly subtle and the Great Corridor is often used as a sanctuary within a sanctuary as well as a teacher's tool for historical field trips.
13 – Courtyard: Though the entire space between the Outer and Inner Walls is effectively a courtyard, much of the space is used for training purposes and for gardens. Only the area directly inside the Main Gate is referred to as the Courtyard, and it is here where the Xanth's statue was erected atop the fountain.
14 – Training Grounds: As suggested by the name, the Training Grounds are an area walled off for training purposes, and is really just a large sand pit. This is the only area where fighting is permitted within the palace, though instructors try to ensure no real harm comes to their students. Peacekeepers are not allowed to step foot on the Training Grounds at all.