It's been a while! I thought about just letting this story die, since it's been so long, but during the lengthy unannounced hiatus I did get some requests to revive it and a few people putting new likes up on my posts, so I figure there's still some kind of audience.
I was hit with work for the better part of the year, and my job is one that takes the same time slot, and the same energy, that writing creatively does. The last few months work has lightened up though, but I just haven't been in the habit of writing anymore. I'm going to try and get back in the swing of things.
A Lord was one with his land. It reflects him, and he reflects it. True Lord Tlaloc 's Court was much like the man, much like the land: wet and warm, and overflowing with wealth, and oddities. Thought of as a physical structure, it was a vast, sprawling building of gold, bronze, and living green, a confounding maze of corridors linking lounges, buffets, treasure and exotic animal displays, pools, gaming rooms, and other places of leisure. The corridors act as arteries winding from, and back to, a colossal heart: The Great Hall. There you could find the Lord's great throne carved high into an ancient mangrove tree.
The Court was more than the building. It was, first and foremost, an immortal party. Food, drugs, entertainers, servers, and a remarkably skilled cleaning staff pumped continuously through the Court, keeping it alive. It takes a certain constitution to be a diplomat in the Thousand Rivers. They must attend if they want the Lord's ear, however, as he rarely accepts guests in his private palace. The Court therefore is also where the region's policies are decided, where war and peace are declared, where social movements of enormous import begin. Guests come, mingle, deal, politick, and leave, but the Court lives on. Even the True Lord does not attend continuously, he joins the party when he wishes, and sits in judgement by his own schedule. That is also the Court, a place for judgement. There the guests can find amusement in watching their Lord dispense fines, or torture, or death, or rarely glorious absolution, as he wills.
Guests come from every corner of the region and every position in society. Members of the Lord's his own vast family and personal retinue have a standing invitation, as do representatives of the Great Clans. The not-quite-as-great Clans must wait for an invitation, hoping it comes from his condescension and not his displeasure. They could not dismiss his summons regardless. Only Lords, Saints, and Sects would dare. The guest list is further filled with the Unaffiliated Perfecting: notable mercenaries, explorers, artists, workers, traders, most hoping to find a place in the Lord's House, some wishing only to survive an appearance. The most numerous guests were, oddly, mortals of no significance. They were, after all, the vast majority of his subjects even if, combined, they held only the smallest sliver of wealth and power. Everyone was to treat each other as a peer, within the confines of the Court. This was the Lord's preference, and his preference was greater than law. There was much speculation about this idiosyncrasy, that he would force the patriarch of a Great Clan to pretend they were the equal of a farmer or a beggar. The most common conclusion: the Lord wished all to know that they were equally nothing before him.
It was not Chachi's first time attending the Court, but it was her first since the death of her father, the first as a Matriarch, and not a child, not an amusement. The invitation came, a small card in the Lord's green and gold, and she could not conceive of refusing. She wore blue and silver robes, layered, flowing, and impractical, in the latest Imperial fashion. They were lightly imbued to slightly change their hue, shape, reflectivity, and firmness, an attempt to wrangle the mad fashion of the Empire into something livable. An excessive expense for most, but it took Chachi only a few moments with the Cosmic Forge. She fiddled with her elaborate earrings, another small imbuement…
"Stop fiddling with it!" She suppressed a wince at the sharp refrain. A miniaturized sending stone design in the earrings let her hear advice from afar.
Who is whispering in Chachi's ear?
[] Mom (Itstlixochitl), an expert on intrigue and intelligence gathering
[] Teo, an expert on business and law
There was little chance the Lord's summons was a reward, he was not pleased with their recent efforts. Rather than pay his unreasonable taxes on Heavenspan water, they'd withdrawn and gutted their facilities so he couldn't use it either. She'd also resorted to beating the funds out of deadbeat debtors, which was undignified if arguably legal. She hoped he wanted to negotiate new terms for Heavenspan extraction, or this was a routine invitation, or even that he just wanted to berate her a bit. Anything but being called before the Throne for judgement. Regardless, the Lord dispensed his attention as he pleased. She would have to attend Court until he called, or until the invitation dissolved.
What does she do while she waits? (Preference voting, top 2 will win)
[] Enemy
The Nepoualistli clan hates you. They are an ancient Great Clan of proud warriors, sworn to the True Lord. The Thousand Rivers has been at peace for centuries, so they are also remarkably useless, and poor. This has made them bitter and prickly in their pride. Rationally, they would want to cozy up with a wealthy but less prestigious clan, like you. Perhaps even intermarry. They are not rational. They resent you for your new wealth and status, for your ability to thrive in a world that's passed them by. You decide to seek out their representative, perhaps you can sniff out any plans they have against you between insults.
[] Rival
The Ueyak clan 'hates' you. You are direct competitors in the Thousand Rivers, producing nearly identical elixirs. Their clan is older than yours, but you've now taken the better part of their market share. Your elixirs are higher quality, and you used to produce them for less. You are bitter enemies in the market, but your interests and philosophies often align. You will meet with their representative and talk shop.
[] Supplier
Okichiltekitki is the head of the Special Farmer's Union, the largest supplier of Essence rich plant materials in the Thousand Rivers. You have an amicable business relationship, but it could be better. Your Walking Fortress are nearly ready to make their trans-regional journeys and they aren't even close to full. Perhaps they can carry raw plant products alongside your elixirs? You try to hammer out a deal.
[] Contractor
Kalchiuani is a construction clan that helped build the Walking Fortresses with you. When the crafting clans scoffed at your plans, they got to work. It was your first time working with them, but their support was invaluable. You will meet with their representative and discuss future projects.
[] Welcher
Iknotl owes you money. They made a bulk purchase of Dreaming Wisdom Elixirs on credit before your father died. Now they claim the product was defective and refuse to pay for any of it. The product was not defective. Confront them.
[] Saint?
There is a rumor circulating the court that a Saint is attending as a regular guest. Saints rarely interact with lesser cultivators, but this one is following the norms of the Court by acting as if they are equal. A few words from a Saint is said to do wonders for cultivation, and even their trash is fuel for your Spirit Refinement. You investigate.
[] Agent
An Imperial Agent loiters in the Court at all times, taking official records of the Lord's Justice, officiating duels, and being present in case anyone wants to report High Treason or the like. Seek them out and talk about the Empire and their duties.
[] Amusement
The Court has many delights, sample some and see where the night takes you!
[] Exploration
The Court is vast and has many strange corners, see if you can find something inspiring.
[] Masses
The Court is filled with many people of import. Flitter around and make a good impression on as many of them as you can.
