Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170718173305

The Imperial/Royal family Xin one of the most important in that Empire and you could say Rhun from it's ranks come many fine princess, generals, and statesmen. But they are far from a happy family. The palace is full or political struggles, strife, and turmoil with a nice mix of duels in both the military, private, and political arenas. Although the killing of a member of the Royal Family is a massive taboo.

Now first lets get into who makes up the family and the palace itself.

The Royal family is made up of the Emperor as it's head at his side sits two individuals (Either the individuals themselves or statues) the Dowager Empress and the Widower Emperor (The Last Emperor and the current's mother) be alive or dead they are his/her's 'spiritual guides' or advisors and tend to hold a honorary position in the court.

Under the Emperor himself are his concubines which he has fifty in total (One from each of the noble clans) all are expected to bear him at least one child with his favorite bearing him more children. The Emperor will always have some ranked above others and they are split into different classes/castes.

Then finally come the many Imperial princes and princesses ranked in their own orders be either merit or mothers.

Now the palace itself has a very specific layout and like the city in which it resides (Zhengzhou) it is both hierarchical and split into many different sections or rings. The Palace complex is built around a massive 'city' almost which has 1 main palace (Celestial Palace) in the center of three rings of smaller palaces all surrounded by gardens, servant quarters, court yards, and a series of massive red walls of the which the largest divides the forbidden palace from the Imperial city.

The other palaces are each dedicated to the 50 families and inside these palaces that the wives, children, and their servants dwell all split between four rings, which are as follows:

Outer Heavenly Ring

- The second largest ring and the outer and lowest ring of the complex. It is here that the bulk of the wives, children, and servants live. Within it's walls are 25 palaces and hundreds of gardens and servant quarters. At the corners of this ring are the 'Four Heavenly Gates'

Middle Heavenly Ring

- The third largest ring and only slightly smaller then the outer ring. Within it's walls are 20 palaces and at the corners of the ring the 'Four Heavenly Towers'

Inner Heavenly Ring

- the smallest ring (small really is a relative term as each of these rings are the size of small cities) and is inhabited by the more 'upper class' servants and the most prominent wives. 5 grand palaces exist within it's walls and at it's corners the '4 heavenly Temples'

Celestial Ring

- the Largest of all rings built around the Celestial palace itself the two Celestial temples, the Emperor's private estates and gardens, and the finest servants quarters for the Emperor's personal servants.

Now the Ranking of the wives and children depends on two things: which ring they live in and merit. Members of the Royal family are expected to serve the state in a variety or roles some become envoys, other statesmen, and most become Generals or part of the military in some shape of form. Generally the Emperor will chose his successor based on merit so it is possible for a lowly son or daughter to become the next monarch. 