The Imperial Forum, as it is referred to, is a large, rich district in the centre of the massive metropolis that is Alleria Prime. It has few entrances, thanks to the ingenious designs of the Allerians and the Imperial Architects, however it is open to the general public. The streets are the richest in whole Empire, row upon row of massive Palaces that house nobles, politicians, and the various Ministries that make up the Imperial Government.
At the centre of it all, of course, is the
Imperial Palace. This is the Private home of the Monarch, or anyone who holds the post of Regent or Intendant. Even Government ministers do not wander here at will, unless given permission by the residents of this most imposing of Palaces. It is a breath-taking building in its size, and unrivalled in elegance. Spiralling towers rise towards the stars, with gossamer bridges strung between their points like the web of an aetherian spider, but this beauty and artifice is perfectly habitable; it is said that the imperial Palace could house thousands of servants with ease, and no one has ever managed to count all the rooms.
The Imperial Palace is a private place, this privacy ensured by the wide gardens and parks separating the Palace from the Rest of the forum. A promenade cuts through these parks from the front gate, affording the tourist an awesome site, the Palace framed by the groves of tall ponder-oaks on either side. The gates are guarded by the Order of the Black Rose, and elite squads such as the legions could spare. No one knows the precise nature of the magical safeguards on the Palace, and no archmagi has stepped forward to relieve anyone of their ignorance.
Around the Palace walls, massive in size, runs a circular road. This is smaller in size than the Grand Circle Highway that serves much of the regular population of Prime, but many of the Ministries and Parishes of the Imperial Forum are arranged along this circle, surrounding the Palace as an extra buffer between it and the hubbub of mortal life. Or so it was originally designed.
Directly before the Gates of the Palace, stands the
Senators Circle. So did the Emperor in times past communicate with his subjects, with his conquored territory. When he did not hold court in the Palace itself, the Emperor would head directly to this most controversial of bodies within the Empire. The Senators Circle itself was closely policed, and entry was sometimes hard to gain, even in when the Senate was in public session.
The bulk of the Imperial Forum was, strangely, residences of past Ministers and Imperial Advisors, as well as well off Imperial Lictors. The bulk of traffic in the Imperial Forum was caused by the
Imperial Lictors, that is the civilian Employees of the Imperial Government. A hard won job for most citizens, as even the most menial of posts ordinarily requires the passing of many exams and tests, necessary to determine the competence and state of mind of all candidates. There are so many employed in service to the Government that it was impossible to close the streets of the Imperial Forum to everyone. They frequent the coffee houses and private clubs that litter the streets, as well as the dormitaries that some quick witted nobles set up to make yet more money off the work of their subordinates.
Near one of the main gates to the Imperial Forum stands the
Imperial Post House through which all non-personal mail is received and distributed by the Imperial Postmaster.
Now, situated along the
western rim of the circular highway are the following government institutions:
The Imperial Archives, the old
Ministry Iustitias, and the old Chamberlain's Ministry, now adapted for the new
Ministry of War. Many of the Chamberlain's staff transferred to the new Chancellory buildings on the southern rim.
On the
eastern rim, there is situated the
Ministry of Finance, and the new adopted offices of the
Imperial High Sage. These buildings house the offices of many Imperial Lictors, who do the majority of the actual day to day work.
On the
Northern rim, the
Archprelate of the time resides in the long time office established by Archprelatess Aerienne Sarista. Not far away lies the now defunct office of the
Imperial bard, whose function is being deputied for by the Imperial Chronicler.
On the
Southern rim lies the
new Chancellory, and the buildings dedicated to the work of the
Imperial Magus. The three Consulates also lie here:
Western,
Southern &
Northern
Places of Leisure
There are many locations not associated with any ministry, where people may gather and talk. A selection of private gentleman's clubs is mirrored by almost as many such clubs for women. There are so many within the Imperial Forum, but it would be impossible to describe them all.
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