The Treasure Palace
(Realm; Mt. Celestia/Lunia)
written by Heiner de Wendt
Character. The merchant's role is that of a mediator; it is his
duty to provide proper respect and rewards to the labourers, and
to assure that the results of their work are purchased only by
those who understand the worth and innate goodness in each piece
of work.
Power. Thalqai the Half-Elf is a demi-power with followers on about
a dozen prime worlds. He is known to travel these worlds very often,
staying in his Treasure Palace only about one or two days each
month. Most of his petitioners are archons, though if Thalqai feels
that a petitioner's got a strong desire to keep his mortal form,
he usually allows it. Most of these petitioners are half-elves,
elves and humans, though members of other races are also known.
Description. The Treasure Palace is a noble, splendid building,
with countless halls and towers made from finest white and silvery
stones, strengthened with glimmering, enchanted metals. Its size
is greater than those of most palaces known in the Prime Material
worlds, yet it's not as large as one might consider for a power's
realm. Sages have estimated that the palace covers an area of about
six square miles, reaching roughly half a mile into the air with its highest towers. Whenever Thalqai is within his realm, he seems
to sense where he's needed, and heads there. He does not cover
himself from his petitioners' or any visitors' eyes, walking freely
through his palace. This usually results in a sudden silence where ever he appears, and everyone shows
him greatest respect.
Yet, Thalqai dislikes it if he's treated as would fit a demi-power;
he considers himself more like a wise king than a deity.
The Treasure Palace is in itself a giant marketplace, with merchants
at every corner. There's space enough, though, for a comfortable
stroll through the palace, and trading is done calmly and respectful.
Haggling over prices is rare, for everyone knows the merchants here
are honest, and it's considered disrespectful to try haggling for
a better price. Those who try usually don't do so a second time,
for the reactions of all who see it make them absolutely ashamed.
The merchants don't sell everything to everyone, though: They make
sure the purchaser has got the wisdom and respect to treat the
wares in the right way, and doesn't misuse them. Most adventurers
are quite astonished how hard it is to get a weapon here, for the
merchants are even cautious if a paladin wants to purchase one.
Prices vary depending on the quality of the wares, and under which
circumstances they've been made. A low-quality bow can be bought for
five gold pieces, while a bow of the same quality, but made by a
blind, one-armed beggar would probably cost eight to ten gold pieces.
Most items available in the Treasure Palace are of slightly above
average quality, but those who seek long enough can also find
wondrous items made from rare or unique materials, and a few of them
are even enchanted or innate magical. The prices, of course, are
accordingly. Interestingly, each and every merchant in the Treasure Palace has
an in-depth knowledge of the craftsmanship of the wares he sells.
People here have the attitude that you can only truly estimate the
worth of an item if you've carved such an item yourself already.
Sages have guessed that about a fourth of the items sold in the
Treasure Palace are crafted by the merchants themselves.
Special Conditions. Those who walk among the lively (yet calm)
halls, towers and corridors of the Treasure Palace don't need
to care for a place to rest. Whenever they get tired, they find
an empty room or three, perfectly fitting their tastes, made
ready for rest. There's food and drink in the rooms, too, always
of good (though not finest) quality. When someone finds such a
room, there's always a lantern or hound archon inviting them in.
Spells cast with the intention to fool others or taint their
honour fail utterly, as do any thieving skills (including
backstabbing, noise hearing and all others).
Principal Nonplayer Characters. Shialraan (Px/male warden archon/LG)
always seems to be everywhere where trouble arises (which happens
rarely). He's a peaceful diplomat, and always tries to solve
problems so that everyone involved is happy afterwards. Nevertheless, he makes sure that those who are
responsible for the trouble
afterwards feel ashamed for it, so that they hopefully don't make
trouble again.
In times of great need, the solar Lushana (Px/female solar/LG) acts
as Thalqais "Acting Hand", organizing armies or evacuating any
endangered parts of the palace (for example, when a proxy of Set
(obviously in a direct mission for his god, and covered by Set's
divine aid) burned down one of the palace's towers). Otherwise,
though, the Solar's never seen, and chant has it she guides the
most passionate worshippers of Thalqai when she's not needed in
the realm.
Services. The most obvious service here is, of course, trading.
Nearly all kind of wares can be purchased here, as far as they
fit the style and ideals of Mt. Celestia (don't search for poison
here, or for barbed whips). Craftsmen can sell wares themselves,
or ask a merchant to sell them, and can be sure to get a fair
price for it.
For those in need of rest, the Treasure Palace is a good stop as
well. And if someone's been cheated in a trade or deal, the
archons here help willingly. Indeed, a couple of mortals have
managed to escape a baatezu deal with the aid of Thalqai's archons,
though these were rare occurrences indeed.
The Chant. It's said that Thalqai sometimes appears in his palace
in disguise, acting as a normal merchant. He sells some normal
wares, be it ropes, wood or musical items, and asks for usual
prices. If someone of a truly pure heart approaches him, though,
the seemingly normal item he sales is imbued with divine magic,
and will help the individual survive a bad fate in the near future.
There's a rumour about the "lower levels" of the palace which
always comes up again. According to these rumours, most of the
building is actually buried in the ground, and it's where Thalqai
himself lives. There, he also gathers unbelievable treasures
(coins and jewelry, but also items of wondrous quality), for some
purpose that's dark to anyone but himself and maybe Lushana.
A group of chaotic good adventurers, calling themselves the
"Seekers of Thalqai", resides in the Palace since a few years,
seeking for an entrance to these lower levels. They don't do it
to steal anything (as many people first assumed); instead, they
just like the challenge. Up to now, Thalqai doesn't seem to mind,
and hey've become some kind of "permanent feature" of the
Treasure Palace recently. Although they haven't really found out
anything about the mysterious lower levels (if they at all exist),
but there's probably no other group of beings who knows so many
darks about the Treasure Palace as they do, including Thalqai's
petitioners.