Midnight Court

The perspective I offer here is from that of the courtyard. To the left is the north end of the residence; to the right is the south end.

Like the Golden Courtyard, the royal residence is built with golden stone from the main cavern of Capital Mountain. It is the oldest surviving building in the southern peninsula, having retained its ancient walls. Its interior, however, has changed over the centuries.

Originally, the royal residence was a single hall for the King, his warriors, and their families. As time went on, the hall became a residence for the King and his council. These days, only the Jackal, his High Lord, and the High Lord's family live there. The council has grown large enough that it meets elsewhere in the palace.

As recently as half a century ago, however, Koretia's council held its meetings in the royal residence. Many stirring events took place there, including duels and assassinations; Koretia has a sorry history of bloody disputes. The former council chamber is the red-framed window on the upper floor.

To the right of it is the former bedchamber of the King, which has since been divided into separate chambers for the High Lord and his family. None of the ornate bedchamber furniture from earlier periods have survived.

To the left of the former council chamber is the former bedchamber of the King's heir. The last heir to die did so within living memory; his life is still celebrated at the nearby town of Valouse, where he served as baron.

To the left of the heir's bedchamber is the High Lord's receiving chamber. The most memorable event to occur there is the death of the Baron of Blackpass, under sinister circumstances. Visitors who plan to continue their tour in the borderland, where Blackpass is located, may wish to pause in this room, in order to pay their respects to the memory of the baron.

The final room on this side of the upper floor of the royal residence is the former dining chamber of the High Lord, which now serves as the Jackal's bedchamber.

I can tell you this without endangering the ruler because it is a very, very bad idea to enter a god-man's bedchamber unannounced.

[Translator's note: Just how bad an idea it is to enter that bedchamber unannounced can be seen in Bard of Pain.]