Throneworld Court Society
For the location, see Throneworld Court Palace.
The pinnacle of Chatcaavan society, in terms of concentration of power. Only the lords with the most wealth, status, and personal prowess congregate at the Throneworld court, there to fight for dominance. They gather at the palace in the guest towers.
Customs
Honor
The Chatcaavan concept of honor is orthogonal to that of the Pelted, the humans, or the Eldritch. Thus the "honor set" of wounds, gained by being raped by the Emperor, is indeed an honor: the Emperor only bothers to test, by violence and rape, those who he considers dangerous enough to be a challenge but useful enough to not kill outright. To be raped and given the honor wounds is to be recognized as important. The Queen assures Lisinthir that everyone at court has been raped by the Emperor, except the insignificant. "Those the emperor has personally dealt with become either his most bitter enemies or his most trusted confidants, or his most useful tools."[1]
Humiliating or dishonoring a male is used as a lesser punishment or way of evening the scales. A common way to humiliate a male is to break off horns; two horns (one on each side) is the minimum punishment dealt in this way.[2]
Justice
At court, there is a distinction between a duel--which can be declared between any two members--and the Emperor's justice. A duel may be called at any time, with no evidence of the wrongdoing. The Emperor's justice requires the gathering of evidence, though the evidence does not need to be presented at the accusation. Both issues are raised at supper in the Fields of the palace. The Emperor's justice is also subject to certain rules. A sole Heir can evade justice, but an Heir with another viable sibling candidate cannot. The condemned can choose to fight the Emperor, or to be executed.[2]
Duels
Duels take place in the same place as Imperial justice, but require no evidence to be brought.[2]
Communication
Males signal their willingness to be visited by flying their flags; it is not an imposition to land on the balcony of one with a flag flying. As Lisinthir cannot raise and lower his flag, he instead signals his willingness to be approached with a red scarf tied to the railing.[2]
It is outside the bounds of court protocol to send messages via comm or electronically. Physical or verbal communications brought by messengers are preferred. Exceptions may be made in emergencies, such as the need for critical medical attention.[1]
Harem Customs
There are two harems in the Imperial Palace: the gift harem, containing females the Emperor lends or makes available to males in the court or visitors, and the Imperial Harem, used only by the Emperor and those in particular favor with him, at his express permission. In addition, permission must be sought to "damage" or kill his harem members. Females in the harems spend their time waiting for the visits of males. In the interim, they recline, converse, play games, and help one another bathe and groom themselves. They are not supposed to pleasure themselves in the absence of males. They come together in joyful solidarity at the successful birth of one of their members' children.[2][1]
Harem members, along with the prettier slaves, may be used as living statues for fêtes and important events.[2]
Members
Courtiers
Children
Females
Queen's Suite
- Slave Queen, the most exalted and most debased. Has her own suite above the Imperial Harem
- Temporarily, alien slaves
- Khaskha/Laniis
- Bethsaida Emil Galare
- Unnamed Malarai and Tam-illee, captured along with Bethsaida
- Sixteen unnamed aliens
Imperial Harem
- Pretty (not a pain lover), [3]
- Song (not a pain lover) [3]
- Priestess (Stripes) (solid-colored body) [3]
- Emerald, later the Mother, mother to one of the Emperor's children[3]
- Stripes, later the Priestess
- Flower, not a pain-lover; killed by Third-Who-Was and his Hand[2]
- Firemint, a pain-lover[2]
- Black Rose, a pain-lover[2]
- Moon, a pain-lover[2]
- Sun's Kindness, a pain-lover, killed by Third-Who-Was[2][1]
Gift Harem
- An unnamed bronze-skinned female sent to Lisinthir Nase Galare
Nursery
- Lead Attendant, assigned name Sojourner Stars; self-titled