Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Governor's Estate

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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Jianghu Setting

The Governor’s Estate Grounds

It could not be made more magnificent, without causing a revolt.

The Emerald Hill Governor’s Palace is the largest building in Shang-tu and the Palace grounds are the largest estate in the city.  The Palace pagoda is at the highest point in the city (though Song Tower is actually a taller building) and has a commanding view of the entire city.  While not a military structure, the Palace is well defended by walls and towers around the grounds and the bulk of the Imperial troops (and others) in Shang-tu. 

The estate grounds are home to the barracks and facilities of the city garrison.  These buildings are against the inside of the wall and carefully screened by trees and foliage.  Guests coming to the Palace often don’t even know they’re there.  Soldiers will troop out through side gates and usually drill in the courtyard of the Emerald Hill Temple. 

The publicly visible parts of the grounds are given to artfully manicured trees, bushes, and flowerbeds.  The estate also acts as a game preserve to various harmless, but pretty animals, such as peacocks, pheasants, and deer.  There is no hunting here (the Governor does take hunting trips with guests outside of the city), though animals are occasionally slaughtered for special feasts and for colorful feathers for outfits. 

You can hear her in the wind, if you are listening closely.

In a secluded area next to a pond is a small shrine dedicated to the Governor’s deceased wife, Yurika.  By her wishes, she was cremated and her ashes are scattered there, her favorite place on the palace grounds.  Governor Yu visits the shrine several times a year formally, and several other times by himself informally.  Caretakers claim that Yurika’s spirit is present at the shrine as a benevolent kami. 

Servants are nothing without their ruler.  Or is it the other way around?  

A small army of servants, chefs, and messengers work at the palace.  Their quarters exist in side buildings to the pagoda, which are again artfully hidden from public view.  Living conditions are exceptional compared to most servants in the city.  Supervisors may actually have separate, little houses.  Positions here comparatively prestigious, requiring excellent, impeccable references.  The servants here take a great deal of pride in their positions.