The Residence of the Ruling Couple
The residence of the ruling couple is the biggest building in Kalinor apart from the Gathering Hall.
Since the time of Alesanya who had led the people of Kalinor in the 450s it has been renovated and expanded upon several times. The struggle for survival dominated the Symenestra’s lives in the early days of Kalinor, but as the djed storms that had ravaged the surface after the Valterrian had stopped, and the world had become safe again, they had gradually demanded other things. They had wanted to lead comfortable lives. They had demanded luxury.
The residence of the ruling couple is a shining example of Symenestra architecture. Its original pear shaped form, so similar to the residential dwellings of the other Webs, is still visible, but several half round structures have been attached to it. Alesanya had had them built for her guests, her servants – and to house her sizeable library. Like most Symenestra she valued knowledge and had gone on several gleanings before she had been chosen as the ruler of Kalinor. The books she has written are still in good shape and treated like treasures.
Like all houses in Kalinor the residence of the ruling couple is attached to the ceiling of the cave with thick ropes. But in the case of the residence, precious silk had been wrapped around those silver ropes. A tube goes from the ceiling into the roof. This is how water is brought into the house.
Like all other houses in Kalinor the residence of the ruling couple has no windows, and the door is located on the roof. In front of the door that is made of thick wood and decorated with carvings that depict scenes from the history of Kalinor is a platform. Sometimes guards are standing there. Unlike the rulers of some cities on the surface, Nessora Hyacinth and her husband Avadon are quite willing to let their citizens into their home, but certain precautions still need to be taken.
Once they have passed through the door, visitors find themselves in a circular room that is almost completely barren. Curtains of fine, golden silk cover the walls, and opalogems are attached to the ceiling and fill the room with light, but there is no furniture. Opposite of the door, on the other side of the room, a narrow staircase leads down into the main area of the house.
The room at the bottom of the staircase is circular as well. Here the floor is covered with a fine, thick carpet that has been imported from the surface. Several benches can be found in niches in the walls. Visitors wait here until Nessora and her family are ready to see them. Sometimes receptions are also held in this room, and sometimes Nessora prefers to hold important meetings here rather than in the Gathering Hall. And sometimes Silenva, Nessora’s only child, can be seen here with one of her lovers – or „victims“ as some call them.
From the waiting room hallways lead into the other areas of the house, Nessora’s and Avadon’s bedroom, Silenva’s room (that she shares with whatever man holds her favour at the time), the library, the kitchen and the servant quarters – and the office where Nessora talks to her visitors.
