Summer Palace
Template:Infobox Location The Summer Palace was hidden on an island in the Bay of a Thousand Scales. The SeaWings were the only dragons who knew of its location. The Palace was created by the animus magic of Albatross, and the extreme use of his powers is thought to be what drove him mad. The Summer Palace was used by the SeaWings as an overwater sea palace for themselves and their visitors. The palace was so well hidden that it remained out of harm by enemy tribes for two thousand years until it was finally destroyed in the War of SandWing Succession by Burn's army. The Palace is, however, being rebuilt by Coral and other SeaWings under her ruling, and as of Darkness of Dragons, it is titled on the map of Pyrrhia as "Ruins of the Summer Palace."
Description
The palace was hidden by a thick canopy of trees, which was suggested by Fathom.[1]
It appeared to be spectacular,[citation needed] beautiful,[1] and was shaped like a gigantic narwhal tusk. It was also situated in the center of a lake.[2] The only entrance was an underwater tunnel of unknown length, with breathing holes at various intervals specifically made for Blister and the SeaWings' allies rare visits.[3] It had a twelve-level stone pavilion located near the center,[4] with the top level having a spectacular throne.[5] He enchanted the pavilion to grow into the shape made of coral and other natural materials found in and by the sea.[citation needed] The palace also had caves for guests, waterfalls, wading pools, and lavish decorations of pearls, emeralds, and other precious gems on the pavilion.[6] Surrounding the Pavilion are high walls of stone with caves inside them. There are also underwater rooms and caves in the palace.[citation needed]
During its creation, Albatross allowed Fathom to design small corners of the palace as well as the blueprint of the SeaWing throne on the top level of the pavilion.[5] It was built upon a large island rising from the ocean floor; all around the island, gray boulders and tall spires of rock jutted out of the water. A wavering forest of sticky, orange-yellow kelp guarded a dark underwater tunnel in the cliff, which lead to a wide-open lake that was located in the heart of the island, surrounded on all sides by craggy, soaring cliffs[2] that formed a circle over the lake.[7] The center of this lake was the birthplace of the Summer Palace; described as a vast, strange shape growing out of the water, it looked as if someone had taken four towering pillars of white stone and braided them together. Huge, flat bubbles of stone grew out of the pillars at regular intervals, and it slowly, constantly grew. It was an amorphous, misshapen blob, a strange growth within the interior of the beautiful island.[2] The lakeshore was covered in pebbles,[8] with greenery[1], shrubbery, and foliage[9] growing around the top of the cavern, which would later become a full canopy that obscured the palace from view.[1] The temperature inside the island was cool.[9]
Notable Features
Feasting Hall
The Feasting Hall is where the SeaWings eat. The food is prepared by chefs. The SeaWings sit at long, oval tables while eating their food. The Queen of the SeaWings sits on the highest chair, and if there is an honored guest, he or she sits next to the queen, on a seat not much lower.
Council Level
The SeaWing Council has their meetings at the Council Level. On the pavilion are small pools each with a name inscribed on it: Defense, Communication, War, Secrets & Spies, Magic & Publishing, Treasury, Dragon Health, Hunting, Justice, Aquaculture, and, of course, Queen. Each council member sits in the pool labeled for the section they are in charge of. There is also a pool for Dragonet Care, where the guard of the hatchery typically sits, although Princess Tsunami sat there on one occasion.
Library Level
The Library Level may be the most treasured level in the palace, as it is where Queen Coral writes her famed scrolls. Some of these scrolls include stories like The Missing Princess, The Tragedy of Orca, A Tail of Blood, and many more. Most scrolls were destroyed in the attack on the Summer Palace, though a few were saved from the fires.
Visiting Level
The Visiting Level is located at the very top of the Summer Palace. On the Level are two thrones, one for Queen Coral and a mysterious one that either belongs to Anemone or Blister. Visitors of the SeaWings are taken to the Visiting Level, where they are met by the SeaWing queen.
Armory Level
One of the higher levels in the Summer Palace, the Animus Training Level was used to test Anemone's animus powers so she could use them to win the war. Anemone was taught by Whirlpool, and their sessions were often visited by Queen Coral and Blister. The walls of the level were covered in spears, swords, and armor.
Electric Eel Prison
Real-deal captured threats and criminals are held in this prison. Instead of cages, the prison has a different style of making sure prisoners don't escape: electric eels. On the top of each cell are long holes as "wide as a dragon's tail" that pour down saltwater. The water is poured down on each four corners of a cell, trapping the prisoners inside. Inside the water are electric eels. The eels are very large and are likely a special dragon killing species, like the dragonbite viper, since their shocks are so strong, that they might be able to kill a full-grown dragon in one shock. If the prisoners try to jump through the water, the eels will shock them, and they will perish. This is what happened to Whirlpool.
History
The Dragonet Prophecy
The Summer Palace was first introduced in The Lost Heir when the dragonets of destiny were escorted there by Shark and his guards.
Legends
The Summer Palace was built with the magic of Albatross and Fathom. The amount of magic Albatross used to create the palace proved too much and he went insane, thus causing the Royal SeaWing Massacre.
After the SeaWing massacre, Pearl decided to use the palace because nobody would ever want to go back to the Island Palace after the traumatizing incident. The SeaWings fixed some parts of the palace, then settled in. The Summer Palace was used for the next two thousand years. The palace was decided to be kept hidden from other tribes, with a few exceptions like using it to house allies in wars.
Trivia
- The location of the ruins were not plotted until the publication of Moon Rising with a new map and guide by Starflight.
- The canopy hiding the island was Prince Fathom's idea.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Darkstalker, page 27
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Darkstalker, page 25
- ↑ The Lost Heir, page 55-59
- ↑ The Lost Heir, page 65
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Darkstalker, page 63
- ↑ The Lost Heir, page 69-71
- ↑ Darkstalker, page 32
- ↑ Darkstalker, page 26
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Darkstalker, page 33
| SeaWings | |
|---|---|
| Queens | |
| Royalty (Present) |
Anemone • Auklet • Cerulean • Fin • Gill • Moray • Octopus • Orca • Shark • Tsunami • Turtle |
| Royalty (Historical) |
Albatross • Clearpool • Cowrie • Current • Eel • Fathom • Humpback • Manta • Reef • Ripple • Sapphire • Scallop • Splash |
| Jade Mountain | |
| Other Dragons (Present) |
Abalone • Flounder • Herring • Kelp • Lagoon • Nautilus • Pearl • Piranha • Riptide • Snail • Snapper • Squid • Tempest • Tortoise • Urchin • Webs • Whirlpool |
| Other Dragons (Historical) |
|
| Hybrids | |
| Folklore | |
| Kingdom | |
| Kingdom (Historical) |
|
| Society |
Aquatic • Bombing of the Summer Palace • Royal SeaWing Massacre • SeaWing Council • Talons of Power ceremony |
