The royal jewel at the center of the Corners of Khorvaire.
Surrounded by the waters of Scion's Sound, the seat of power for the Kingdom of Galifar has sat empty for more than a century. Enclaves for all nations and interests are divided into heavily guarded districts and crossing from one to another is a difficult task, even for one such as this humble writer who enjoys diplomatic exemption.
But sitting in the center of all the intrigue, where it is said that every spy is a politician and every politician is a spy, is the eponymous throne itself. A place of solemn history and neutrality, the throne itself is untouched by both time and the Last War itself.
Overseen and maintained by a special company of House Deneith called the Throne Wardens, the soldiers here take their duty very seriously. But this does not mean they are joyless.
While I toured the palace, I came across two Wardens changing places as they swapped their shifts. "How'd you do?" the relieved Warden asked his compatriot. "Bah. Got wiped out on the flop. I'll get back in tomorrow and be up by the end of the week, don't you worry." the compatriot replied. "Yeah, yeah, meanwhile you still owe me 3 sovereigns from when you said that last week!"
My curiosity piqued, I asked of what they were speaking. The two Wardens looked at each other conspiratorially, not an uncommon way of glancing in Thronehold, before one said "Maybe he's got coin?"
After assuring them that I did have a small discretionary fund, I was lead to their barracks where a rollicking group of off-duty Wardens were engaged in a card game of their own division.
It's called "Thronehold 'Em" and I was pointedly informed that it was indeed "'Em" and not "them.
Played with a traditional deck of Three-Dragon Ante cards, each player is dealt a hand of two cards (their "Hold") and then, after a round of betting, three communal cards are dealt face up in the center of the table (the "flop"). Another round of betting and a fourth card is dealt face up (the "throne"). Yet another round of betting and a final card (the "sound") is dealt. A last round of betting and then the player who can make the best five-dragon "flight" out of their two Hold cards and the five communal cards wins the hands.
There's a great deal of strategy to the game, but the most nuanced aspect is the lengths these soldier will go to in order to avoid tipping their hands to their fellow players. One in particular wore a full helm with the visor down so that no one could see their face when they looked at their cards.
I'll admit most of my meager per diem disappeared while I wrapped my head around the game. But, after a few hours, I had finally won a large pot bringing me back to even (and a little more than even!).
I began to take my leave to a chorus of boos and jibes from the soldiers who no doubt wanted to win my coin. Luckily, their captain entered at that moment. "What's all this?!" she shouted.
"Pardon me, Captain. I was just leaving." I said.
"Well, then...I guess that means there's an open seat! Deal me in, squad!" and, with cheers, I took my leave.
World and Wealth, everyone! Shuffle up and deal in the Corners of Khorvaire!
Genbo Santor d'Sivis.
