BillGarrett/TheGoldenThrone

Introduction

The Golden Throne is a geomantic structure found at the heart of a former Solar castle or palace. It is a First Age construction that utilizes principles similar to those behind Manses, but for a different purpose. Rather than channeling Essence into a Hearthstone, the Golden Throne is a chamber that channels the attention of its occupants.

While the Throne is less overtly manipulative than other tools of Solar rulership, it is intended less for receiving commoners than for receiving other Exalts - people who would be quickly and perhaps irrevocably offended by a naked attempt at domination.

Construction

The Golden Throne consists of a large room, identical to many throne-rooms or emperor's chambers. At the center of one wall is a raised dais on which sits a throne of gold (in truth, orichalcum laid into silver and other materials). Curtained doors that lead into back-rooms behind the throne are cunningly concealed by a "hood" of hanging tapestries, beaded gemstones on thread, or other such decorations. Leading up to the dais is a short (10 yards) walkway, itself elevated somewhat above the floor level of the room.

The room itself is oval in shape but not precisely round, and the ceiling itself curves slightly as it approaches the center. The angles that the walls, floor and ceiling form have occult relevance, but the architecture of the room strives to minimize their significance.

History

FIXME: finish

Game Rules

Rather than shaping magical energy, the Golden Throne concentrates attention. There is a narrowly defined area area - consisting of the throne itself and the space immediately in front of it - that draws the eye and the ear, and carries with it a powerful compulsive magic. Sound carries naturally from this zone, and indeed is somewhat amplified by the acoustic properties of the room. The zone is not physically apparent, but those who can see or otherwise sense Essence may be able to discern its boundaries.

A ruler who wishes to use the Throne's ability must master a series of breathing exercises and a simple meditation discipline, which takes a day or so of practice. This discipline allows him to synchronize his breathing with the room's channels of Essence, and trains him to keep himself within this zone. There is no attunement or Essence requirement; the Golden Throne benefits anyone who understands how to use it.

Thereafter, as long as he sits on the throne, or stands within the area in front of the throne, the ruler may command the attention of everyone in the room. This has the following specific effects:

• Temperance checks to restrain oneself from speaking, acting boisterously, or otherwise making a spectacle of oneself gain 2 bonus dice.
• Anyone making a check involving Perception or Awareness suffers a die penalty equal to the ruler's Essence, if they are looking at something not connected to the ruler.
• The ruler adds his Essence in dice to all Performance and Presence checks, as the power of the Throne naturally amplifies his majesty.
• The ruler adds 3 dice to all Socialize rolls to discern the feelings of "guests" on the walkway, as the Throne's magic amplifies the nuance of every word or gesture and carries it personally to him.

The walkway that approaches the throne is designed with a similar, though lesser, effect. Anyone standing there receives benefits similar to those of the ruler, with the exception that the ruler's own benefits and bonuses can override those of his guest.

The area around the throne is designed so that attendants, counselors, or other aides may approach the throne, leave, or speak to the ruler and be barely detected (if at all). The walkway, however, is such that any cross-talk among multiple occupants will be clearly heard - anyone speaking in the presence of the Golden Throne's occupant should assume that he can be heard by somebody, unless he speaks in the barest of whispers, and arguments among speakers who approach the throne will be blaring and cacophonous, in contrast to the clear elegance of the ruler's single voice.

For example, Louis the Sun King is an Essence 4 Solar ruler. He receives Gard, a delegate from the people, who has Essence 1. In the audience, an assassin called Specter lurks. Louis receives 4 dice (his Essence) when convincing Gard of something, or when speaking to the other people in his court. He also receives 3 dice to perceive whether Gard is lying to him. As Specter attempts to scope out his target, he finds himself distracted by Louis' presence, and suffers a 4-die penalty to notice when his target unobtrusively departs.