Royal Palace of Najer

The Royal Palace of Najer is a large and elaborate building that acts as the judicial and federal heart of the Emirate of Najer. It is over one and a half centuries old and has continuously received expansion and upkeep throughout that time.

History
The plans for the Palace were first drawn up in 42 AB by Hirudo Hijam-faj niv Talvos. The initial structure was a simple forum chamber, inspired by the design of the Wobambi Forum meeting room, a private chamber for meetings, and a small space for the use of the Seyoh of Nahrayn. Additionally, a hall of records was built into the foundations of the palace. The palace was initially intended to be a small, local government hub for the city and nearby villages.

Construction began around 44 or 45 AB. Despite, or perhaps because of, the preexisting construction boom in Nahrayn, the palace was finished in an incredibly short time, only two years of constant work. By this time, it had already been realized that the initial plans were not enough for the needs of the city and government, and so a massive expansion was planned, which would contain housing, offices, and a garden for the use of government officials and their families.

Plans for this expansion were completed around 50 AB. This time around, however, due to funding and manpower issues, construction did not start until 54 AB. A citizen of Nahrayn named Lilly (ProbablyLilly) stepped up and assumed management of the project, managing to single-handedly reverse the issues and push for the palace's completion. Despite her successful effort, the scope of the project was such that the first expansion would not be completed for another 7 years, in 61 AB.

By this time, the Seyoh of Nahrayn, Hirudo, had ascended to become the Emir of Najer, and as a result, immediately became the de-facto center of governance, though Wobambi-on-sea would remain the capital at the time. Many government officials moved into the new expansion and began working out of the building.

By 79 AB, Hirudo had abdicated as Emir, giving the crown to Hitomi Numachi, who appointed Hirudo's son, Alsham to be the governor of the province Nahrayn was in, and so while the Federal center of the government drifted back to Wobambi, the Palace increasingly became used for local governance of Nahrayn and the local area.

In 103 AB, the forum of the palace received a massive renovation, partially demolishing the second floor to allow for a wider ceiling, alongside using much higher-quality materials in upgrading the meeting room. The Seyoh's quarters also received an upgrade, with an immense private library being added to the upper section.

By 105, Alsham became the Emir, and so Nahryan once again became the administrative center of Najer, but this time the shift was permanent, as Alsham officially changed the capital of Najer from Wobambi to Nahrayn, making the Palace the official capitol building of the nation. It was then that the full name of the Palace was changed to the "Royal Palace of Najer," befitting its new status as the beating heart of the Wandering Deserts.

It was from the Royal Palace that Alsham and his wife Maeryna would combat the Western Rebellion, a covert uprising focused in the western reaches of Najer, through the use of espionage and politics. Politicians, servants, and spies flowed in and out of the palace on a daily basis.

Starting in the late teens of the second century AB, the palace was host to meetings regarding the Daelyrian-Najer Union, and received many Daelyrian delegates as they discussed the rules and reasoning behind the functioning of the new coalition government.

In 119 AB, the Palace hosted a national meeting. This meeting was notable for two reasons. The Daelyrian-Najer Union was announced to the public, which would prove a key tipping point in the Western Rebellion, and during this meeting, the Black Moon Incident occurred. A massive black sphere appeared in front of the palace, causing a religious controversy regarding its origins and purpose, sending shockwaves throughout Najer. The sphere remained there for several years, floating above the city, until it was eventually dragged outside the city walls, where it crashed to the ground and imploded.

Shortly after this, the Western Rebellion would come to an end thanks to the efforts of the politicians who worked out of Nahrayn. However, trouble still manifested in the form of incursions and raids by the Plagatean Empire. They began raiding Najer's coasts, hungry for blood and resources.

Eventually, all-out war began the two nations, with it ending in a surprise attack on Nahrayn. The Plagatean forced marched to the Palace where they and Najer representatives drafted terms for the Najer annexation into the union of Greater Plagos. Although this was a blow to the nation, it actually enabled an economic upswing, leading to more trade, cultural works, and activity in the nation.

It was under this economic prosperity that more additions to the palace were realized. Several years earlier, before the war, a plan for an eastern wing was devised with input from Jalim Habbei Mofasha, which would contain a court, a parliament, and a ballroom, among other things. These plans were first drawn up in 132 AB, but had to be heavily revised multiple times, leading to a large delay in construction. It was finally started in 138 AB, and finished four years later in 142 AB. The expansion proved to be a massive success, with balls being hosted in the ballroom, meetings being held in the parliament, and many government officials receiving new offices in the palace.

This success prompted further expansion. The following year, in 143 AB, plans for a west wing expansion were created and in 149 AB, the royal courtroom was designed and built underneath the Palace. The Northern wing of the palace also saw heavy renovations during this time, as a new throne room was constructed in honor of the new future Emir Jakkev Alsham-faj niv Talvos, son of Alsham. Massive murals and paintings were commissioned to line the walls of the hall, each designed to represent some aspect of Najer culture.

The following year, 150 AB, was a momentous year for Najer and the Palace, as not only was it the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of Najer, it was also the year the Najer declared independence from their annexation under Greater Plagos. To celebrate, a massive coronation was held in the Nahrayn Palace using the newly renovated throne room, commemorating not only freedom but also 150 years of Najer history. Dignitaries from all over the world attended to celebrate the occasion.

In 153 AB, the planned west wing of the palace was completed, rivaled only by the throne room in its splendor. It contained a large dining room, multiple sitting areas, expensive instruments, carpets, and works of art, animal enclosures, servants quarters, study areas, and more. The palace began to truly beat as the heart of not only Nahrayn, but the whole nation, as people lived in, around, and through the building.

During the events of the Pomjad Plague, the Palace served as a stronghold against the attacks of infected that occurred against Nahrayn. The Emir was infected early on, and came close to death, but thanks to the actions of the Palace staff, was able to survive and recover.

Later, in mid-sixties of the second century AB, the Palace would host a number of high-profile trials in its Royal Courtroom, including the case against Dernavos Asdrubal-faj niv Bacri for treason and the case against Jalim Habbei Mofasha for corruption. Many people gathered to attend and see the outcome of the cases.

Center
The center of the palace houses the Grand Nahrayn Forum, where all national meetings are held, the Hall of Records, Palace Storage, and the Emir's quarters, which includes a private library, balcony, and rest areas. Hallways wrap around the Nahrayn Forum and are filled with exotic relics and traded goods.

North wing
The north wing of the palace primarily features the Throne Room, an expansive hall that contains elaborate murals of Najer culture, as well as offices and rooms for palace employees and government officials, as well as a northern entry hall that provides central access to all levels of the palace. It is within the offices and rooms of the north wing that the majority of government business happens, just beating out the East Wing.

East wing
The east wing of the palace, or the parliament wing, is most well known for its Parliament chambers, where the Prime Minister of Najer hosts discussions and debates on new laws. It also contains many other rooms, such as the aquarium room, the Palace library and Hall of Notable Figures, the Nahrayn Ballroom, the Rose Room (an exclusive, secret meeting room for high-level government meetings), and the four governor offices. The courtroom is also located approximately under the east wing.

West wing
The west wing of the palace has many features, including the dining hall, living room, study area, piano room, rabbit enclosure, sitting room, and two towers, one of which is dedicated to Ajvudah, the patron deity of Nahrayn. The west wing is primarily used for recreation for high-level palace staff, government employees, and dignitaries.

Gallery
 Nahrayn Palace Front.png Nahrayn_23-6-17.png Palace Najer 1.png|The door shut during the Pomjad Plague Palace Najer 2.png|The dining hall Palace Najer 3.png|Sitting Room Palace Najer 4.png|Piano Room Palace Najer 5.png|Hallway Palace Najer 6.png|Courtroom Palace Najer 7.png|Governor Office Palace Najer 8.png|Aquarium Palace Najer 9.png|Private Library Palace Najer 10.png|Entry Hall Palace Najer 11.png|Southern view of the east wing Palace Najer 12.png|Northern view of the east wing Palace Najer 13.png|Rose Room Palace Najer 14.png|Ballroom Palace Najer 15.png|Throne Room 