Daidal Tapestry

Author notes

Chapter 1, Page 18 - The Overseer's Z'lar

shirtgoth

on Nov. 23, 2008

I know you've been wondering ever since we mentioned it a few pages ago. What is a Z'lar? Not even House Maerdyn will tell you, you say?
Well, I can explain why.
A Z'lar is the room we enter on this page. It is a particular architectural conceit of this Empire, although I would not be surprised to find similar construction in other dark elven cultures. By definition, a z'lar must be subterranean in fact but also in appearance. Even should a noble complex be well below the surface in a system of caves, the z'lar must be hollowed from the living rock, and must be constructed below the level of whatever passes for the main thoroughfare.
The nearest analogy in human culture would be the device of the Great Hall: for the z'lar functions as an audience chamber and a chapel at times, and while the most exalted members of the House may dine there, it is never used as a banquet hall as we would understand the term.
The z'lar is the navel of any noble complex, but no commoners would have one, even those which have formed up in guilds, armies, loose families or confederations of laborers. It is generally a circular or occasionally ovoid form, which is connected to every other part of the complex. This aspect of it is often emphasized in the decoration, referring to webs and weaving.
This is the one place where the spheres of noble, common, and slave overlap. It is not unusual for the various passages which connect to the z'lar to be warded for or against specific blood or the possession of a certain token of rank. Nevertheless, the z'lar itself is forbidden by custom to be warded against anyone.
You may always enter, but it is by the grace of the ruling Ilharess that you may leave again.

I really love how the perspective worked out on this one. Too bad the plot calls for mere suggestions of the entertainments taking place here, huh?