What do you suppose is there? Guarded by the iron blade swordmages? Monsters set there to keep everyone off? Exotic plants? Some poor bastard who was living on the island when it was ripped into the sky? Young daredevil nobels with access to fly spells?
Notes from the Handbook to the Imperial Gardens:
When the young emperor Pelsidion laid eyes upon the Five Fold Field of the Tormenghast, he fell in love with it. The Tormenghast people, far less so. It was decided that this perfect vista, so exemplary in it's preserved state, should be added to the gardens, that the ermperor might gaze upon it at his whim. The Tormen War was brief and unfortunate. Those not killed for daring to resist the emperor's decree found themselves indoctrinated as slaves or concubines. And so it came to pass that great magics were wielded so that choicest section of the Five Fold Field should be transported and imposed. It was, to everyone's great embarrasment, discovered why, in fact, the land looked so beautiful. The Tormenghast considered the Five Fold Field their holy site of burial, wherein they had tended to its appearance for hundreds of years. Within three days of installing the Five Fold Field in the gardens, spirits would randomly arise to rip the flesh off of a guard or rend the soul of a wizard. It was generally decided that the Five Fold Field was best seen from behind a magical barrier, with only provisions for water to pass freely through it as part of the waterfall installation. This was not explained to the emperor until the sixth eunuch was put to death, though truthfully the emperor paid little attention to the screams of the first five. In a classic example of Imperial ingenuity, the emperor would turn leisurely boat rides through the garden into a bloodsport used to punish subordiantes and for his own amusement.
Few can argue that the Iothian Tribute is not a thing of natural beauty, a true wonder to behold. Fewer still would dare walk it without the proper protections, inhabited as it is by the natural denizens of the Iothian Jungle. The Tribute was offered to the Imperial Gardens as a peace offering after the Third Iothian Subjugation. Featuring a tribute to the emperor carved in delicate patterns of intricate subtlety, the stone-work of it's plaza resembles natural scenery. It is attended by the giant and abnormally intelligent Ver'a'sta birds, raised from birth to fanatically obey the emperor and preserve the Tribute. A pity then that a well-meaning scholar eunuch noticed that a carefully hidden cipher in the Old Script was worked into the intricate stone patterns, an ancient verse that insulted the Emperor's sexual practices, his likewise physicality and his uncertain parentage. It is uncertain whether this was the work of a single Iothian or many. It will never been known, given that the now-enlightened emperor dispatch two of his titans to eradicate the Iothian nation. Eunuch scholars also quickly learned the lesson that ignorance can be a good thing, when the emperor had him tortured and executed for forever ruining his enjoyment of the Tribute.
Our Benevolent Emperor has provided yet another sign of his magnimacity! Next time you come to the Imperial Gardens, you must visit the Skimstone Islands! First board your Skimcraft with your Captain, Ernesto Bloodwind! He'll take you to the SKimstone Upper Island. From there you can enjoy many entertainments and thrills, popular with all the nobility and financially secure! Dare you brave...the Phantom Bridges? Take a Leap of Faith on the criss-crossing beams connecting the upper and lower islands...No, you're not struck blind by the plague! They're invisible! (
Imperial Warning: Only half of the bridges have safety nets, walk at your own peril). Want something for the whole family? You'll Amaze at the Skimstone Imperial Pleasure Yacht! A lovingly built replica of our own Glorious Emperor's personal sailing vessel (used only on the Imperila LakeSea), everyone can climb aboard and ride the magical rivers of the gardens (
Imperial Warning: not responsible for any danger to passengers, craft only seats four, do not exit vehicle or put hands outside the vehicle at any time). For the true thrill seekers, we have the Skimstone Drop! Grab your Drop-Bag and grab your rope. Let the old folk ride the boat, while you jump right off the upper island! Rip open your bag and let the contained air elemental slow your descent to the lower island. What a Rush! Every survivor of the ride claims it was the most exciting thing they've ever done. (
Imperial Warning: Do not taunt captive air elemental. Not responsible for loss of life, magic items, currency or personal effects. The dead surrender all personal property to the Empire. Damage to Imperial Property can result in summary execution. On rare occasions, elemental may deposit rider on another island; if this happens, wait for rescue.[/i]) While you're there, make sure to visit the Empire's only captive tame Githyanki! Once an invading marauder, now he's hell-bent to entertain as the garden's favorite busker! ([i[Imperial Warning: Any attempts to fulfill Githyanki's desire to end his life will result in death by execution for treason.[/i]). Come one, come all to the Imperial Gardens and Skimstone Resort! All Hail the Emperor!!
