HISTORY 1 / LEGEND LORE 1 / STREETWISE 1
The governing body of the Realm consists of the Sar, who sits highest in the land for he (or she) is the Crown itself, the Council of Provinces made up of the Sovereigns from each Province, and the House of Guilds (often also called the House of Mysteries) with representatives of all the land's reputable organizations. Both social and lineal organizations are represented in the House of Guilds. One seat, called the Seat of Shadow, is held by a representative of either the Masquerade or the Occuso; the person who sits in the seat is always masked to protect the individual's identity.
There has always been controversy over the Seat of Shadow. In past centuries, conservative and righteous lawmakers and lawgivers tried to disband the Seat to little or no avail. Traditionally, the Knights and the Guardians have been the most vehement about removing the Seat of Shadow.
It is customary to leave a coin upon the Seat of Shadow by those who wish to appease (or gain the attention) of the Masquerade or Occuso. Superstitious folk will leave a coin in the hopes that they will not fall prey to pick pockets, highwaymen, or cutthroats.
HISTORY 3 / LEGEND LORE 3 / STREETWISE 3
The Seat of Shadow has often been the swing vote in many matters tended to by the House of Guilds. Not surprisingly, the Seat tends to vote in favor of measures and actions that will benefit the Masquerade and Occuso. However, there have been occasion when the Seat sided with the law.
It is believed that the first Seat of Shadow was held by the Grand Prince of the Masquerade. However, given the relative vulnerability of the Seat, the practice is no longer continued -- at least not to any predictable degree.
It is believed, though, that the Grand Prince of the Masquerade or the Grand Master of the Occuso do occasionally take the Seat of Shadow to remain in touch with the goings on of the Realm.
The Seat of Shadow is always filled by someone different each day the House of Guilds meets. At times, it is obvious that the Seat is male or female, tall or short, of a particular accent or not. However, given the penchant for the Masquerade and Occuso for disguise, none are ever sure of the veracity of the identity of the Seat.
In every instance in history when a member of the House of Guilds or the Crown calls for a removal of the Seat of Shadow, that person has been harried, publically humiliated, removed from office, died mysteriously, or assassinated.
The Seat of Shadow is always opposite the Seat of the Shield.
HISTORY 5 / LEGEND LORE 5 / STREETWISE 5
It is believed that once a member has sat on the Seat of Shadow, they cannot sit again for a year's time.
Once, during the reign of Sar Caval III (the Mad), the Seat of Shadow was unmasked by the Sar himself during a meeting of the House of Guilds. The rogue beneath the mask was not the Grand Prince and was set free. However, a year later, it is believed that the death of Caval III was orchestrated by the Masquerade.
HISTORY 8 / LEGEND LORE 8 / STREETWISE 7
The Seat of Shadow is said to be enchanted to protect the seated from detection and prying divinations.
By decree from the Sar, a law as old as the law itself, the Seat of the Shadow, the physical chair, cannot be moved or removed from the House of Guilds by anyone other than a member of the Masquerade or Occuso.
STREETWISE 7
Leaving a Hundred Crown on the Seat of Shadow indicates that you wish audience with the Grand Prince or Grand Master.
STREETWISE 10
It is believed that the Grand Prince or the Grand Master sits in the Seat of Shadow at least once a month.
Only members of standing, usually Masters, can be elected to sit in the Seat of Shadow. It is often believed that a member chosen to sit several times in a year (thus breaking with tradition) is considered being groomed for the position of Grand Prince or Grand Master.
The Seat of Shadow is indeed enchanted and mistically protected. While sitting in the Seat, a member is misdetected from all detection spells, all scrying spells, and is empowered by the ritual Lying.
The governing body of the Realm consists of the Sar, who sits highest in the land for he (or she) is the Crown itself, the Council of Provinces made up of the Sovereigns from each Province, and the House of Guilds (often also called the House of Mysteries) with representatives of all the land's reputable organizations. Both social and lineal organizations are represented in the House of Guilds. One seat, called the Seat of Shadow, is held by a representative of either the Masquerade or the Occuso; the person who sits in the seat is always masked to protect the individual's identity.
There has always been controversy over the Seat of Shadow. In past centuries, conservative and righteous lawmakers and lawgivers tried to disband the Seat to little or no avail. Traditionally, the Knights and the Guardians have been the most vehement about removing the Seat of Shadow.
It is customary to leave a coin upon the Seat of Shadow by those who wish to appease (or gain the attention) of the Masquerade or Occuso. Superstitious folk will leave a coin in the hopes that they will not fall prey to pick pockets, highwaymen, or cutthroats.
HISTORY 3 / LEGEND LORE 3 / STREETWISE 3
The Seat of Shadow has often been the swing vote in many matters tended to by the House of Guilds. Not surprisingly, the Seat tends to vote in favor of measures and actions that will benefit the Masquerade and Occuso. However, there have been occasion when the Seat sided with the law.
It is believed that the first Seat of Shadow was held by the Grand Prince of the Masquerade. However, given the relative vulnerability of the Seat, the practice is no longer continued -- at least not to any predictable degree.
It is believed, though, that the Grand Prince of the Masquerade or the Grand Master of the Occuso do occasionally take the Seat of Shadow to remain in touch with the goings on of the Realm.
The Seat of Shadow is always filled by someone different each day the House of Guilds meets. At times, it is obvious that the Seat is male or female, tall or short, of a particular accent or not. However, given the penchant for the Masquerade and Occuso for disguise, none are ever sure of the veracity of the identity of the Seat.
In every instance in history when a member of the House of Guilds or the Crown calls for a removal of the Seat of Shadow, that person has been harried, publically humiliated, removed from office, died mysteriously, or assassinated.
The Seat of Shadow is always opposite the Seat of the Shield.
HISTORY 5 / LEGEND LORE 5 / STREETWISE 5
It is believed that once a member has sat on the Seat of Shadow, they cannot sit again for a year's time.
Once, during the reign of Sar Caval III (the Mad), the Seat of Shadow was unmasked by the Sar himself during a meeting of the House of Guilds. The rogue beneath the mask was not the Grand Prince and was set free. However, a year later, it is believed that the death of Caval III was orchestrated by the Masquerade.
HISTORY 8 / LEGEND LORE 8 / STREETWISE 7
The Seat of Shadow is said to be enchanted to protect the seated from detection and prying divinations.
By decree from the Sar, a law as old as the law itself, the Seat of the Shadow, the physical chair, cannot be moved or removed from the House of Guilds by anyone other than a member of the Masquerade or Occuso.
STREETWISE 7
Leaving a Hundred Crown on the Seat of Shadow indicates that you wish audience with the Grand Prince or Grand Master.
STREETWISE 10
It is believed that the Grand Prince or the Grand Master sits in the Seat of Shadow at least once a month.
Only members of standing, usually Masters, can be elected to sit in the Seat of Shadow. It is often believed that a member chosen to sit several times in a year (thus breaking with tradition) is considered being groomed for the position of Grand Prince or Grand Master.
The Seat of Shadow is indeed enchanted and mistically protected. While sitting in the Seat, a member is misdetected from all detection spells, all scrying spells, and is empowered by the ritual Lying.
