Macadamia

Ruled by King Amok and his beautiful daughter, Princess Lotta Lamour, the kingdom of Macadamia is among the desert's wealthiest and most prosperous civilizations. A popular trade city founded thousands of years ago, Macadamia quickly grew into a rich and powerful kingdom, trafficked by traders and foreign merchants. Legends abounded of Macadamia's affluence; among them, rumors of a vast treasure vault hidden within the walls of Macadamia's royal palace.

In recent years, however, Macadamia has faced several hardships, most notably a sudden depression which crippled the kingdom's economy and left its current ruler penniless. Reportedly, King Amok had squandered the kingdom's money, an accusation which led Amok's most trusted advisor, Chancellor Trample, to fear that the people might lead a revolt against their ruler. Trample promised to donate his fortune to save the kingdom in exchange for the Princess's hand in marriage.

In reality, Trample was behind the kingdom's depression. Having secretly stolen the king's tax money and turned several of the palace guards to his side, the greedy chancellor sought to dethrone Amok and rule Macadamia himself. Fortunately, Trample's plot was exposed and the stolen tax money returned, restoring Macadamia to its former prosperity.

The kingdom of Macadamia has long held sway over commerce in the land it occupies, an arid country of stone canyons and soft sands freckled by palm trees. The broad-leafed trees act almost as signposts, guiding trading caravans until they catch sight of the city of Macadamia, whose glistening gold palace dome beckons merchants with the promise of fortunes to be made.

As stunning by night as it is by day, Macadamia embodies all the mystery and enchantment told in legendary stories of the far east. Its history of late contains a little original intrigue, authored by the no-good Chancellor Trample in his bid for royal power.

MARKETPLACE & CITY GATES

Macadamia is a trade city, a focal point for the exchange of merchandise and goods. Money blooms in the desert from trade conducted on either side of the city's imposing walls, which divide trafficking merchants from Macadamia's resident shopkeepers. On the outside is the free marketplace, where any vendor can pitch his tent and peddle consumables, fabrics, and livestock. Within the city walls are local stores offering a variety of homegrown items, including chocolate-covered nuts (Macadamia's biggest export).

The main gate has doors ornamented with brass knockers shaped like the king's face. The doors are barred after sunset, the normal end of the business day in Macadamia, to secure the city until next morning's dawn.

THE STREETS OF MACADAMIA

The streets of Macadamia are desert sand, pressed down by foot, wheel, and camel hoof over the centuries. Byzantine architecture permeates the city, characterized by the onion-shaped domes planted atop buildings and towers. Archways, overhangs, and balconies jut from the sides of the colorful, striped walls.

The peacekeepers in Macadamia are guards sent out from the royal palace to stop trouble. The king's guards periodically collect tribute from his subjects; one might think the taxes onerous if not for the fact that everyone does very well by business in Macadamia.

The King's Palace

Like something out of a fairy tale or ancient story, the royal palace of Macadamia represents the pinnacle of the kingdom's splendor. Ornately decorated in bands of blue, gold, and earthen hue, it overlooks the city and the marketplace from just behind the main gate. Impressive to behold from any vantage point, the palace is indisputably the city's most striking feature.

Much more meets the eye inside the palace than out. The wealth of Macadamia has inspired many a legend of magnificent treasures hidden within the palace walls — tales more telling than one might predict, as we shall see.

THE THRONE ROOM

The desert kingdom of Macadamia is a sovereignty presently run by King Amok. He and his daughter, the lovely Princess Lotta Lamour, rule their subjects justly and have seen their kingdom through some troublous times. The spirited Princess Lamour tempers her compassion for her people with a strong will, and serves as a steadying influence upon her excitable, yet benevolent father.

The golden peacocks perched on the back of the chair are the traditional emblems of Macadamia's royal house. Seated on the throne with the princess at his left hand, King Amok administers justice, grants trade agreements, and safeguards the precious monies committed to his trust. The doorway to the king's right leads to his personal chambers.

Never is the king without protection in his own palace. Armed guards stand outside the door, ready to rush in at a moment's notice. In addition, the pull of a cord opens the mouth of a great furnace under the pathway; a surefire deterrent for would-be attackers.

PALACE HALLWAYS

The labyrinth of passages and corridors inside the palace complex make the interior resemble a small city of its own. Most rooms have high ceilings, some expanding into atriums that take in two floors. Alcoves in the hallways hold pots and decorative vases; lamps and braziers are everywhere, as are houseplants.

As King Amok gets few visitors, the halls and staircases are empty aside from burly, sword-carrying guards that patrol the palace.

OUTDOOR COURT & GARDENS

A pleasant outdoor garden awaits at the back of the palace; this private court is reserved for members of the royal family and their welcomed guests.

The garden's delights include fragrant flowers and manicured hedges, as well as porcelain sculptures placed on pedestals within the greenery. Afternoon browsers may relax on a bench near the hedge maze, or under a canopy next to the fountain and reflecting pool. Others may stop and say hello to the palace pet, a gray cat that has made the garden its home.

ROYAL SUITE

Those in search of the greatest example of Macadamian hospitality need look no further than the royal suite of Macadamia's palace. On an upper floor directly over the throne room itself, this living space proves why the desert kingdom became famous for wealth and generosity.

Long-ago rulers of Macadamia kept the royal suite for distinguished persons and foreign ambassadors, in order to make a good impression on their guests. During King Amok's reign, Chancellor Trample claimed the royal suite for himself; when his duties were ended, so was the habit of allowing the king's advisor to occupy this coveted space.

It would be impossible for guests not to be comfortable in a room like this: everything in the royal suite is engineered for convenience and luxury at one's fingertips. Lounging around on a pile of huge pillows and picking peeled plums out of a dish, one cannot help but fall into a state of utter relaxation. (No wonder there were never any foreign disputes, if diplomats got this sort of treatment!)

This being the case, the royal suite's role in diplomatic overtures seems to explain the air of mystery and political intrigue that always surrounded it. Macadamia's past rulers were generous but not stupid, and preferred to move freely about their own palace despite the presence of strangers. This would then explain the installation of secret doors and passageways connecting key rooms in the palace, with which each generation of royals were well accustomed.

Not everyone gets to stay in the royal suite, but those who do remember it as the experience of a lifetime.

Below: Princess Lotta Lamour enters the royal suite through a secret wall panel.

Clockwise from upper left: The palace's royal suite features such amenities as: a queen-size canopy bed with silk sheets; a divan and large floor cushions for lounging and relaxation; deluxe three-mirror vanity made of fine mahogany; and a soothing heated pool with ornamental fountain.

THE TREASURE ROOM

Stories carried home by visiting dignitaries and rumors among Macadamia's locals of the fabulous fortune kept by their leaders, over the years, took on a life of their own and developed into legend. Greatest of these was the notion that somewhere inside the royal palace was a vast treasure vault bearing the riches of many kings. Every generation in Macadamia believed these fairy tales, and eventually the royal family themselves accepted the legends as true.

Every legend has some basis in fact: Princess Lotta Lamour did discover a room filled with treasure in the royal suite, behind a secret door opened by a switch in the bedpost. However, what she found was all the tax money which the traitorous Chancellor Trample had stolen to pay for his reign as Macadamia's next king. Many citizens accept this as proof of the legend; others are unconvinced, and some insist that the fabled hoard still remains hidden within the royal fortress.