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The embassy has become known as "The easternmost star" by Kaliphlian merchants and adventurers, a reference to it's unusual shape. The star shaped base is supported on huge wooden pylons, driven into the mud and then encased in volcanic concrete. The neccecery construction materials were brought in on Peregrinian barges at great expense, and constructed with a mixture of local and Kaliphlian labour. The local orc tribes, who helped with the construction, are justly proud of this landmark - it certainly goes a long way to dispelling the myth that all orcs are shoddy builders!
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the shape of the base also has magical signifigence. The six pointed star contains and directs the energy of the most powerful divinations along it's sacred geometry. (By tradition, all ambassadors assigned to the embassy are powerful mages in thier own right, as they have the neccercary skills in arcane herbology.)
Magical, ever-flowing fountains are present on each point. As well as being wonderful magical conductors, the fountains are also a reliable source of fresh, clean water in the fetid swamp.
There are two ways of entering the embassy. The more important guests and dignitaries can disembark at the small jetty, and enter through the eastern door. (the one marked with the scarab shields) They can then acend the staircase to the open air reception level, where they are recieved with all due hospitality.
The other way of entering is by the spiral staircase underneath the base. Unless the visitors are at least semi aquatic, this can only be accessed at low tide by wading or punting across the mud flats. They are either recieved on the lower floor, or if the matter is one of low skullduggery (or personal hygene on the part of the visitor!), the ambassador might decend to the basement level to conduct business.
The embassy has only minimal staff, being both small in size and remote. Besides the ambassador, there is his assistant, his personal gaurd of 2 (you can see them gaurding the staircase and entry to the top level), four peregrinian gaurdsmen and the boatman.
As a rule, ambassadors to Nocturnus don't tend to last too long, Nocturnus being what it is!
However, the current ambassador seems to be bucking that trend. A personal appointee of Lord Sansael, Ambassador Daraith Vensal has been in the post for 2 years now, and already shows signs of "going native". Afflicted with a rare skin condition, he was glad to make the move to Nocturnus, where the sun is not so harsh and irritates him less. He also sees the post as a great opportunity to pursue his magical studies with the local shamans and warlocks. He has a reputation locally as a smart dealer with a ruthless streak and an eye to the long game - and he never lets anyone know what game he's playing! 
The boatman is one of the mountain mummy tribe from the Rakath. As a rule, Peregrinians shun the mountain mummies, having long ago been in conflict with them over land. However, Ambassador Vensal's last mission was to approach the mummy tribes about common land access rights, and he has made many freinds in the southern Raketh. The mummy Pashhun is one who returned with him to Berigora, and later decided to follow him to Nocturnus. Pashtun's job here is to gaurd the jetty and greet the dignitaries.
The ground floor of the embassy. A local orc shaman has come to talk about trading herbs and herblore for repairs to her villiage. She is received by Ambassador Vensal's assistant, the Djinn Azok.
Ambassador Vensal receives a local dignitary to talk about what he can offer visiting Kaliphian merchants, and to discuss the recent unrest in Cedrica and Historica generally.
After the meeting, the local warlock joins Ambassador Vensal in a ceremonial toast from the east fountain, before heading off again in his boat.
It's been a long day! All duties done, Ambassador Vensal relaxes on his private balcony.
Ambassador Vensal's room at the top of the embassy.
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Phew. Did this make it in at the 11th hour? I hope so! Thanks for looking peeps!
22/02: Edited to reflect new alterations. I realise that the new version has missed the embassy deadline, but i really wasn't happy with parts of my build and so had another bash at it.
Here are the two versions side by side - the old one on the left, the revised one on the right.
Overall i'm happy with the revisions. The shape seems more pleasing now, with a more obviously tapering structure and clearer divisions between the floors.
The stairs to the top level have now been relocated to the back of the building, and follow the sides of the building more closely. The use of white has also been restricted to the fountains, columns and window accents on the top floor.
The middle floor is more enlosed now, for privacy and warmth. Two of the 6 walls between the columns are solid (although the front contains a doorway), while the other 4 are curtained to evoke a tent-like atmosphere.
The ambassador and his visitors can now recline in comfort, Kaliphlin style, and discuss business on the middle floor. (Note: i took out part of the front wall to be able to take this shot!)
The only drawback to the revisions is that the ambassador's bedroom is now a bit smaller, and he can't fit his bookcase in. Still, we all have to make sacrifices in the name of style!
And lastly, just because i couldn't resist...
I hope you have enjoyed looking at my embassy revisions, and i'd be very interested to hear what you think of them. Cheers all!
Edited by gabe, 22 February 2012 - 02:52 PM.
Oh well, chalk it up to experience! 
I'm hoping actually that i can wrangle some more time this week to go back and use them to alter parts of it - try to make it a bit more cohesive. We shall see! 
). The staircase is beautiful, the dome piece is great, so many little details, and so much going on - great interior. So much to say about this one - Love it!
Glad you like it. That jetty planking technique was stolen from Sirens-of-Titan's latest installment of his excellent story, just fyi. As soon as i saw it i wanted to use it! 
