The Pedestal Throne
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to ask King Jassal what it's like to sit up there. He graciously provided me with an answer. "Cold."
- Metthos
The Pedestal Throne is, quite frankly, exactly that. It is a 30 foot high stone pedestal upon which an ornate stonework Throne can be seen. Keen observers will also note that the Throne is not actually placed on top. rather the top of the pedestal has been hewn into the ornate seat. Unlike most thrones, however, the Pedestal Throne does not reside inside a castle, palace or any building whatsoever. Instead, the dark stone pedestal stands outside, on a square set up for the purpose, right in the centre of There.
Revolt
The story of the pedestal throne starts two centuries ago, with King Faram II. Faram was a ruthless despot, prone to change his mind as much as his wine. In order to fund a vanity rarely found anywhere else, the population of There was severely taxed, and laws were changed at the drop of a hat, in order to catch and fine any lawbreakers. When finally, after 12 years of rule, the people of There could no longer stand the cruel and inconsistent monarch, they staged a coup with the intention of having Faram's cousin, the very young Reevek, take the throne and be a more inexperienced and pliable ruler. Reevek surprised everyone by proving to be a shrewd and fair statesman.
Transparancy
In his first week as the ruler of There, Reevek I ordered a large pedestal be erected outside the palace, and a throne cut out of the top part of it. He spoke at his official coronation that, as a ruler, he should be able to be seen to do what is best for his people and proclaimed such: Every day, the King would climb on top of the pedestal and sit on his throne. Any legislation, lawmaking and government decision would be performed out in public, outside whispering distance, while being an easy target for those who would try and harm the monarch. Clerks and courtiers would shout up to the king, and he would shout back. Moreover the square would be open to the population, so they could observe their King in action every day, and so they could provide the king with important 'feedback and advice'.
Ceremony
Reevek climbed to the top of the Pedestal Throne every day for 47 of the remaining 48 years of his rule. Physical infirmity prevented him from climbing all the way to the top in the last year of his rule, but he still came out to the square every day. When Reevek died, his daughter Geesa took the crown. Geesa sat on the Pedestal throne, but only in spring and summer. Throughout her rule, the Pedestal Throne became more and more a ceremonial object, and such is it used to this day.
