Ponthilas Observatory

Found in northwestern Throne City, the Ponthilas Observatory is home to the massive telescope known as the Emperor's Eye, commissioned by Emperor Ponthilas IV in 592 BL, and eventually completed under the reign of Emperor Trachcarim in 582 BL.

Atrium

[Ponthilas Observatory, Atrium]
The off-white limestone of the walls is broken by the deep grey of fluted columns supporting an overhanging mantle of similarly dark stonework. Beyond the columns is the bottom of a monumentally sized device which angles upward out of view, its purpose obscured by the atrium's lower ceiling and walls. Just beside the entrance, a parchment starchart is set behind a panel of glass.
You also see a thin acanth door.
Obvious exits: northeast, out.

• The parchment starchart is a functional starchart.
• The acanth door is marked as the entry to the planetarium, but is locked.

Base of the Emperor's Eye

[Ponthilas Observatory, Base of the Emperor's Eye]
A mammoth telescope consisting of an assortment of metals, gears and stone structural supports rises at an acute angle toward the domed ceiling far above. Easily dwarfing the size of typical shops and homes, the hulking construction is surrounded by a network of metal catwalks and smaller lenses. The main viewing port at ground level is sealed, but an iron ladder provides access to the higher telescopes.
You also see a rosewood sign.
Obvious exits: southwest.

A rosewood sign reads:
"'The Emperor's Eye' -- Begun during the reign of Ponthilas IV and completed during the reign of Trachcarim, this majestic telescope epitomizes not only the support the Celestial Compact had with the Imperial court at the time, but the extreme craftsmanship and mechanical capability possible at the height of the Empire.  It should be noted that the upper cylinder of the Emperor's Eye was carved from a single ironwood trunk and took over four days to hoist into position even with the aid of magic."

massive telescope:
Supporting the Emperor's Eye is a hefty base of iron bars and stone pylons, the largest of which quite likely rivals the weight of the telescope itself.

Ascending Catwalk

[Ponthilas Observatory, Ascending Catwalk]
Creaking as it shifts, the catwalk is made of overlapping hammered flats of iron that form a supportive grill, which in turn is attached to several stone arches. A tremendous number of beams rises from underneath the platform, criss-crossing and straddling the larger and lower portion of the Emperor's Eye. Far more delicate than the beams, thousands of copper, bronze, and brass gears are exposed upon the back of the monster to facilitate focusing.
You also see an iron ladder.
Obvious paths: west.

massive telescope:
Streaks of oil and grease run from the gear holes in the telescope's surface.

assorted gears:
The assorted gears are made out of various types of metal, ranging from copper and brass to bronze and even iron. All of them are covered with a coat of oil.

Catwalk on the Emperor's Eye

[Ponthilas Observatory, Catwalk on the Emperor's Eye]
The catwalk curls slightly as it heads underneath the angled form of the Emperor's Eye then ends abruptly at a drop off with only a simple railing stopping a nasty fall. A large amount of supports rise from the floor far below like skeletal fingers, looking too frail to hold up what must be an intense amount of weight. Not only are they successful in this endeavor, these smaller supports also somehow manage to orient the telescope when the appropriate gears and counter-weights are set into motion.
You also see an iron ladder and a brass-lined viewing lens.
Obvious exits: east.

• The viewing lens is a functional telescope.

massive telescope:
The upper part of the massive telescope is still discolored from age, though some attendant has done an admirable job of polishing it.

viewing lens:
Attached to the side of the Emperor's Eye, the viewing lens is most likely used as an auxiliary telescope when the larger one is being used to spy on a separate section of sky.

[Ponthilas Observatory, Catwalk on the Emperor's Eye]
The domed ceiling is so close that the astonishing carved details along the ledge of dark rock at the dome's base are clear. Cooing pigeons nestle along this lip, yet none seem audacious enough to sully the polished surface of the upper telescope. A gaethzen orb provides illumination for an assortment of levers designed to focus the giant sky-watching lenses.
You also see an iron ladder.
Obvious exits: east.

• There are brass, copper, and bronze levers here that can be pulled with the following results:

You push the <type> lever, and it settles into its new position with a click.
Roundtime: 3 seconds.

And after a few seconds:

A <type> lever suddenly makes a sharp click.

If you attempt to push the same lever again before the sharp click:

The <type> lever has already been pushed.

cooing pigeons:
Eyes wide and cooing, the grey and green pigeons appear content to stare in random directions.

massive telescope:
Even with the closeness of nesting pigeons, the upper telescope remains polished and untouched.

Lens of the Emperor's Eye

[Ponthilas Observatory, Lens of the Emperor's Eye]
The lens for the beast is high above, visible from here only due to a complex array of mirrors, their purpose to allow attendants to spot obstructions on the glass and direct light to areas otherwise too difficult to see. A long focusing scope runs the length of the larger telescope, complete with its own focusing arrangement, no doubt set up for preliminary sightings before committing to the effort of moving the Emperor's Eye.
You also see an iron ladder.
Obvious exits: west.

• The focusing scope is a functional telescope.

massive telescope:
A strange series of dents runs along the upper end, as if something had repeatedly collided with it. Otherwise, the telescope is in pristine condition despite its great age.

Private Observation Platform

[Ponthilas Observatory, Private Observation Platform]
An alcove is carved into the limestone of the dome, and one end of this scaffolding is supported on the lip of that while the other end is attached to the iron web of catwalks surrounding the Emperor's Eye. Centered on a pedestal of ornate stone is an exquisite enameled telescope, specifically positioned in this lofty perch to allow private viewing of the skies to honored guests of the city and persons of import.
You also see an iron ladder.
Obvious exits: none.

• The enameled telescope is a functional telescope.

A simple inscription is delicately engraved on the enameled telescope.
There appears to be something written on it.

An exquisite enameled telescope reads:
"In honor of Emperor Ponthilas IV."