The Roof Garden Tea House was, perhaps, one of the most exclusive locations in the entire city of Chiaroscuro.  Built onto the roof of one of the best preserved First Age glass towers, one where the environmental controls were almost perfectly functional, the garden was a lush wonderland.  Plants and trees were carefully tended by an army of skilled artists.  Water flowed freely in the desert, filling fishponds and rushing streams and cascades, even here in the desert.  The controls even kept the air cool, providing the temperate climate needed for a variety of plants from all over Creation, making the place a botanical museum.  The enter place was staffed by fine cooks and servants, who saw to it guests had all the refreshment they needed.<br/><br/>Needless to say, the place as exclusive- members or invited guests only.  High security kept those undesirables out.  And so, the invitations went out- a letter from a trusted friend, a note brought from a courier, even left randomly behind in the last resort.  Either way, all the important principles made their way to the garden at the appointed hour.  Show their invitations, one by one, the staff brought them to the Island Pavilion, a large, open. well lit and comfortable place subdivided by elaborate, elegant screens.  Tea, wine, elegant pastries, fresh soups appeared. were consumed, and more was offered.  Finally, as the assembled guests, hidden away from each other, began to feel restless, rather than relaxed, the screens fell away suddenly, without warning or seeming reason.<br/><br/>And there they were, all facing each other, and each knew that the others were powerful, and were opposed to the coming storm in Chiaroscuro.