A Traveler's Guide (Information Only)
Sept 12, 2022 15:48:15 GMT -5
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Sept 12, 2022 15:48:15 GMT -5
Located Northeast of Zeinav City, along the coastline which has become known as the "Shrieking Shore" a villa has stood of several centuries in disrepair. Former owners had mishandled finances and allowed the storms and piracy to cause it to fade into memory. Once but a ruined manor, a blemish on the impressive coast. A number of folk tales have emerged regarding the villa, often it is said to harbor a dark power and brings misfortune on those who stood in its wake. Others say those who drown at sea outside Zeinav find their souls latched to the horrible place. Perhaps there is a bit of truth to such allegations. Yet, the Tomb King has purchased the villa for his place of residence and base of operations.
______________________
_________
The Pathway:
Before one can enter the villa, one must cross the sea several hundred feet. Influenced greatly by the waxing and waning of the moon the tides rise and fall over the course of the day. During the morning hours one can walk a wide stone path directly from the shore to the villa, capable for wagons or other larger carts and certainly mounts. During the afternoon, the tide rises enough to cover the path in about a foot of water, but still traversable with care. However, by night, the pathway lays beneath approximately twenty feet of water and slowly recedes as the wee hours of the day begin. In the event of a full moon and new moon, the pathway may be beneath some fifty feet of water or more and will not show the path for some days completely. Strong storms make it almost impossible to navigate to shore without aid of a large boat and able sailing skills, as the Strait of Lost Souls is notoriously dangerous due to protruding rocks. Sharks tend to hunt for seals which call the shore home, making swimming across incredibly dangerous.
The Courtyard and Botanical Gardens:
The pathway rises up a steep incline, a set of stairs carved from the rock face turn upwards and reveal an expansive courtyard. Hedges trimmed and shaped into a labyrinthine maze of sorts on two sides of the open path that leads directly to the door step of the villa. Halfway to the doorstep, an enormous pond and bronze fountain. The fountain is modeled from a serpentine dragon spewing water down into the pond from its mouth. The mazes are intentionally confusing but filled within the hedges are a number of meticulous gardens. These gardens feature hundreds of varieties of tea roses, grown from cuttings from across the realms.One could spend the day outside merely to observe its contents. Although other flowers are certainly present, they are a minor focus.
Main Entrance and Dining Hall:
Twin iron doors are studded and adorned with fearsome draconic door knockers rise high under the shallow stone overhang. Upon entering, one is met with a large room that functions as the dining hall and features a ornate marble fireplace. A long oaken table, with lavish settings for twelve and matching chairs are the norm. However, these items can be moved elsewhere to accommodate a larger number of occupants. Often such rooms gain the benefit as acting as a dance hall, which is certainly the case at the Villa of Lost Soul, with ample room for a small band and bards and for guests to dance through the night. Numerous candles drip wax from ledges and candelabras to illuminate the dining hall, yet facing west is a large stained glass window that pours in a rainbow of colors.
The Kitchen:
Seldom used but not neglected, the master of the estate has took great care for modernization. A large pantry and cellar are kept well stocked with numerous dry goods and of course, wine and ale. A large fireplace, equipped with skewers, cauldrons and spits, is used to roast meats and vegetables whilst a large table and numerous cabinets hold all manner of equipment to prepare meals for many simultaneously or merely one guest.
The Cobalt Room:
Functioning as a great chamber and a potential guest room, the tapestries, curtains and furnishings are of an assortment of blue hues save for the wood and metal. A day bed near a large window overlooking the sea below is a highlight of the the Cobalt Room, large enough for two to sleep comfortably. However, three large couches rest on a expansive mahogany floor near another arranged so that all guest may face each other. Two large wingback chairs face an albeit smaller fireplace, no less ornate though. A chessboard desk sits between the chairs with ebony wood and white marble pieces ready for play. A number of hunting trophies, particularly a white stag head above the mantle of the fireplace, gives a strange air to the room.
The Scarlet Room:
A combination of guest chamber and great library covered in red decor from walls to floor. The bookshelves make up a large portion of the walls, featuring everything from the arcane to the mundane. A large poster bed is the second highlight of the room, veiled in crimson semi transparent linens. The bed is made from goose down and the softest materials along with the silken sheets and pillows. The sole window looks over the courtyard and the largest of the rose gardens. A few chairs and a well crafted writing desk are used for letterings and study. The fireplace was small but gilded in golden rose motifs with a crimson set of chairs facing it along with matching ottomans. Lastly, a vanity mirror takes up a corner, for guests who wish to brush their hair with fine badger hair utensils or apply or remove makeup. This is the finest room in the villa, reserved for special guests.
Bellighul's Chambers:
High in the tower, off limits to any guest, is the master of the estate's room which remains lacking in detail. Save for the balcony, which cannot be accessed without going through the chambers. Which he may survey his holdings.
The Vineyard and Winery:
Lastly, facing the sea and steep and terraced hills, the sea breeze coats a large crop of wonderful mineral vines in mist and sea spray. The wine is said to be some of he finest, if not the finest in all of Zeinav, as its volcanic soil is mixed with well draining sand and limestone. The grapes themselves are of an incredibly old variety, a heritage said to be old as the Age of Wonders. These are the last grapes of this sort in all of Charon, making the wine vintages extremely expensive and able to provide the funds needed to maintain such a grand estate. The on site winery is small, but manageable as the grape vines are but a half hectare in size.
The Library of the Scarlet Room:
A host of grimoires, tomes and letters reside within the shelves, mainly concerning Dark Sorcery. However, many other romance novels have found their way through gifts and purchases. Below is a list of random novels found within.
______________________
_________
The Pathway:
Before one can enter the villa, one must cross the sea several hundred feet. Influenced greatly by the waxing and waning of the moon the tides rise and fall over the course of the day. During the morning hours one can walk a wide stone path directly from the shore to the villa, capable for wagons or other larger carts and certainly mounts. During the afternoon, the tide rises enough to cover the path in about a foot of water, but still traversable with care. However, by night, the pathway lays beneath approximately twenty feet of water and slowly recedes as the wee hours of the day begin. In the event of a full moon and new moon, the pathway may be beneath some fifty feet of water or more and will not show the path for some days completely. Strong storms make it almost impossible to navigate to shore without aid of a large boat and able sailing skills, as the Strait of Lost Souls is notoriously dangerous due to protruding rocks. Sharks tend to hunt for seals which call the shore home, making swimming across incredibly dangerous.
The Courtyard and Botanical Gardens:
The pathway rises up a steep incline, a set of stairs carved from the rock face turn upwards and reveal an expansive courtyard. Hedges trimmed and shaped into a labyrinthine maze of sorts on two sides of the open path that leads directly to the door step of the villa. Halfway to the doorstep, an enormous pond and bronze fountain. The fountain is modeled from a serpentine dragon spewing water down into the pond from its mouth. The mazes are intentionally confusing but filled within the hedges are a number of meticulous gardens. These gardens feature hundreds of varieties of tea roses, grown from cuttings from across the realms.One could spend the day outside merely to observe its contents. Although other flowers are certainly present, they are a minor focus.
Main Entrance and Dining Hall:
Twin iron doors are studded and adorned with fearsome draconic door knockers rise high under the shallow stone overhang. Upon entering, one is met with a large room that functions as the dining hall and features a ornate marble fireplace. A long oaken table, with lavish settings for twelve and matching chairs are the norm. However, these items can be moved elsewhere to accommodate a larger number of occupants. Often such rooms gain the benefit as acting as a dance hall, which is certainly the case at the Villa of Lost Soul, with ample room for a small band and bards and for guests to dance through the night. Numerous candles drip wax from ledges and candelabras to illuminate the dining hall, yet facing west is a large stained glass window that pours in a rainbow of colors.
The Kitchen:
Seldom used but not neglected, the master of the estate has took great care for modernization. A large pantry and cellar are kept well stocked with numerous dry goods and of course, wine and ale. A large fireplace, equipped with skewers, cauldrons and spits, is used to roast meats and vegetables whilst a large table and numerous cabinets hold all manner of equipment to prepare meals for many simultaneously or merely one guest.
The Cobalt Room:
Functioning as a great chamber and a potential guest room, the tapestries, curtains and furnishings are of an assortment of blue hues save for the wood and metal. A day bed near a large window overlooking the sea below is a highlight of the the Cobalt Room, large enough for two to sleep comfortably. However, three large couches rest on a expansive mahogany floor near another arranged so that all guest may face each other. Two large wingback chairs face an albeit smaller fireplace, no less ornate though. A chessboard desk sits between the chairs with ebony wood and white marble pieces ready for play. A number of hunting trophies, particularly a white stag head above the mantle of the fireplace, gives a strange air to the room.
The Scarlet Room:
A combination of guest chamber and great library covered in red decor from walls to floor. The bookshelves make up a large portion of the walls, featuring everything from the arcane to the mundane. A large poster bed is the second highlight of the room, veiled in crimson semi transparent linens. The bed is made from goose down and the softest materials along with the silken sheets and pillows. The sole window looks over the courtyard and the largest of the rose gardens. A few chairs and a well crafted writing desk are used for letterings and study. The fireplace was small but gilded in golden rose motifs with a crimson set of chairs facing it along with matching ottomans. Lastly, a vanity mirror takes up a corner, for guests who wish to brush their hair with fine badger hair utensils or apply or remove makeup. This is the finest room in the villa, reserved for special guests.
Bellighul's Chambers:
High in the tower, off limits to any guest, is the master of the estate's room which remains lacking in detail. Save for the balcony, which cannot be accessed without going through the chambers. Which he may survey his holdings.
The Vineyard and Winery:
Lastly, facing the sea and steep and terraced hills, the sea breeze coats a large crop of wonderful mineral vines in mist and sea spray. The wine is said to be some of he finest, if not the finest in all of Zeinav, as its volcanic soil is mixed with well draining sand and limestone. The grapes themselves are of an incredibly old variety, a heritage said to be old as the Age of Wonders. These are the last grapes of this sort in all of Charon, making the wine vintages extremely expensive and able to provide the funds needed to maintain such a grand estate. The on site winery is small, but manageable as the grape vines are but a half hectare in size.
The Library of the Scarlet Room:
A host of grimoires, tomes and letters reside within the shelves, mainly concerning Dark Sorcery. However, many other romance novels have found their way through gifts and purchases. Below is a list of random novels found within.
- 50 Shades of Decay- The best selling novel by an unknown source. Multiple printings and homages have emerged from its rather banal but entertaining story.
- Neck Romancer- More of a guide rather than a story, it details how a vampire possibly could woe another in a step-by-step process.
- Tipping the Scales- Based around a Lizardfolk barbarian protagonist and an elven mage who fall in love during a major battle, as their opposing sides wage war against another.