ℬ𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓁𝓊𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒 ℳ𝑜𝒹𝓈 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lesmodsalouette) wrote2024-12-28 02:08 pm
lesmodsalouette) wrote2024-12-28 02:08 pm
Locations
LOCATIONS
Château Ambregris
First Floor & Gardens
Salon
The wide gates of the palace open up into a spacious salon. Welcoming(?) pennants denote that this is the territory of someone higher up in the food chain than yourself. Unlike the seating found deeper within these noble halls, care has been taken to make the arrangement in the salon somewhat less stuffy. The chairs, all decorated with a hand stitched floral pattern, uniformly face the center of the room for ease of communion. For more intimate conversations: a settee, plush with velvet, comfortably sits three.
A grand chandelier on the ceiling draws the eye, while the various high end liquors in the cellarette wink scarlet and varying hues through highly polished glass. Both snuff and tobacco leaves can be found in an adjacent chest, with accompanying pipes and holders. Just in case you're getting too comfortable, the stern face of a grandfather clock stares you down from near the entrance.
A grand chandelier on the ceiling draws the eye, while the various high end liquors in the cellarette wink scarlet and varying hues through highly polished glass. Both snuff and tobacco leaves can be found in an adjacent chest, with accompanying pipes and holders. Just in case you're getting too comfortable, the stern face of a grandfather clock stares you down from near the entrance.
Gallery
Despite the large window facing the gardens, this room always feels a little muted and dimmed. Compared to the opulence in the rest of the castle, it is quite sparsely furnished. Aside from the pendulum clock gracing the right side of the window, the whole room is populated solely with ottomans sporting deep red cushions and golden frames. These ottomans are positioned within optimal viewing distance of the paintings lining every wall of the room. None of them are labeled, but the weighty frames and expertly applied oil colors let you know without a doubt that you are in the presence of old masters.
Some of the paintings may seem identical at a first glance, but the longer you look the more differences you are liable to spot. The art gallery is the perfect place to unwind, take in the atmosphere, and question your grip on reality a little.
Some of the paintings may seem identical at a first glance, but the longer you look the more differences you are liable to spot. The art gallery is the perfect place to unwind, take in the atmosphere, and question your grip on reality a little.
Solarium
Floor to ceiling windows offer the opportunity to sunbathe without exposure to wind or harsh temperatures. Sensitive flora is also housed here, including various citrus trees and subtropical flowers. While not humid, this room is considerably warmer than most of the palace during the day.
For those who wish to linger and enjoy the atmosphere, a chessboard and chairs decorate one corner, and an easel with various oil paints faces the gardens.
For those who wish to linger and enjoy the atmosphere, a chessboard and chairs decorate one corner, and an easel with various oil paints faces the gardens.
Banquet Hall
Meals are served twice a day, once in the morning and again at dusk -- marked by the sonorous calls of the wall clock above. A spread of the day's available dishes is set on the main table, buffet style. Any necessary plates and silverware (eat from the outside inward if you care about etiquette) are already arranged carefully at place settings, and are magically cleared when the meal is concluded. For the rogue midday hunger pang, the sole offerings are fruit jams of seemingly endless variety (sans any bread) and bone broth.
The menu is standard fare with no substitutions or adjustments allowed, but who would you inquire with, anyway? Of course, if none of these are to your liking, you could always make use of the kitchens -- but that would require doing everything yourself from scratch.
The menu is standard fare with no substitutions or adjustments allowed, but who would you inquire with, anyway? Of course, if none of these are to your liking, you could always make use of the kitchens -- but that would require doing everything yourself from scratch.
Tea Room
Within the busy and pompous castle, this room is an oasis of relaxation. Comparatively small, but certainly not cramped, the tea room invites you to escape the stress of your ever-repeating week and lose yourself in a quiet afternoon.
Central to the room is a seating area with a large comfortable couch as well as two equally soft and dreamy armchairs. They surround a coffee table that is always equipped with a clean and elegant porcelain tea set and a fragrant floral tea at just the right temperature for drinking. In the center of the table is a tiered cake stand filled with a variety of scrumptious desserts and finger foods. Who is making and refilling these? Best not to worry your pretty little head about it!
The most interesting feature of this room is its wallpaper, which changes fluidly to depict whatever location brings the current tea guest comfort. If several people share a pleasant tea time together, the walls will adapt to that. They’ll either combine the different sceneries into one composite dream location or simply cycle through the differing images at a pleasant pace.
In the back corner of the room, a small indoor koi pond exudes a peaceful atmosphere.
Central to the room is a seating area with a large comfortable couch as well as two equally soft and dreamy armchairs. They surround a coffee table that is always equipped with a clean and elegant porcelain tea set and a fragrant floral tea at just the right temperature for drinking. In the center of the table is a tiered cake stand filled with a variety of scrumptious desserts and finger foods. Who is making and refilling these? Best not to worry your pretty little head about it!
The most interesting feature of this room is its wallpaper, which changes fluidly to depict whatever location brings the current tea guest comfort. If several people share a pleasant tea time together, the walls will adapt to that. They’ll either combine the different sceneries into one composite dream location or simply cycle through the differing images at a pleasant pace.
In the back corner of the room, a small indoor koi pond exudes a peaceful atmosphere.
Library
Oaken shelves stretch to the ceiling across every wall of this spacious room. Volume upon volume of books on a vast array of subjects line the available shelfspace, pressed tightly cover to cover. All are tomes of considerable value, if the gold inlay on many of the covers and the occasional illuminated manuscript is anything to go by. Each and every one is in good condition as well, though everything smells distinctly of old paper. To reach the volumes all the way up on the ceiling, rolling wooden ladders stand against different aisles. The centerpiece of the room is a large bookwheel that enables you to do the fastest and most efficient research the early modern ages have to offer.
In terms of content, the library has several sections: bestiaries of mythological creatures from just about anywhere, a history of world festivals, lessonbooks on French, photobooks of European antiques, in-depth guides to tea ceremonies, tarot decks and fortunetelling, a series of Dummies 101 books for aspiring mechanics and – hidden in a corner – a small selection of bawdy ‘lower class’ novels about a hardy but hedonistic frog people.
In terms of content, the library has several sections: bestiaries of mythological creatures from just about anywhere, a history of world festivals, lessonbooks on French, photobooks of European antiques, in-depth guides to tea ceremonies, tarot decks and fortunetelling, a series of Dummies 101 books for aspiring mechanics and – hidden in a corner – a small selection of bawdy ‘lower class’ novels about a hardy but hedonistic frog people.
Kitchens
How do you prepare a grand feast? With only the finest of equipment and ingredients, of course. A large baking oven and hearth sit against the back wall with several cast iron ranges close by; pots and pans of all sizes hang on the ceiling, cast iron intermixed with copper. While there is ample preparation space, there's naught a refrigerator nor freezer in sight.
Instead, fresh cuts of meat (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, game meats) are stocked in larders, with one icebox housing a small selection of seafood. Produce, spices, and other dry goods fill the various pantries, meticulously arranged and in ample supply.
Instead, fresh cuts of meat (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, game meats) are stocked in larders, with one icebox housing a small selection of seafood. Produce, spices, and other dry goods fill the various pantries, meticulously arranged and in ample supply.
Chapel
From the painted ceiling of angels among clouds to the white marble pillars decked with cherubs; from the solid oak pews to the grand organ behind the altar; from the expansive stained glass windows depicting saints and demons to the endless luxurious carpets, no expense was spared in this sanctum of prayer. Candles and incense are provided before the altar, and a basin of holy water sits to the side for blessings. Bibles can be found in the pews for those who wish to recite scripture.
Bathroom
This beautiful room is almost entirely made of elegant red and white marble. Crossing the doorway brings you immediately face-to-face with a small set of stairs, leading down to what appears to be an indoor pavilion -- a room nestled within a room, with wide windows backlighting corpulent statues of the Greek gods. The lowered floor of the pavilion forms a bath the size of a luxury whirlpool. The theoretical bathing area is lined with benches, and invites you to dream of a hot soak with friends, chatting away in perfect intimacy.
Alas, those dreams will remain only dreams, for there is nary a faucet nor drain anywhere in sight. What appeared to be the bath of the gods is left cold and dry, bereft of any purpose but decoration. The wooden toy boat left behind on one of the benches is but a tragic testament to a steamy reality that could have been.
It is only after taking in this sorry sight that you are liable to notice the rows of shower stalls located to the left and right of the so-called bath. They are noticeably less elaborate in design, almost as if added as an afterthought.
Alas, those dreams will remain only dreams, for there is nary a faucet nor drain anywhere in sight. What appeared to be the bath of the gods is left cold and dry, bereft of any purpose but decoration. The wooden toy boat left behind on one of the benches is but a tragic testament to a steamy reality that could have been.
It is only after taking in this sorry sight that you are liable to notice the rows of shower stalls located to the left and right of the so-called bath. They are noticeably less elaborate in design, almost as if added as an afterthought.
Laundry
Far from the glamor of the rest of the rooms, the laundry houses everything you need to wash your clothes by hand, including rose scented soap. The largest washing basin in the room easily holds a full grown adult and sits near a hearth for easy access to hot water. Various housekeeping tools also find their home here: mops, plungers, feather dusters and plain old rags for polishing delicate silver and brass by hand.
The Garden of Chimes
Like any good castle garden, this jewel of the outdoors court is exquisitely planned and pruned and elaborate enough to be an extension of the castle itself. The grounds are dotted with burbling single statue fountains featuring monks, buddhas, cranes and what looks like standing funerary tablets -- each holding a solid stone lantern for illuminating the night grounds and the area is traversed lengthwise by a long, wisteria-laden walkway of trellis arches. It looks like there’s some new lettering on the arches, for some reason. There are small streams and canals around the garden, not quite numerous enough to impede traffic, but possibly presenting a hazard at night.
The section of the garden dedicated to floral parterres and exquisitely shaped bushes is subtly perfumed and displays a riot of colors blooming so enthusiastically that they’re starting to spill out of their flowerbeds: chrysanthemum, camellia, lily, gentian, peony, magnolia, and morning glory. A peaceful pagoda – though it looks like its height has been halved this week for some reason – with a dark, curling roof, wooden carved pillars, and an alarmingly detailed carving of a storm dragon on its ceiling hidden behind stormclouds belching lightning, overlooks a little pond so placid it mirrors the sky, laced with lotuses and humming with dragonflies. Stray spider lilies have started growing around it, peeking out from corners of the wooden structure. The other side of the pond is dedicated to an effusion of every color and variety of rose known to mankind, from your regular rosebush to tree roses to what must be unique cultivated colors that don’t exist in nature.
The kitchen garden and orchard would be bustling and busy in a world that wasn’t run by mysterious forces and forceful mysteries. As is, the air is thick with birdsong and the furtive movements of small woodland creatures looking for snacks. The orchard here has been overtaken by multiple varieties of cherry, plum, apple and peach trees in full bloom. Their wayward petals fill the entire orchard and dance through the air in the rest of the garden, seemingly inescapable; if you’ve been to the garden, you have flower petals in your hair.. The rest of the beds are split between vegetables and herbs fit for a king's kitchen. A picturesque but seemingly abandoned and locked cottage nearby might have housed the gardener once upon a time; but strangely, it doesn’t look lived in either way.
The hedge maze off in its own corner seems to have grown a little bit – you can now only see over it if you’re average height and on tiptoes. It leads any intrepid explorers easily towards the center, and each wall is lined with small channels of water seemingly flowing to or from the heart of the labyrinth. There, a slender marble tower carved with flowers, vines and astronomical diagrams sits above what looks like a fountain half-choked by little rock towers. Some hidden mechanism ensures that a bell at the top of the water clock’s tower chimes the hour, though it is now completely out of sync with the castle’s grandfather clocks.
The gardens connect to the villa and thegrotto...greenhouse? Yes, the greenhouse.
The section of the garden dedicated to floral parterres and exquisitely shaped bushes is subtly perfumed and displays a riot of colors blooming so enthusiastically that they’re starting to spill out of their flowerbeds: chrysanthemum, camellia, lily, gentian, peony, magnolia, and morning glory. A peaceful pagoda – though it looks like its height has been halved this week for some reason – with a dark, curling roof, wooden carved pillars, and an alarmingly detailed carving of a storm dragon on its ceiling hidden behind stormclouds belching lightning, overlooks a little pond so placid it mirrors the sky, laced with lotuses and humming with dragonflies. Stray spider lilies have started growing around it, peeking out from corners of the wooden structure. The other side of the pond is dedicated to an effusion of every color and variety of rose known to mankind, from your regular rosebush to tree roses to what must be unique cultivated colors that don’t exist in nature.
The kitchen garden and orchard would be bustling and busy in a world that wasn’t run by mysterious forces and forceful mysteries. As is, the air is thick with birdsong and the furtive movements of small woodland creatures looking for snacks. The orchard here has been overtaken by multiple varieties of cherry, plum, apple and peach trees in full bloom. Their wayward petals fill the entire orchard and dance through the air in the rest of the garden, seemingly inescapable; if you’ve been to the garden, you have flower petals in your hair.. The rest of the beds are split between vegetables and herbs fit for a king's kitchen. A picturesque but seemingly abandoned and locked cottage nearby might have housed the gardener once upon a time; but strangely, it doesn’t look lived in either way.
The hedge maze off in its own corner seems to have grown a little bit – you can now only see over it if you’re average height and on tiptoes. It leads any intrepid explorers easily towards the center, and each wall is lined with small channels of water seemingly flowing to or from the heart of the labyrinth. There, a slender marble tower carved with flowers, vines and astronomical diagrams sits above what looks like a fountain half-choked by little rock towers. Some hidden mechanism ensures that a bell at the top of the water clock’s tower chimes the hour, though it is now completely out of sync with the castle’s grandfather clocks.
The gardens connect to the villa and the
Second Floor
Ballroom
Checkered marble floors and marble columns make for a fitting backdrop for dancing the night away in glitz and glamor. Music can either be played from a phonograph (equipped with a selection of classical music) or performed live from a balcony above -- outfitted with a full set of instruments for a quartet. For those who wish to rest their feet and converse, a seated section with tête-à-têtes, chairs and tables beckons at each corner of the massive hall. Buckets of champagne and wine are also near at hand, curiously always chilled.
An unassuming wooden counter-and-cabinet ensemble near the ballroom entrance is ostensibly reserved as a coat check, but in addition to fine furs, it also houses an expansive selection of ballroom dresses, waistcoats and other ballroom high fashion. Proper footwear in addition to masks, hats, and impossibly tall headdresses provide the perfect accessory to complete any look. A grandfather clock is hidden in here as well, waiting to mark the stroke of midnight and the end of the ball.
An unassuming wooden counter-and-cabinet ensemble near the ballroom entrance is ostensibly reserved as a coat check, but in addition to fine furs, it also houses an expansive selection of ballroom dresses, waistcoats and other ballroom high fashion. Proper footwear in addition to masks, hats, and impossibly tall headdresses provide the perfect accessory to complete any look. A grandfather clock is hidden in here as well, waiting to mark the stroke of midnight and the end of the ball.
Theater
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players... Thus spake the bard, and while the whole of the castle may indeed appear to be one giant set design, this room allows you to switch up the genre. The performance hall boasts a spacious elevated stage of dark brown hardwood, overseeing rows of chairs cushioned in dark green velvet. Once you push the heavy red curtains to the side, you are free to put on any play you want for your adoring audience -- and the backstage area is prepped to the gills to help you do it!
There’s a variety of wooden set pieces allowing you to style the stage as a forest, a town, or even an active volcano(!?). There are a few tools here, likely for maintenance, but nowhere near the amount of materials available in the workshop. Furthermore, there are instruments not ‘classy’ enough to be found in the ballroom. This is where you can get your claves, your triangle, or your xylophone. Perfect for sound effects! Notably absent are costumes, save for one specific type: jester (clown) suits. You'll have to make do with your fancy starter sets from the suites, unless your goal is to act out a circus.
There’s a variety of wooden set pieces allowing you to style the stage as a forest, a town, or even an active volcano(!?). There are a few tools here, likely for maintenance, but nowhere near the amount of materials available in the workshop. Furthermore, there are instruments not ‘classy’ enough to be found in the ballroom. This is where you can get your claves, your triangle, or your xylophone. Perfect for sound effects! Notably absent are costumes, save for one specific type: jester (clown) suits. You'll have to make do with your fancy starter sets from the suites, unless your goal is to act out a circus.
Promenade of Reflexion
This magnificent gallery stretches between the theater and the ballroom and threatens to outdo the showiness of the one and the grand scale of the other – there are hundreds of mirrors, dozens of wall-relief colonnades and arches and marble carvings with each pace down the polished floor of the hallway, lit always by the soft light of a thousand crystals fashioned into endless chandeliers. Reflection upon reflection upon reflection; this hall lives up to every single echo of its good name. Though, it may be a little too ostentatious to provide for good personal reflection.
However, one may instead take in the frankly ridiculous amount of art also crammed onto every surface -- even the long vaulted ceiling, a continuous painting -- inexplicably always of supernatural beings (cherubs, demons, angels, demons, carnivorous beasts) locked in struggle, trying their best to spill blood across the endless gold of each and every feature.
There are two more special things about this hall: the large marble carving at one end depicting a terrible serpent, and the throne with a seat of rich violet on the raised dais below. From there, as though holding court, dozens of burnished golden statues (suspiciously familiar-looking, in fact) in all kinds of poses line the hallway from the dais to the other end; each statue holds a small chandelier, just in case you didn’t get enough of those, and each statue’s plaque is unique as well. Several new statues and plaques have appeared, shuffling into spaces between the existing statues as though they’ve always been there. At the end of the hall is, of course, a grandfather clock.
However, one may instead take in the frankly ridiculous amount of art also crammed onto every surface -- even the long vaulted ceiling, a continuous painting -- inexplicably always of supernatural beings (cherubs, demons, angels, demons, carnivorous beasts) locked in struggle, trying their best to spill blood across the endless gold of each and every feature.
There are two more special things about this hall: the large marble carving at one end depicting a terrible serpent, and the throne with a seat of rich violet on the raised dais below. From there, as though holding court, dozens of burnished golden statues (suspiciously familiar-looking, in fact) in all kinds of poses line the hallway from the dais to the other end; each statue holds a small chandelier, just in case you didn’t get enough of those, and each statue’s plaque is unique as well. Several new statues and plaques have appeared, shuffling into spaces between the existing statues as though they’ve always been there. At the end of the hall is, of course, a grandfather clock.
Workshop
This is your one-stop shop for arts, crafts and handicrafts within the castle – perhaps useless to your average aristocrat, but a godsend to anyone handier. Not only is there a kiln and pottery wheel, as well as the tools of the trade for any sculptors or woodworkers out there and a decent depot of clay, marble, wood, stone; there’s even a forge and reserves of metal and blacksmith’s tools. A hidden corner and cabinet house a large collection of eclectic and old-fashioned chemistry tools, as well as a store of powder, mortars and fuses for the aspiring demolitions dilettante. Powerful fans and other ventilation methods are provided just so you don’t accidentally suffocate yourself, and there’s a sink large enough to wash a small cow. The worktables are made of wood almost as sturdy as the furniture in the rest of the castle, albeit far less decorated, stamped only with some dings of the trade and symbols that look like certain circular crests seen elsewhere.
In the less sooty half of the workshop, you’ll find a number of easels and shelves of paints, brushes, pots and palettes for mixing; fabric, yarns and dyes, a simple loom and various baskets of implements for sewing, knitting and embroidery; and even what looks suspiciously like a workstation for customizing pieces of paper and fabric to stick places (stickers, they’re stickers).
Lined up along the walls are rough busts of people you don’t know, watching you work. The features aren’t quite finished, so it’s hard to make out the full features of the faces. At least they’re not completely blank? That would probably be creepier.
In the less sooty half of the workshop, you’ll find a number of easels and shelves of paints, brushes, pots and palettes for mixing; fabric, yarns and dyes, a simple loom and various baskets of implements for sewing, knitting and embroidery; and even what looks suspiciously like a workstation for customizing pieces of paper and fabric to stick places (stickers, they’re stickers).
Lined up along the walls are rough busts of people you don’t know, watching you work. The features aren’t quite finished, so it’s hard to make out the full features of the faces. At least they’re not completely blank? That would probably be creepier.
Observatory
A large, retractable skylight opens this space to the sun during the day and the stars at night. Several telescopes are positioned for prime viewing of celestial bodies, accompanied by astrolabes and quadrants. The tallest telescope at over 9ft (274cm) can only be accessed by a winding staircase that reaches a small platform at the room's apex. An ample supply of scrolls is maintained for any record keeping and observations, along with textbooks on the basics of astronomy and some scattered but somehow unhelpful star charts.
Clockwork Atelier
It’s a room full of – you guessed it – timepieces! Mostly timepieces, anyway. There are scores more of those grandfather clocks you love so much, somehow managing to fit their fanciful bulk and the grandeur of their noise in here; wall clocks; hanging clocks; cuckoo clocks of all flavors, though many of them seem to depict pastoral life; sundials and hourglasses; even a selection of pocketwatches in gold, silver, and bronze encrusted with jewels, should you feel like a flashy and portable way to remind yourself how much time you’ve lost or gained. Infuriatingly, none of the clocks ever tell the same time here.
If you dig a little further into the general clutter of the place, you can find some clockwork dolls and figurines, human or otherwise, and other odds and ends that run on gears. There’s also a set of tools for tuning and fixing any rogue timepieces or devices squirreled away in a small cabinet on the wall – for anyone inclined to pick up a new hobby, or trying to tame their enthusiastic personal grandfather clock.
If you dig a little further into the general clutter of the place, you can find some clockwork dolls and figurines, human or otherwise, and other odds and ends that run on gears. There’s also a set of tools for tuning and fixing any rogue timepieces or devices squirreled away in a small cabinet on the wall – for anyone inclined to pick up a new hobby, or trying to tame their enthusiastic personal grandfather clock.
Billiard Room
The plush and ornate billiard table is the focus of this room, though it's not the only game to be had. A variety of dartboards hang on the walls, each with their own set of gleaming, customized darts. Several decks of cards and scads of dice can be found in a desk, along with a rulebook, sheets of paper, quills and ink for keeping score. A small table and stools are arranged by the fireplace for ample lighting late into a night with Lady Luck.
Mars Room
This room is a call to arms – quite literally.
Unlike your typical weapons storage room, which would have more practical storage for its contents, half the arsenal of the Mars room is set in mounts on the walls and not always within arm’s reach. This is a display, much like the rest of the castle, though you are perhaps an unwilling audience; which means that heftier weapons are stored on mounts of gold, silver, ivory, marble, you name it; large shields and strange banners cover the walls in a rainbow of metal and eyecatching colors; and smaller weapons such as daggers, knives or firearms are literally set in either decorative alcoves in solid, carved wooden shelving or on small display stands just as fancy as the freestanding and wall mounts. Many of the weapons are from a few centuries back, a large number of smallswords and rapiers taking pride of place next to partisans, spontoons and halberds; poignards and dirks peeking out of silk wrappings; wheellock and flintlock pistols with ridiculously elaborate grips and barrels looking somewhat less deadly than your average modern gun. Nevertheless, everything is live steel and ammunition, primed for deadliness even when not perfectly pragmatic.
Suits of armor, chainmail and other personal protective pieces (including, yes, decorated helmets) are hung on wooden racks to show off how well-polished they are, or what elaborate livery they incorporate. There’s even a hunting horn or two hanging from the ceiling. Many of the pieces in here, weapon or otherwise, look much more ornamental than meant for actual combat, a bewildering whirligig of jeweled and gilded pommels, decorated and signed blades and points, feathers, tassels, and so forth. The walls feature carved reliefs of battles, though these look a bit more realistic than the supernatural depictions in other parts of the castle – there are knights jousting, pitched battles, even a naval battle or two.
The grandfather clock here has what looks like a scythe for a pendulum. There’s also one of those unnecessarily huge marble fireplaces in addition to all the freestanding lamps and wall sconces, and oh – before we forget, there’s a chandelier made up of several dozen blades to reflect all the light. Good luck trying to find a practical weapon without sunglasses.
Unlike your typical weapons storage room, which would have more practical storage for its contents, half the arsenal of the Mars room is set in mounts on the walls and not always within arm’s reach. This is a display, much like the rest of the castle, though you are perhaps an unwilling audience; which means that heftier weapons are stored on mounts of gold, silver, ivory, marble, you name it; large shields and strange banners cover the walls in a rainbow of metal and eyecatching colors; and smaller weapons such as daggers, knives or firearms are literally set in either decorative alcoves in solid, carved wooden shelving or on small display stands just as fancy as the freestanding and wall mounts. Many of the weapons are from a few centuries back, a large number of smallswords and rapiers taking pride of place next to partisans, spontoons and halberds; poignards and dirks peeking out of silk wrappings; wheellock and flintlock pistols with ridiculously elaborate grips and barrels looking somewhat less deadly than your average modern gun. Nevertheless, everything is live steel and ammunition, primed for deadliness even when not perfectly pragmatic.
Suits of armor, chainmail and other personal protective pieces (including, yes, decorated helmets) are hung on wooden racks to show off how well-polished they are, or what elaborate livery they incorporate. There’s even a hunting horn or two hanging from the ceiling. Many of the pieces in here, weapon or otherwise, look much more ornamental than meant for actual combat, a bewildering whirligig of jeweled and gilded pommels, decorated and signed blades and points, feathers, tassels, and so forth. The walls feature carved reliefs of battles, though these look a bit more realistic than the supernatural depictions in other parts of the castle – there are knights jousting, pitched battles, even a naval battle or two.
The grandfather clock here has what looks like a scythe for a pendulum. There’s also one of those unnecessarily huge marble fireplaces in addition to all the freestanding lamps and wall sconces, and oh – before we forget, there’s a chandelier made up of several dozen blades to reflect all the light. Good luck trying to find a practical weapon without sunglasses.
Wintering Room
Didn’t get enough of the winter wonderland previews couple of weeks (or loops) ago? Fear not, for everything comes back around with the flow of time – or the lack of flow, in this case, given that everything in this room is somehow frozen and crystallized. The walls sparkle and gleam with clinging icicles, the ceiling is full of them, and the air itself glitters with gently falling snowflakes. There’s nary a breeze in here, except for little gusts to make the snow dance. There’s a small counter similar to the coat check in the ball room with colorful winter coats, fur cloaks, gloves and mittens and thicker pants for outdoors use.
This, of course, isn’t the outdoors – but there’s still a chill in the air, so there’s warm drinking chocolate, tea, mulled wine and other beverages available alongside the outdoors wear. The pride of place goes to a large skating rink covering most of the room; the ice is always smooth and glassy, perfect for an elegant glide or in case you want to have some kind of ice dance or chase scene, there’s enough surface area here for all sorts of shenanigans. The aforementioned coat check stocks ice figure skates and hockey skates in different sizes in the back, along with hockey sticks and pucks, and little booklets of the sport’s rules. There’s metal-framed nets that to serve as goalposts, though they might take some dragging to set up.
In the eternal snowdrifts surrounding the rink, you can find little shovels and buckets and snow-shaping toys (some in animal shapes, some in the shape of flowers and fish and bugs, suns and moons and stars, and occasionally one that looks suspiciously like a mini-caricature of one of your fellow castledwellers). There are half-finished igloos with stacks of ice blocks around them awaiting someone to finish them up, as well as warming lanterns of magical fire set here and there atop the piles of blocks to radiate comfort in the room’s perpetual twilight.
This, of course, isn’t the outdoors – but there’s still a chill in the air, so there’s warm drinking chocolate, tea, mulled wine and other beverages available alongside the outdoors wear. The pride of place goes to a large skating rink covering most of the room; the ice is always smooth and glassy, perfect for an elegant glide or in case you want to have some kind of ice dance or chase scene, there’s enough surface area here for all sorts of shenanigans. The aforementioned coat check stocks ice figure skates and hockey skates in different sizes in the back, along with hockey sticks and pucks, and little booklets of the sport’s rules. There’s metal-framed nets that to serve as goalposts, though they might take some dragging to set up.
In the eternal snowdrifts surrounding the rink, you can find little shovels and buckets and snow-shaping toys (some in animal shapes, some in the shape of flowers and fish and bugs, suns and moons and stars, and occasionally one that looks suspiciously like a mini-caricature of one of your fellow castledwellers). There are half-finished igloos with stacks of ice blocks around them awaiting someone to finish them up, as well as warming lanterns of magical fire set here and there atop the piles of blocks to radiate comfort in the room’s perpetual twilight.