Start Time: Evening on 27th of Ummindur 1353. Probably around 3.00AM.
Change to 28th. Festival is on 29th, 30th, and Single-day month of the Autumn Harvest. Starts evening 29th.
Moretti will want to trigger her plan during the opening ceremony on the 29th. Needs party to be in position to do their part by then.
Happenings During Evening
Narth and Thiala
Thiala
Thiala's personality:
Very hands-on supportive and overprotective.
Kind and loving, but very emotional.
Overprotective and somewhat overbearing.
Gets very worried and very quickly sad if there's even a hint of Narth potentially disliking her or being angry at her.
To the point where she's done things in the past that would probably backfire if Narth found out about it. Has a habit of doing something worse in order to cover up something that she things Narth will dislike about her or her actions, and then try to cover up the “worse” action.
She'll often panic and lie to try to wriggle out of a confrontation.
Has a constant dilemma of tying Narth down to keep him around her, and letting him more loose so that he doesn't get mad at her.
Very aware of who Grandmother Mary is. Is not willing to speak to Narth about it. She's deathly afraid that if Narth figures out all the details around how they found him, he'll end up hating her.
Conversation:
Ravanelli Estate
House Ravanelli and their Griffons
Each member of house Ravanelli is gifted a Griffon egg by the Conciri Meranzeum, as a sign of their partnership. The griffon is bonded to that one member of the family, even willing to fight to the death to protect them. The griffon is set free should it still be alive by the time its bonded member of house ravanelli dies.
Estate Grounds
Estate is positioned roughly in the middle on the north-south axis, and roughly ⅓rd the way east on the west-to-east axis (meaning area behind the estate is roughly twice as deep).
On the front is a grand dual staircase leading up to the main floor (2nd floor). There's a large fountain placed between the two staircases.
(W) Tiled stone roads goas in a U-turn in front of the estate. Inside the “U” are a series of flowerbeds, trimmed hedges, alongside small stone pathways and a few benches to sit and relax.
(NW) North of the “U” road, thus out from the north-west corner of the Estate, is a large hedge maze, made out of rose-bushes. There are several small alcoves within this maze to allow for private romantic meetings. These include a bench, a small table, and sometimes a small fountain. Servants will often leave small baskets in these alcoves filled with fruit and confetti when there are formal events at the estate.
(N) There's a small stone pathway between the estate and the hedge maze that allows one to get to its north side without having to go through the maze itself. This leads to the courtyard on the estate's northern side, outside the Ballroom. Along the northern wall of the estate is a large balcony, connected directly to the ballroom, with outdoor seating areas on it. A large dual staircase goes down from here to the main courtyard on the northern side, with slated stones, seating areas, and numerous flower beds. Several stepping-stone pathways go from the courtyard and further out on the northern side, creating a formal garden with a network of paths between artificial lakes and ponds, filled with colorful fish. Several pavilions are placed along these pathways, as are numerous flowerbeds and trimmed hedges. Berry bushes and fruit trees are also planted strategically along the paths, intended to allow guests to pick and eat fruits and berries as they peruse the area. There are further paths leading eastwards and south-east to allow access to both behind the estate and the areas further back on the estate grounds.
(NE) On the north-east backside of the estate is a decently sized vineyard, complete with a small vineyard, complete with a small vine-pressing house where the vine-grapes can be processed. There are a few paths here, going back to the north-side of the estate, down to the estate's backside, and also a path going further east behind the estate.
(E) Located at the backside of the estate is a decently sized bathhouse, with both a section for the noble family and for their guests (allowing private bathing for them as well), as well as a portion for the staff to use (though these are more communal in how they're set up). Surrounding the bathhouse, and covering the estate's backside, is a beautiful garden filled with herbal and medicinal plants. Numerous pathways of slated-stone pierce through these gardens, leading both north, east, and south. Attached to the sides of the bathhouse are also storage rooms where outdoor furniture is kept while not in use.
(E - far) Behind the herb garden is an open grass field, behind which is a small artificial forest complete with a small pond and a small get-away house for the noble family to relax at if they want some privacy.
(SE) on the southern back-side of the estate are the stables, where the ducal family keep their horses, and where guests leave their horses and carriages. Fruit trees surround the stables, with several fruit trees also being within horses' fenced off enclosure. Quite a bit further east, behind the open grass area and on the border with the artificial forest, is an octagonal “stable” building with a cone roof, and where the uppermost floor has open walls. House Ravanelli keep their Griffons here. Currently, only duchess Fioretta Ravanelli's griffon is here, having been locked up by the cabal to keep it away. The grandchildren's' griffons are with the grandchildren in Vessina.
(S) The estate's southern side also includes a large balcony, connected to the Great Hall, with dual staircases going down to ground level. The path leading from the front of the estate back to the stables cut through here rather close to the estate, beyond which is a huge almost perfectly flat open grass field. This area is kept open in order to allow for as many types of events as possible.
(SW) Sculpture garden with open-air gallery of sculptures. Sculptures are set among flowerbeds, hedges, small fountains, and trees, to create a blend between art and nature. Several benches and small open areas are included here.
Floor Plan and Descriptions
1st floor
Servants and guards sleeping and living areas
also areas for servants of guests to stay.
Also kitchens
Also armory and training area for guards, and others who want to learn how to fight.
4th floor
Sleeping quarters for noble family. Including master bedroom, and antechamber and dressing room for each bedroom.
Living rooms etc for noble family. Private study, library, music room, open room where they can train dancing, fencing, etc in private.
Drawing rooms for noble family
Portion has equivalent for guests.
2nd/3rd Floor
Cloakrooms
There are 3 Cloakrooms at the front-section of the Foyer.
Each is 1 story tall, with small windows near the ceiling.
Each have cabinets with coat-racks along the longer wall, with a few shelf lines below where guests can leave hats and other forms of clothing.
A shoe rack is also included separately.
A couple of stools for the guests to sit down at when changing is also included, alongside a few mirrors to guests to check their appearance, as well as making the rooms look larger and more luxurious.
The walls are plastered and painted in beautiful patterns.
Foyer
Immediately upon entering on the 2nd floor, you enter a huge Foyer.
The Foyer is 2 floors tall, though with an Arcade on the half closest to the outer wall. There are stairs going on top of this arcade, creating an elevated walkway and seating area here. There's also some seating area near the center below the elevated arcade. The arcade goes above the cloakrooms, and use them as support instead of relying on pillars.
Below the two stairs going up to the Arcade are also stairs going down to the floor below - servants use these.
A massive dual staircase can also be seen on the wall bordering the Audience hall, going up to the 4th floor. A massive golden chandelier also hangs in the middle of the room, in front of the dual staircase, with Concalian Crystals encased in glass/crystal.
The floor is made out of marble, with fine details engraved in the stone. Panels of Rosenwood cover the walls up to about waist height, intricately carved to create details both in details and depth. The upper brim has a thick brim of Rosenwood, also intricately carved.
(the seating area above the arcade also has these rosenwood panels and rail)
Rosenwood is a type of wood where the wood itself is a deep mahagony-like red. It is very expensive, and comes exclusively from the Rosenwood further south in Rosella - it is actually what the region is named after.
Above the Rosenwood rail, the walls are plastered and painted red a soft cream color, with gold accents in simple patterns.
The walls are packed with paintings.
On the walls behind and at the sides of the large dual staircases are long rows of portraits of similar looking people (Ducal family many generations back). Central of these images at the moment is a very old lady (the current duchess - Fioretta Ravanelli).
Other paintings include paintings of festivals, balls, romantic scenes, scenes from famous Marcandrian plays.
There's a painting of Callera dancing at a festival. A painting of Fiori blowing seeds out of her hand that turns into a flower field. A painting of Meranzi looking out over a vast and busy harbor.
There are multiple pictures of people - that look like those on the portraits - on locations around the estate.
The entire roof of the Foyer is one massive mural - a painting of Alatri seen from above, with three female figures at the edges.
Gallery Hallways
Walls and floor are the same style as the Foyer - light marble floor. Walls up to around waist height are Rosenwood panels, intricately carved and detailed, with a thick rail at the top. soft cream colored plastered walls with gold accents in simple patterns.
The thick Rosenwood rail has at several point “handles" on the backside, which work to open the doors to the Servant Corridors that connect to it. These allow the doors to be discreet - and while the edges around the part of the wall that makes out the door is visible, it does not stick out.
The walls are also filled with paintings, as well as pedestals with fine art-pieces (pottery, artifacts, sculptures, etc).
These are also 2 floors tall. On the side going towards the front of the building are 3 small rooms, which are only 1 floor tall, with stairs going up to a 2nd floor above them. These rooms above have small balconies that protrude back into the Gallery Hallways - that side thus have 3 doors on the ground floor, with a small balcony above each of these doors.
Items on pedestals:
Statue of Callera made out of pure gold
“Feather of Celestial origin”
Feather from a Planetar's (angel) Wing - held up inside a glass dome.
Fey Relic
“Diagram of an unknown type 2 Concalian Golem”
Diagram showing the different parts of a Concalian Golem and how they are to be put together. Quite faded, so a lot of details, including the model name, is not visible.
Valiant: Investigation Check. On Success: The golem in this diagram seems to operate differently from how you do. You have a core that itself seems to produce power to you. This model seems to have a large chamber in its stomach and chest region meant for - something - with the core placed above it in the chest regions seemingly being designed to draw power from it.
Concalian General's Breastplate and Helm - with Will of Concalia Mantle draped over the chestpiece
Will of Concalia Mantle is a magic item.
“Concalian Gutenberg Bible” - Verba Imperium - “words of the empire”
Victoriae Aeternae Imperius/ Imperium Victoriae Perpetuae - “Empire of everlasting victory”
Recollection from the Concalian Empire of their greatest victories through the ages.
Scribbles on the last few pages:
Something something divine judgement for the empire's sins. The heavens have come to bring the empire to justice for its sin against the heavens, and their deities' servants.
Ancient Magical Tome - Sealed shut.
Unassigned:
1-12 are more mystical and romantic. Fey-themed, etc
One from Grandmother Mary?
13-24 are more historic, militaristic, scientific, etc.
Basically: 1-12 are feel. 13-24 are knowledge/history.
Concalian Crystal to Lightsource Prototype
9-12 are Concalian Artifacts
3, 6 are Fey relics.
Angel artifact. (feather)
Probably a shadowfell themed item somewhere - probably locked behind something in case it's dangerous
Probably a few items from elsewhere in the world - exotic items from nations far away.
A few random magical items from lands far away? Like eversmoking bottle?
Drawing Rooms etc
Private Dining Hall
Drawing Room
Scriptorium
A quiet, inspiring space for guests who wish to write, featuring writing desks, inkstands, quills, and parchment.
Rosenwood panels and rail, with soft cream colored walls. There's a large scribe's table at the center, with two smaller writing desks towards the balcony. A small seating area is placed facing the large window on the front side. One wall is covered in bookshelves, only having a gap to allow entrance from the servant corridor. The wall on the opposite side has a cabinet with writing tools in it.
Framed on the walls are several old poems.
???
Drawing Room
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Drawing Room
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Music Room
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Private Dining Hall
Drawing Room
Ballroom
The floor here is treated Rosenwood planks. The walls also have panels (up to waist height with railing) are both rosenwood - with the floor being treated to have the color be distinct from the lower walls. The engraved railing has a few “handles” on the backside, which allows one to open semi-hidden doors to the servant corridor.
The walls, above the rosenwood panels and railing, are a light peach, with a few thin lines of gold to add details. Several large painings hangs along the wall, depicting revelry, dance, and romantic moments.
The entire ceiling is one giant mural, depicting a vast masquerade filled with dance, song, and music. Fiery strands can be seen weaving between the people depicted in the picture - looking like strands of hair made out of the most beautiful fire (i.e. Callera's fiery hair). A few large chandeliers hang from the ceiling, holding orange carved crystals that give off a warm light.
An arcade goes along the outer wall, with seating areas on top, and a few stairs to allow movement up and down. Seating areas can be seen along each short side, leaving a large open dance-area in the middle with a centrally located stage with a grand piano and space for musicians.
General notes:
Walls: Wainscoting and plastered, with painted patterns or entire paintings on the wall.
Wainscoting: wooden panels or planks on the lower portion of the walls. Tends to be a lot of details in them. Thick railing at about waist height, intricately carved and made of luxurious wood
Wainscoting Depth and Dynamics: The depth created by the panels, along with the dynamics of their design (carvings, moldings, and the overall texture), adds richness and a tactile quality to the room's decor. This method was often used historically to add visual interest and protect walls from wear and damage.
Engraved Brim: A thick, engraved brim or molding that caps the wainscoting not only enhances the room's visual appeal but also acts as a practical ledge or transition. In your case, integrating handles for hidden doors within this brim is a sophisticated touch that marries the aesthetic with the secretive nature of servant access points.
Seamless Doors: The idea of making the doors to servant corridors almost seamless with the walls contributes to a clean, uninterrupted look, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the space while providing necessary functionality. This would have been particularly valued in a grand estate where the seamless integration of service access is essential to the overall elegance.
Paintings:
Carnival and festivals
Landfall
Deities doing something they're about
Callera dancing in a ball.
Fiori blowing a bunch of seeds out of her hand, that turns into a beautiful field
Meranzi looking onto a busy harbor from an elevated position.
Painting of Alatri seen from an elevated position.
