Villa Valdarien

Villa Valdarien is a private property located on Moonglae Var in Ta'Illistim in Platinum.

It is a highly customized version of Evelise's Retreat, created by GM Valyrka and won by Issalya at Platinum's Great Auction of 2016.

Monthly rent was 75,000 silvers before the property was made permanent through Summit Academy. It includes a node, wine press, dart board, and hammock.

Location

[Ta'Illistim, Moonglae Var]
Two pieces of crumbly silvery blue stonework cross over the var, forming a near complete arch. The broken gap in the masonry is jagged, but with edges gone soft with age and the elements. A respectful space surrounds the base of the structure on both sides of the road, separating it from the houses that sit nearby. Crafted from alabaster stone, a beautiful manor sits back behind a greystone wall. A cobbled walkway leads through a gate and up to the building. Lush fruit trees and blooming flowers fill the visible lawn.
Obvious paths: northeast, southwest

>look stonework

The stone is aged, and its age shows. A gap in the middle of the arch allows a view of the sky, framed by silvery blue granite.

Cobbled Walkway

Day

[Ta'Illistim, Cobbled Walkway]
Pale interlocking stones are joined together to create a cobbled walkway that leads up to a latticed silver mistwood gate set into a low greystone wall. Fragrant bushes of blooming alabaster roses line either side of the entrance, their light petals standing out against the dark background.
Obvious paths: none

Night

[Ta'Illistim, Cobbled Walkway]
Diffuse moonlight illuminates the pale interlocking stones of a cobbled walkway that leads up to a latticed silver mistwood gate set into a low greystone wall. Fragrant bushes of blooming alabaster roses line either side of the entrance, their light petals highlighted by the soft luminescence from above.
Obvious paths: none

>look gate

An ornate silver mistwood gate crowned with a scrollwork lattice is set into the low greystone wall, providing a partial view of the lush green lawn and alabaster stone manor beyond. The fittings of the gate are crafted from crimson eahnor and shaped as miniature rose blossoms, their vivid hue contrasting with the backdrop of pallid wood.

>open gate

You unhook a small silver latch and gently push the gate open.

>close gate

You gently pull a latticed silver mistwood gate closed and hook the silver latch.

Ambient Room Scripts

DAY
A gentle drifting breeze rustles the verdant leaves of the bushes, stirring the petals of the blooms and releasing the heady fragrance of roses.

A pair of tiny brown wrens alight on top of the silver mistwood gate for a moment, filling the air with a beautiful warbled duet before they once more take wing.

A fat, fuzzy bumblebee flits in lazy meandering circles, settling briefly on one rose bloom before buzzing over to another.

The faint bustling noises of the city can be heard beyond the cobbled walkway, but the sound is muted by the distance back to the var.

The distant sound of tromping boots echoes down the cobbled walkway as a pair of Sapphire Guards make their rounds along Moonglae Var.

NIGHT
The muted sounds of revelry from the Ta’Illistim amphitheater can be heard from Moonglae Var, echoing down the cobbled walkway.

A gentle drifting breeze rustles the verdant leaves of the bushes, creating a whispering susurration that fades into the night.

The muffled hooting of a horned owl emanates from beyond the silver mistwood gate, answered by the higher-pitched call of an owlet.

The distant sound of tromping boots echoes down the cobbled walkway as a pair of Sapphire Guards make their rounds along Moonglae Var.

Lawn

Day

[Villa Valdarien, Lawn]
Surrounded by a low greystone wall, a rolling green lawn spreads out before a beautiful alabaster stone manor. Both elegant and charming, the building's design synthesizes the beauty of the landscape. A cobbled walkway lined with glass-paneled iron standing lanterns separates a grove of cherry trees and blossoming beds of colorful flowers. Nearly hidden within the thriving copse is a wine press.
Obvious paths: none

Night

[Villa Valdarien, Lawn]
Surrounded by a low greystone wall, a rolling green lawn spreads out before a beautiful alabaster stone manor bathed from above in soft moonlight. Both elegant and charming, the building's design synthesizes the beauty of the landscape. A cobbled walkway lined with glass-paneled iron standing lanterns separates a shadowed grove of cherry trees and blossoming beds of colorful flowers. Nearly hidden within the copse is a wine press.
Obvious paths: none

>look wall

Pale grey interlocking stones are joined together to create a low wall that surrounds the manor's property. A latticed silver mistwood gate gives access to the city streets. Flowering rose bushes climb over the stonework surface at various points, their full, pristine white blooms the perfect accent to the lighter grey rock.

>look manor

Smooth alabaster stone forms the outer walls of this charming manor. A slanted roof crafted entirely from porcelain shingles gently slopes over oriel windows supported by flora-carved corbels. The cobbled walkway leads up to a carved grey illthorn door.

>look door

A heavy silver knocker fashioned into a single oversized gardenia blossom adorns the door, with a narrow handle of matching silver beneath. Intricate feather tracery carved in swirling flourishes surrounds a doorplate of the same metal, engraved with the monogram "IV".

>look lanterns

Tall wrought iron poles set into the ground at even intervals support glass-paneled lanterns worked with delicate curls of feathery filigree. Each houses a fat ivory beeswax candle, casting a gentle light over the cobbled walkway leading up to the manor's illthorn door.

>look grove

Planted in neat rows, each of the trees in the grove are in various states of blossom. One tree's boughs dip low over the lawn, heavily laden with clusters of ripe, ruby red cherries.

>look tree

The cherry tree boasts an expansive canopy of long, dark green leaves with serrated edges contrasted by the smooth, glossy reddish hue of the bark. Clustered along the branches are an abundance of sweetly scented pink and white flowers that give way to plump heart-shaped cherries.

>gaze tree

You gaze at an expansive blooming cherry tree with a practiced eye, noting that you could probably harvest a blush-hearted bright cerise blossom, a velvety soft pink cherry blossom, an unfurling ivory cherry blossom, a pink-suffused pale alabaster bloom, a split-petaled pallid white bloom, a cluster of plump dark red cherries, a long serrated dark green leaf, and a thin piece of smooth reddish bark.

>look bed

The cobbled walkway is lined on one side by flower beds overflowing with blooming flowers. Stems of tall, purple orchids tower over opulent gardenias and vibrant lilies.

a tall stem of dusky purple orchids paling to lavender at their edges

a lush ivory double-flowered gardenia backed with dark glossy leaves

a bright pink stargazer lily with spiked petals

>turn press

You step forward and turn the crank on the side of the wine press. Exposed gears spin with your effort, driving numerous metal "foot-shaped" pounders in a rapid up and down motion, effectively crushing the grapes within.

You finish up the process and affix your personal label to a bottle. Satisified with your skill as a vintner, you turn the tap, filling the bottle and cork it.

>look my wine

A crimson parchment label with flowing golden script graces the front of the bottle.

In the Common language, it reads:

Issalya's Private Reserve

>open gate

You gently pull on the gate, giving a view of the var beyond.

>close gate

You reach out to push the gate, but it swings away.

Ambient Room Scripts

DAY
The faint bustling noises of the city can be heard beyond the greystone wall, but the sound is muted by the distance to Moonglae Var.

A black-capped grey chickadee perches atop one of the glass-paneled iron standing lanterns, peering about inquisitively while chirping out a melodious song.

The wind rustles through the grove of cherry trees, causing a cascade of pale pink petals to drift gracefully to the ground.

An exceedingly fat white cat lolls indolently in the shade beneath one cherry tree, idly licking one paw while observing his surroundings with an air of indifference.

The sweet, heavy fragrance of blooming gardenias mingles with the scents of orchids and stargazer lilies, creating a beautiful floral perfume that wafts throughout the area.

A tiny ruby-throated hummingbird hovers just above a bed of stargazer lilies, flitting to and fro before feeding on nectar from the lush blooms.

A tricolored bobcat pops his head out of the flowers and regards you for a moment before nonchalantly sauntering off.

A russet-tipped plump golden stoat dives out of the flower beds and does a few playful flips and turns before cavorting back into the protection of the flora.

NIGHT
A citrine-eyed imposing horned owl wings through the grove of cherry trees, hooting loudly to the outrageously fluffy owlet flapping close behind him.

A trio of pale green luna moths flit erratically by, disrupted by the sudden appearance of a red-tinged grey vesper bat.

The faint scent of beeswax drifts through the area, wafting from the fat ivory candles cradled within glass-paneled iron standing lanterns illuminating the walkway.

A one-eared white snowcat prowls slowly through the shadowed grove of cherry trees, batting at the pale pink petals that drift down around her.

A gentle breeze stirs the flowers in their beds, releasing their mingled scents into the night.

The fat ivory beeswax candles within the glass-paneled iron standing lanterns flicker with the breeze, causing shadows to dance across the lawn and cobbled walkway.

A red-tinged grey vesper bat swoops by while emitting a series of shrill noises, close on the trail of a fleeing pale green luna moth.

Nearly invisible against the grey stone, an emerald-eyed shadowy black cat jumps silently from the lawn up onto the low wall. He languidly stretches, then slinks off into the darkness.

Foyer

[Villa Valdarien, Foyer]
Tiled in polished marble, the floor of the entryway is a colorful mosaic depicting a rose and vine pattern. A mirror-set illthorn coat rack stands next to a carved grey illthorn door, a reflection of the room echoed in the smooth glass. Suspended from an oval-linked chain, a vaalin and crystal crown chandelier sways above, illuminating the area. A curtained archway swathed with dark merlot velvet drapery dominates the far wall, with a lush garden painting beside it.
Obvious paths: north

>look floor

An expansive tiled marble mosaic displaying crimson roses adorns the floor of the entryway, the blooms delineated by thin seams of lustrous white vaalin. The flowers form a large pattern of concentric circles, alternating with twining verdant vines.

>look rack

Crafted from silvery grey illthorn and carved with an intertwining rose and vine pattern, the rack is a lovely piece of furniture. A row of wooden pegs is placed above mirror, perfect for hanging coats or hats. A small bin is tucked below for storing shoes or boots.

>look chandelier

Suspended from an oval-link chain, lustrous white vaalin forms an open crown chandelier that rises from a circular base to twelve distinct points. The metal shimmers faintly in the glow cast from beeswax candles set in six curved arms around the circumference of the piece, displaying an iridescent, ephemeral sheen. A complex array of crystal briolettes are suspended from the branches and bottom of the corona, refracting light throughout the room.

>look painting

Dense brushstrokes of verdant pigments are layered to create a lush garden of flowering herbs under a brightly shaded azure-to-sapphire sky. Dabs of brilliant gold and blue-tinged violet form clusters of sovyn and woth blooms, beneath which a vividly hued red fox is depicted sleeping peacefully. A mailed gauntlet rests beside the animal, the silver of the heavy chain links mirrored in the frame of the painting.

There appears to be something written on it.

In the Elven language, it reads:

The Healer's Garden, Lormestra 5117

>peer mirror (functional)

You look at yourself carefully in the mirror...

Ambient Room Scripts

The crystal briolettes suspended from the crown chandelier chime softly as they sway gently, refracting light from beeswax candles throughout the entryway.

The scent of brewing black tea wafts from another section of the manor, accented by the faintest whiff of bergamot.

A gold-eyed pitch black kitten with sharply pointed ears gambols around the room, pouncing on spots of light before prancing off through the velvet-curtained archway.

A demure serving girl attired in ivory-on-amethyst brocade livery slips in, straightening the coat rack and wiping a smudge off the mirror before moving on to a different room.

An elderly retainer dressed in ivory-on-amethyst brocade livery walks slowly through the foyer, a stack of wax-sealed correspondence clasped reverently to his chest.

A milky blue jade teadragon perches gracefully atop the illthorn coat rack, surveying the room with pride from her lofty roost. She is clearly the ruler of her domain.

Study

Earthnode

[Villa Valdarien, Study]
Small and cozy, the intimate study is lined with a floor-to-ceiling library filled with various books and volumes. A small basket of sticks rests next to an iron-backed ivory marble fireplace. Tucked into a corner is a pale mistwood writing desk, its surface covered with various inkwells, parchments, and quills with a matching chair placed in front. A large dart board and rack hang over a polished marquetry-inset bar covered with a varied selection of food and drink. You also see a curtained archway.
Obvious paths: none

>look fireplace (functional)

Primarily crafted from pristine ivory marble, the back of the fireplace is protected by a heavy, irregular pentagon-shaped sheet of cast iron. Worked with an all-over design of scrollwork, the metal radiates heat back into the room.

>look desk

A neatly arranged collection of inkwells, parchments, and quills cover the surface of the pale silver mistwood desk. A velvet-lined dark fel box cradles wax sticks in sapphire and ivory, as well as two silver signets. One seal is incised with a blooming gardenia, and the other the peacock of House Illistim. A contorted candelabrum crafted from archaic iron wands occupies the left side of the workspace, against which rests a fel-framed oval miniature portrait.

>look portrait

So dark as to be nearly black, the fel frame of this painting is carved with twining vines of honeysuckle, cradling an oil miniature portrait of a man within. The brightest pigments of the work are the gold and intense amber green used for his eyes, while icy blues and silvers portray his hair and profile against a shadowed background. His ears are vaguely pointed, but his square-jawed face and elegantly trimmed goatee suggest non-Elven heritage.

There appears to be something written on it.

In the Elven language, it reads:

The High Inquisitor, Eorgaen 5116

>look chair

Simple in design, the upholstery of the seat consists of a plump ivory silk cushion with subtle silver scrollwork embroidery. The high pale mistwood chair back features a motif of cloud cutouts, the edges of each delicately gilded to mimic the threading of the fabric.

>sit chair

You settle yourself on the pale mistwood chair for a moment's rest.

>look board (functional)

a dark fel dart board painted with greyscale storm clouds

You see a classical dart board numbered one through twenty, with two special score rings and a standard two ring bull's eye. On the board you also see:

Some fel-banded pale mistwood darts on 16.

>look rack

Despite their obvious age, long past the point of function, iron wands have been set into a frame of dark fel to form this dart rack. The dusky metal has been allowed to tarnish over time, but the engraving along the lengths of the rods has not dulled. The ornamentation on each depicts stylized storm clouds, embellished here and there with jagged lightning bolts of brilliant platinum.

>look bar

Pale silver mistwood and near-black fel veneers are inset into the top and front of the bar, creating a tessellated design of clouds. The darker timber is polished to a glossy sheen, separating the inner pattern from a border of gleaming ivory.

>look on bar

On the marquetry-inset bar you see a small pale blue porcelain plate with delicately scalloped edges, a wide-mouthed cut crystal carafe with a labyrinthine honeycomb design, a curved glass pitcher with minute bubble inclusions, a pale blue porcelain teapot embellished with cream floral arabesques, a small mistwood tray carved with tiny roses, and an oval pale blue porcelain platter rimmed with flourishes of cream tracery.

Ambient Room Scripts

An elderly retainer removes a disorganized heap of wax-sealed parchments from the writing desk, ordering them deftly. He then clasps them rapturously to his chest and proceeds through the curtained archway.

Mouthwatering aromas drift from the spread of food atop the marquetry-inset bar, inviting you to take your pick of refreshments.

A gold-eyed pitch black kitten with sharply pointed ears frolics out from behind the writing desk and dashes for the foyer, a plumed quill gripped tightly in his mouth.

The light cast from the contorted candelabrum flickers gently, momentarily veiling a fel-framed oval miniature portrait in shadow.

A demure serving girl polishes the mistwood and fel of the marquetry-inset bar with a rag drawn from her apron pocket. She minutely adjusts the crystal and porcelain tableware, then exits through the archway.

A milky blue jade teadragon scampers in circles atop the marquetry-inset bar, looping around and around the porcelain teapot with a needy, imploring expression.

Sitting Room

Day

[Villa Valdarien, Sitting Room]
Tucked away in the back of the manor is an elegant sitting room. A sliding glass door dominates one wall, giving a peek at the verdant garden beyond. A gilt-framed elven family portrait hangs above several chairs placed around a silk-draped tulip poplar table, creating an intimate setting. A cast iron and pale porcelain stove sits opposite a sideboard, a basket of supplies open beside it. Fanning out over a plush wool carpet is a pot of thick greenery, the long tendrils of leaves creeping across the floor. You also see a narrow mistwood spiral staircase.
Obvious paths: south

Night

[Villa Valdarien, Sitting Room]
Tucked away in the back of the manor is an elegant sitting room. A sliding glass door dominates one wall, giving a peek at the moonlit garden beyond. A gilt-framed elven family portrait hangs above several chairs placed around a silk-draped tulip poplar table, creating an intimate setting. A cast iron and pale porcelain stove sits opposite a sideboard, a basket of supplies open beside it. Fanning out over a plush wool carpet is a pot of thick greenery, the long tendrils of leaves creeping across the floor. You also see a narrow mistwood spiral staircase.
Obvious paths: south

>look portrait

Short brushstrokes of unmixed colors depict an Elven family in a fashionable but antiquated drawing room. The mother and daughter are centered, hands clasped and seated on an argent-embroidered divan. The metallic pigment used for the threadwork matches their gleaming hair and is echoed in the silver-blonde locks of the father and son. Standing to either side of the women, both men are portrayed in proud, protective stances. Bright sapphire details the eyes of all four figures, and ivory their skin.

There appears to be something written on it.

In the Elven language, it reads:

The Valdarien Family, Phoenatos 4938

>look chairs

Subtle scrollwork embroidery adorns the plum silk upholstery and plump cushions of each claw-footed white tulip poplar chair. Three-inch skirts of matching fabric edged with tonal fringe drapes over their legs, and the tall chairbacks are carved with a faint pattern of blossom-strewn foliage.

>look table

Crafted from quartered white tulip poplar, the wood has been richly lacquered to preserve an antique finish. A dark plum silk runner is draped over the center of the pedestal table, anchored by a polished silver amphora vase. A single thick support descends from underneath the top, branching into four distinct limbs with claw-footed bases.

>look on table

On the tulip poplar table you see a polished silver amphora vase.

>look vase

Highly polished, the graceful silver amphora is etched with widely spaced bands of interlaced scrollwork. Cradled within are stems of freshly cut purple-blue hydrangeas, accented with mint, sage, and thyme. The posy provides both an aesthetic beauty and aromatic bouquet.

>look stove (functional)

Heavy black cast iron is fronted with contrasting pale, creamy porcelain to create this ornate stove. Swirls of plum and sapphire paint sweep across the lighter ceramic, forming a graceful depiction of hydrangea blooms. Matching porcelain is used for the knobs, sculpted as unfurled elliptic leaves. The grate on the pale porcelain stove is open.

>look on stove

On the pale porcelain stove you see a posy-painted white ceramic kettle.

>look kettle (functional)

Pristine white ceramic is painted with hues of emerald, sapphire, and plum, creating a charming design of hydrangea posies. The kettle is finished with a coat of clear glaze, giving it a glossy appearance.

>look sideboard

A dark plum silk table runner is draped over the white tulip poplar sideboard, providing an elegant setting for an array of silver servingware and crystal drinkware. Richly lacquered, the pale wood displays a timeworn, antique finish denoting the age of the piece. Several drawers and cabinets featuring knobs of elliptic porcelain leaves line the front of the credenza, creating room for items to be organized within.

>look on sideboard

On the tulip poplar sideboard you see a rounded clear glass carafe embraced with tendrils of silver vinework, a slim clear glass bottle coated with a thin rime of frost, a flat silver serving platter with repousse scrollwork edges, a deep crystal pedestal bowl with elaborate cut starburst facets, a shallow silver plate engraved with an overlapping pattern of curving scales, a tri-footed silver serving dish wrought with arcing feather handles, and a round silver salver etched with widening bands of berry-strewn foliage.

>look in pot

The squat silver pot is filled with a variety of garbage. You see nothing useful or appetizing.

Ambient Room Scripts

DAY
A sparkle through the sliding glass door catches your eye as sunlight plays off the cascade of water in a three-tiered ivory granite fountain at the center of the garden.

A coltish page boy enters through the sliding glass door, balancing an armload of seasoned apple wood for the stove. He places the kindling in the basket, dusts off his rumpled ivory-on-amethyst brocade livery, and departs with a cheeky grin.

NIGHT
Soft moonlight illuminates the view of the garden through the sliding glass door, bathing the water of a three-tiered ivory granite fountain in a pale luminescence.

The muffled *thump* of something hitting the sliding glass door can be heard, followed by a series of loud, angry hoots as a citrine-eyed imposing horned owl swoops away into the night.

BOTH
The aromatic scents of hydrangeas, mint, sage, and thyme linger in the air, drifting from the freshly cut floral bouquet in the vase on the silk-draped tulip poplar table.

A portly butler in crisply pressed ivory-on-amethyst brocade livery arrives, carrying two bottles of wine on a silver tray. Moving next to the tulip poplar sideboard, he refills the decanters before withdrawing. 

From the foyer comes the sound of little romping paws, accompanied by excited trilling mews. A gold-eyed pitch black kitten with sharply pointed ears saunters proudly past the door, a tiny plush ball in his mouth.

A muscular sable and amber ocelot pauses outside in the garden to gaze longingly through the sliding glass door at the food assembled on the sideboard before scrambling off.

A milky blue jade teadragon snoozes belly up on the plump silk cushion of one tulip poplar chair, the tip of her tail twitching faintly in her sleep.

Wine Cellar

[Villa Valdarien, Wine Cellar]
A narrow mistwood spiral staircase descends from the sitting room above, opening onto the edge of the cavernous cellar. The pale stone walls are lined floor-to-ceiling with latticed mistwood racks spaced by wrought iron sconces, each holding a pair of fat ivory beeswax votives. Three large wine casks stand upright in the center of the area, supporting a thick panel of polished oak. Propped in the middle of the oak panel table is a glass-fronted collage of corks. You also see a dusty storage bin.
Obvious paths: none

>look sconces

The sconce is lit.

Ovals of iron are bolted into the stone walls at even intervals, providing support to pairs of short, curved arms, each set with a fat ivory beeswax votive. When lit, the candles provide a gentle illumination for the latticed mistwood racks and the bottles within.

>look bottles

Bottles in all shapes, sizes, and hues fill the latticed mistwood racks nearly to overflowing, though each is positioned so the label can be clearly read.

>look table

A thick panel of polished golden oak rests atop three large wooden wine casks to create the rustic table. Once a warm gold hue matching the tabletop, the staves of the casks are now discolored, perhaps due to age or use.

>look collage

Encompassed by a silver filigree frame, the collage is formed of hand-cut corks in myriad shades, each with unique wine patinas and imperfections. The tessellated motif spreads outward from a central point, creating visual depth and dimension.

>look bin

Empty bottles, broken pieces of cork, and other miscellaneous rubbish fill the storage bin.

Ambient Room Scripts

A few motes of dust drift down from above as muted footsteps pass by overhead.

The faint scent of beeswax drifts through the area, wafting from the fat ivory candles cradled within the wrought iron sconces.

A gold-eyed pitch black kitten with sharply pointed ears bats a loose wine cork along the floor, disappearing into the gloom at the far end of the cellar.

A portly butler in crisply pressed ivory-on-amethyst brocade livery considers several bottles of wine before selecting one and climbing the spiral staircase.

A demure serving girl wipes down the surface of the oak panel table with a rag before adjusting the glass-fronted collage slightly and climbing back up the spiral staircase.

The light cast by the fat ivory beeswax flickers on an unseen draft, causing shadows to dance across the cavernous wine cellar.

A pair of glimmering plum eyes glint from the shadows beneath the oak panel table.

Patio

Day

[Villa Valdarien, Patio]
The enclosed garden is ringed by granite pillars supporting a gently sloping porcelain shingle roof. Across the way, a dark glowbark door leads to another portion of the manor. A narrow bed of gravel surrounds a three-tiered ivory granite fountain near the entry to the hall. Mixed with shades from viridian to sage, dense layers of moss cover the ground around a massive willow. A woven silk hammock is stretched between two glowbark posts covered with climbing crimson roses. You also see a sliding glass door.
Obvious paths: none

Night

[Villa Valdarien, Patio]
Moonlight illuminates the enclosed garden ringed by granite pillars supporting a gently sloping porcelain shingle roof. Across the way, dark glowbark door leads to another portion of the manor. A narrow bed of gravel surrounds a three-tiered ivory granite fountain near the entry to the hall. Dappled shadows shroud dense layers of moss covering the ground around a massive willow. A woven silk hammock is stretched between two glowbark posts covered with climbing crimson roses. You also see a sliding glass door.
Obvious paths: none

>look fountain

Crafted from a blushed ivory granite speckled with golden inclusions, the fountain is constructed in three graduated tiers rising from a larger circular basin. Each level is hewn with an intricate design of scrollwork, and atop the smallest tier stands the peacock of House Illistim. The avian's feet rest within a ring of carved gardenias, and its beautifully fanned tail is sculpted in perfect detail. Several small fish swim about coins scattered along the bottom of the pool.

>look willow

Towering over the garden, this massive willow stretches far into the sky. Attached to the trunk is a sturdy weather-worn oak ladder. Looking up, a large platform seems to grow out from the tree.

>look hammock

Lengths of raw silk in alternating hues of crimson and ebon are woven tightly together to create this inviting hammock. A trio of throw pillows, upholstered in the same fabric, promise unspoken comfort. The silk hammock is not currently occupied.

>sit hammock

You sit carefully on a woven silk hammock, causing it to gently sway back and forth.

>push hammock

You stretch out your leg until your foot is touching the ground and push, causing the hammock to sway.

>pull hammock

You stretch out your leg until your foot is touching the ground and stop the hammock from swaying.

Ambient Room Scripts

DAY
A dark maroon mourning cloak butterfly flutters through the garden, alighting on a crimson rose. Briefly stilled, it flits its pale yellow-edged wings with iridescent blue spots slowly before taking to the air once more.

A smoke-swirled hooded crow hops along the shadow-dappled moss in front of the massive willow tree, then pauses to peck at a multihued painted lady beetle.

NIGHT
A pale green luna moth flutters through the moonlit garden, drifting in languid curves before disappearing into the night.

Reflective celadon eyes gleam from the woven silk hammock before the tabby cat within gives a wide-mouthed yawn and goes back to sleep.

BOTH
The subdued sound of water trickling over a three-tiered ivory granite fountain provides a melodic accompaniment to the wind whispering through the willow tree.

The woven silk hammock sways slightly in the breeze, creaking quietly between the glowbark posts.

The velvety perfume of roses lingers in the air of the garden, wafting from the climbing vines blooming along the posts of the hammock.

A soft brown bunny hops through the garden, pausing to wiggle its tiny pink nose curiously before bounding off.

A tiny green garter snake slithers around the side of one glowbark post to taste the air with his teeny forked tongue, then disappears further into the garden.

Willow

[Villa Valdarien, Willow]
Careful cultivation made this willow into a functional platform with its trunk and adjoining branches growing right into the wood planks. Silk pillows have been scattered about the lofty retreat to add a touch of comfort, and an easel rests at one edge. Looking out across the landscape, Seethe Naedal rises high to the west, its domed observatory barely visible. A pair of bridges, one light and one dark, hover above the city, creating visual markers that lead directly to the Sapphire Gate far below. You also see a sturdy weather-worn oak ladder.
Obvious paths: none

>look pillows

Opulent chevron-patterned viridian silk covers expansive piles of pillows scattered about the lofty retreat. Partially hidden beneath one mound of cushions is a child's archery set, consisting of a smooth wooden bow and several blunt-tipped practice arrows.

>look easel

The sturdy golden oak frame of the box easel is smeared with streaks of dried paint in myriad hues. A partially opened compartment at the base of the stand displays a lining of dark green felt, upon which rests a collection of round and flat-tipped bristle brushes. A half-finished, unprimed white canvas sits at the apex of the tripod, depicting a rough illustration of the garden below.

Ambient Room Scripts

DAY
A brown wood thrush lands on a nearby branch, chirping several harmonious verses towards you before taking flight again.

A ladybug flutters by to settle on one of the silk pillows. It scurries up the cushion, then buzzes off in a leisurely fashion.

A flash of bright orange plumage amongst the leaves of the willow catches your eye, followed by the loud repeated trill of “Pito hui! Pito hui!”

Alighting atop the oak frame of the easel, a smoke-swirled hooded crow preens her feathers with a fastidious air.

NIGHT
Scattered constellations of stars are visible in the night sky through the willow’s leaves, providing the platform with a soft luminescence.

A bright shooting star arcs through the night sky, gone almost before you can blink.

An echoing howl rises from beneath the willow’s platform as a great shadowy black wolf lopes through the garden below.

A bug-eyed leucistic tarsier jumps from one branch to another, snatches up a pale celadon green treehopper, and hurriedly shoves the insect into her mouth.

BOTH
Branches rock and creak as a breeze blows around the willow.  A lone owl feather floats down from above, then disappears through a gap in the planks.

The weak scent of linseed oil arises from the half-finished canvas atop the sturdy oak easel before drifting away on the wind.

The sounds of the city are nearly suppressed from this distance above the town, but the tromping of boots from a patrolling Sapphire Guard is carried to your ears upon the wind.

Bedchamber

[Villa Valdarien, Bedchamber]
Black silk walls give way to a series of large, rounded windows, their pulled-back treatments woven of sheer alabaster linen. A silver-framed nightscape painting hangs across from a massive canopy bed draped with the same gauze, its comforter patterned with grey-on-onyx arabesques. Covering the pale white fir floor is a plush rug matching the hue of the walls, and fitted into a deep recess is a rose-carved wardrobe. Suspended by a silver chain is a frosted crystal lamp that radiates a soft light throughout the room. You also see a glass-paneled dark glowbark door.
Obvious paths: none

>look window

[Villa Valdarien, Patio - ]

Moonlight illuminates the enclosed garden ringed by granite pillars supporting a gently sloping porcelain shingle roof. Across the way, dark glowbark door leads to another portion of the manor. A narrow bed of gravel surrounds a three-tiered ivory granite fountain near the entry to the hall. Dappled shadows shroud dense layers of moss covering the ground around a massive willow. A woven silk hammock is stretched between two glowbark posts covered with climbing crimson roses. You also see a sliding glass door.

Obvious paths: none

>look painting

The stark black canvas is daubed with exceedingly short brushstrokes in silver and white to depict celestial bodies of the night sky. Centered are eleven brightly pigmented stars forming the constellation of The Gates, beyond which shimmers a dark, crimson-tinged moon veiled in swirls of grey. The likeness of Lornon seems to almost roil in the painting, the fluctuations hazing the orb reminiscent of ethereal feathers.

There appears to be something written on it.

In the Elven language, it reads:

Mistress of Eternity

>look bed

Standing center in the room, this huge, silver mistwood canopy bed is carved with an all-over design of climbing roses. A quilted grey-on-onyx floral arabesque silk comforter covers the thick, plush mattress. Swathes of sheer alabaster gauze wind about the posters and drape the bed in a translucent veil.

>look on bed

On the massive mistwood canopy bed you see a quilted grey-on-onyx floral arabesque silk comforter.

>look wardrobe

Standing tall against the recessed nook, the pale white fir of the wardrobe is buffed to a gleaming shine. Brushed silver handles adorning the front are fashioned into elliptic leaves, and carved into the doors is an elaborate vine and blossom pattern. The design meanders inward in lazy whorls, culminating in swirls around each knob.

>look lamp (functional)

Primarily crafted from frosted crystal, the scalloped edge of the lamp is worked with a clear diamond point pattern that refracts light across the room. The column is formed of matching pressed glass, and suspended from the bottom of the light is a polished silver finial dangling a large faceted prism.

>light lamp

You light the frosted crystal lamp, and a small flame flares into existence, casting a dancing shadow along the ground.

>extinguish lamp

You carefully extinguish the frosted crystal lamp, causing a small jet of smoke which quickly dissipates.

Ambient Room Scripts

DAY
Sunlight filters through the sheer alabaster linen swathing the rounded windows, brightening the greyscale hues of the room. 

NIGHT
Soft moonlight filters through the sheer alabaster linen swathing the rounded windows, bathing the room in a gentle luminescence. 

BOTH
The faceted prism suspended from the finial of the hanging lamp rotates slowly, refracting patterns of light throughout the bedchamber.

The floral scent of gardenia wafts from the bed linens, faintly perfuming the room.

A stray breeze drifts through the rounded windows, rustling the sheer fabric treatments. 

The muffled sound of water trickling over the garden’s fountain beyond the glowbark door provides a tranquil background noise. 
 
A quiet tapping on the wall indicates the wind picking up outside as the willow tree in the yard brushes against the manor.

Food and Drink

a cluster of plump dark red cherries

The full, ripe fruit is bursting with sweet juice.

Just a hint of tartness makes the sweetness even more welcome and delicious.

a wedge of aged Illistim cheese

The cheese crumbles slightly at your touch, releasing its sensuous, full-bodied aromas.

Aged to perfection, the cheese blends the characteristic sharp tang with a voluptuously creamy base.

a honey-glazed crispy pheasant wing

Crisp skin crunches as you bite into the pheasant, releasing the soft, spiced taste of the meat.

The pheasant's juices trickle down your throat as the still-hot meat fills your mouth with the perfume of honey.

a tiny square of buttercream-frosted cake topped with a plump winterberry

The delicate sweetness of the tiny white cake is contrasted by the sharp, tart flavor of the winterberry curd filling.

The tartness of the winterberry curd filling nearly overwhelms the lighter flavor of the cake’s rich vanilla buttercream frosting.

The rich vanilla buttercream frosting of the light, airy cake is balanced by a middle layer of intensely flavored, tart winterberry curd. The slightly floral aroma of the berries is enhanced by a hint of lemon zest, creating a decadent harmony of delicate flavors. (Elves)

The taut skin of the fruit topping the tiny cake bursts as you bite into the dessert, flooding your mouth with a rush of sweet-tart juice matched by the layer of winterberry curd filling. The vanilla buttercream frosting is delicate by contrast, complementing the richer flavors of the confection. (Elves)

a bowl of mixed green salad tossed with walnuts and goat cheese

Crisp arugula and romaine are complemented by crunchy walnuts and the mellow taste of goat cheese beneath a citrus champagne vinaigrette.

A honeyed champagne vinaigrette has been sprinkled over the crisp greens of the salad, offsetting the tart bite of pieces of green apple and the tang of creamy goat cheese.

A delicate champagne vinaigrette with notes of orange and honey has been drizzled over the crisp greens, emphasizing the understated citrus tang of the bits of goat cheese sprinkled throughout the salad. Chunks of green apple and tiny pomegranate arils pepper the dish, the lightly sweetened dressing enhancing their tart, juicy flavor. (Elves)

The crunch of walnuts and fleshy pomegranate arils add distinctively different textures to the mix of arugula, romaine, chard, and oakleaf lettuce. Pieces of creamy goat cheese scattered through the salad provide a buttery, mellow flavor at odds with the tartness of green apple chunks, and a honeyed champagne vinaigrette has been lightly drizzled over the whole melange. (Elves)

a buttery champagne-poached lobster tail garnished with a sprig of thyme

Subtly flavored with the earthy taste of thyme, the champagne butter sauce perfectly enhances the sweet, mild flesh of the lobster tail.

The barest hint of black peppercorn adds a spicy, biting note to the otherwise creamy champagne butter sauce topping the lobster tail.

An elaborate mixture of herbs and spices enhances the flavor of the champagne butter sauce of the dish, with nuances of earthy thyme, hot black peppercorn, sweet shallots, and a touch of lemon. The flesh of the lobster itself is succulent and mild, poached to perfection. (Elves)

The fragrant aromas of shallots and thyme rise to the forefront as you bite into the succulent lobster tail, with the buttery taste of the champagne sauce perfectly complementing the mild, sweet flavor of the shellfish. A hint of black peppercorn lingers in your mouth after the other notes have faded, adding a subtle bite of heat to the dish. (Elves)

a piece of truffle-topped quail drenched in red wine sauce

The intricate spices, rich truffles and red wine sauce nearly overpower the succulent quail flesh, the haze of delicious flavors swirling in your mouth intriguingly.

The exquisite taste of the quail is enhanced by the dark red wine sauce permeating the flesh, and the thin slices of truffles add bursts of deliciousness to its marvelous taste.

The intricate herbal accents and rich, sweet flavor of the red wine sauce are highlighted by slices of positively sinful truffles, their rich taste leading into the warm, delicious flavor of the quail. (Elves)

The red wine sauce provides an intricate backdrop and subtle nuances of flavor -- the sweet spices and other accents blended perfectly with the rich bursts of flavor the truffles offer to form a delicious haze that enhances the tender, succulent taste of the quail. (Elves)

a plate of cheese-stuffed lamb layered with leek and asparagus

The spiced meat is well-cooked, the succulent flesh giving way to the complex blending of sweet, tangy cheese sauces topped by the refreshing flavors of leek and asparagus slices.

The subtle taste of the meat is delicately spiced with an intricate variety of herbs, and the clash of tangy sweetness which results from the cheese stuffing nearly overwhelms the senses with its delicious texture and subtle nuances of flavor.

The leeks and asparagus topping the lamb impart a mild chewiness to the meal, allowing one to fully appreciate the complex flavors of the moist, tender meat and the sweet, tangy cheese filling. (Elves)

The artful blending of the sweet Loenthran cheeses and the tangy Illistim variety offers a rich, creamy deliciousness that highlights the subtle texture and moist, succulent meat of the lamb, while the leeks and asparagus chime in with dashes of fresh, exquisite flavors. The entire delicacy melts in your mouth, offering a unique and marvelous experience to your refined elven palate. (Elves)

some raspberry chocolate mousse cradled in a dark cocoa shell

Almost overwhelmingly rich, the creamy chocolate mousse is topped with plump raspberries dusted with just a touch of powdered sugar.

The dark cocoa shell surrounding the chocolate mousse breaks with a satisfying snap as you bite into it, the bittersweet chocolate slowly melting in your mouth.

The chocolate mousse is lush and creamy, with an underlying tartness from the raspberries blended into the rich dessert. More plump berries top the confection, dusted with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar for an added burst of sweetness. (Elves)

The bittersweet dark cocoa shell melts slowly in your mouth after you bite into the dessert, releasing subtle notes of plum and red wine that swirl across your tastebuds. The chocolate mousse itself is rich and creamy, contrasting perfectly with the tart, juicy raspberries atop the confection. (Elves)

a cup of rich bergamot black tea

Though smooth and rich, the sharpness of bergamot that infuses the tea nonetheless lingers on the back of your tongue.

As you sip the warm tea, a heady floral fragrance fills your nostrils. The bright flavor of citrus overlaying the earthy black tea sparks across your palate, smoothed by a hint of vanilla.

a goblet of spiced honey mead

The complex blending of peach and honey is accented by a cascade of delicious, subtle spicy flavors.

The warm taste of honey provides a mellow, pleasurable respite from the intricate blending of peaches and spices that dance upon your tongue.

a delicate crystal flute of chilled blush wine

A complex blend of berry flavors swirls across your tastebuds in a dizzying haze, with the delicate, sweet note of moonflower lingering on the chilled wine's finish.

The bright aromas of red fruits tease your sense of smell as you sip the chilled blush wine, with the light, subtle sweetness of moonflower softening the flavor of bitter cherry.

The intoxicating fragrance of moonflowers mingles with raspberry and strawberry in a sophisticated blend of flavors, underscored by crisp, bitter citrus pith. Dark cherry is lifted by a slight hint of cinnamon, adding a lingering spice note to balance the wine's finish. (Elves)

The exuberant aromas of raspberry and strawberry are heightened by a touch of citrus pith and balanced by the flavor of bitter dark cherry. The heady fragrance of moonflowers carries through from first sip to the lengthy finish, lending a subtle floral sweetness to the chilled wine. (Elves)

a wide belled glass of purple shiraz

A perplexing blend of bold, earthy flavors washes across your palate, with notes of black pepper and dark fruits complicated by wood tones.

Understated notes of vanilla and oak briefly swirl over your tastebuds, only to be lost behind the heavy tannins and earthy flavors of the full-bodied wine.

Full-bodied, the peppery, dense aroma of spicy fruits and dark chocolate teases your senses with a sophisticated blend of complex tastes. Slight hints of vanilla and smoky oak imparted from the barrels used to age the wine round out the tertiary bouquet. (Elves)

Notes of black pepper and spice flow across your palate as you sip the full-bodied wine, elevated with flavors of blackberry, currants, and chocolate. Decades of aging have smoothed the heavy tannins of the shiraz, adding structure and complexity as well as nuances of oak and earthy leather. (Elves)

a glass of cold black cherry lemonade garnished with a sprig of thyme

The natural sweetness of black cherries blends seamlessly with the sugary base of lemonade to create a layered, refreshing flavor.

The initial bite of tart lemons is undercut by the intense sweetness of ripe black cherries, fusing the mixture into a smooth, thirst-quenching beverage.

The initial tart flavor is smoothed by the richness of black cherry, making a sweet drink with just a touch of tang. A subtle current of zesty lime winds through the lemonade base, offsetting a trace of mintiness from the thyme garnish. (Elves)

The overt, concentrated sweetness of black cherries melds with the tart bite of lemon to create a delicious, refreshing beverage. More aroma than flavor, the slightest hint of thyme lingers as you sip the drink, nearly veiled by the other fruits. (Elves)