ArborSong

ArborSong Estate and all that it contains to the only surviving relative, Cada ArborSong

ArborSong
Artist: Bardliest using ImageFX and PSD

The inheritance by default.

After inheriting the estate, Cada ArborSong had the treehouse built with all remaining financial inheritance and allowed the manor to decay unused, with it's bad memories contained within.

TLDR tour:

Private gardens visible from its rose-laden entry gate, lead into the ArborSong estate and up to an aging manor house. It's grandeur fading gracefully back into the lavish growth around it, the nearby manor stables appear to be well-kept still and lively with stable hands seen attending to the mounts within. 

To one side, the gardens continue to a fountain nestled in an open glade full of flower-spilling fruit-laden bushes and side-growth before then becoming trees as the estates orchards begin. 

To the other side is a turquoise lagoon, softly lapping with its crystalline blue waters against the bank with the soft hush of it's waterfall audible just beyond an enormous modwir tree. 

The epic modwir hosts a beautiful treehouse built and carved from within its trunk and up into its long, reaching branches. Ivy and blooming flowers fall in graceful curtains from the hand-carved windows and from a short bridge of rope that leads into the rocks that peek barely visible from behind the rushing waterfall.

In the basement of the decaying manor exists the remains of the tools and the cell used for miscreants that were caught within the estates grounds, as well as for Cada herself when she was kept imprisoned for a decade.  The cell is bare with only the minimalist of needs contained within.  The magic is strong there though, likely due to the contained suffering, and is used as a magical workshop

Room by room tour:

[ArborSong, Front Lawn]

Dense orchards surround the manicured lawn, protecting the edges of the estate. An inviting garden thrives in between an old manor and its well-appointed stable, guarded by an enormous ancient modwir tree. Wrapping their boughs in a semi-circle over the smaller plants, one tree with an especially thick branch supports a rope swing near the overgrown gated walkway. You also see an intricate wooden birdhouse (mailbox).

- Set upon a slender wooden stump near the walkway, the birdhouse stands tall and elegant; a miniature version of the aging manor.  A small iron latch keeps any contents of the intricate mailbox safe.

- The massive tree, with its gnarled branches and lush green leaves, provides the perfect foundation for the intricate treehouse carved within its enormous girth. Built with intricate flowing details, such as natural curving root walkways, moss-draped windows, and blooming trellises, the rooms carved high in the sprawling branches offer stunning views of the surrounding forest.

[ArborSong, Gardens] (Lots to forage here)

Lush and vibrant with the brilliant colors of thriving plants, the garden flourishes so close to the waters edge in its disorganized fashion. Roses of various hues, orchard trees laden with ripe fruit, as well as a lilac bush and some meandering sweet honeysuckle, all lending to the sweet-smelling air. A small fountain sits centered among the growth. You also see a twisted and leafy overgrown stump.

- A weather-worn mossy statue of Cholen dancing with Imaera stands in the center of the small stacked stone fountain.  Water flowing from their crowns of leaves and flowers stream down the statues like flowing hair, feeding the various life within the basin.

Inside the treehouse:

[ArborSong, Kitchen] (Cooking)

A long solid wood table dominates the small kitchen area, its smooth surface spotless under a richly carved windowbox.  Next to a dark hollow knothole, a small kettle and stove are safely ensconced in brick, built within the natural wall to safely corral any errant embers, while a wooden basin keeps a steady stream of cool water tinkling in from the falls outside. Prepared dishes and drinks amid dried rose centerpieces decorate the sideboard, sending tantalizing smells to drift through the nearby archway.

- Carved in a thin spiraling pattern into the wood leading downwards towards a tiny drain, the water from outside swirls in an ever-present, yet slowly spinning whirlpool within the basin.

[ArborSong, Den] (Another noded resting spot)

From the doorway, the grain of the wood swirls along the natural curve of the tree's interior forming a smooth archway that flows into a curving bar and ends in a root-hugging display case. Carefully ensconced candelabra glow softly, highlighting a cozy seating area surrounding a plush bearskin rug. A small curved desk beneath a collection of paintings follows alongside the opposite side and ends in a curling staircase.

- A curling staircase of rich, natural wood spirals gracefully up to the second floor.

- Carved vines and flowers stained in various shades of natural wood colors wind their way fancifully along the entire archway.

[ArborSong, Bedroom] (has fireflies at night!)

The open ceiling swirls upward in a finely-grained pattern as it reaches even higher from the curling staircase, far into the dark reaches of the thick upper canopy. Opposite a leafy opening, a small wash basin is held securely by a curving branch whose twigs also braid around a glass mirror hanging just above it. A curtain-draped bed dominates the center of the room, its surface covered in oversized pillows that match the large soft rug stretching out from beneath it.

- The bed, made of dark natural wood, is draped in flowing sheer white curtains.  The curtains billow with errant soft breezes, creating a sense of comfort and leisure.

Estate contents outdoors:

[ArborSong, Stables] (3 stalls with a Gazelle, Unicorn, and Zebra)

Elegant wrought iron scrollwork decorates the tops of the silver oak partitions that lead to the corridor beyond, while the remaining walls of matching silvery-grained wood stretch to the ceiling. Bay windows open to allow scented breezes flowing in from the gardens where carefully secured lanterns rest high in the four eaves. Each stall bears a circular ribboned wreath of scented flowers, a cleanly filled water trough, and golden hay covers every inch of the stone floor beneath.

[ArborSong, Grotto] (relaxing with a node or jump to dive into the falls to swim in the lagoon below)

Delicate crystal formations sprout from many surfaces, growing in size further from the entry. An opalescent sheen reflects any available light, giving this grotto an ethereal light display that dances upon the rock ceiling. Soft white sand covers the floor except for a carved crystal lounge draped in a massive ebony fur that grazes the foot of the lounge, its claws still attached. The nearby raging falls spill over a hanging woven rhimar basket within the open cliff, hiding what lies below in a watery curtain. You also see an elegant black crystal firebowl and a sculpted iron rosevine (holds various edible treats).

- A solid sheet of raging water cascades over the opening of the falls into the lagoon below.

- The sinuous dark iron rosevine carefully balances shadowglass leaf-shaped bowls among its metal foliage while covering a slippery path down the falls onto a ledge below.

[ArborSong Falls, Lagoon Ledge] (bathing)

Cool and damp on this shallow protected rocky ledge, a natural stone bench is carved into the rock wall with a simple stone shelf holding bathing supplies. A sense of privacy emanates from the solid sheet of water cascading over the front of a misty opening. Steam curls up and around the graceful neck of a silvered shadowglass swan that stretches its large glassy wings protectively over a deep natural rock bath. (Pulling on the swan becomes a hot shower)

- An exquisitely detailed and graceful silvered swan sculpture, encircled by a dark shadowglass drake, as if in a timeless dance.

- You pull the silvered surface of the swans neck, relishing in the endless cascade of hot water gushing from its mouth.

On the stone shelf: a pot, a soft cloth, a bar of ginger blossom soap

- Coils of steam rise up lazily from the hot water swirling inside the natural spring bath

[ArborSong Falls, Lagoon] (swimming)

The water here is a clear turquoise blue, fed by the waterfall that cascades down from the cliffs above. With the gentle splashing of the falls and the occasional birdsong, the air is filled with the scent of flowers and the chorus of peeper frogs. Low mossy rocks circle the lagoon but lead upwards to a ledge high in the cliff. A small sandy beach area leads out to the estate's gardens.

Inside the old manor:

look manor from front lawn

Once an illustrious manor, nature has been reclaiming it for a long time.  Tall grand windows are covered in ivy and allow only suffused light within.  Animal prints disturb the years of dust covering the derelict foyer.  One rusty padlocked door stands open, partially falling from the hinges.

look door

Down a set of broken stairs, the remains of a cold stone dungeon can be seen from the dingy filtered light coming from the barred windows near the room's ceiling.

[ArborSong, Dungeon]

Stepping down the flight of stairs, a cold iron-barred cell contains a small threadbare cot, while a pair of dark iron rings set into the floor and two within the ceiling and a small rack are all that remain inside. A long broom lays on the floor outside the bars near a large wooden lever that appears to control the cell door.

- Thick mithril bars bolted into a solid iron frame make an intimidating cell door but seem overly cautious, for the room inside appears intended for a smaller sized prisoner or a very uncomfortable large one.

- The stairs appear old and creaky, their wooden steps worn and splintered. The lingering smell of warm hay and the coppery tang of old blood seem to clash in this dim space.

[ArborSong, Cell] (workshop)

Isolation and desolation seem to be the theme here. The flimsy cot holds a fur that might once have been a blanket, while ominous stains darken the floor beneath the embedded iron rings, often trailing outside the cell to a chipped basin near a fallen broom in the corner. Only the cell door appears untouched by decay. You also see a large black chest.

- Thick mithril bars bolted into a solid iron frame make an intimidating cell door with no visible signs of a way to open it from this side. (There is, but you need to look around at everything to figure it out)