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Although the Hall is the main location for play at Caer Adeg-y-Lleuad, the freehold itself is a vast and sprawling manor house with three storeys as well as cellars and attics. While the main passages are wide and easily navigated, numerous minor corridors, stairways, antechambers and other auxiliary areas connect unpredictably, making the inner regions of Waning Moon something of a puzzle. On occasion even long-time residents will open a door they are sure leads to one place and find themselves inexplicably elsewhere. As befits a freehold of House Eiluned, some chambers are cunningly hidden, and concealed passages connect many rooms that are otherwise unrelated.
It would be impossible to describe every feature of Waning Moon with all of its spiral stairs, dusty attics, dank crypts, soaring turrets, broad parapets and airy balconies. It will suffice to say that most areas are tastefully appointed and immaculately maintained. While there are disused rooms which have become dusty and shabby, or cellars that are dim and damp, even the lowliest chambermaid has a room both spacious and pleasant, if not as grandly furnished as those of high ranking residents and guests. Some particularly significant areas of the Freehold are described below, for use as alternative settings for scenes played at Caer Adeg. |
| Balefire Chamber |
| The heart of every freehold is the Ignis Vestae, more commonly called the balefire, a mainfestation of living Glamour in the form of chimerical flame. So long as the balefire continues to burn, it wards freeholds from the oppressive chill of Banality, creating a refuge in which kithain can for a time lay aside mortal concerns and fully embrace their faerie natures. Sleeping by the light of the balefire can restore a changeling's intrinsic Glamour, and a chamber at the very center of Caer Adeg-y-Lleuad has been appointed for this purpose. Quiet and dim, illuminated only by the flickering light of the balefire's rose and purple flames, this chamber is furnished with four broad couches, each easily large enough to accomodate a sleeping troll. Gossamer hangings of midnight colored silk canopy each couch, and can be closed to allow a modicum of privacy. Although its light illumines the room, the balefire hearth of Caer Adeg-y-Lleuad itself is not in fact here - only its image is present, reflected in a tall, ornate mirror upon the wall, framed in the coils of an opal-eyed, silver serpent which swallows its own tail. This mirror emanates a Glamour of its own, and is clearly a potent Treasure. Any who attempt to tamper with the mirror or who disturb those sleeping here find that the silver serpent is a formidable adversary as it relinquishes its tail and uncoils from the wall to prevent such ill-considered actions. The true location of the balefire hearth remains one of Waning Moon's many well-kept secrets. |
| Armory and Salle |
| On the ground floor of the south wing is this spacious chamber, holding the arsenal of Waning Moon and to training in the use of arms stored here. Wooden racks stand against the walls, holding spears and axes, swords and other chimerical weapons of fine craftsmanship, the work of nocker smiths and artisans of House Dougal. Corslets of armor and padded jerkins stand setinel between the weapon racks upon wooden frames. From these stores, the Steward of the Armory disburses equipment to the thanes and knights of the household. Aside from these, the large room is sparsely furnished with only a few plain wooden benches. The spacious wooden foor, sanded but not polished, is left open for training aspiring warriors, and for the practice needed to maintain skills already well honed. This is clearly a work space, and little effort has been spent on ornament. Nonetheless, the rows of heraldically painted shields that top the weapon racks and the colorful banners won as trophies of tournements and battles in years gone by lend the Salle an air of chivalrous dignity. Adjacent to the Salle is the office of the Chief Thane and guards' ready-room, which communes with the Hall above by way of a broad staircase. Opposite the Chief Thane's office is the little used office of the Steward of the Armory, which opens in turn onto a covered passageway open to the south courtyard and leading to the Forge. |
| Smithy, Stables and Carriage House |
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To the south of the manor house itself, across a spacious, cobblestone courtyard rise a group of smaller outbuildings. The carriage house and stables are the domain of the countess' satyr Equerry, or Master-of-Horse, Cully Bascomb. The smithy that completes this group of buildings is the territory of Sir Gustav Sunstone, a master-smith of House Dougal and the countess' Steward of the Armory. The Smithy is windowless, cavernous and dim. Smoke and steam wreath the upper portions of the workroom, which is nearly stiflingly hot. Against one wall rests the forge beneath its heavy bronze hood, its coals glowing sullen and red beneath a layer of ash until a firm hand plies the bellows to stir them into a blaze. Close at hand is a rack of hammers, tongs, chisels, a work-creased pair of tough leather gloves and other smithing tools, and on a huge wooden block rests a weighty anvil, its dark surface showing the dull polish of frequent use. Quenching tubs of water, oil and brine stand nearby. Opposite the workspace is a cluttered desk with three chairs, one childling-sized. A leather apron hangs over one of these shairs when Sir Gustav is not busy at his forge, and above the desk hangs a large shield bearing the cog-wheels, hammer and arm ensignia of House Dougal. Nearby is a simple cot, its blankest neatly folded and tucked in. Clearly this is a room the master smith seldom leaves, and the homely touches here and there reflect that. |
| The Chamber of Stars |
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In a quiet part of the rambling gardens stands an old octagonal slatboard summer house, painted white and half-hidden by overgrown creeper. Its many dusty windows look onto an empty chamber in which a lady sits. Through the door lies a chamber which retains the eight sides and the seated lady but is otherwise completely different. This hall is magnificent, with many tall windows of golden glass, a polished floor of dark veiny marble and pillared walls of a lighter polished stone. The Trods which meet at the Waning Moon have their doorways in this chamber and are competently guarded by Dame Liraline Amidiala Chieril ni Eiliund the Unsleeping. Her few possessions are kept in and on a large brass-bound chest tucked in a discreet corner. |
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