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A long, spacious room with polished oak floors and a high, vaulted ceiling, the Hall is the main gathering space for the countess' court and their guests. Gracefully appointed with fine furnishings, luxurious Persian rugs and tasteful landscapes in watercolor and oils, the chamber affords an elegant setting for conversation, ceremony or intrigue. By day, tall windows in the eastern wall admit natural light. In the evening, the Hall is softly illuminated by flambeaus in sconces along the walls and a glittering chandelier above which burn with will-o'-the-wisp, phantom flames in a hundred pale, elusive colors. The Hall centers on a high dais set against the western wall, raised some eight feet above the main floor of the Hall and approached by stairs at either side. Open to the chamber below with a balustrade along the edge to prevent mishap, the dais extends back into a wide, semi-elliptical recess roofed with a half dome which forms an arch that meets the high ceiling of the hall. The over all effect is not unlike a stage. For court events, this is where the countess sits in state, attended by her most trusted guards and closest advisors. On most occasions, it is set with comfortable chairs and low tables, and anyone is welcome to gather here. Should circumstances demand music, a small chamber orchestra could easily be accomodated here as well. Opposite the high dais is a broad window-bay. Wide, padded benches and delicate chairs are set here among potted palms so that kithain may sit either looking out onto the terrace and vista beyond or facing inward to watch events in the Hall. French doors in the eastern wall at either side of the bay grant access to the terrace - a wide, mossy, flagstone verge open to the sky. The terrace is bordered by a low parapet accented with huge stone urns from which rise dark evergreens trimmed into strange topiary beasts. Shallow steps lead down at the north, south and east sides of the terrace to grass lawns that slope gently down to the edge of the woods. Only the tops of these trees are seen. Beyond them one can catch a silvery glimpse of the river deep in its valley and a vista of green hills giving way to broad plains which on clear days seem to extend forever. In the center of the hall, between the bay and the high dais, the floor is of polished marble parquetry worked in a intricate, knot-like pattern. A dance-floor in times of festival, it also serves as the focal point for ceremonies of the court - Oaths may be given here, honors bestowed, or sanctioned duels fought before the gathered household. The far ends of the room are elegantly furnished in coversational groupings of low tables and comfotable chairs. Among the furnishings at the south end of the Hall is a graceful harpsichord for those who enjoy musical pursuits. At the north end of the Hall is a curious architechtural feature called a whispering gallery. Those standing at opposite ends of this area and facing the wall may speak quietly but still hear each other clearly while others nearby cannot. This is a natural function of acoustics, and also hinders lip-reading. As there is no other reason to stand here facing the wall, use of the whispering gallery tends to be fairly obvious. Doors in the north, south and west walls lead to the other regions of the freehold. The kitchens, pantries and other service areas are on the south end of the building. The north end is generally dedicated to smaller parlors, guest rooms, the library and so on. Refreshment may be obtained at any time by requesting such of either of the Hall's chimerical servants. These attendants appear as living statuary, graceful nymphs carved of palest marble. They move with a languid grace and never speak, but are ever attentive. These "Maids of Stone" as they are called wait patiently until summoned in shallow niches along the west wall to either side of the high dais. When not otherwise engaged, they simply serve as ornaments to the chamber, varying their poses from day to day and watching all that transpires with unclosing, blank, stone eyes. |
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View a Map of the setting. View a Plan for the setting. Enter the Hall (portal to IC chat) Read about other areas of the Manor, or around the County of Whitethorn, or return to Waning Moon Main Page |
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