Castle Stoneleigh

Cherish · May 2, 2002, 05:00 PM

In the northern part of the city is the Castle of the Thane. The land rolls down from the city wall opening, for three acres. Children can often be seen playing away from the dirt road to the castle. Coming upon the castle in the court yard the road circles around a beautifully crafted small garden of roses. The Castle itself large and looming. Shaped like a giant square with two large rectangle towers on each corner. The great stone walls are up to 20 feet thick. The wide base of the towers was designed to prevent attempts at undermining the walls. It branches off to one side, this is the Prefects keep. Within the castle you first come to a grand high ceiling room. A large stair case twists down to the tiled floor. The Castle is cut in four sections, top to bottom.

In the west wing, is the Thane's personal library, the men's servants quarters and a arrangement of guest bedrooms. The South wing consists of the Thane's entertainment room, the women servants quarters, a various amount of guest bedrooms. The East, the top floor hasn't been in use in many years. The bottom floor the Kitchen and a small dinning hall for the Thane's guards to eat. The south wing, the Thane's master bedroom, numerous rooms for personal use for the Thane and his/her family. The bottom floor, the grand ball room.

The Prefects Keep

Connecting to the castle on the west side, is the Prefect's keep. Inside the keep is a grand hall where the Prefect and his/her men eat and plan the cities protection. There are three doors in the hall. One leading to the medium sized kitchen. The second leading the Prefects own personal quarters. The third the cities guards quarters. A large fire place sets in the hall with a large oak sturdy table, with high back chairs. The room proudly decorated in the purple, black and gold colors of the city. The rearing horse standing wildly in the middle of each plaque, mural, painting.

Stoneleigh's Garden

On the eastern side of the castle there is a very large garden. It's length reaching four acres. You come upon white stone steps to the garden, large green bushes on each side of the steps. Above hangs some lovely purple grape looking flowers. The steps sloped down ward and moves to the left. Coming to the bottom of them you have two paths to follow. Each well used path adorned on the sides by well taken care of plants and shrubbery. One path leads to the Labyrinth. Getting lost or turned around here is very easily done. If you're lucky enough and quick witted enough to find the center you come to a platform with high walls. Gray stone steps lead up into the gazebo of sorts.

In the middle of this is a reflecting pool, looking as black as the night's sky with out stars. Taking the second path leads you through the rest of the garden. Small ponds, grassy areas used for picnics, other paths branching through out the garden, benches, statues of the gods and goddesses, cat statues from the Chesley infestation. And other delightful features adorn this grand garden. Visitors are never disappointed. A favorite spot of many Abestatians.

Zythinar · May 5, 2002, 06:47 PM

Zythinar remained in line waiting to be admitted to the castle. The Admiral was accompanied by his marine guard and his second, Commander Greyson.

Zythinar · June 7, 2002, 02:36 PM

Wonders if he will ever be admitted?

Jester · March 17, 2003, 06:01 PM

Security was tightened during the heightened crisis. Word came from the countryside that an army was actually challenging Julos in the name of Audrey de Lylles! This excited the thane and her staff, to say the least.

Of course, she remained neutral in name, but this didn't stop crowds from both sides rallying to her homestead to call on her to pick one. It would be a dangerous choice, everyone knew, and for the time being she still remained silent.

"Move along, move along," came the loud voices of security as they pushed people trespassing or loitering around the fence away. Those who passed through had to go through intense security screenings to be given permission, and after that were followed closely at all times by an armed guard.

Times were tough.

Jester · June 1, 2003, 08:22 PM

"Where is she? WHERE IS SHE?" clammered one obviously drunken man at the fence line guarding the Castle from the rest of the city. "Imma goin' to kill 'er!" he mumbled, half passed out. Suddenly he fell over onto the metal stakes, screaming in high pitched voices from his drunken state.

The crowd cleared around the disturbance as other started mocking him. "Let's go, Rummy, whatcha goin' to do about it? I don't think you could stand up for another minute!"

"Oh ya!?" the man yelled back, turning suddenly and stumbling forward. Out of no where he yanked out a short sword, and leapt for the the direction of the voice.

Just as quickly a baton slapped the drunk down. The city guards had arrived. "Eh? What's the meaning of this commotion? Let's clear out -- nothing to see here, nothing to see here. Move on, move on!" he ordered to the others as two guards swept up the attacker.

"You, my friend, are going to the jail. Enjoy."

Jester · August 25, 2003, 05:14 PM

It was a quiet night, all things considered, for most of the personnel that would normally be on staff at the home of the Thane were addressing the current crisis of the orc raid in another part of town.

This left the building vulnerable, somewhat, to would be bandits within the city walls.

With only an honour guard and skeleton crew on the grounds, the Thane was huddled away under constant watch in case the orcs and goblins were not contained quickly or had some other plan involving her life.

Still, there were a lot fewer of them around at night...

Yarrow · October 4, 2003, 04:13 PM

The Front Gates

Yarrow scanned the building, her eyes interested in the architect. It was magnificent...but her eyes finally fell to the main gates. She eyed up the guards in envy. She didn't want to be a simple soldier...she wanted to be a guard and this was why she was here at this moment. She was here...looking for a job. Perhaps she would be able to find one here...

Yarrow took a few steps forward and stopped, her eyes looking up once more before she resumed a more friendly pace. It wasn't too quick or too slow. She didn't want to cause trouble. She didn't want to create a fray or get thrown into jail or something of that sort. She walked up to the guards and said a cheerful: Serale!

Daniel · October 6, 2003, 11:02 PM

The guard smiled back at her. He was an ugly fellow, with yellow teeth and a balding head, and he seemed inclined to do nothing to Yarrow but to chat her up and impress her with his nice personality. "Serale, I am surprised to see any soldiers around here right now, especially such a pretty one. I thought you all had orders to go to the parade grounds?"

He scratched the fingers of his swordhand nervously, a dubious expression on his face as he wondered why she was here. He glanced at the notice tacked to the wall next to him, in the crisp handwriting of the Abestat Base Commander, then back at Yarrow. "Hmm... well anyway, what can I do for you? Is there someone in particular that you would like to go visit?"

The guard pointed behind him. "I mean, it's a rather big place, and if you've never been here before, it would be easy to get lost. Fortunately, I know where most everything is, so the more specific you are in your request, the easier it will be for me to direct you."

Yarrow · October 8, 2003, 02:47 PM

She had not been aware that she was suppose to be any place at this time and her face paled. Oh no... She said and turned to see if anyone was about. There was no one. I will have to run if I can get there on time...terribly sorry to have wasted any of your time, sir. She told him quickly and then with a nod, she was bounding off...down the street.

Daniel · October 14, 2003, 12:13 AM

The guard nodded, and let Yarrow go on her way, curious what was going on with her and hoping that she eventually would return to him: he somewhat fancied her.

OOC: Castle Stoneleigh is being moved to the Abestat Military Forum. Those interested in exploring the grounds must post there: there is now (thanks to the Orcs) a military presence in the castle.)