I' Taurn House (pronounced: ee-torn) North Side of RhyDin is her primary residence now that she has turned over Nitesong to her son Telemachus.
This historic house is located on the North side of RhyDin city, on a broad, tree lined avenue and is the metropolitan residence of a former Overlord of DoS. The home has been in RhyDin for about 1700 years, and has not been changed on the exterior since its construction by Alais' grandparents. The view of this residence from the street is that the home appears to be set upon a large, heavily treed lot, and surrounded by high stone walls. The stone used to build the walls is dark, greenish basalt that was transported in from a past ocean floor by the sorceress' family centuries ago. Atop the 14' high walls are rapier sharp spikes of mithril-tungsten alloy, meant to discourage the curious from attempting to climb the walls for a view of the yard and house beyond the wall and gates. For those able to "see", the wall is also formidably warded. The walls are nearly 10' thick, in typical style copied by the middle ages of Earth. What is not typical are the wards and the material, which can be opaque or transparent as the need of the owner requires.
The gatehouse is also constructed of the dark green basalt and overlooks a beautifully worked mithril gate. The ornate Celtic Knot and Dragon pattern that forms the gate separates the shady avenue from the private drive to the House. The gate itself cannot be touched by undead or kindred, but is on the surface harmless to all other passersby. The gate itself does have protections against attempted forced entry, but otherwise customarily remains silently passive. Visitors to I' Taurn are met by Sidhe trained staff prior to admittance to the residence. They are trained in many languages, as well as security. They will do their best to assure rapid and courteous reception.
Beyond the curtain wall facing the front avenue, a gentle slope rises and is dotted with an abundance of large, old trees of mostly Burr oak, and White oak near the edges, but creating a veritable arboretum of rare and unique species as one approaches the house. There are small groves of trees interspersed among grassy open areas to create many small ecosystems for maximum diversity of both flora and fauna. Birds and other creatures have found safe haven among the botanical collection on the property surrounding I' Taurn House. Some of those creatures are quite rare or endangered. This haven does not hold the creatures in, but most have chosen to remain and do not wander away from the property.
As you follow the tree lined drive toward the house, there are livery points for the animals of conveyance just short of a paved walk to the front entry. Guests may arrive using any number of means of transportation, including horses, camels, pegasi, gryphons, and each creature needs specialized tethering or livery points. The paved walkway is done in the same green basalt as the curtain walls and gate house. The paved drive and walkways create veins of green that tie the exterior walls to the house. The main house itself is constructed of white albite cut into ashlar blocks, rising 4 stories in height, and roofed in muscovite mica. The stone used in the construction of the house is starkly different from the curtain walls. The brilliant white appears to be a shining gem set in the dark green of the lawns and stonework. The house is vaguely reminiscent of later crenellated manor houses of Renaissance Britain.
From the exterior, the mullioned windows reflect and refract rainbows of sunlight in prefulgence. The albite rock showing glimmers of more muscovite mica, which enhances the image of sparkling gems set among the emerald greens of the lawns surrounding I' Taurn. This glittering visage lends credence to some of the legends of the Fey. The glittering stone does not look entirely real or solid in sunlight.
Shading the front entry stands a single ivory tree soaring well above the height of the house. The tree is unique in all of RhyDin, and has been growing in this spot since the first ashlar block was laid for the foundation of the house. Alais' forebearers planted this Rouwan with the laying of the foundation stone in accordance with Sidhe beliefs that the Rouwan and the house would stand the tests of time together. When one falls, both fall. As long as they both survive, they prosper together. The tree's massive branches provide shade for those approaching the front entry way of the structure. As you step through the tall, magnificently wrought oaken doors, the entry foyer is a study in white. The polished albite stone of the floor is met by the white marble of the foyer walls in a seamless transition. Overhead, the vaulted stone ceiling soars 2 stories as dual curved staircases arch elegantly to the floors above. An enormous, ornate Mithril chandelier dominates the overhead space, and is lit with fairy fire when required.