The stolid manse of The Black Stag stood on a plentiful lot within RhyDin proper. The grounds were surrounded by a chest-high stone wall with an iron gate at its entrance. A thickly-paved stone road took visitors from the by-way and into a world that was not full of literal magic but of the sort of intrigue, fancy, and passion.
On foot, by horse or carriage, to follow that path took one along the side of The Black Stag manor to its grand carriage house where horses, carriages, and carts were housed with numerous other supplies and tack. Unbeknownst to the public, beneath the carriage house are hidden rooms of undisclosed purpose.
Trees young and old stand apart on the grounds with ample room for their branches to never reach one another, but no so distanced from one another to make it appear as if there is not enough to shield any on the ground from being able to find the shade of those branches. Pines, Oaks, nuts and fruit trees in their varieties that make just walking amongst them a treat in any season.
The two-story manse of stone houses the owner and a handful of servants to help with its caretaking. Within its infamous walls were known to be a sitting room, library, kitchen, dining hall, gardens, music room, along with a few bedchambers for the courtesan and any who were welcomed as her guests there.
The Sitting Room (Parlor)
The Sitting Room, better known as the Parlor, is where all who visit the Stag are brought first ? whether they are first-time guests or old friends and lovers to the courtesan, Victoria Helmshaw. Just off to the right of foyer is its arched doorway that is framed by heavy satin curtains that are swagged and fringed at its crest. Once one steps into the Parlor that is large enough for a dozen or more people to be in without feeling the least bit crowded, senses are at once tantalized by the sights of pale, pink silk that lines the walls. Paintings and drawings are tastefully hung to those walls, each from admirers, past and present.
Throughout the room are colors of gilt and chocolate, rich in their presence that warm moods. Dominating the far end of the room is a fireplace of mahogany and marble. Above it is a large, gilded mirror that provides the room with depth and the illusion of being bigger than it is. Atop the mantle are trinkets, vases, and oil lamps.
Chairs, tables, and divans are found within those four walls for guests and visitors to take a seat and respite at their delight and whim while they wait for the arrival of their hostess, or to speak with her ? in brief, or at length.
- The First Level -
The Library
For Victoria Helmshaw, the library is one of her favorite places. When she is not expecting company, she is known to be. Just off to the left of foyer The walls are richly paneled in dark expensive woods. Shelf upon shelf of books fill the room to the point of overflowing. Some books are stacked on the floor and to tables throughout the room. Here are books of all sorts, of writings from different lands and realms and some are just full of art ? decent and otherwise. From strict religion to flowery poetry, she has yet to ready much of them and delights in making the endeavor to ready them all before she is one day old and gray.
The Music Room
If one could say that they were truly enjoying an evening, there must be music involved in some moment ? or hour ? of it. Down the hall from the Parlor and Library, directly across from the Dining Hall, was the Music Room. Books and sheets of music are in a gentle disarray atop the decorated surface of the harpsichord. Within the same room is a piano, harp, lap harp, flute, and violin. Lush chairs and couches stand back and near the walls enough to allow for dancing when the mood takes those that step within. Here, the courtesan has laughed, danced and wept to a melodies played by others.
The Dining Hall
Normally, when guests and visitors dine at The Black Stag, they are entreated to nothing short of a small feast of foods from near and far, as well as ales and wines. Heavy matters of politics and even spying to lighter things of the color of petticoats and silk stockings have been discussed at a table that seats ten. A large fireplace is at one end and a serving area for food and drink prep is at the other. A space is in between that allots for a few couples to dance, if they like. To one wall are built-ins of benches with storage above and below ? these benches give the feeling of being a slightly offset from the others in the crowd within the room for more private conversations.
Kitchens
At the back of the house are the kitchens and storage rooms, out of sight from any guests and visitors. One must be truly lost or more than a little familiar with The Black Stag to know exactly where they are. The doors to the kitchens open up to the gardens of fruits, vegetables, and herbs as well as flowers. A stone pond is also kept stocked with fish.
-Second Level-
A heavily carved rail is alluring for the touch of hands as any more up the stairs from the foyer to the second level where the bath-room and bed-rooms are located. The courtesan?s area consists of a bed-room, her own personal bath-room, closet, and an outer room meant for entertaining more intimate guests where they can sit and share a light meal.
The other bed-rooms are not so grandiose as the courtesan?s, but they are in their own right nothing plain. Each have a large four-posted bed, dresser, wardrobe, washing basin and pitcher, trunks, table and chairs.
Storage closets are at the far end of the hall that hold linens, oils, candles, and more.
On foot, by horse or carriage, to follow that path took one along the side of The Black Stag manor to its grand carriage house where horses, carriages, and carts were housed with numerous other supplies and tack. Unbeknownst to the public, beneath the carriage house are hidden rooms of undisclosed purpose.
Trees young and old stand apart on the grounds with ample room for their branches to never reach one another, but no so distanced from one another to make it appear as if there is not enough to shield any on the ground from being able to find the shade of those branches. Pines, Oaks, nuts and fruit trees in their varieties that make just walking amongst them a treat in any season.
The two-story manse of stone houses the owner and a handful of servants to help with its caretaking. Within its infamous walls were known to be a sitting room, library, kitchen, dining hall, gardens, music room, along with a few bedchambers for the courtesan and any who were welcomed as her guests there.
The Sitting Room (Parlor)
The Sitting Room, better known as the Parlor, is where all who visit the Stag are brought first ? whether they are first-time guests or old friends and lovers to the courtesan, Victoria Helmshaw. Just off to the right of foyer is its arched doorway that is framed by heavy satin curtains that are swagged and fringed at its crest. Once one steps into the Parlor that is large enough for a dozen or more people to be in without feeling the least bit crowded, senses are at once tantalized by the sights of pale, pink silk that lines the walls. Paintings and drawings are tastefully hung to those walls, each from admirers, past and present.
Throughout the room are colors of gilt and chocolate, rich in their presence that warm moods. Dominating the far end of the room is a fireplace of mahogany and marble. Above it is a large, gilded mirror that provides the room with depth and the illusion of being bigger than it is. Atop the mantle are trinkets, vases, and oil lamps.
Chairs, tables, and divans are found within those four walls for guests and visitors to take a seat and respite at their delight and whim while they wait for the arrival of their hostess, or to speak with her ? in brief, or at length.
- The First Level -
The Library
For Victoria Helmshaw, the library is one of her favorite places. When she is not expecting company, she is known to be. Just off to the left of foyer The walls are richly paneled in dark expensive woods. Shelf upon shelf of books fill the room to the point of overflowing. Some books are stacked on the floor and to tables throughout the room. Here are books of all sorts, of writings from different lands and realms and some are just full of art ? decent and otherwise. From strict religion to flowery poetry, she has yet to ready much of them and delights in making the endeavor to ready them all before she is one day old and gray.
The Music Room
If one could say that they were truly enjoying an evening, there must be music involved in some moment ? or hour ? of it. Down the hall from the Parlor and Library, directly across from the Dining Hall, was the Music Room. Books and sheets of music are in a gentle disarray atop the decorated surface of the harpsichord. Within the same room is a piano, harp, lap harp, flute, and violin. Lush chairs and couches stand back and near the walls enough to allow for dancing when the mood takes those that step within. Here, the courtesan has laughed, danced and wept to a melodies played by others.
The Dining Hall
Normally, when guests and visitors dine at The Black Stag, they are entreated to nothing short of a small feast of foods from near and far, as well as ales and wines. Heavy matters of politics and even spying to lighter things of the color of petticoats and silk stockings have been discussed at a table that seats ten. A large fireplace is at one end and a serving area for food and drink prep is at the other. A space is in between that allots for a few couples to dance, if they like. To one wall are built-ins of benches with storage above and below ? these benches give the feeling of being a slightly offset from the others in the crowd within the room for more private conversations.
Kitchens
At the back of the house are the kitchens and storage rooms, out of sight from any guests and visitors. One must be truly lost or more than a little familiar with The Black Stag to know exactly where they are. The doors to the kitchens open up to the gardens of fruits, vegetables, and herbs as well as flowers. A stone pond is also kept stocked with fish.
-Second Level-
A heavily carved rail is alluring for the touch of hands as any more up the stairs from the foyer to the second level where the bath-room and bed-rooms are located. The courtesan?s area consists of a bed-room, her own personal bath-room, closet, and an outer room meant for entertaining more intimate guests where they can sit and share a light meal.
The other bed-rooms are not so grandiose as the courtesan?s, but they are in their own right nothing plain. Each have a large four-posted bed, dresser, wardrobe, washing basin and pitcher, trunks, table and chairs.
Storage closets are at the far end of the hall that hold linens, oils, candles, and more.