Within A Grand Hunting Lodge
Massive beams of dark, ancient pine form the walls and ceiling of this enormous hunting lodge. Trophies hang upon the wall, ranging from simple twelve point buck to the scaled head of an ancient red dragon. The chamber is laid out symmetrically with rows of tressle tables and wide, stone fireplaces to either side of the main corridor. To either side of the main door, twin staircases spiral upwards towards the lofts where the hunters who live here take their rest. The floor is strewn with sweet smelling rushes and fur hide rugs. In the north-west corner, a small door leads out to the pens and stables. At the far end of the lodge, a semi-circular raised platform holds the throne of the Lady Huntress. The scent of a fresh kill and roasting meat fills the air, and the sound of the hunting-hounds baying causes your blood to rise in your veins, suffused with an intense joy you cannot explain.
(Red Aura) An enormous, empty black iron cauldron hangs above an unlit firepit.
Look Cauldron:
The Cauldron of Rebirth is a great gift granted to the Lady Wyldess by the Wyrm Incarna. Made of black iron and carved with scenes of graves laying open beneath the moon, it is a potent artifact used by the Wyld Huntress to bring Her people back to life, back to the joys of the Hunt. Around the rim of the cauldron, words have been carved that detail the Laws of the Hunt.
l north:
The evidence of food and drink can be seen upon some of the wooden tressle tables that line the front half of the hall. Beyond them, an enormous fire place roars, a bound and broken captive kneeling before it. His eyes are bloodshot and bear witness to the pain he has endured. Around his throat is a wooden sign, held in place by a rough bit of twine. It reads, in letters made of his own blood, 'Traitor.' Such a simple display says so much of the command the Huntress holds. To be of the Hunt is to be family. To reject it, is to be outcast, friendless, brotherless, damned.
l south:
The evidence of food and drink can be seen upon some of the wooden tressle tables that line the front half of the hall. Beyond them, an enormous fire place roars, an entire cow slowly roasting upon a spit within. Above the mantle of the fireplace hangs a strange plaque of some light colored material, with a knobby decorative border. Upon it are written the codes of the Wild Hunt.
l east:
The main body of the lodge stretches in a rectangular shape, with stone fireplaces to either side to help warm the building. At the farthest end of the lodge, a raised platform of polished oak lifts the carved bone throne of the Huntress above the rest. Thick, rick pelts of sable, lynx, and unicorn cover the dais, creating a lush carpet for the Dark Lady's comfort. Cage-like candelabra hang down from the ceiling on thick iron chains. Just in front of the throne, an enormous black cauldron hangs from a tripod. There, it can be seen or utilized by the Lady.
l west:
The thick iron-bound doors of the Lodge lay to the west, capable of barring any mundane method entry or preventing escape. They appear stout enough to resist the strength of a storm giant, yet are of such craftsmanship that a child could open them when unlocked. The handles are shaped like leaping stags, and are crafted of pure red gold. To either side of the doors, spiral stairs lead upwards, to the lofts where the hunters take their rest.
L UP:
High above, the roof slopes to a shallow point. Inset between some of the thick support beams, stained glass windows depicting hounds bringing down a fleeing stag allow the radiance of a bright full moon to pour down upon those gathered. Along the east and west wall, wide lofts jut out from the upper walls, providing a place of rest and comfort for the warriors who dwell here.
L DOWN:
The wooden floor underfoot is covered with sweet smelling rushes, strewn herbs, and the occaisional fur rug.
l beams pine
As wide around as a full grown man, these beams are ancient. Some have been carved with mystical symbols of protection, luck on the hunt, and warding. Others have been notched with tally marks of prey brought down. One, near the Queen's throne, bears a heart with the initials, K + S.
l trophies head
A variety of trophies line the walls, with nearly every imagineable beast represented. In one shimmering crystalline case, is the essence of a Fire Elemental, its flames flickering from crimson to a dark ebon hue.
l tables
The evidence of food and drink can be seen upon some of the wooden tressle tables that line both sides of the main corridor in the front half of the hall. Some are stained with food and drink, others bear the rough evidence that those who ride with the wild hunt are no lily-handed courtiers, but rather men and women of wild passions and lust for life... and little care for the furniture.
l staircases:
Twin spiral staircases carved from the trunks of giant redwood trees spiral upwards towards the lofts above.
l throne:
Crafted of enormous curving antlers and supple, velvetly sueded hides, this is a work of barbaric and bloody art second to none. What first appear to the eye to be natural striations within the horn and leather are revealed to be the screaming faces of souls in torment; those damned individuals whose dishonor has brought the Wild Hunt down upon them. A thick cushion of crimson silk velvet pads the throne, and several thick, luxurious skins have been draped over it as well to provide utter comfort for the Huntress Queen.
l loft:
Twin lofts have been crafted on either side of the hall, a narrow catwalk along their edge allowing one to traverse their length. Curtains strung from the ceiling fall to permit some small degree of privacy to each of those who take their rest there.
l fireplace:
The twin fireplaces that flank either side of the hall are vast. The stones used in their crafting have been gathered from all over the Realm, that every Hunter, no matter his or her original birthplace, would feel at home here. Or perhaps it symbolizes that the Hunt knows no boundaries, and sees the entire land as its hunting-range?
l candelabra:
Strange cagelike candelabra hang from the ceilings from heavy dark metal chains. The lights within are not created by burning candles or oil, but rather the far more sinister lights of souls lost to the Hunt...
l plaque Upon close study, one realizes that this plaque is crafted entirely of bones. From the frail tibia of mice to the scapula of a fire demon, each has been fitted in perfectly to form an almost seamless surface upon which the quest required of those who might enter the Hunt is written: 1) Must be Level 10. 2) Must have a full set of equipment at entrance. (Need not be magical) 3) Must have Mob Mastery Quests equal to their effective level - or - must be willing to perform an additional series of quest tasks as given by Lady Katrana. 4) Must be able to answer three questions about the Triat upon entry.
- The Wyldess holds the right to change or add to these requirements. ***