The ShadowMansionne is situated on the outskirts of Barton. Built on fourty-three acres of baren land, the mansion stands at seven storeys tall. Taking up three of the fourty-three acres, it is the largest structure to be built since the Arena. It's double-limestone walls were built from two metres below the ground, climbing up to the very top where the thick bluestone-slates cover the wide, steeply sloping roof. Surrounding the Mansionne is a thick, unkempt forest. Most of the trees date back hundreds of years, their ancient trunks reaching higher then the Mansionne its-self.
The forest makes up most of the land, though closer to the Mansionne it thins out and clearings become more and more frequent. Way back, before the forest was cleared for the Mansionne to be built, the clearings were used for MataMata rituals, in which they would sacrifice one of their own so that their god, Kalu, would bring them luck and prosperity. Now, the clearings are empty, alone and still, the thick trees letting through only a whisper of wind.
Closer to the mansion, in the thicker part of the bordering clearing, there is a cemetary. The shoddy wooden fence that surrounds it creaks in the gentle wind. The Grave stones are broken, some kicked to the ground, others just covered in moss. Though one is clean, seemingly kempt and the lawn before it tidy and short. On the Gravestone, the writing is faded and hard to read, but somehow it is still possible. The words are strong and bold, only wind wearing down the letters. It says,
'Damonn Shadow. Father, Husband, Leader. 1234-1313'
At the front of the Mansionne, a large oak door sits deeply in the double-limestone walls. Huge brass knockers sit rusted at the hinges. The door opens at the lightest touch. Inside a smooth marble floor sweeps out into the shadowy depths of the room. Two regal-looking staricases wind upwards into the darkness, faint rustlings audible through the deafening silence of the room. As you step onto the marble floor, un-noticably a small wooden torch alights behind you. As you walk, the torches lining the wall spring to life, the flame seeming to have never been out. You reach the end wall and turn, taking in the gigantic, breath-taking room. It is large, cavernous and ancient.
The marble floor, as you now see clearly, is clean, polished to perfection. A thick red rug covers most of the floor in the middle of the room. A large number of couches rest on the rug, plump and comfortable-looking. A fire roars to life as you look at the delapidated hearth. You look up and find two large, crystal chandeleirs hanging above you. After a moment, you hear faint music, which grows louder the more you listen. It becomes clear and you listen to the chilling, lilting music which fills the hall.
You turn again, the luring interest at what lies in the floor above to intriguing for you to wait and wonder how everything is working on its own. You climb up the winding staircase, the steps beneath you creaking and groaning in protest. Finally, you reach the second floor, panting and tired. You shake it off and look around, trying to find some source of light in the pitch-black floor. Suddenly, all torches on that floor spring to life, throwing flame-glow onto the stunning room. It is as large as the floor below, though it doesn't seem like it. It is the dining hall. Uncountable numbers of tables dot the room, the soft carpet beneath them clean and perfect. The tables made of oak, like most of the other furniture. Hundreds of chairs are stacked along the side walls. All of the tables hold a candle, all alight, the proper eating utensils, silver and polished to perfection, and several pure crystal wine glasses, shining and placed at the proper point for that person. The tables vary from size, several large tables at the very back could seat twenty comfortably. Along one of the side walls, behind a stack of chairs is a door. Shifting the cahirs away, you open the door to find a dazzlingly white kitchen. Dozens of fridges and a few dozen ovens and benches line the kitchen. Shining and perfect.
You turn away and notice there is another set of stairs. This time, they are older and made of rougher wood. You climb them anyway and end up on the third floor. The torches light as before to reveal a room filled with all sorts of gaming equipment. Pool tables are scattered between the ancient chess boards and the modern air-hockey tables. Only half of the room is visible from your vantage point and you decide to walk to the other half. A divider wall blocks your expedition and you step through a small door. A gasp escapes your lips as your eyes rest upon the many courts and feilds. Visible are a basketball court, a tennis court, hockey-feild, soccer-feild, Rugby-feild, Australian football-feild and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Walking back through the gaming centre you come across a sign.
'Level One: Entry Hall
Level Two: Restaurant
Level Three: Gaming Hall
Level Four: Rooms 1-100
Level Five: Rooms 100-200
Level Six: Rooms 200-250, Gymnasium, Spa & Sauna Facilities
Level Seven: Attic, Roof Accessibility.'
Satisfied that you don't need to see the rooms, you walk back down to the Entry Hall. As you reach the bottom step, you look up to find the room full of chattering, laughing people. The music is still audible, though barely over the sounds of life that fill the room. Similar noses eminate from the Restaurant upstairs. Stunned and slightly confused at how you could miss this many people, eventually after having several drinks shoved into your hand, you get lost in the crowd, the life and love of the room drowning everyone in a sense of wellbeing.
Welcome.
Welcome to the ShadowMansionne.
