[[

Re: Map. Moving the cloak room so it is closer to the entrance makes a lot more sense. Also, what is the Annex? Is it the visitor's waiting area? Annexes are usually add-ons to buildings, not internal.

The idea of an elevated tank, to not only hold water but also provide water pressure for the house's internal plumbing, sounds like a great idea. As does the idea of internal plumbing. (This building will have all mod-cons, won't it ;-). The tank should also be close to the boiler room so that there can be hot water on demand, but I suspect running water will only be available on the ground level and servants will need to carry it upstairs when needed. Perhaps you might add a bathhouse to the grounds to make the plumbing problems easier. That would also be more realistic considering the technology level.

Having the building built on a slope means that there will naturally be an underfloor space on the river side, which could be useful, but it will make the courtyard and stables problematical because they won't work well on a slope. They may need to be moved to the front of the house nearer the street on the more level ground, which might allow to you put them closer to Lazlo's apartment.

I'm good at kibitzing, aren't I? ;-) Though not at all willing to do the designing.

]]

"Yes, Master Alaric," says Mikkel in answer to Brand's question about his daytime activities. "I got a chance to go and see the palace this afternoon. It is very spectacular is it not? A lot of coin has been spent there, hasn't it?"

After a moment, he adds, "I'm afraid I didn't see much else of interest. The city seems just like what it is: a big city... If you could be a bit clearer about what I should be looking for?"

"The mood is what I was interested in: everywhere I go, I see families uprooted and fleeing the city. Did you get a sense of how people felt? I may be imagining things, of course. Perhaps...perhaps the other staff might have insights you can tap into? Cautiously."

[[ I don't think I've ever asked before: what is the demographic % of races? Are Sorendenese 10% of Constantine? 50%? What about rest of Engle? ]]

[[ I think you said he did not have time to do everything I suggested earlier. Given I totally misread the situation with Mystery Woman, I think he would poke his head in on the pre-dinner gathering, time-permitting, to see if she was there... ]]

[[ If time does not permit, he gathers his stuff and leaves. He will leave as follows: ]]

Brand thanks Mikkel, waits until the footsteps recede then passes through the scullery/games room, to the formal dining room, and out onto the balcony (of course, there may be people there, in which case he goes one floor down through the Ball Room and outside.

Once outside he becomes invisible, and floats over the wall and along the river until he can head up an alley and join the main road, becoming visible at a covenient and secluded spot. He then makes his way to the bookshop, checking to see if he is being followed.

[[ kibitzing is good. Definitely clarifies problems abd prevents me committing to a design that has a major flaw. ]]

Levels

Re: Level...I think for the sake of simplicity, they would have done their best to level the ground for the front of the house and stable/yard. If we assume the house front  has 8-10 wide steps, then that allows a metre or two elevation at the front and 2-3 metres at the ballroom end (not set in concrete as a design spec, just working hypothesis). This would mean sitting or standing at the river side of the ground floor would still have river views, and the conservatory/sunroom might be at ground level, and be less obscuring...Or I might just get rid of it...suggestions?

Annex

Yes, wrong term. The 'Annex' is the visitors waiting area, the thin white room across from it would be Jon's daytime station, and a weapons room. He would put small items there, and larger items in the cloak or luggage rooms. His suite would probably have a sliding window-thing for him to look out to the entry hall when no on duty.

Water & Baths & Heating(!)

Once upon a time I did have a bath house...I suspect that the boiler should be in the courtyard, and the current boiler room could become the bathhouse, with the boiler in an outbuilding close to the laundry & bathhouse.

You did say all mod cons: how about piped water for heating? Probably use bronze pipes (expensive, but perfect for the purpose I think).

Drinking water may be piped, but I'm happy if it's only to the kitchens...and perhaps the family suites? Or maybe water for ablutions? There's also the problem of poisoning with copper pipes -- not sure about Bronze. Probably reduced at least, though that probably depends on what the actual alloy is. Might be simpler to use piped water for heating, bathing, ablutions and in the kitchens.

If you are happy with:

- dining upstairs
- wine tasting and business rooms (and business manager?) downstairs,
- current secret corridors
- elevation roughly as discussed

then I can prpobably proceed. Of course, I will probably have to restructure stuff...but if we agree on roughly what's there we should be good.

eg. the family quaters are HUGE at the moment. They need to be rationalized (at least in terms of adding storage, corridor space, and maybe a guest room?

Edit:

Courtyard/Stables

Why dio they need to be near Lazlo? I see the courtyard & stables as non-public areas.

Edit 2: The plan is that Lazlot will see people who head to/from that area tho

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

"The mood is what I was interested in: everywhere I go, I see families uprooted and fleeing the city. Did you get a sense of how people felt? I may be imagining things, of course. Perhaps...perhaps the other staff might have insights you can tap into? Cautiously."

[[Mikkel tells Brand that most of the people he saw were like himself, visiting the sites and he couldn't tell if the guards were behaving unusually because he doesn't know how they should behave; Mikkel is a definite tourist.]]

[[ I don't think I've ever asked before: what is the demographic % of races? Are Sorendenese 10% of Constantine? 50%? What about rest of Engle? ]]

[[Stemians are the most populous race in Engle, it is their country after all. Most people of Sorendenese descent (i.e., there are half breeds) live in the south-east corner of the country. Percentage-wise, the Sorendenese and their descendants would be about 50% of the population of Constantine. Elsewhere in the country the percentage would be much, much smaller.]]

[[ I think you said he did not have time to do everything I suggested earlier. Given I totally misread the situation with Mystery Woman, I think he would poke his head in on the pre-dinner gathering, time-permitting, to see if she was there... ]]

[[He would need to leave now to make sure he gets to the Compleat Sage on time.]]

[[ If time does not permit, he gathers his stuff and leaves. He will leave as follows: ]]

Brand thanks Mikkel, waits until the footsteps recede then passes through the scullery/games room, to the formal dining room, and out onto the balcony (of course, there may be people there, in which case he goes one floor down through the Ball Room and outside.

[[The table is in the process of being set by one of the servants. It looks like there will only be a couple of people for dinner.]]

Once outside he becomes invisible, and floats over the wall and along the river until he can head up an alley and join the main road, becoming visible at a covenient and secluded spot. He then makes his way to the bookshop, checking to see if he is being followed.

[[Please make a Perception check; Less than 10 will be considered a failure.]]

[[I will look at the building stuff later.]]

---

[[ kibitzing is good. Definitely clarifies problems abd prevents me committing to a design that has a major flaw. ]]

Levels

Re: Level...I think for the sake of simplicity, they would have done their best to level the ground for the front of the house and stable/yard. If we assume the house front  has 8-10 wide steps, then that allows a metre or two elevation at the front and 2-3 metres at the ballroom end (not set in concrete as a design spec, just working hypothesis). This would mean sitting or standing at the river side of the ground floor would still have river views, and the conservatory/sunroom might be at ground level, and be less obscuring...Or I might just get rid of it...suggestions?

Annex

Yes, wrong term. The 'Annex' is the visitors waiting area, the thin white room across from it would be Jon's daytime station, and a weapons room. He would put small items there, and larger items in the cloak or luggage rooms. His suite would probably have a sliding window-thing for him to look out to the entry hall when no on duty.

Water & Baths & Heating(!)

Once upon a time I did have a bath house...I suspect that the boiler should be in the courtyard, and the current boiler room could become the bathhouse, with the boiler in an outbuilding close to the laundry & bathhouse.

You did say all mod cons: how about piped water for heating? Probably use bronze pipes (expensive, but perfect for the purpose I think).

Drinking water may be piped, but I'm happy if it's only to the kitchens...and perhaps the family suites? Or maybe water for ablutions? There's also the problem of poisoning with copper pipes -- not sure about Bronze. Probably reduced at least, though that probably depends on what the actual alloy is. Might be simpler to use piped water for heating, bathing, ablutions and in the kitchens.

If you are happy with:

- dining upstairs
- wine tasting and business rooms (and business manager?) downstairs,
- current secret corridors
- elevation roughly as discussed

then I can prpobably proceed. Of course, I will probably have to restructure stuff...but if we agree on roughly what's there we should be good.

eg. the family quaters are HUGE at the moment. They need to be rationalized (at least in terms of adding storage, corridor space, and maybe a guest room?

Edit:

Courtyard/Stables

Why dio they need to be near Lazlo? I see the courtyard & stables as non-public areas.

Edit 2: The plan is that Lazlot will see people who head to/from that area tho

He then makes his way to the bookshop, checking to see if he is being followed.

[[Please make a Perception check; Less than 10 will be considered a failure.]]

Perception: 16

Brand has arrived in the region of the Scholar's Ward where the Compleat Sage is located and is confident that he has not been followed.

On the corner of the street in which the Compleat Sage is situated, there is a young woman dressed in revealing clothes. As Brand approaches her, she takes out a slim pipe and gestures him closer, saying, "Gotta light, Mister."

Brand smiles, but keeps his distance, "I'm afraid not, Madame. Good luck to you."

[[ Edit: Can he see the shop or Master Helas?

If it's close, He continues up the street and past the shop, then turns the next corner warily, and endeavours to stealth in shadows. [[ Or chooses another likely spot, on the way, if there is/was one ]]

As Brand passes the woman, she makes an offer of lewd services to him.

Entering the street, Brand can see another woman of the night leaning up against one of the eternal flame streetlights that are occasionally found in this part of the Scholar's Ward; this woman is the other side of the Compleat Sage from where Brand is.

[[ A sketch would help, but he would choose to get near the shop, and out of sight of the women, or at a place where loitering is natural...without skimpy clothing

He might also knock on the shop door....

And if he hasn't heard the second candle rung yet, he will just walk on by...]]

As Brand hasn't heard the second candle being called yet, he continues on up the street.

However, as luck—and die rolls—would have it, he is just passing the second woman when the candle call starts to be heard echoing through the streets.

[[No time for a sketch—I'm actually working between moves—but the two corners are about 200' apart and the Compleat Sage is about 60' back from the corner Brand is just passing.]]

Brand looks up at the sound, then looks at the nearby woman, looking for anything out of place or unusual. Checking to see if there's any evidence that she is not what she appears to be. He then starts walking slowly back to the shop, when he gets there he knocks.

[[ If there was anything strange, he might behave a little differently.... ]]

[[ In his experience, is the scholars quarter usually this busy, with this kind of business?]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand looks up at the sound, then looks at the nearby woman, looking for anything out of place or unusual. Checking to see if there's any evidence that she is not what she appears to be. He then starts walking slowly back to the shop, when he gets there he knocks.

[[ If there was anything strange, he might behave a little differently.... ]]

[[ In his experience, is the scholars quarter usually this busy, with this kind of business?]]

[[Not in Brand's experience, but maybe this is new—something that happened while he was away. Also, recent weather would have kept street walkers inside.]]

The woman looks back at Brand and says, "Can I help you, stranger?"

[[Make an Insight check and I'll assume he hasn't headed back to the shop yet.]]

Insight: 19

Brand smiles, "No, thank you...I think I may have walked past my destination."

[[ Assuming he sees nothing ]]

He glances around, then exclaims, "Ah...that might be it."

Then starts walking slowly back, and knocks if he reaches it.

[[ Assuming he sees nothing ]]

He glances around, then exclaims, "Ah...that might be it."

Then starts walking slowly back, and knocks if he reaches it.

The woman seems to be nothing more than lady of the night, though perhaps a little more classy than the first one as she doesn't try to obviously solicit Brand for sex, instead giving him a smile and nod.

Brand walks back to the Compleat Sage, which to a casual glance seems closed. However, Brand can see a faint gleam of light coming through the small pane of glass in the front door.

He knocks on the door and, after a moment, it is opened by Helas, who is holding a lit candlestick in his hand.

"Come in, come in," Helas says, urgently motioning Brand to enter.

Brand enters the shop, nods to Helas, and says "I don't recall so many ladies of the night in this area before."

"Sorry?" he asks, looking confused. "Prostitute? Here? I will have to have words with the local tax warden. Get them run off."

Immediately after Helas says this, Brand hears someone laughing from the rear of the shop.

With his Darkvision, Brand sees a small, stocky man, who is bald, but with a finely barbered beard and moustache.

"So," says the man, still with a chuckle in his voice, "this is your seeker after truth, is it? What would a common street bravo know about wisdom of any sort?"

Brand looks the man up and down, then smiles. "In honesty, sir. I would not know what a common street bravo would know of wisdom."

"Though...I do suspect...that even the whores outside know not to judge a man by the colours he chooses to show."

Helas looks between Brand and the shorter man nervously and then says, "This is no common street bravo, Jay. This is the son of Koric Brand. He is a man of wealth and a seeker after knowledge."

"Koric Brand, you say," says the man, as though something has just occurred to him.

He then chuckles loudly before saying, "So, Master Brand, just what knowledge is it that you are seeking?" 

Brand considers for a moment, "There are several things; I am interested in understanding the Arcane Arts, the nature and forms of latent sorcery and how it might best be tested for, and how such power might be achieved."

"And ... in a more practical sense ... I have been away for several months and upon my return, I find a changed city. I am disturbed by this, and seek to understand it."

"Finally, you know who my father is, you can guess at my interests -- though you might guess wide of the mark -- but I knew and liked the Warlord, and his death is something else that troubles me. I would like to understand it."

[[ And just for good measure, an updated upper floor. Since Brand has Mikkel I assume Koric and Wife also have their attendants. ]]

[[First impression about the map is that it is far too complicated (the un-secret corridors don't work, for one thing) and highly redundant. (Why so many dining rooms and what do you mean by a drawing room? The waiting room and it should be one and the same, in my opinion.) I also think a lot of things up here should be done downstairs and while the master suites might have an area for ablutions the servant quarters wouldn't. They would share a bathroom, toilet etc. and most likely sleep downstairs. Also, Koric doesn't have a 'man' (Brand would have met him if he did). I also still think there are far too many secret passages... Having said all that, you need to add Koric's Study, where Madame Damass and her entourage were hold up on the night of the Temple event. That was a separate room to the meeting room that Koric and Brand spied on from the secret passage that they walked along to from Koric's bedroom.]]

The man lets Brand speak to conclusion before saying, with a note of accusation in his voice, "And why do you think that we know about, or have anything to do with, the changes to the city and the death of the warlord? Just who do you think we are?"

[[Sorry, but that's it for me tonight. I'm trying to copyedit a not-very-well-written academic paper and it's hard going. Ciao.]]