[Rosewood] Megiltura Cheb

[Riconus Xind'ell]

Estate for the Heru and Arwen of House Xind'ell

Within the unspoiled glade of the intriguing Restwood, surrounded by the vast Sapphire Groves of the ethereal Tumba, rests fifty enclosed hectares of lush wilderness, where upon the Kard'en'i'Xind'ell laid its foundation. There is only a single entrance into the estate, through a large stone archway that while obviously guarded, is equipped with no gate or barricade save above it an intricate tracery of a sprawling tree in reverence of the patron goddess. While the master of the estate is a soldier in mind and soul, he certainly had no intention of turning his peaceful sanctuary into a menacing fortress. Thus, while there are no stationed armaments on the plot, security in the form of highly-trained soldiers are always tight and extremely visible. At the stone arch alone, four guards in armor of silver & dark blue platemail stand sentry, and while only wooden fencing encloses the remainder of the grounds, over two dozen rangers rove through the thick foliage of the estate's borders to ensure that any fool attempting to trespass would be caught and punished accordingly. Most of the pristine environs are undisturbed, however, hosting but fae and fauna within its verdant walls.

Despite the arboreal fort, this gracious element of the Syl'rosyan Forest is permitted, at least for the time being, to live freely, barred from any growth that tends to encroach clearings with its slithering vines and unyielding wood. Only the indiscernible path that the rangers worked in along the borders pierces an otherwise natural landscape.

Approaching the stone arch, visitors are at once met with two guards on duty, excluding the other two idly chatting while waiting for their shift to begin, who quickly request one’s name and purpose. They are all soldiers of pure Syl'rosyan blood, likely retired legionnaires from the Shining Host, and as such, their snobbish disposition put formalities in rare order unless the visitor was of warranted status or if the manor lord had requested their proper etiquette to be displayed during certain times.

The Pathway, Gardens & Study

Once granted entry, guests are escorted by the two off-duty guardsmen along the surprisingly long pathway leading to the open vales of which its beauty is augmented by gardens and the dignified Cheb, which only comprises of a fraction of the entire property. While the unpaved trail is nothing inspiring, the sublimity of the grove sways one's mind from the thought of a preferred shorter walk. A blue mist emanating from the eucalyptus trees veils the glade and the wilderness, a floral by-product of the Sapphire Groves that surrounds Megiltura Cheb. The occasional ranger is visible between these tall bushes of eucalyptus as he casually patrols the lands while eating various fruits or mushrooms picked up from the ground.

Gradually, the trail diminishes into a more open grove and at length, into a wide dell full of beautiful and organic colours. The cobblestone road that gleams silver in the moon’s glow begins and divides into two, one way leading to the manor and the other branching into narrow walks for a pleasant journey over murmuring creeks towards the way to the menagerie of flowers and other plant life in the gardens. Two or three simple fountains are sprinkled in with the horticulture in which a number of tall lamp posts holding white candles are situated for when sunlight becomes sparse. Once the cobblestone path completes its meandrous journey around the flower and fruit plantations, it ends at an oblong annex hugging the fringes of the wilderness and Duin'en'Coia. Only the door and windows are liberated from the Tumba's vines, which had over the years virtually covered the entire structure to liken it to a hillock. Upon entering, bookshelves cover every wall, and the two long tables in the middle of the wooden floor seem to be spotlighted by the sun’s shaft of light penetrating through from the highest windows.

The Xind'ell Manor

Following the widened division of the primary cobblestone road, one would be led to the large stone keep of House Xind'ell. The impressive structure stands two storeys, with two more soldiers guarding the front door; their presence is more of a decoration, however, than a security precaution. Like the library, large vines had crept up the façade of the building, engulfing it in a blanket of emerald foliage. A very small citadel is attached at the front, where guards could stay the night if need be, made of the same level stone as the rest of the manor. While the façade, graced by elfin caryatids, is made of simple quarried materials, the inside attributes its sumptuous grandeur to the refine taste of the lord and lady. Hardwood floors accentuate the furniture made of polished oak and silver arrases, depicting Syl’rosyan life that cascades down the walls. The upper floor is much the same as any other two-storey house, comprising solely of guest rooms and one master bedchamber where the lord and lady rests.

The master bedchamber is by far the most elaborate room in the manor. A massive Arakmatan rug covers all but the floor's perimeter. Resting on the carpet to one side is a massive four-post bed frame of polished rosewood, draped in lustrous gauze, holding up a mattress of feathers and blankets of silk. To the opposite side of the room, is a fireplace of granite and marble, which stands tall below an ornament of a golden tree adorning the crown of the mantle in honour of the Goddess of Fertility.

The first floor is where most rooms of importance rested. To the left is the kitchen, and beyond that, the banquet hall, where a large table for seating twelve people spread the length of the room. Surrounding it are two pine cabinets on either side; one for storing dinnerware and one used as a cellaret. Living quarters and a billiard room are situated to the right, and in between two august, linear staircases leading to the top floor, is a glass door parallel to the front entrance. There, one could make their way into the sunroom that is often swathed in fresh, lambent light.

Bay windows spring out from each side of the peninsular room, which protrudes towards a grove of hanging gardens illuminated at night by garden tealights; and opening a latch in the ceiling would permit sunlight to enter from above on good brightenings. While not as large, the sunroom is furnished in the similar fashion as the house, providing just one more place in which the lord and his lady can spend the rest of their days.

Written by Riconus Xind'ell and Rhiannon Rhodes