 Chapeliers
– once elegant home and offices of Boris the Hat
LARGE property situated on Lightsblood Street, Chapeliers dominates
the local landscape with its display of magnificence and awesome
appearance.
This was once home to Boris the Hat, Sarbreenar’s richest citizen,
it is also the base of operations for HATTERS,
Sarbreenars finest message delivery service. Staying there as semi
permanent guests are the 1st
Elven Dragonriders, one of the premier fighting units of The
Vast, thus ensuring that the quality of the residents match the
quality of the building.
Viewed from the outside, one is immediately struck
by the beauty of the surrounding grounds. Flowers of all different
colours and small ornamental trees and hedges form a garden of rare
beauty. It should be noted that the house stands pristine amongst
the wildlife, no ivy growing up its walls.
The main entrance to the house is a magnificent set
of double doors, made of oak with large brass doorknockers on each
one. Either side of the doors is a pair of stone-carved pegasi,
rearing up, approximately half the normal size of the real thing.
Upon opening the doors the visitor is greeted by a liveried footman
who stands resplendent in his finely tailored uniform, who will
lead the guest into the main hall.
Main Hall: A marble
floored expanse with a mosaic of Boris’s famous red hat with
blue feather in the centre. Opposite the front door is a grand staircase
that rises halfway to the second level before splitting off to the
left and right to complete the journey upwards.
Standing to the right of the hallway, just outside
the Hatters Office entrance is a set of splint mail armour set upon
a stand. Arrayed about the armour as though a normal person were
wearing it, is a full set of adventuring equipment. Those of the
adventuring community will recognise it as the belongings of the
late lamented Gunthar D’arythan.
The oak-paneled walls are covered with paintings and
tapestries from the burgeoning art community within Sarbreenar.
Pferro Rustledawn’s works feature heavily.
The hall is lit by two large chandeliers that are
suspended from the ceiling of the second floor. A discreet sign
on both pieces remind the 1st Elven that they are not
allowed to swing from them.
Office: The base
of operations for HATTERS, Sarbreenars finest message delivery service.
A large but functional office. Bare wooden floors. On one wall is
a large map of Sarbreenar, which is constantly being updated in
line with the latest building work.
Just inside the door is a hat rack, holding many of
the easily recognizable ‘HATTERS’ hats.
Dining Room: Dominating
the center of this large ostentatious room is a grand dining table
that will comfortably seat 12 people. A raised platform to the left
of the room is set aside for use by minstrels, bards and other entertainers.
The room is lit by a glorious crystal chandelier especially imported
from Waterdeep, though for more intimate meals elaborate candelabra
are used. Display cabinets against the wall hold all the fine china
and cutlery used for meals. Two large windows on the outer wall
allow plenty of natural light in, despite the fine bars that run
the length of the frames. These bars allow the windows to open (sliding
up and down) but are not set far enough apart to allow access to
anything but a small bird. Rich velvet drapes, blue, are hung at
the window for when it gets dark.
Kitchen: A large
well looked after kitchen. Fitted with the latest in kitchenware,
this modern facility is capable of preparing feasts for the masses
as well as food for the few.
Larder: Self-explanatory,
though it should be noted it is always well stocked with good wholesome
food.
Bathrooms and Latrines:
A series of bathrooms and latrines for use of both servants
and residents. A nightsoil collector calls twice a day to the house
to take away waste.
The baths come highly recommended from Diamond’s House
of Lavation, as do the oils.
Servants Quarters:
Basic rooms are provided for all the staff at Chapeliers. Each
member of staff is entitled to his or her own room, though some
choose to return to their homes and families at the end of the working
day. The rooms are complete with furniture, supplied by the ever-generous
employer, Boris the Hat.
Balcony: A walkway
covering three sides of the upper hall level. The stairs exit it
on the right and left-hand sides, meeting in the middle before continuing
their journey downwards. In an alcove, opposite the direction of
the front door is more artwork. Standing on either side of the alcove
are two stuffed animals, one of which is an extremely large bear,
the other a mountain lion. It is believed these were the original
models upon which Pferro created his masterpiece entitled ‘Nature
at War’.
The balcony is carpeted along its entire length.
Boris’s bedroom:
This room remains preserved, untouched, in his memory. A large, sumptuously decorated bedroom. The bed is a four poster;
silken drapes tied back at each post. Dominating one wall of the
room is a large portrait of a woman, short brown hair and green
eyes that catch the light and twinkle as though bespelled. She is
dressed as a lady of some station, earrings and a necklace glittering
against a slim neck. Despite much speculation, Boris never revealed
who the lady in question was.
A large chest sits at the foot of the bed, whilst
a dresser and a wardrobe stand proud against the wall upon the oak
wooden floor. Next to the bed itself stands a small table, upon
which lies a quill and several pieces of parchment. Also on the
table are a carafe of water and a fine pewter goblet.
The windows are again barred along the same lines
as the dining room, though the drapes in this room are the same
colour as Boris’s hat.
Study: A large
rug covers the wooden floor of this room. Comfortable reading chairs
are placed around the fireplace, while in the corner a writing bureau
awaits for those who wish to work. Shelves adorn the walls, holding
many books that cover a variety of topics, many of them works relating
to mundane subjects such as farming, cooking or even weaving. The
windows of this room are small arrow slits, allowing light to penetrate,
but too small to be climbed through.
Vega’s bedroom:
A light airy room that opens out to a balcony on one wall. A
large four poster bed dominates this room, whilst on the walls mirrors
make sure that in case you missed it the first time, it can be seen
again and again.
A larger than normal wardrobe stands against one wall
of the room to allow Vega plenty of space for his many outfits.
A table next to the bed holds a carafe of fine Elven
wine with two pewter goblets.
Upper bathroom: Situated
between Boris and Vegas’ bedrooms, this bathroom is only accessible
from the two bedrooms. Containing two baths, this room is separated
by an ornamental silk screen that can be pulled across to allow
for privacy, although in Vega’s case, he is more than happy
to be interrupted when bathing with a lady, as he feels it adds
something to the experience.
The baths are again supplied by Diamond’s House of
Lavation, though they are of a much higher quality than the ones
downstairs, as are the oils and soaps.
Other bedrooms: All
the other bedrooms are fitted out in much the same style. Basic
double beds along with a dresser and a wardrobe. All of the rooms
have bare oak floors with rugs at the foot and side of each bed.
Although supposedly guestrooms, they are more or less occupied on
a permanent basis by members of the 1st Elven. Each of
the rooms has a picture in it of varying themes, all by Sarbreenar
artists currently studying under the tutorship of the RAE.
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