Reinette Ember
Welcome to Exotic Pleasures, a secret resort hidden and protected by the beauty and genius of nature.
A soft voice carries in the wind, no more than a sweet whisper, but it captures the hearts and thoughts of any who passes near the few paths that lead to the resort, drawing them into paradise, or death. If one manages to reach the resort alive, the beautiful song seems to stop, leaving the venturous only to wonder. It's rumored a siren lives in the sea, but the temptress had never been seen, and once inside the safety of the gates, is never heard again.
A soft voice carries in the wind, no more than a sweet whisper, but it captures the hearts and thoughts of any who passes near the few paths that lead to the resort, drawing them into paradise, or death. If one manages to reach the resort alive, the beautiful song seems to stop, leaving the venturous only to wonder. It's rumored a siren lives in the sea, but the temptress had never been seen, and once inside the safety of the gates, is never heard again.
-NOTE-
Though I don't mind if you skim through the description below, please be sure to check out the important bits in the fourth post as they contain plot related information.
Though I don't mind if you skim through the description below, please be sure to check out the important bits in the fourth post as they contain plot related information.
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Location
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To the east are high snow capped mountains, separated by miles of desert that eventually fade into an overgrowth of beautiful, but deadly tropical wildlife. The forestry reaches far over the land before it surrounds the small Mediterranean-like building nestled at the edge of a gorgeous blue-green sea; smaller than most but the sight was still breath taking. The sea is surrounded by a wall of high cliffs, separating it almost entirely from the temperamental ocean. The high cliffs are covered in more tropical growth, thick and untamed as it consumes most of the surrounding lands. Animals of both reality and myth possess the lands, steering clear of the resort but hunting close to its borders in hopes a visitor will stray just a bit too far from safety.
High, thick walls of brick and stone surround the entire property, vines of bright exotic flowers overgrow and reach over the top, threatening to invade the protected lands inside this outer wall.
There are three paths to this resort.
One from the mountains, around the desert and through the thicket of trees and wild life. This is by far the most dangerous rout, as it is at least a weeks walk from the harsh cold weather of the mountains. The path is the least worn and easily lost where plant life has taken over after weeks, sometimes years of being unused.
From the ocean, one must climb a steep staircase, worn and chipped from the cliff side itself. A dangerous venture if one is not careful. It's a long drop from the highest point, though the landing is sand, one would still likely break their neck. Once on top there is a wide, safe path that leads slowly down, gradually descending around the sea and through a half a days walk of forest to the resort.
The safest of paths comes from the south. A commonly used path that leads through the forest, walled on each side (though some spots have deteriorated over the years) leads to and from the resort to a small village of local natives. Though they are generally a peaceful group, they are afraid of strangers and travelers that come by and usually shy away until they pass through.
The resort wall contains three entrances, one at the end of each path. The entrances are gated with twisted wrought iron, some overgrown with the invading vines, but all easily opened if one took the time to push through.
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The Resort
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Inside the walls
From whatever entrance you enter, you are greeted with beautiful gardens. Much like the plant life outside the walls, but tamed and left untouched by the wild beasts. Various stone paths lead through the garden, bridging here and there over small streams trickling from the mountains to the sea. Waterfalls both large and small send a melodic sounds through the high trees and colorful foliage. The closer you get to the resort the trees begin to thin and bits of overgrown and crumbled architecture begin to appear. Old arches and walls, almost like pieces of art displayed within the plant life. Some arcs still reach over the paths, providing shade and a cool breeze in some of the more tunnel-like structures. Birds and bugs still inhabit the inside, but besides smaller mammals most animals remain outside the wall.
The Eastern path leads one to the back of the resort. A large patio is shaded with intact arches and a wooden graph, overgrown with vines, dripping with colorful tropic flowers. Various stone fountains trickle around the perimeter, creating a sense of ambiance. There are chairs and tables, and even a small stone rise that can be, and has been used as a stage. On a sunny day or warm night the patio is usually where the events are hosted.
The Western path leads to another beautiful, but smaller and uncovered patio. An old stone sauna rests against the resort, constantly steaming beside the beautiful outdoor pool. Small compared to most, but the hand carved stonework and western sea view made up for its lack of size. This was the place to watch the sunset, when the sky is painted and its reflection glittered over the calm sea water. A small walk from this patio would lead you to the small stretch of private beach that lines the salty waters. From here you can see the size of the sea. It wasn't impressive in size, but it was large enough to barely see the far cliffs and yet stay within the safety of the outer wall.
The Southern path leads to the main entrance. Unlike the other two entrances, this path is walled on one side where it skirts along the sea. It is also the longest path from the outer wall, leading through a much larger garden until one passes beneath an extravagant stone arch into a small courtyard and large entrance door made of colorful stained glass.
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Inside the building
The inside of the beautiful stone building is just as magnificent. The main entrance is a circular room with a high stone dome created of ancient arcs much like those in the garden; though far healthier and secure.The dome roof is littered with large holes and breaks, allowing vines and beautiful flowers to grow in and around the carved wooden beams built to secure the old dome ceiling, or what was left of it.
The damage however was non threatening, and was left only to show the age of the building. This was the last of the ruins that remained, as the rest of the resort was more recently built.
From this entrance room there are three arches that lead to the rest of the resort.
North, or straight ahead leads to bathrooms; women to the left, men to the right. Just past the bathroom doors is a set of stone stairs that lead up to the upper floor where the bedrooms are.
Each bedroom comes with a private bathroom, an option of one, or two queen sized beds, a small patio, and a private view of the tropical forest.
East leads to a small hall that offers three doors. A door for the library, and a door for the indoor pool. The third door leads to the east patio. The indoor pool also has a door that leads to the east patio.
West, of course, leads to the more commonly used area of the resort. The bar, lounge, kitchen, and the entrance from the west path that leads into the main room.
The Bar
Entering the western arc, or the door from the west patio, one enters into a dim, windowless room. A shocking change from the rest of the building that is always lit bright from the sun or lanterns. A polished wooden bar reaches around the south wall (left from the arc entrance), lit with candles and small lights (much like the rest of the bar/lounge). A large variety of alcohol is stocked on the back shelves, and if they ever run out, more are kept in the cellar below the kitchen. A door covered in black velvet hides the kitchen entrance from the bar, located behind the counter-employees only please ;p
The rest of the bar is littered with various tables and a small stage by the west wall. A winding staircase beside the bar leads to a second floor that shapes to a square C, overlooking the lower part of the bar. On this second floor there is only private booths to line the walls, each booth large enough to hold 4-6 people. Inside each booth is a Hookah. Smoking material can be ordered down at the bar. Though smoking is permitted in the bar, it is not anywhere else. We also encourage those to smoke in the private booths with the crimson curtains closed, but this is not a requirement.
The Lounge
The lounge is connected to the northern wall of the bar. Like the bar, this den like room had no windows and was lit by small lights and candles. A variety of chairs and couches surrounded an indoor fire pit, while others sat more privately in the corners.
Incense burned slowly in the corners, and with the smoke and heat from the fire pit, the smoke drifted up to the center of the beautiful dome ceiling, exiting through the upper ventilation while fresh air poured in from lower ventilation. Like the bar, soft ambient music played constantly unless requested otherwise.
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Weather
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Hot and bright during the day with a faint breeze. Warm at night with beautiful clear skies, slight gusts from the west.
