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 Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:32 pm
| The Inspired! | ~ The Inspired mansion is rather inappropriately labeled as such, as for all intensive purposes it's more or less a castle. The exterior is an almost gothic, but definitely Victorian era design; much (if not based on (; ) Scotland's Torosay Castle.
More pictures here, here, here, here (last is not Torosay, but a great likeness for the surrounding setting of the mansion.)
Stark differences between this real life castle and the Inspired; the Inspired is an almost run down and aged place. The gardens are overgrown, and the building has spent years without a good washing and proper restorations. However, even the gardens and the topiarys that once depicted graceful swans and romantic women have kept some of their shape, but with a horror film type of charm only mangled the original form to create it's own sort of personality. In fact, the entire estate is rather 'straight out of horror film.'
The playhouse itself is a marvelously coloured place, in contrast to the usually dark and strictly romantic coloured rest of the mansion. It is alight with gold and vibrant reds and blues, and comical jestery faces carved out of golden wood pillars.
Aside from the main rooms of the Inspired, including the kitchen and dining hall, ballroom, library, and stables, there are an almost countless number of bedrooms ranging in glory from fit for royalty-esque to little more than slave's quarters. While most rooms remain yet unclaimed, the certain hierarchy that has formed and continues to change and form among those who live in the mansion prevent total free reign, and most would be wary to claim quite too much as their own.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:29 am
~ | extended layout | Horrid, Horrid, Nightmare Inspiring Layout Image to be USED AS A VAGUE VERY VAGUE REFERENCE
Now that you've been permanently scarred, time to explain!
1> The entrance. Deep in the long, overgrown front gardens the entrance finally breaks. Framing gigantic, heavy front doors and guarded by two spitting-fountain gargoyles on either side, it's a rather impressive if very creepy display. Fountains are, in fact, scattered almost everywhere in the front gardens, as well as small koi and lilly ponds, aged statues, and topiaries in all sorts of strange an obscure forms and creatures.
2> The drawing room. The large space is filled with decadent plush furnishings, art, and lowlight candlelight. It is obviously the first reception area of the mansion where guests were first entertained before being taken into the (upper) ballroom or dining hall.
3> Just across from the drawing room and entrance is the connected 'sitting room', much like the drawing room in decor only considerably smaller in actual function, due to the new desks and chairs that made this area the sort of 'front office' of the mansion.
4> The grand stairs. Twin, spiral stairs that lead up the entire four levels of the mansion. The second level, and the first landing of the stairs, takes you in to the grand ballroom, an area easily the size of the first level's great hall and library combined. Further ascension of the stairs lead to the third and fourth levels of bedrooms, and ocassional storage and miscellaneous rooms.
5> The Tapestry Square. An obscure feature directly in the middle of the twin stairs and in front of the entrance to the great hall, the Tapestry square once hid it's true purpose completely in it's original day. Now, the front Tapestry has been pinned back to allow full view of the descending stairs and hallway that lead down the winding path to the playhouse.
6> The Great Hall. Directly in front of the entrance doors themselves, just passed the Tapestry Square, the Great Hall lies. Matching it's name, this hall is rivaled only by the ballroom in decadence and luxurious decor, though it's odd shape has made it mostly a showcase of art and wordy entertainment, where as most 'entertaining' entertainment was conducted in the even larger and more functional ballroom.
7> Library. Nestled in the Great Hall, the Library must of been precious to someone at one time, as it is stacked full of books and had been cared for and decorated with great love and affection. Further, the books seem to be of the more obscure and random sort, most of which appearing to be original copies, and many seem to be about the Inspired themselves!
8> The Study. What space for learning the Library could not provide, the study could. Apothecaries, more modern scientific equipment, as well as even more books of the even more obscure sort and more private spaces to hide in.
9> Living Room. A slightly more casual room than the Drawing and Sitting Rooms, the living room has become the romp room of the Inspired and if any room in the entire mansion has been modernized, this is it. Wide screen HD TV mounted on the centered wall, as well as purely 'comfortable' furniture and millionaire-bachelor decor, the living room has every gaming system known to man.
10> Coat Room. Self explanatory, though you have to wonder if anyone actually puts coats in there anymore.
11> Bathroom.
12> Dining Hall. The Dining Hall is a large room filled up with a ridiculously long table that must have been built in the room itself, as it's sheer size suggests getting it into the mansion after it's construction would be impossible. Obviously designed as though the proprietors thought themselves some sort of royalty, the chairs at the ends of the tables are grand and thronely, and almost comically the chairs decrease in glory the further they get from the ends, so that the chairs in the direct middle are less comfortable than wirey fold outs at a picnic.
13> Breakfast room. A more casual dining room, the breakfast room is full of windows and calming plants, mellow colours, and comfortable furniture.
14> Kitchen. Complete with an old cast iron stove and everything.
15> Storage.
16> Bathroom.
17> ????
18> Greenhouse. Connected french doors leading into the kitchen and Breakfast room both, the greenhouse is a truly elaborate place that ascends three stories hung together by metal spiral staircases and equally tall plants. The plants seem to grow suspiciously large in the greenhouse, and there is an almost constant inapplicable fog in the greenhouse at all times.
19> North Garden. The 'back' garden of the estate, much less dense than the front garden but no less creepy!
20> Stables. One can only wonder what once went here!
21> Shed.
22> Side Garden. An almost entirely open, grassy area, though the grass is naturally dark, it at least makes a good space for sports.
23> Storage.
24> The 'lake pool.' The recently treated water and stone siding has made this lake far cleaner and more swimmable (as did the removal of fish..well..most fish...) but it still remains far less orthodox than traditional swimmingpools. A small island with a fountain in the main center adds more decor to the place.
What Isn't Shown...
The setting. The mansion rests on the side of a cliff, not far over an ocean, so that it's 'back' or 'north' garden is the last space before cliffside.
Also While a lot of things are explained for clarification, be aware this does not mean things written here are set in stone. We expect many changes will take place to and in the mansion over time, and this guide wasn't meant to make people feel restricted or like they need to double check everything they write. Remember to have fun, and use these guides and descriptions only for your own benefit and reference!
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:16 pm
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