Author: Bianca Bathory, Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:09 PM, Post Subject: Hestia Castle Description

Hestia Castle:

Overnight a crack formed in the middle of the Bohar Plains and by the end of the night, a brand-new volcano had risen up from within the crust of the planet. The lands for a mile in all directions were scorched from the heat as new veins of lava crawled out from the volcano to spread across the newly claimed lands. The lava within these veins bubbles and pops, spreading fire and heat all around. The volcano, however, started to reform itself until a castle, rooms and hallways, formed by flowing lava, appeared along with all kinds of furnishings. Windows appeared on the ‘front’ of the castle, as well as a single entrance up a flight of stairs. 

Within the scorched lands around the castle a strange sight has been spotted slowly wondering the lands. Giant tortoises have been seen wondering the blackened earth. These beasts average around four foot in length and weigh in at a whopping 550 pounds. They are generally black in color, with veins of lava flowing down from the top of the volcanic shaped shells. The tortoises are gentle creature and where they come from is not know, unless Bianca does know and is not saying. Bianca is fond of the tortoises and will protect them if someone is dumb enough to attack one. However, they are capable of taking of themselves. If attacked a tortoise can shoot balls of lava from it shell like a mortar or get another tortoise(sometimes more than one) that is within range to bombard the attack. If a tortoise is killed, or dragged outside of the scorched lands, after a moment they explode, violently, lifting a mushroom cloud into the air(think the mini nukes from the Fallout games).

Ingress Gallery:

Upon walking through the main portal into the Castle, you will find yourself facing a magnificent fountain, depicting dragons spewing fire from their maws. The fire is real as is the pool of lava the fountain rests within. The eyes of the twin dragons seem to follow you as you walk around, surely, however, this is just an illusion of perspective? If you look carefully, however, at the dragon on the left, the fire that it is breath has a somewhat purple-ish hue to it. Perhaps a small indication of the Chaotic nature of this place?

Aside from the fountain, there are no hallways off of this room. Instead, around the edge of the room are lava falls and, once in a while, someone will step out of one and then head into another. These lava falls are the ‘stairs’ within the Castle and are the only way to get around. If you cannot meld to it yourself, an attendant can assist you or the Epox can grant you the ability to do so.

Hall of Helios:

On the second floor of the Castle is where everything really happens in the Castle. Attendants go about their work, whether they are of Fire or of Chaos, a small well stocked bar is in one corner of the Hall. A place for visitors and Attendants alike to rest, because the Herald is not shy about enjoying a good drink themselves now and then. Attendants share rooms in another part of this level, higher ranked ones(PCs basically) have their own private room. This is the heart of the Castle and where most people will see when they visit. There are lava falls that lead up to the next level of the Castle, however, these are enchanted to stop people from using them unless they have permission. There are areas for training in Fire magic, and Bianca will sometimes teach Blood magic to those that they deem worthy, but, of course, they are not the Deity of Blood. So that is reserved for special occasions. There are a few rooms for private training and talks and Bianca can have refreshments from the bar delivered to them.

Sanguine Laboratory:

Because the Herald is also a natural Blood Mage, this third level of the Castle is reserved for their research into blood and the power that it contains. Samples from all kinds of beings fill vials and containers around the room on shelves, how all of this was gathered is probably not a good question to ask. When not attending to Divine matters, Bianca can be found here, and they work alone, few attendants come into this area, since it really has nothing to do with Fire or Chaos. It’s just an obsession of Bianca’s.

Private Quarters:

Bianca’s private floor, if you are in here it’s because they want you to be, possibly for a one on one private chat, or, other things, are Bianca is rather open, but picky. A huge bed dominates the middle of the wide open floor, windows looking out over the scorched landscape provide a stunning view. A large bath sits to one side of the floor, along with a wardrobe for all of Bianca’s very varied clothing selection. A smaller version of the dragon fountain rests off to one side of the floor. If you somehow manage to make it to this level without Bianca’s permission, well, don’t, unless your prepared to have your ashes thrown out the window.