Hawkport Mansion

Purpose / Function

Hawkport Mansion serves as the primary residence of the Hawkport Family. It's not only their family but also a symbol of status, a display of thier of thier wealth/influenc, and a place for political gatherings. There are a variety of functions done here, from balls to negotiations with influential figures of Edria.

Design

The design of Hawkport Mansion is grand but restrained, meant to showcase wealth while maintaining an air of dignity:

Main Hall

Upon entry, guests are greeted by a vast, marble-floored hall with portraits of Hawkport ancestors lining the walls. A grand staircase dominates the space, leading to the upper floors.

Ballroom

The ballroom is expansive, with gilded mirrors, polished marble floors, and large windows overlooking the gardens.

Private Wing

A secluded wing is reserved for the Hawkport family, consisting of personal chambers, studies, and private dining areas.

Dining Hall

The dining hall is long and narrow, with an elaborately carved wooden table at its center, flanked by high-backed chairs. A stone hearth at one end provides warmth, while the room’s oak paneling and portraits lend a sense of history and tradition.

Library

The library, located in the east wing of Hawkport Mansion, is a quiet and elegant retreat for study and private discussions. Floor-to-ceiling oak bookshelves house an extensive collection of historical and political works, with carved hawk motifs reflecting the family crest. A central mahogany table is surrounded by leather chairs, while smaller writing desks sit in alcoves. Large windows with burgundy velvet drapes let in natural light, and a stone fireplace provides warmth. Brass sconces and a chandelier illuminate the space, creating an atmosphere of intellectual refinement and quiet luxury.

Entries

Main Entrance

The primary entryway to the mansion is via massive oak doors, adorned with iron fittings and flanked by stone gargoyles. Beyond these doors lies the grand hall, which leads deeper into the estate.

Service Entrance

Discreetly located at the rear of the building, a smaller service entrance allows for staff and deliveries to enter without disrupting the mansion’s main activities.

Garden Gates

There are several wrought-iron gates leading from the gardens to the grounds beyond, each heavily decorated with intricate designs and the family crest.

Sensory & Appearance

Sight

Upon approach, the mansion’s towering chimneys and red-brick walls stand in stark contrast to the surrounding green landscape. Inside, visitors are greeted by the warm glow of chandeliers, deep wood paneling, and the shimmer of polished marble. Portraits of Hawkport ancestors seem to follow guests with their eyes, adding a sense of historical weight.

Sound

The sounds of creaking floorboards while distant conversations echoing through the halls. The ballroom often hums with music during gatherings, while the library remains a quiet sanctuary.

Smell

The mansion carries the rich scent of aged wood, and freshly cut flowers from the gardens. In colder months, the smell of burning wood from the numerous fireplaces pervades the space.

Touch

From the smooth, cold marble of the floors to the rough-hewn stone of the exterior walls, every surface of Hawkport Mansion tells a story of craftsmanship. Fine tapestries and velvet drapes add a touch of luxury.

Contents & Furnishings

Furniture

The mansion is filled with period-specific furniture, mostly in dark woods like oak and mahogany. Large, cushioned chairs, grand four-poster beds, and intricately carved cabinets fill the rooms.

Decorations

Every corner is adorned with art and artifacts, from oil paintings of former Hawkport lords to intricately woven tapestries. Candlesticks, silverware, and imported porcelain line the surfaces of sideboards and tables.

Valuables

Family Heirlooms

The Hawkport family treasures are kept in a secure vault beneath the mansion. These include the family’s ancestral sword, known as Talonblade, a finely crafted weapon with a jewel-encrusted hilt.

Artwork

Priceless portraits and tapestries decorate the mansion. In the private gallery, rare works commissioned by famous artists hang, many of which illustrate key moments from the family's rise to power.

Jewels and Silver

A collection of fine jewels, including signet rings, necklaces, and crowns, are stored in the vault. The dining halls are stocked with silver cutlery and gold-plated dishes used for special occasions.

Library Treasures

The private library holds rare books, including early editions of philosophical treatises, historical documents, and a few forbidden tomes collected by the Hawkport family over the years. These texts are considered invaluable.

Alterations

Over the years, several additions have been made to the estate to increase it functionality and status:

Fortifications

With there being civil unrest after the end of the Second War of the Roses, the family add in some minor fortifications to discreet guard towers and hidden defense mechanisms.

Gardens

It started out as a modest garden, but with Hawkport Mansion being on the outskirts of the city, it eventually grew to include hedge mazes, water fountains, and imprted plants.

Ballroom Addition

To accommodate large gatherings and events, a grand ballroom was added, featruing ornate chandeliers and intricate tapestires that depict the family's rise.

Private Library

A wing was converted into a vast library that holds historical texts, family records, and rare manuscripts.

Architecture

Hawkport Mansion has a similar style to the Tudor Revival on Earth.

by Lady Wynter by way of NightCafe

The exterior features traditional red brick with intricate stone accents around the windows and doorways. There are steeply pitched roofs, tall chimneys, and leaded windows with latticework. The building's overall design is symmetrical.

History

Hawkport Mansion was built shortly after the conclusion of the Second War of the Roses. The first Earl of Hawkport was granted the title and lands his loyalty to House Darkmore and his strategic prowess. The mansion's construction marked his elevated status and it became the Hawkports' ancestral seat.

Founding Date

15 Halcyon 2200

Type

Mansion / Villa

Parent Location

Marnocete

Ruling/Owning Rank

Earl of Hawkport

Related Plots

• Main Plot: Josiah

Yes, this is where I grew up. Though, I'm not sure that's the right way to phrase it. Physically, yes that's accurate. But, we weren't allowed to be children. It was consider unseemly, and unbefitting our station and our heritage. Though it wasn't all bad. I learned much there. And Mother... smile She shared many secrets with me, secrets she said were for my ears only. And she never told Father, or my brothers of my nightmares, of me running to her in the middle of the night. Even now, the things I can talk to her about that I can't tell anyone else...

~ Josiah Ward