Kastavan Manor
This is the home of the mysterious Doctor Narsus Kastavan. This isolated estate is located on the edge of the Forest of Tarlot in a region that has a reputation for banditry and monster attacks. The manor itself is a fortified Manor House. Little is known about what has happened at the Manor since it was purchased from a financially ruined noble family some twenty years ago.
The manor is a large complex built from rough-cut local stone. It consists of a long central building with large towers at either end. The compound is surrounded by a high stone wall with a gatehouse and several watch towers. The courtyard is paved with cobblestones and contains several outbuildings used for storage as well as a walled garden.
Beneath the manor are extensive cellars which the doctor uses for his experiments and research.
Purpose / Function
The manor is the home and workplace of Dr. Narsus Kastavan a once renown, but now reclusive healer and surgeon from the city of Karmis.
Alterations
The walls of the manor have been improved by the current owner. Originally surrounded by a simple stone wall the the wall now features towers at all corners and flanking the only gate;
Architecture
The manor is made from the local gray stone and has three stories above ground. Locals once employed on the estate indicate that the manor has extensive cellars that were primarily used for storage and also once served as the local jail. The West and East Wings of the Manor features a large square tower that rises above the manor's sharply pitched slate roof. The manor and its outbuildings are surrounded by a high stone wall capped with shards of broken glass and pottery to deter intruders.
History
The Manor was built over 600 years ago by the Delkos Family, which has been granted lands in the area by the now defunct Sallien Empire. Initially the family prospered due to its ability to draw settlers to the area with offers of virgin land and forest with quality timber. During the declining years of the Empire, many of the settler families began to abandon the Deklos family lands as the area was increasingly plagued by bandit raids and attacks by forest creatures. The Delkos family eventually abandoned the manor and its lands. When the Kingdom of Karmis was established, the abandoned manor and its lands were granted to the Gravin family as a reward for its military service. Several generations of the Gravin family lived in the manor and drew settlers back to the area. Over the last few decades, the Gravin family found itself in great financial difficulties as many of their tenants migrated to the Faroo to receive lands grants from Empress Atheneis Majara. The situation was further worsened by the family's increasing debts from gambling and poorly thought out business ventures. Twenty years ago, the financially desperate Gravins sold the manor for a knockdown price to the noted Karmin surgeon and healer Dr. Narsus Kastavan.
The Doctor used local builders and tradesmen to renovate and restore the manor, but did little to improve its rather grimy exterior. His changes were focused on improving the structure rather than aesthetics. He has not attempted to resettle the Manor's lands with new tenants and the area has a reputation for being dangerous, especially at night. The Doctor or his family members visit the nearest village or Tarlot to purchase what necessities they might require. The Doctor has an excellent reputation for paying in cash and never asking for credit.
Tourism
The Doctor occasionally receives visitors on an invitation only basis.
Founding Date
238
Alternative Names
Old Gravin Manor
Type
Manor house / Meeting hall
Parent Location
Owner
Characters in Location
Comments