Stone Crate
The Stone Crate is a two story building, mostly stone, and is the largest structure in Button. It's not too much of a stretch to claim it is Button, although this may change now that the insertion of Torn Lofte has altered travel to Sewn.
Purpose / Function
Currently the Stone Crate is being used primarily as a headquarters for the Torn Lofte research project commissioned by Town Council of Obu. This makes it a staging area for the researchers, a place to rest comfortably between expeditions, and a centralized location from which to send reports or receive messages.
The secondary purpose is to provide both refuge for new arrivals out of Torn Lofte (or who otherwise arrive nearby) as well as lodging for travelers finishing travel across the frozen patch or having a last rest before traveling into it. Luckily this secondary purpose dovetails nicely with the primary purpose, although McGurk does hope to get more personnel to assist him if either of these start demanding more of his already limited time.
Alterations
In the time it's been on Patchwork, the building has fallen into ruin numerous times, sometimes through accidents in the kitchen, sometimes due to Button no longer being viable as a settlement, and very rarely through assault. The stone shell of the original structure forms the core of the building, while the outer walls have been shifted considerably, changing from defense to mere demarcation of boundaries.
The interior is where the most change has happened, depending on the current occupants needs. The kitchen is one of the few rooms that has retained its original location and configuration, although the equipment therein has been replaced numerous times. The indoor privies were added during a rebuild about a century ago, and luckily for everyone involved have also been updated!
The baths are new to the current usage, a welcomed addition for travelers across the dusty plains of Scrimpt or those seeking warmth after the cold of Torn Lofte.
Architecture
The shell of the Stone Crate itself is constructed of stone in a two-layer pattern. The interior stones are uniform sized, close fitted, with smooth mortar, while the exterior shell and the walls surrounding the courtyard of the building are of varying size, but smoothed, and tightly fit without mortar. All stone is limestone, local to the surroundings, and the stonework appears to be Dwarven. The roof of the upper floor is wooden with slate shingles, and has been replaced several times over the centuries. The current roof uses timber from Sewn, luckily stockpiles in Obu before the appearance of Torn Lofte, with the tiles formed of slate from Jaco.
The exterior stones are natural in color, and repairs or alterations are noticeable, as the emphasis seems to be on function over form. Even the style of the building emphasizes this, being essentially a well made, stone box, leading to the current moniker. most of the repairs and alterations attempt to copy this existing style, with varying degrees of success.
The interior is still under construction with a decorating style that could best be described as "renovation chic." McGurk certainly has plans to make the place homier, but right now has higher priorities!
History
The building was already built when Scrimpt arrived in Patchwork, almost 300 years ago. Before arrival, it was the remote headquarters for a company of adventurers of a dozen members and continued to serve as their base of operations after arrival, and being used as a refuge for other refuges, a theme that would recur over and over.
Founding Date
10 Merrow 282 PS (most recent restoration)
Alternative Names
Refuge in Button, Button Public House, the Stone Manor House, the Stone House
Type
Public hall / house
Parent Location
Owner
Owning Organization
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