Castaliogne Manor
The ancestral home of the minor house of Castaliogne found in Westinox. The building is within the inner walls northwest of Durrilan Manor right off of the central river that runs through the city. With most of the family now dead one of the fallen has taken over the manor and is using it for his own nefarious purposes.
Ionn / Lord Darkhorse has enchanted the house to still feel full of life. Using several shardrock illusion transmitters he creates the ambiance of living beings moving about the manor. Dozens of staff, including maids, cooks, valets and stablehands move about the manor programmed with their daily routine. They can answer basic questions and speak in generalities, but they hold no innate thoughts and tend to repeat themselves. They don't know what the weather is or what is going on in the modern city. They just move about their normal day night cycle.
A PC that investigates or sees through the illusion can find a small shard rock statue on the floor shaped like a raven. Once the illusion is pierced or removed they can see that the mansion is dark and disused. A fine coating of dust covers all of the surfaces save the center of the floor which has many shoeprints tracked through the halls and rooms.
If the players trigger an alarm or become known to Ionn/Dark Horse he will then use his illusory duplicate to follow them around and taunt them. At some point he will become the duplicate and grab one of them forcefully. He will cast the spell of his choosing to poison, petrify, or paralyze one of them.
[DM Note, The Gorogol - This massive mutant creature sits in a kind of stasis in front of the Treasury Demiplane room on the second floor. Ionn/Darkhorse can activate him at any time.]
The third floor holds the remaining ghosts of House Castaliogne. They are currently trapped on the third floor due to an ancient curse exploited by Ionn/Darkhorse. They are neutral towards the players but angry at Ionn/Darkhorse. With proper persuasion checks they can be convinced to help if they believe the players are pure of heart and honest in their intentions to remove Ionn/Darkhorse. Ringing the bell on the fourth floor will allow the ghosts to leave their confinement and go anywhere on the manor grounds or the manor itself.
Ionn / Lord Darkhorse has enchanted the house to still feel full of life. Using several shardrock illusion transmitters he creates the ambiance of living beings moving about the manor. Dozens of staff, including maids, cooks, valets and stablehands move about the manor programmed with their daily routine. They can answer basic questions and speak in generalities, but they hold no innate thoughts and tend to repeat themselves. They don't know what the weather is or what is going on in the modern city. They just move about their normal day night cycle.
A PC that investigates or sees through the illusion can find a small shard rock statue on the floor shaped like a raven. Once the illusion is pierced or removed they can see that the mansion is dark and disused. A fine coating of dust covers all of the surfaces save the center of the floor which has many shoeprints tracked through the halls and rooms.
If the players trigger an alarm or become known to Ionn/Dark Horse he will then use his illusory duplicate to follow them around and taunt them. At some point he will become the duplicate and grab one of them forcefully. He will cast the spell of his choosing to poison, petrify, or paralyze one of them.
[DM Note, The Gorogol - This massive mutant creature sits in a kind of stasis in front of the Treasury Demiplane room on the second floor. Ionn/Darkhorse can activate him at any time.]
The third floor holds the remaining ghosts of House Castaliogne. They are currently trapped on the third floor due to an ancient curse exploited by Ionn/Darkhorse. They are neutral towards the players but angry at Ionn/Darkhorse. With proper persuasion checks they can be convinced to help if they believe the players are pure of heart and honest in their intentions to remove Ionn/Darkhorse. Ringing the bell on the fourth floor will allow the ghosts to leave their confinement and go anywhere on the manor grounds or the manor itself.
Alterations
The Basement Underground
Jail Cell under Guardhouse - A standard basic jail cell for miscreants and thieves. The armory contains a Flashcube bomb!
Ancestral Crypt Under Church - A standard but creepy crypt with several sarcophagi. It has a dark stone arched ceiling with many gothic pieces of architecture. [DM Note: Behind the large statue of Hellenox there is a secret door leading to the private prayer room upstairs. There is also a family saying carved into the wall that sounds fairly ominous. "For when the Bell Tolls those who stand with House Castaliogne will defend them even in death..."]
Private Cell - A woman of the Daughters of light is here. She doesn't wear armor but she has on the vestments of a high ranking priestess. Her name is Talia Rachelin, she was investigating the house when she was knocked unconsious. She awoke here in this cell. [DM Note: though not a cleric she can cast cure wounds three times.]
Sending Stone Room - A series of small crystals that are enchanted with sending. These connect with several stones carried by operatives out in the world. The crystals fit into a large panel fit with a wide flat crystal allowing Ionn to see the person and their surroundings on the other end. Notable Names : Premalkin Po, Balia of the Red Wulves, Custabert of Penthos, Mannechet of Helletowne, Unkolos of Lamborginus, Quinten of the Fletching.
Owner's Secret Room and Lab - A classic medieval torture chamber filled with iron maidens, stretching racks, and other more deadly forms of torture. It is presided over by an Iron Golem under the command of Ionn/Darkhorse.
Dungeon - Each cell contains a body that has passed on, all wearing torn but expensive garments the remains of House Castaliogne. The first cell's resident, however, is still alive. He is malnourished and spindly and seems to be on the verge of death. Roman Castaliogne, the eldest son of the former Lord and his lady. "Ah Roman, I suppose my own need for someone to talk to keeps this poor sod alive..."
Ritual Room - This room is bathed in a pale green light. A strange murky liquid fills the floor of the chamber it has a greenish sheen to it. two stone archways cross over the middle. The center has a bust of a strange crowned head that looks like a dessicated skull. On closer inspection though it is a stone carved statue. [DM Note: staying to long here activates three underwater Krullocs who have just finished gestating. Leftovers from the mines.]
Poor Soul's Tunnel - This tunnel leads from the stables to the guesthouse. It is a rough hewn rocky tunnel that looks like it may collapse at any moment. You can see signs of old love affairs carved into the smoother stones between stable hands and maids. [DC 17 Investigation check reveals an older tunnel in the center by the fallen support beam. This tunnel is only 3 ft tall and barely large enough to crawl through if one is fairly slight and unarmored. It leads to the stone room containing the stairs going up to the family museum.]
Underground Storage Room under Storehouse - This storeroom has dozens of crates of dry goods and house needs like coffee and tea. There are also several sacks of grain used to make flour. [DM Note: The northern wall hides a lever which rotates the section 360 degrees. The sewer entrance from the thieves guild can be found here.]
Cold Storage - A basic cold storage room kept at a cool 38 degrees using the regular underground temperature enhanced by some cold runes placed in the walls. It has hundreds of jars of preserves, jams and pickles of all sorts. It also has many chests for beef, lamb, goat and chicken. The meat all looks grey and unusable at this point.
Teleportation Room - A central teleportation circle is carved into the floor here. The room itself is a domed ceiling about 12' feet tall and has nice marble floor and wall columns. Clearly this room used to be used as some kind of display room. The Eastern Wall has a wide dark wood door that has a code panel identical to the one in the front of the Treasury demiplane room.
Architecture
First Floor
- From Left to Right
Outer Buildings -
Crypt -Just north of the church is a mausoleum with a stone staircase that leads down into the crypt. 40 feet into the earth is a large chamber that holds forty stone coffins, the last remains of the family of Castaliogne.
Church - A church dedicated to Hellenox sits on the western edge of the property not far from the inner wall of Westinox. The building has a high arched ceiling spanning over 75 feet and gothic spires on top. Inside the main door is a finely polished wooden stairwell that leads up to a choir balcony and some extra pews. The church hall is a standard array of pews carved from rich dark brown walnut. The southern end of the church holds a large stone altar and a door leading to the back room. Another set of doors leads to the yard with a gate that allows passage into the wall that surrounds the manor.
Guard's Office - A building to the north of the church holds a small stable and housing for the small unit of guards hired by the family to protect the manor. There is a staircase going down to a small jail and a staircase that leads up to the quarters of the guards.
Gardener's Shed - A small free standing stone structure that holds tools and buckets of soil and fertilizer.
Servants Quarters - The building just to the east of the guards is a home for the many servants of the Manor. It has washrooms and a large kitchen. A butler's pantry is well stocked and has a stairwell that leads down into a cold storage locker under the building. This area stays a cool 38 degrees thanks to some enchantments.
Storehouse - A large warehouse holds many of the dry goods for the manor. It also has a large staircase that leads down into a cold storage room that is almost as large.
Guesthouse - This small but ornate guesthouse sits to the east of the manor. It is often used for visiting dignataries and minor nobles. It holds a grand piano as well as it's own small kitchen. The second floor has a large master bedroom. [DM Note - a secret passage to the basement can be found under the fireplace.]
Stables - A large enough stable for six horses this building has thick stone walls and a tall wooden roof that has many shutters that can be opened in the summer heat to allow a cool breeze through. It also contains a small furnace room for cold winter days.
Coachhouse - Another barn with thick stone walls but one side is left open to the manor grounds. It holds carriages, barrels, and many replacement parts.
Doctor's Office - Just outside of the eastern wall of the manor grounds sits a short stone building. Many centuries ago it was installed to take care of the young prince Majerle Castaliogne, who suffered from many maladies. His mother brought in a standing doctor to be on hand at all times. In times of war it serves as an infirmary as well.
Drawing Room - An owlbear rug stretches underneath the leather chairs that sit in front of a bright cheery fireplace. A wide rectangular table complete with lacy tablecloth sits on the southern side. A stocked bar can be found on the eastern wall. Many taxidermied heads ring the walls and the tall 12' ceiling has a rustic chandelier hanging from it.
Private Prayer Room -The western wall of the drawing room a pocket door, leading to a small shrine devoted to Hellenox. It looks dusty and unused. Rose petals lay on the floor, dessicated and dry, they could be five years old. [DM Note: Investigation check DC 14 shows a small latch under the statue. Pulling it causes the statue to slide forward revealing a secret entrance to B1.]
Closet - On the other side of the drawing room, a tall oak door leads to a wide walk in closet. Amongst the jackets, old furs, and taxidermy supplies one can smell a rancid powerful smell. [DM Note: Investigation check reveals human remains, an arm, and a lower leg of a human woman.]
Stewards' Office - An office stands behind large windows like those of a store front. A wide wooden desk once was the station of the house steward. This officer looked after any guests or visitors who wandered the once busy halls of the manor.
The Great Hall - One of the largest rooms in the manor is decorated with bright red tapestries and velvet curtains that hang over the wide tall windows. Several tables sit in front of a large dais table that would hold the heads of the manor. A massive fireplace sits on the eastern wall behind the dais, a small dragon skull hangs above the mantle.
Ballroom - This room is painted bright white and has white marble columns that frame the dance floor. Two large chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and two large iron statues stand by the doors as you enter. The eastern wall has a large stage for musicians and performers.
Outer Balcony - These wide stone porches stand above the hedgerows a good 6 feet. They allow a nice view of the Manor Grounds.
Vestibule - A booth for taking tickets to performances or sometimes used as a coat room.
Coat Room - A large walk in closet used often for coats.
The Library F1 - A large room with a dark red carpet covering the main walkways. The room is covered in a rich dark wood finely polished. 12 massive book shelves stretch all 12' to the ceiling, overflowing with books and parchment. A staircase on the east wall leads upstairs to the second floor. [DM Note: A DC 16 Investigation Check reveals a secret panel leading to a staircase going down to the basement. A small statue on one of the shelves depicting Ron Castaliogne head lifts up, a button can be found in the neck.]
Defenses
Second Floor
Church Upstairs - Ascending the stairs leads to a long hallway with four doors. The first door leads to a study filled with religious books and items associated with Hellenox. The second room is a closet with sacks of garden seeds and crates of candles and incense. The items here look like they haven't been touched in years. The third door is a laundry room filled with old vestments and altar cloths. The forth door leads to the bedchamber of the resident priest.
Guard's Rest - The sleeping quarters of the guards. It also includes a table for late night meals and crates of utensils and plates.
Guest's Bedroom - A well decorated nobles bedroom including a canopied bed with lush velvet bedspread, with an embroidered floral pattern on it. Two large chests sit on the southern wall for their luggage. A copy of the Way of Hellenox is in the nightstand.
Orderly Bedroom - A bedroom for the chief of staff is situated inside the manor in case of need.
Private Function Room - a Small room with a wide office table, this room was used for late night business meetings or illicit affairs.
Owner's bedroom - A well decorated noble's bedroom that was most likely used by the eldest child of the house. The western wall is made of the sturdy brick of the outer walls. A ceremonial suit of armor stands guard in front of it. [DM Note: Behind the armor is a secret door leading to a tight spiral staircase that leads down to the basement.]
Steward's Bedroom - The bedroom devoted to the steward who watched the first floor.
Messy Bedroom - A maid's bedroom that has fallen into disrepair. [DM Note: DC 18 investigation check reveals a small panel in the eastern wall built into the wood itself. It has nine symbols on it that need to be touched in the right order. The correct code is 5921. Any attempt to use the panel alerts Ionn/Darkhorse. The panel reveals a sliding door that leads into a tesseract room. The treasury demiplane actually holds many of his plans for the shardfall he wants to create and the shardrock he will use to do it. It is much larger that it should be considering the size of the house. There is also staircase that leads into the basement.]
Grand Bedroom - Currently used by Ionn/Darkhorse as his own. It has a massive canopied bed and is filled with ornate decorations and valuable paintings.
Destroyed Bedroom - A smashed bed and broken furniture fill this room.
Family museum - a series of busts and statues depicting the line of Castaliogne going back 12 generations. There is no mention of an Ionn. [DM Note: Behind the statue of Rachinald Castaliogne DC 17 to find a secret staircase that leads to the basement.]
Doctor's bedroom / Laboratory -
Library second Floor -
History
Third Floor
The third floor remains strangely empty and is avoided by the Krullocs and the Gorogol. Some strange aura of fear permeates the entire floor and the bell tower. DC 13 Widsom saving throw to enter the third floor! Through the balcony or entering from the stairs fills one with a sense of dread and a cold chill runs up and down your spine. The main hallway is dark and extends right and left then heading around a corner to the east. In front is a set of double doors leading to the servant's hall. [DM Note: Dozens of ghosts exist on this floor who are former members of the house and even dedicated servants. Though these rooms are called servants rooms on the maps they were also used by House Castaliogne children and relatives for centuries. use the Ghost statblock from 5E. They will use their possession ability to speak with and ascertain the threat level and innate goodness of the players.]
Laundry Store room - An old room filled with different types of table cloths, curtains, old clothes, and tubs used to clean these things. A female ghost called Petagard Lyonne, a cousin of the House, continues to wash things here.
Personal Servant Room 1- A room often occupied by royal cousins, it is now home to Rober' Lyonne a young man who died choking on a pheasant egg while masturbating. His neck is still distended and he can't talk.
Privy - A series of stalls that empty their contents into a cistern below on the outside of the manor walls.
Personal Servant Room 2- A smaller bedroom but still fairly opulent. It currently has the ghost of the brother of Rachinald Castaliogne, Humbert, who tries to sleep in the bed.
Personal Servant Room 3 - The largest and most ornate of the third floor bedrooms the beautiful ghost of Namia Castaliogne brushes her hair in front of a large mirror.
Servant's Hall - A wide open room with two large tables on either side. Though called the Servant's hall it holds all of the marks of a well used living space. Games and cards can be found on many of the shelves. Several comfortable chairs have books next to them and old candles burned down to the nubs near them.
General Servant Room - An elderly woman sweeps in this room, her name was Vicca Remire.
Personal Servant Room 4 - A small child with no eyes plays with blocks on the floor, The son of Namia Castaliogne who was murdered by an enraged lover. His name is Andal.
Guard's Resting Room - A man wanders through this room over and over, he wears the hand made noose he hung himself with. His name was Grigg Lyonne and he killed himself 800 years ago.
Abandoned Room - This room has a short pretty young woman repeatedly stabbing scissors into the body of an older man. She does not notice when anyone enters the room and continues her eternal horror.
Personal Servant Room 5 - The last room has ghost of an attractive young man except the left side of his mouth and neck which are pitted an melted away from the acidic poison he drank. His girlfriend killed him and stole from him.
Tourism
The Bell Tower -
The ancient bell of Castaliogne holds a strange power. When enough magical energy is funneled into it, it can awaken a powerful group of spirits who can be summoned forth to protect the manor and the family.
Founding Date
SF 2 2345
Type
Manor house / Meeting hall
Parent Location
Owner
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