The White Rose

The original building was established several hundred years ago, and was primarily an overnight resting place for traveling gentry of the Golden Circle. A carriage house and separate stable were added to the property a decade after the original structure was built, "so as to better serve the needs of our most esteemed patrons." A small "domestics" building was established many years after that. The front grounds consist merely of a wide lawn on one side and a hitching area on the other, though there is a private garden which lays beyond the stables. On either side of the front door stands two ancient rose bushes which send their canes to cover the upper stories, and bear the huge, fragrant, white blossoms which gives the Inn its name. A sign hangs from an iron post at the head of the walkway -- a heavy wooden tabard with a single, five-petaled rose painted in white, and the inn's name in heavy black and gilt lettering below.

The interior of the main floor is warm and inviting. Gleaming brass lanterns and sconces and highly polished woodwork speak towards the proprietress's attention to detail, while the enticing aroma of roasting meats and freshly baked breads engender a feeling of comfort and well-being. As you enter the front door, you see the entirety of the wall on your left is taken by a large, curved mahogany bar, it's high-gloss surface, brass foot rail and sparkling glass-fronted cabinets are reminiscent of something found perhaps in the latter part of Shadow Earth's 19th century England. Along its shelves sit a wide assortment of distilled beverages from various locations -- local as well as the more exotic -- and several tapped kegs are also visible.

Across from the door stands the stairway leading to the upper floors, and to its right are two arches, their thick, tapestry curtains currently looped to one side revealing separate private rooms. Several larger tables are placed in the middle of the common floor around the large main fireplace, while smaller, more intimate seating is available by the windows. Directly off of the bar are the swinging doors which lead to the kitchen.

The second story is as scrupulously clean as the main floor. A single, wide hallway runs the length of it, and nine doors leading to various bedchambers, bathing facilities and storage rooms are visible. Glass-covered candle sconces are fixed between each doorway, and a circular candle holder bearing many pillars is suspended over the head of the stairway. At the far end is another narrow staircase leading both up to the third story and below to what must be the kitchen area. The floor is covered by a heavily woven runner in muted shades of blue, scarlet and gold. You note that each of the doors has a solid lock, and the windows at either end of the hall bear cunning latches. During the day, there is the muted sound of rapid movement and metal clashing over head while the constant susurration of voices sifts through the floorboards below.

The third story is obviously a private space. Weapon racks line the walls between the gabled windows, and are full of practice blades of various shape and size. The floor is unpolished, well-sanded wooden planks, and is solidly constructed -- little sound is made as you traverse its length, save for your own bootheel on the its surface. Two large candle wheels hang high overhead, their many pillars granting illumination when the daylight has fled. Each of the gabled windows has a built-in storage bench replete with a plain, thick cushion. None of the windows is curtained, though one of the gables has served as someone's retreat as there is a small stack of books and a lap desk which have been on its bench. Against the far wall stands a huge cast-iron, pot-bellied stove, and an accompanying stack of kindling. All in all, this large salle is free from anything which would be considered a distraction. The only sense of "living space" comes from one corner of the room which has been blocked by two large folding screens. Beyond the edge of one of the screens you see the wooden legs of a folding campaign cot. filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler