Sentinel’s Hearth

Sentinel’s Hearth, located in the Scarlet Prefecture not far from the Imperial City, is a two-dot fire-aspected manse, a holding of House Ledaal entrusted to the household of Ledaal Kitsume and Sesus Septimus.

Sentinel’s Hearth is located not far from the road leading south off the Imperial City, reached by a white sand pathway lined with cherry trees. In centuries past the Hearth had extensive grounds, but these have long ago been partitioned off to House V’neef for its vineyards and House Cynis for a marijuana plantation, leaving the manse with only its geomantic area still held, whose limits are marked by sandalwood trees circling the manse.

Through the trees, the manse itself is visible, particularly at night, the orange glow of flames refracted through the frosted glass slits that run along the black metal curves of its walls. Visitors enter the manse through a large vestibule (A), where cloaks can be taken and hung. The manse contains a large master bedroom (B) with attached bathing room © featuring a tub large enough for entertaining a few guests and warmed by jets of hot water flowing within. There are additional quarters as well, one of which (D) is outfitted as a guest room and another (E) which has been outfitted as a nursery and bedroom, currently occupied by young Ledaal Primus and an impressive collection of small toy armours. An additional room (H) is provided screens and bunks to serve as servants’ quarters, and another serves as pantry and storage (G), its interior slightly cooler than the warm air circulating through the rest of the Hearth. The Hearth includes kitchens (I) and a dining room (J) for entertaining, whose long table can comfortably seat a dozen guests and features a central charcoal grill for preparation of grilled dishes at-the-table. Additional rooms provide access to the rear entry, once used as a servants’ entrance but now serving as a small stable (L) and storeroom (K), as the geomantic layout of the grounds did not allow the addition of a separate stable building.

A sitting room (F) juts off the main corridor of the Hearth, with a table and a few couches for taking tea... the glass of the exterior wall is clear here, allowing views of the V’neef vineyard to the north. The doors to the hearthstone chamber are also of clear glass, for a view of the raging fires within.

The hearthstone chamber of the Hearth is located at the center of the manse, a large space entirely consumed by raging flames (environmental, Damage 3L/action, Trauma 5, ignores armor. Hearthstone bearer is immune). This fire forms an integral part of the Hearth’s geomancy, and must be properly maintained with addition of precise amounts of sandalwood and cherry twigs on the 15th day of each month and the last day of Calibration. The manse’s design keeps the rest of the manse comfortable, if warm, despite the power of the inferno at its core, even when the glass doors to the chamber are opened. At the center of the room sits a bowl of red jade atop a triangular metal stand, within which forms the manse’s hearthstone, a Sentinel’s Stone.

The Hearth includes a number of features, magical conveniences and byproducts of the fiery essence concentrated within it.

--- Fires burn brighter and longer within the manse, lasting twice as long and with 50% more illumination for the same fuel.

--- The manse and objects within are immune to the effects of Fire-aspect anima banners. This immunity does not extend to people or animals.

--- Charms with the Elemental (Fire) keyword or used by fire elementals, and spells directly affecting fire, all have their cost reduced by 2 motes when used within the Hearth (minimum zero).

--- The Hearth is thought to increase the chances of Exaltation for children conceived within it, an effect even stronger if they are also raised there.

--- Each room and corridor contains essence candles, which light automatically on the command word ‘Illuminate!’ in Old Realm, producing a bright yellow-white light.

--- While the exterior doors must be opened and shut manually, internal doors within the Hearth are opened by touching them and making a twirling motion with the palm of one’s hand. The doors to the hearthstone chamber are opened similarly, though the motion is much more complex.