The High King's Hall
The Hall is crafted from the same fine marble as the rest of the citadel. It is built along the lines of a standard chief's hall only on a much larger scale. Every feature commonly found in a traditional timber hall is reproduced in marble. When the Jrusteli captain Il S'arsos paid a diplomatic visit to the High King ??? he looked around the hall and was heard to utter in amazement, "But it's like being inside an upside down ship!" Since then it has also been referred to as the Ship Hall and other individuals have noted the many ship-like features of the hall. For example one end of the hall, the one opposite the entrance rather than being squared off comes to a point. Inside the beams resemble those of a ship's hull as much as they do those of a hall. For example some of the beams appear to be fastened with ropes carved in stone. Almost every flat surface is covered with carvings, both the beams and the planks. The carvings on the beams and planks look like the victories and triumphs of the Volsaxi kings from one angle and like the deeds of Helamakt from another. From another angle many of the carvings appear to be of sea life and mermen. It is said that from secret angles that they look like other deeds, perhaps yet undone. The hall itself lacks any furniture or features other than the High King's platform. Any other furniture is more recent wooden additions. The hall requires no light sources on sunny days as cunning slit windows high in the rafters let the light in and polished stone surfaces, the only places that remained uncarved, direct the light downward. When natural light is weak or at night two great lanterns that resemble ship's lanterns can be lit. All that they require are tiny oil lamps in order to light up the entire hall.
The Hall is a cold hall as there is no fire pit or smoke hole and the hall's antipathy to fire is too powerful to allow for braziers. In the winter the High Kings Hearth is used for formal occassions.
Story Seeds
- Legend has it that there is a secret prophesy carved into the hall. Unfortunately it is said to be carved only in places that cannot be seen from the ground.
- A secret treasure is rumoured to be hidden in the hall. Legends are unspecific about where or what it is.
<Oliver>
<Stu>Nice description, Oliver. If people are interested in other marine references, I just remembered (shame on me as a pipe smoker) the fine material meerschaum, out of which many pipes are made (it is porous and can take a fair amount of moisture). It's a nice material, but perhaps more importantly, in olden times it was thought to be made from the condensed foam of waves. I thought I'd toss it in in case anyone finds it evocative or useful in digging into the character of Whitewall.</Stu>
<Oliver>Hmm, I like the idea. Perhaps meerschaum is found in the Tor as a relic of the sea and craftspeople carve it into objet d'art or even pipes! Trade object anyone?</Oliver>