Oakview House
Known locally as Oakview House, this large two-story stone home sits in one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods, far from the noise and press of the Old District. A broad front porch wraps around the entry, supported by thick stone pillars and sheltered beneath a dark slate roof. Mature oak trees surround the property, giving it a calm, established look. The backyard is neatly fenced for privacy, and a detached garage stands to one side with a plain side door that hints at a basement below. The place feels suburban and modern for a fantasy city, but every surface has the quiet confidence of a house that has survived years of strange visitors, expensive repairs, and dangerous friends.
Known locally as Oakview House, this large two-story stone home sits in one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods, far from the noise and press of the Old District. A broad front porch wraps around the entry, supported by thick stone pillars and sheltered beneath a dark slate roof. Mature oak trees surround the property, giving it a calm, established look. The backyard is neatly fenced for privacy, and a detached garage stands to one side with a plain side door that hints at a basement below. The place feels suburban and modern for a fantasy city, but every surface has the quiet confidence of a house that has survived years of strange visitors, expensive repairs, and dangerous friends.
Calm, disciplined, and private. Maris is hospitable in a measured way, dislikes waste, and believes every good home should be able to survive a siege without looking like a fortress.
History
Security and Wards
The house is protected by a layered set of wards suitable for a very high level party. The front gate carries a permanent alarm enchantment keyed to family members and trusted guests. The porch stones are etched with a subtle ward against teleportation, so unwanted arrivals are forced to appear outside the fence line. The windows are fitted with leaded glass and hidden glyphs that alert the owner if anyone attempts to scry inside. The basement door in the garage opens only to a physical key, a spoken passphrase, and a brief pulse of harmless lightning from the owner's hand.
Layout and Rooms
The ground floor holds a broad entry hall, a formal sitting room, a practical kitchen, a sunlit study, and a dining room meant for long councils and rare visitors. The upper floor contains private bedrooms, a nursery or guest suite, and a quiet reading nook overlooking the backyard. The detached garage is more workshop than storage, with space for mounts, carts, experimental gear, and a rain-proof bench for repairs. The basement serves as the house's hidden heart, with cool storage, a small vault, and a sealed room for delicate magical work.
Practical Amenities
Despite the home's comfortable appearance, it is designed to support the needs of seasoned adventurers. There is a locked armory cabinet sized for weapons and arcane foci, a washroom with enchanted plumbing that never clogs, and a pantry stocked through a minor preservation charm. A narrow service staircase connects the garage to the basement, allowing discreet movement during a crisis. The backyard fence includes a private practice space where spells can be tested without alarming the neighborhood, and the oak trees around the property have been encouraged to grow thick enough to screen the grounds from casual view.
Denizens
Calm, disciplined, and private. Maris is hospitable in a measured way, dislikes waste, and believes every good home should be able to survive a siege without looking like a fortress.
A retired adventurer and practical mage who values privacy, good maintenance, and a strong front gate. They are polite to neighbors, suspicious of strangers, and quietly ready for trouble.
A sharp-eyed groundskeeper who knows every loose stone, bad hinge, and hidden patch of roots on the property. They notice everything and speak only when it matters.
A cheerful apprentice artificer who handles repairs in the garage and basement workshop. They are brilliant with devices, clumsy with social boundaries, and absolutely devoted to the house.
Rumors & Plot Hooks
- 1.The basement door in the garage leads to a room that is larger on the inside than the house should allow.
- 2.The oak trees around the property were planted over something the first owner did not want discovered.
- 3.One of the porch steps can be pressed to reveal a hidden compartment with old letters and a ring.
- 4.At night, faint light sometimes moves behind the basement windows even when no one is below.
Classified Entry
Behind the basement vault is a sealed chamber containing a dormant teleportation circle keyed to a distant safehouse, along with records of favors owed by powerful allies and enemies alike.
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