Winter's Gate

Entered from the lodge above, a trap door opens into a dark, dank cave over twenty feet below. A straight drop into darkness, or so it seems to the Unenchanted. Any who survive the fall (and have a source of light) would see naught but a cavern with some odd flowstone formations, it's mouth blocked by an icy waterfall where a mountain stream flows down outside the cave.

To the Enchanted, steps of Chimerical stone spiral down from the entrance above to the cave floor below. The odd formations are now seen more clearly as chairs, tables, and of course the baronial thrones proper. By summer, the Grotto is chimerically lighted only by the cool luminescence of crystaline veins in the cavern's walls. Between Samhain and Beltane, however, the Balefire's radiance shines from its Winter hearth to illumine the chamber.

The two thrones are on either side of the Balefire's Winter dwelling place, each exquisitely formed. On the viewer's right is the Winter throne, seemingly made of ice, snow and stone. Here in Winter's Gate, it is slightly higher than its mate. To the left of fire's place is the Summer throne; crafted of living oak and wild flowers, it is the only sign of Spring's dormant power in this part of the freehold.

The banner of House Gwydion stretches along one wall, the banner of Baywood hangs opposite it. The throne room's walls and decor consists mostly of chimerical ice and stone. The water fall at the cave mouth cascades pure and powerful, like a wall of flowing glass. From here, the Baron may observe his domain.

Various side tunnels lead to lesser chambers. The Grotto's passages twist and turn into the sound distorting shadows, discouraging those who would pass further in without invitation.