Housing Rally 11-10-13 “Landscapes and Gardens"

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #4 – Landscapes and Gardens

I’m your host Huell Kuerden, and we’ll be looking at some wild places tonight! Housing doesn’t have to be all clean and beautiful and highly upholstered! Everyone doesn’t live in a castle you know, some prefer a cool forest or nice moist swamp! At the end, time permitting, we’ll hit some more of the creepy houses that weren’t quite ready two weeks ago! And now on to the show!
As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! It means more people will visit and enjoy their work! And now on to this week of Norrath’s Gold!

Grand Temple and Gardens of Erollisi (Hall of Fame) by Kaian

Felwithe Estate

As we enter, note that this is a standard house decorated largely by adding tree and shrubbery.
Proceed forward and look at the lovely fountain, surrounded by golden marble columns. Expensive but very beautiful!
The trees and other vegetation give the illusion of being outdoors, despite the dome overhead.

Moving straight ahead and continue to the shrine of the bow.
This area has beautifully arranged landscaping, again giving a very tranquil effect.
Looking up the standard dome above just adds to the effect.
Continue on to the temple. The use of Vigilant Screens for some neat geometric effects can be seen here. Ahead you can see an open-air bedroom, again beautifully landscaped, with a kindof creepy Antonia Bayle Fay Plushy… You’ll see her other places as well.

Turn around and go back to the dome. Use the teleport pad to visit the Red and Blue rooms.
I’m a particular fan of novel lighting effects, so look at the scratch-built bath in the red room. Note the use of flickering Braziers of Hatred to give a blue-white light, and an Acropolis feel.
The blue room uses the natural waterfalls and Purple/Blue vegetation to give a darker effect. A few bright green plants set of the darker colors.

Let’s move along now to one of the great ‘undeveloped’ tracts available! It has wonderful possibilities because there are NO structures that come with it!

Botanical Garden and Conservatory (Hall of Fame) by Twinklin

Tenebrous Tangle

I found this to be very creative -- and yes we did briefly visit it before to look at the construction techniques used in the Conservatory.
Here I want to focus on the landscape. Take the circular path that runs arounfd the island – which by itself is something to check out. Can you see how it helps to channel visitors through the outside gardens?
Wander the paths and check out the exhibits! Note the use of stone and varied plants to give visually interesting areas.
Be sure to check out the Butterfly garden in the Conservatory as well.

I like this effort – it gives a very bright and happy feeling, and a real effort has been made to make everything just be lovely!

Next we are going to look at a RP Themed Garden. This is near and dear to my heart, as most of my own houses are designed to enhance the roleplaying aspect of my characters!

Vagabond’s Antonica (Hall of Fame) by Slipps

Tenebrous Island Refuge

As you zone in be sure to read the books or you’ll get lost! The key is the teleport pad under the carpet by the door!
This garden is designed to show off the Ratonga as a society. I thought this was a neat approach, to build a microcosm of Antonica. If you spot a book be sure to read it! Each area will have one!

Wander a bit and check out the different zones!

Now we move onto some shameless self-promotion! Our next stop is

Forest Refuge & Chapel of the Four Winds (Massive Homes) by Kuerden

Tenebrous Island Refuge

This was my first real effort with the editor, and an attempt to flesh out Kuerden’s RP background. As such, there are many experimental structures I made up to evaluate how things might work. Some things went better than others!
When you arrive, you are outside Kuerden’s Homes & Tomes glass office. Feel free to go inside. The large book on the desk contains a description of the different attractions on the island.
Follow me over to the Treehouse.
Go up the ladder to the treehouse – I think it may be the longest ladder in Norrath!
Note the light panels in the floor to give light to the lower branches. I believe I used 9 oaks to create my great tree. If you need a shower go out and take one!
Note the sloping of the walls of Kuerden’s house. As you’ve seen in other houses, minor geometry changes can often make a structure much more interesting.
Continue back down the ladder, and return to Kuerden’s office.
Take the teleport pad on the porch to the Chapel of the Winds
Here is a chapel devoted to the good and neutral deities hanging from the upper island. If you’d like to honor your god, you can jump from the waterfall into the pool below!
Also go down the altar ladder into the vestibule. Be sure to look down through the Polished Ice Tile at the entire island spread beneath. Go back to the top floor and take the Portal to the Upper Island Camp.
Here is a little Warden’s refuge from the world. There is a dive platform to launch from as well – but don’t miss the pool!
Go back to the Portal and go to the Twin Falls Tavern… Here I was trying to get some striking visual landscapes, and it is a beautiful view. The kitchen in underneath.

Feel free to wander for a few minutes before we visit a Scary Place!

Village of the Damned (Large Homes) by Darkzephyr

Fright Manor

Our Final House is a tribute to the NotD! Check out the spooky grounds and then proceed into the house! Wander a bit and look at the attention to detail!

Well, that’s about it for tonight! In two weeks we’ll meet again on Saturday to view some truly monumentally huge structures! Be there of be square and have a great evening!