Order Rooms - The Ancient and Truly Original Sages of the Unbroken Circle

In this case, the only thanks goes to me, as I've been able to explore on my own most of the private rooms of My Order, and peek into the one I couldn't enter. This entry will be a bit longer than usual as it includes, appart from the main room, the voting room, the senior wizard's office and a glimpse of his bedroom (these last three very similar for all the different orders, I guess).

This is the lounging area of the Ancient and Truly Original Sages of the Unbroken Circle. A crescent table sits in the middle of the room and large leather chairs sit around its outer rim. A fire crackles gently at the cusp of the table offering its cool luminescence to the room. On the east side of the room, a large tapestry covers the wall, and displays four separate panels, each of which depict one of the four mundane elements. A small chest rests at the very bottom of the tapestry.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: north, west and south.

l table: This table is lovely. It has carvings representing the four elements, in a sort of four-way yin-yang. You're not sure how it manages to fit together, but it certainly represents the balance of the elements. On the top stands a small bulletin board.

l chairs: These are over-sized, over-stuffed chairs. Much like your common wizard. They are covered in a sleek and well-worn leather. Truly a testament to the quality of wizard that would sit here. Or a testament to his rear. Well, six of one, half-dozen of another, really.

l cusp: This is the inner rim of the table.

l fire: Along the inside of the of the crescent of the table is a fire gently flaming away within a well kept firebowl. Softly, the stones built up in the centre of the bowl glow and illuminate the room. The fire gives up no heat, however, and seems to be perfectly safe. This might come as a strange idea, if it weren't for the fact that it is in the order room of the Ancient and Truly Original Sages of the Unbroken Circle.
A small plaque is mounted to the side of the firebowl.

l walls: The walls are wooden and mostly plain, save for a tapestry which hangs from one wall, covering it completely.

l ceiling: There is nothing unusual about the ceiling. Except, maybe, that its been allowed to stay.

l tapestry: A tapestry in four parts; the upper right corner is a panel of fire, next to this is a panel of water, below that is a panel of earth, and finally, a panel of wind. Each panel is mounted on a black background and each is appliqued in a unique yet appropriate fabric.

l panels: These are each appliqued in multiple layers of unique fabric. The elemental scenes depicted are so realistic and vivid, one might find him or herself attempting to enter the actual tapestry to become one with the elements.

l floor: The floor is made from high density wood.

You open the west door.
This room holds only an open book and a pen on a small table.
There is one obvious exit: east.
A sign is here.

l book: The book looks highly magical, to your trained eye. Nothing is written on the open pages. A golden quill lies beside the book.

l quill: A golden quill. It looks ancient, marked with the grime of thousands of years of wizards' hands.

You open the north door.
This is the office of the Senior Wizard of the Ancient and Truly Original Sages of the Unbroken Circle. Its main feature is a large oak desk, overflowing with papers and books. Behind the desk sits a large, intricately-carved rolling chair, while a bookcase is against the east wall. Two small, uncomfortable-looking chairs sit in front of the desk. To the north is a small door, and to the south another door leads into the Order common room.
There are two obvious exits: south and north.

l desk: The desk is a wonderfully carved old piece of furniture. It's hard to tell this, though, because the top is so cluttered with papers and memos. On the desk is a small paperweight, as well as the tools for writing all sorts of memos.

l memos: Boring administrative stuff.

l paperweight: It looks like one of those snow-globes that are found without fail in souvenir shops. However, instead it has swirling inside it water, fire, sand, and air, in equal parts, constantly moving and creating beautiful patterns of the elements.

l chairs: A fine leather rolling chair, with a sagging seat that attests to being the home of many a Senior Wizard. The two small chairs look like the type that schoolchildren being punished would relate to. They're meant to make you as uncomfortable as possible.

l bookcase: The bookcase is filled with such titles as "A Dissertation on Air", "Uses of the Empyrean Element", and “Fifteen Fun Earth Spells”.

You open the north door.
It is open.
This is the bedroom of the Senior Wizard of the Ancient and Truly Original Sages of the Unbroken Circle. It's mostly occupied by a large four-poster bed, although there is a small wardrobe too. The door to the office is south.
There is one obvious exit: south.

Order Rooms: the Last Order

Well, as you might guess, this bit of scrying required extra help, as almost all of the members of the Last Order only appear to me in a haze of smoke and mirrors... Therefore, special thanks to Master Benfrey the Obscure, who allowed me to peek into the most discreet and secretive of Orders...

This darkened room is the lounging area of the infamous Last Order. Silently, a few candle flames circle the room and cast a weary shadow among the various objects. Along the walls, multicoloured drapes swoop and plumet, much like the water of a calm ocean. This room hasn't been created for the morbid-minded as much as it has for those who like to keep private. In the centre of the room is a large rectangular table around which sit multiple black leather chairs. Against one of the walls, a large bulletin board stands next to a small chest.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: west, southwest and south.

l table: This is a rectangle-shaped table constructed of petrified cherry wood. It's all so executive looking! The top has been polished to a crystal-like gleam and the edges have been rounded off. The feet come down into a swooping claw that grasps a solid rose-quartz ball.

l chairs: These chairs are large and plush. The black leather strains at the seams, yet shines with the subtle luster. These oversized chairs sit properly at the table in a manner that nearly screams "board room"!

l walls: The walls are covered by multicoloured drapes made from velvet. They have been quilted so elegantly that the colours collide in a harlequinesque motif.

l drapes: These are multicoloured drapes made from velvet. They have been quilted so elegantly that the colours collide in a harlequinesque motif.

l floor: The floor is covered in a plush grey shag.

l candle flames: These are what seem to be the tips of burning wicks. Which, of course, should be on candles. But they're not. Instead a mere flame hovers gently and circles the room, causing shadows to dance around slowly and eerily.

l shadows: These are created by the light of the flames and nothing else.

l circle (of fire): This is a circle of flame. Curiously, the vortex around which all the flames seem to be orbiting, shimmers ever so lightly, as if there's a strange air distortion there or a gap leading to l-space.

Order Rooms - Hoodwinkers

So... we are back! After a month-long retirement due to Roundworld travelling in the Baltic, Winswand returns to the Discworld and also to his magic Grimoire. Continuing with the series dedicated to order rooms, today we show you the Hoodwinker hole, with special thanks to the kind collaboration of master Positrix Stormcrow, at the time of enquiry (and probably, still now), the Senior Wizard of his Order...

This room seems to be more of a sphere than one of the more mundane, box-like rooms found Discwide. The walls, though certainly wooden, have been polished to a perfect sheen, like that found inside the mother of pearl. Sitting in the middle of the sphere is a fountain; the water shoots up towards the centre of the great globe. Around this waterworks, two hemispheres have been constructed from petrified wood and carved to resemble benches.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: north, east and south.

Room emotes: The basin full of illusions swirls and shimmers ever so subtly before returning to normal. / The shadow of a bulletin board sneaks to the other side of the fountain. / The walls around you shimmer for a moment. / A faintly glowing bulletin board phases in and out of reality.

l walls: The walls are strangely pearlescent. It's almost as if they've been carved from some deep dwelling mother of pearl.

l globe / sphere: Just type "look", silly.

l fountain: The fountain is unlike any other you've ever seen. On closer inspection, it's easy to see that it's not running water at all, but a constant stream of different shapes and objects shoots out of the top and falls into the basin below. The colors are all bright and unrealistic. This must be evidence of the talented illusionists of the Order. A small plaque is mounted to the side of the fountain.

l water: On closer examination, the realisation strikes that the fountain is not, in fact, running water but running illusions instead.

l hemispheres / l benches: These two benches are either half of what was once a mighty redwood tree. Each part has been separated and carved so as to resemble a couple of benches. The variegation of the wood lends to a most fanciful array of rust-like colours which swirl and twine together. A large chest is tucked neatly away under the bench.

l basin: Oddly enough, the basin doesn't seem to have a bottom at all. Instead, the liquid that should be pooling up here for the fountain to use forms a type of stairwell leading down. You could possibly enter the basin and follow the stairs down if you'd like.

l illusions/objects/shapes: These are merely figments of your imagination.

Order Rooms - The Order of Midnight

[I've got to start dying less. Really. Really, really! It is not just the incoveniency... Lives are getting expensive, and I'm always taking money out of the bank. And then there's all the trouble of having to spend some long time cruising the corridors and bookshelves of the Library... and such silly deaths too... The last one came from impacience: wanting to climb down faster the jewel tree in Skund forest, I ended up coming down faster than I'd like to...

Anyway, that's not the point, although death and corpses make a proper introduction for the following Order Room. In this case, those friendly cadaver-corroders and necromancers of the Midnights. Special thanks to Master Hitcher for the views - and to their Senior Wizard, Master Trident, for helping me the other day to some beautiful and dark nigromantic attire...]

Standing heavily in the centre of the room, a large slab of marble dominates. Around it sit a good many stools, positioned as if beckoning a mortician to observe whatever happens on the table. Hanging from the centre of the ceiling is a large swag-lamp which offers its light with infrequent flickers. There is a air of science and mystery hovering around the room. A bulletin board and a plaque are hanging from one of the walls.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: west, southwest and east.

look lamp: This is a light giving lamp which swings from the centre of the ceiling. It hangs from a chain that is connected in a few places to the ceiling thereby creating a "swag" effect.

l chain (in lamp): This is the chain that allows the lamp to swing from it.

l ceiling: The ceiling has been hammered from fine galvanized steel. From the centre, a swag-lamp is hanging.

l floor: The floor is comprised totally of surgical steel and is heavily ventilated, allowing any splatter from the marble slab to simply drain away. Despite this, it is perfectly sturdy and very capable of holding multiple wizards.

l walls: The walls have been forged from a type of stainless medical steel. They have been brushed to a smooth matte finish. They are so smooth, in fact, that if something were to splatter on the walls from the slab, it would melt right off and slip into the grates.

l stools: These are observation stools raised high enough that someone could easily sit and work on the marble slab. They have been constructed from stainless steel, in whole, and seem very uncomfortable.

l table: This is a table a little more than nine-feet in length and four-feet wide. The perfect size for a autopsy. It has been carved from fine white marble and features both a raised rim and a small drain. Along the head of the pallet is a tray for holding various tools of the trade as well as a neck rest just below it. At the foot of the bed is a disposal unit for discarding unneeded bits and pieces.

l rim: This is the outside lining of the marble slab. It has been carved this way to reduce the risk of fluid spillage.

l drain: his drain is located in the middle of the slab and allows for any fluid to drain away properly.

l tray in table: This is the head of the slab whereon a tray is set. There should be an assortment of tools laying here, however, there is seemingly no work that needs to be done, so the tools are missing. Just below this area is a neck rest which allows the spine to stay perfectly straight. It's not wise to ask why the corpse needs to be ... comfortable.

l neck rest: This is built into the slab in order to keep the participant's spine completely straight. We wouldn't want bad posture, now would we?

l disposal unit in table: Here, at the foot of the slab is a small opening through which extra bits and pieces might be tossed. The inside doesn't look to be very sanitary. There is the odd bit hanging around as if afraid to travel down its last path. Silliness, really. I mean it *is* dead, isn't it? What more could happen? There is also a small chest hidden just under the slab, here. No telling what *that* is used for.

l bits in disposal unit: This is a fresh head severed from the corpse of Fireclown. It seems to have been pickled. This is a single bit of the last person to use the slab. Or rather, be used on the slab. It appears to be a hand gripping to the last vestiges of hope. You could do your civic duty and push it the rest of the way down.

Order Rooms - Venerable Council of Seers

[Seeing the Seers. Sounds a little bit Ironic, doesn't it? Well, anyway, it's been done, and the special thanks for his kind collaboration goes today to Master Tempus Plavalaguna, the werewolfer soloer]

The Venerable Council of Seers' common room is thick with history and lore. Along the walls are bookshelves which reach the ceiling. There are plush and comfortable armchairs strewn throughout the room, each one with its own stand for book reading. In the centre of the room is a pedestal on which a crystal ball is sitting. This place was obviously designed with the studious wizard in mind. A bulletin board and a plaque are hanging from one of the walls.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: south, east and north.

l walls: The walls are covered in a green velvet which drapes around the room elegantly and calmly. Against one wall is a small chest.

l ceiling: There is nothing unusual about the ceiling, except that it seems the high rising bookshelves are the only thing holding it up.

l armchairs: These are over stuffed chairs, made to be comfortable for hours on end. On... your end, really. They are covered in velvet and come in an assortment of green shades.

l stands: Simple and elegant, they are used to put your cuppa while you read, or put your book while you sip. Either way, they're useful and ready to serve. Sitting on top of each stand is a blue light, hovering and offering its subtle illumination. Hidden under the glass top of the stands are magical bulletin boards, ready for reading.

l pedestal: This is a large, swirling cage of wrought iron. At the top, eight sharp spikes, like claws, grip onto a huge crystal ball. This doesn't look pleasant at all for the ball.

l ball: The ball shows us the UU bar.

l bookshelves: The bookcases are full of books with interesting names, such as "A Treatise on Building Rituals of the Klatchian Pyramids" or "Superstitions of the Common Witch: Primitive Magic". There's no doubt a lot to learn here. There is a green book that seems out of place, almost as if leaning with the intent to fall.

l (green) book: This is a book seemingly made from emerald, or green glass. It would be a tragedy for it to fall off the bookself. It might be wise of you to replace it as soon as possible.

Order Rooms - Sages of the Unknown Shadow

[Today's recipient of ackowledgement is Master Xisoned, of The Sages of the Unknown Shadow, who has allowed me to take a look at those darkety practices that earn them such funny nicknames...]

You see a vision in the silver mirror:
This room has been crafted to resemble, in every way, an octogram of immense proportions. This is, after all, the common room of the Sages of the Unknown Shadow -- the order of wizards who specialise in the more demonic side of magic. This area, for the most part, is completely blackened. The drapes that cover the walls and boast glowing octograms are a deep, blood red, while the carpet is a subtle black. Throne-like chairs are positioned in a circle around a very low obsidian table in the centre of the room. Multiple chains have been firmly attached to the table, as if in preparation for something not only evil, but very large.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: south, west and north.

look drapes: These drapes decorate the room elegantly. Each one covering a different wall, each one with a highly charged octogram glowing and flickering. The drapes are helping to hide a small chest shoved against one wall, and a bulletin board shoved against another wall.

l octograms: Though the room is shaped like an octogram, someone felt the need for even more protection. the drapes strewn around the room each have a highly charged octogram which glows brightly and illuminates the area. These octograms were created for a single purpose and very likely aren't any good for anything else. The strange illumination causes strange shadows to stalk around the room, carefully avoiding the table in the centre.

l carpet: The floor is covered in a plush black shag.

l chairs: These are more thrones than chairs. They have been placed around the willing table. They are in the perfect position for a little observation, discussion, or study group. Each one is wrought iron with a plush leather seat, and each one has an octogram welded into the back.

l table: This is a piece of the famous "tabula rasa", of which the rest can be found in Uberwald. It is, as the name suggests, completely clean and has no features, save the chains firmly attached. It seems as if this low altar was constructed to restrain a large beast, or dangerous subject, or perhaps it's now merely used for students to study on.

l chains: These don't seem to be as empty as first thought. They are all lifted off the altar and point toward the centre of the table, as if holding some invisible beast in place. Of course, if that were true, you'd have heard something by now, right? They have been constructed of smelted octiron and are double-linked for the extra secure feeling. Curious how they just hover in place...

l walls: The walls are covered in a dark crimson fabric. They drape along the walls dramatically.

l shadows: These strange shadows are created by the glowing octograms. They slowly stalk around the room, carefully avoiding the table in the centre of the room. They each come in different shape and size, but the one unifying trait is the uncommon thickness of each shadow and the unyielding detail of features. They are so thick and dark that one might find it easy to blend into one if he or she so wanted to attempt the unusual feat.

Order Rooms - The Brothers of the Silver Star

[Special thanks goes today to Master Darevaine, the Silver Star Wizard who kindly provided me with the descriptions...]

You see a vision in the silver mirror:

This is the common room for the Ancient and Truly Original Brothers of the Silver Star. Though, it shouldn't be hard to tell. There is a large round drum in the middle of the room that acts as a table, around which are many wooden chairs. The walls have all been made from wood, and the ceiling has been vaulted for that added flair. The floor, on the other hand, is covered by a thick layer of sawdust. Against one of the walls sits a chest; on either side, a pedestal can be seen. A board and a plaque hang on a wall.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: east, south and west.

look table: Exquisitely crafted, this table has been made into a type of drum. The top of the table hosts a large, round crystal surface which both protects the wood and the bulletin board laying underneath. The sides of the drum have been carved and allow you to see into the drum's base.

l walls: The walls are wooden and mostly plain.

l floor: The floor is made from high density wood and is covered in a thick layer of sawdust.

l ceiling: The ceiling has been vaulted and has a single glowing star hovering near the centre which illuminates the room.

l star in ceiling: This is a hovering silver star. It emits a bright and rather useful light.

l chest: 'This is a fretwork chest which has been painstakingly carved from rowan. The filigree is so intricate and delicate that it defies you to see inside it. Alas, it is a magical chest and looking inside would likely only cause confusion to the mundane onlooker. However, small though it is, it will hold all manner of objects.

look pedestal: These are forged from raw iron. Each one holds either a hammer or an anvil.

look hammer, anvil in pedestal: 'This is a large octiron hammer. Its shaft is made from petrified sapient pearwood. Along the head of the hammer mystical runes sparkle and gleam. It might be possible to bang the hammer against the anvil for posterity sake. Though, it's not advised.' 'This is an anvil made from pure octiron. It has not a single scratch on it, though mystical runes cover its surface completely. It's obviously not used for anything more then symbolism'.

[after looking around a bit, we reached the conclusíon that the hammer must be the way of going to the Wizard bar. Probably: 'bang hammer against anvil' should do the trick...]

Order Rooms - Mrs. Widgery's Lodgers

Now if we weren't wizards, we wouldn't be naturally curious. And part of that curiosity is in the Forbidden Realms. In this case, all those other order rooms in which you aren't allowed to peek into! Curses and drat! But with a little help and the use of scrying, we hope to remedy that situation. In our first installment of the series, we'll take a look at the Lodger's Rooms. Special thanks to Master Coffeebreak AlQuantum for his collaboration, and to Master Coleus for a second looking at the lounge objects.

You see a vision in the silver mirror:

This is the commons for Mrs. Widgery's Lodgers. It has been furnished with comfortable items which seem to be well worn. The room has been painted a deep yet vivid red, while the edges have been covered with a deep wood. The ceiling and floor are both stark white and contrast well with the intensity of the lounge. In the centre of the room is a large wooden table and to either side of that rests a huge sofa. At one end of the table, a well worn bulletin board stands and on the other end, a small chest has been put on display.

A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.

There are three obvious exits: east, north and west.

l ceiling: The ceiling has been painted with a glossy-white paint.

l floor: The floor is covered in a plush white shag.

l edges: This is used to line the walls.

l table: This is a masterpiece of craftmanship. The table has been constructed from the same wood used in the moulding around the room. It's obviously new, but carries a well used look about it.

l sofa: This is a huge sofa. It's over-stuffed and over-sized, and easily stretches from one end of the table to the other. The fabric covering the sofa is suede which has been broken in by any number of wizards finding his or her afternoon nap.

This room holds only an open book and a pen on a small table. There is one obvious exit: south. A sign is here. You close the south door. - Voting room

This is the office of the Senior Wizard of Mrs. Widgery's Lodgers. Its main feature is a large oak desk, overflowing with papers and books. Behind the desk sits a large, intricately-carved rolling chair, while a bookcase is against the east wall. Two small, uncomfortable-looking chairs sit in front of the desk. To the east is a small door, and to the west another door leads into the Order common room.

There are two obvious exits: west and east. You close the west door.

This is the bedroom of the Senior Wizard of Mrs. Widgery's Lodgers. It's mostly occupied by a large four-poster bed, although there is a small wardrobe too. The door to the office is west. There is one obvious exit: west.

As for the door that leads to the magic cafeteria, in this case it is a seam in the wall, that reads like this:

l walls: The walls have been painted a deep and vivid red. They boldly contrast both the floor and ceiling. All the moulding has been done in a deep, rich wood. There is a thin seam running down the middle of one of the walls.

l moulding: This is used to line the walls.

look seam: It looks as if this is actually a secret door. You might be able to open it if you have the willingness to try. It should open with a good push.