Juggler's Hall

The Juggler's Hall was a large, round, two-story stone building set upon a low rise on the northern side of the Juggler's Close. The trail through the Close passed about a hundred yards to the south.Witeberg, the nearest town,was a little over a mile to the west, in the Deeping Coomb.The Hornburg was about four miles beyond Witeburg.Built of rare, creamy-granite and accented with  bluestone, the Jug gler's Hall was a sight to behold.Its copper roof was kept polished and shone like a beacon on sunny days.The  building had two parts. One (the main wing) was an L-shaped wing which housed the main entrance, the library, offices, meeting rooms, the dining area, and a kitchen.It opened onto a dressing area and stage which faced the center of the structure.The rest of the Hall (the ring) adjoined this wing.Circular in design, it surrounded a central courtyard and had few outward-facing windows. Sections of seats occupied much of its second floor, while guest (or student) quarters composed the level below.Entry onto the lower level of the ring, or circular wing, was restricted to doors opening onto the main wing.This level was oriented toward the  courtyard and stage.A pallisade ran around its inner side and served as an exterior walk-or hallway.Here students and honored  guests slept, studied, and enjoyed the shows.The upper level of the ring was designed for visitors and was more accessible.Two  stairways permitted persons outside the Hall to climb directly onto this level, without entering the main wing.Stands or banks of  seats occupied most of this floor.They faced toward the courtyard and stage and permitted fine viewing, without disturbing the  spectator with a sense of what was happening on the lower level.The Master Juggler's quarters occupied part of both levels of the  ring wing, and opened onto the main wing at four points.A second-story walkway — a bridge of yew — provides him direct access to  the library (as well as his office), while two secret doors gave him ways into the first floor meeting room and second floor drinking hall.His main entry fronted the pallisaded inner walk and afforded passage to the dressing room behind the stage.The

Layout of the Juggler's Hall

 * 1.Main entry.A peculiar and heavy, stone-faced door serves as the main entry.It is usually guarded by two students or a Journeyman attendant.When locked (90% of the time), it is extremely hard to open.Only the attendant and the Master Juggler have  keys.The entry hall is decorated with tapestries depicting theatrical scenes.Rugs from the East cover the floor.


 * 2.Classrooms.The Master and his three Journeymen assistants teach students of the School in these quiet halls.


 * 3.Meeting room.This room is fitted with lamps, braziers, and a yew table for twelve.Richly carved panels cover the walls.


 * 4.Store rooms.Costumes, props, equipment, and various odds-and-ends are kept in these cool chambers.


 * 5.Dining room.The large oak table accommodates twelve to fifteen people.


 * 6.Kitchen.A 50' deep stone-lined well sits in the middle of the room.A rear door permits the cooks (who are students) to gather wood or meat from the smokehouse (located 100' up the hill).


 * 7.Dressing area.Here performers prepare before going on stage.


 * 8.Stage.A trap-door in the center of the stage leads to a crawl space below.Exits at the front and either side of the stage let actors and stage hands move about.


 * 9.Master Juggler's parlor.Here the Master relaxes, greets students and guests, and reads.


 * 10.Secret door.This stone-faced panel slides open, permitting passage into the store room behind the meeting room.It is very hard to detect.


 * 11.Master's bedchamber.A huge pair of desks, an armoire, and a large bed dominate the chamber.


 * 12.Secret door.Like #10, this door is of stone.It opens onto a secret store room (#14), which in turn opens onto the drinking hall.


 * 13.'''Bridgeway . Thi s  arched,  woode n  wal k  connect s  th e  Master' s  bedchambe r  wit h  th e  library.


 * 14 . Secre t  stor e  room .  Her e  th e  Maste r  keep s  a  smal l  treasury .  A  hundre d  g p  i n  gem s  res t  i n  a  smal l  iro n  ches t  (locke d  an d  hard,  -10 ,  t o  open) .  Tw o  staff s  (bot h  genera l  spel l  enhancers )  si t  i n  woo d  case s  se t  o n  th e  wall .  On e  i s  o f  blac k  oa k  ( +  4  spel l  adder )  an d  cast s  a  mis t  upo n  comman d  (3x/day ;  duratio n  1 2  minutes ;  25 '  radius ;  visibilit y  fo r  al l  bu t  holde r  -  50) .  Th e  othe r  i s  o f  ironwoo d  (x 4  P P  device )  an d  cast s  +  1 0  lightnin g  bolt s  (3x/day ;  rang e  30') .  A  blue-leathe r  boo k  outlinin g  th e  secret s  (bu t  no t  th e  traps )  o f  th e  Awfu l  Stai r  perche s  o n  a  lecter n  i n  th e  corner..  Th e  firs t  pag e  contain s  a  3r d  leve l  Fea r  rune.


 * 15 . Drinkin g  hall .  Her e  th e  student s  rela x  a t  th e  bar.


 * 16 . Gamin g  room .  Thi s  air y  hal l  i s  designe d  fo r  gamblin g  an d  game s  o f  skill.


 * 17 . Win e  roo m  an d  caretaker' s  office .  Win e  an d  bee r  ar e  store d  i n  rack s  alon g  th e  walls .  Th e  Journeyma n  assistan t  i n  charg e  o f  watchin g  th e  evening' s  festivitie s  use s  an d  guard s  thi s  room.


 * 18 . Library .  Histories,  songbooks ,  an d  tome s  o n  entertainmen t  lin e  th e  shelves.


 * 19 . Office .  Her e  th e  Maste r  keep s  trac k  o f  hi s  students '  (an d  minions' )  progress.


 * 20 . Viewin g  areas .  Guest s  watc h  th e  stag e  fro m  thes e  uppe r  leve l  seats.


 * 21 . Oute r  stairs .  Thes e  step s  onl y  provid e  acces s  t o  th e  uppe r  leve l  viewin g  area s  o n  th e  ring.


 * 22 . Courtyard.


 * 23 . Pallisade d  walkway .  Thi s  walkwa y  run s  aroun d  th e  inne r  edg e  o f  th e  lowe r  leve l  o f  th e  ring .  Her e  honore d  guest s  an d  student s  brin g  thei r  chair s  an d  watc h  th e  stage.


 * 24 . Quarters .  Thes e  chamber s  hous e  student s  (Apprentices),  Journeymen ,  an d  honore d  guests