PaxLair City, Felucca, Chesapeake AND Owl’s Head, New Britannia (PaxLair Times) – December 22, 2013 – by Winfield – I finished all my PaxLair Statehood paperwork a bit early at my office in PaxLair City. So I finally had a little time to read my latest mail. I looked over at a small package that arrived in my mailbox yesterday. It was marked “To Winfield, Lord of the Manor, from Lord British.” Ah, something about New Britannia I bet! How wonderful.
Governor Winfield in his office in PaxLair City
Blade of the Avatar Book Cover
I carefully opened the package and inside were several pages of a manuscript entitled “Blade of the Avatar.” I carefully turned a few of the pages and found myself immediately lost in the story. Several minutes later, I looked up at my candle and smiled. What a wonderful story this will be, I thought. I set the pages down, then saw a small card in the original package. What was this?
The card was an invitation to visit Owl’s Head in New Britannia! I heard tales of that city with its outer village and inner city walls, two markets, stables, pubs, crafting areas, and many houses of all types and sizes. Yet now, I could actually go there myself and see what it was like. I quickly finished reading my other mail, answered a few inquiries and penned a short letter to King Blackthorn about my concern for the upcoming winter season in Britannia.
With my Governor duties behind me for the day, I gathered up my fishing pole and a pack of snacks. I stepped out of the Mage Tower and paused a moment. I looked up at our old faithful tower. The Mage Tower has stood the test of time and will be here forever. It is a comfortable home and capital building for our PaxLair Statehood. Now I just needed to find a suitable home in New Britannia to serve as great a purpose as the Mage Tower here.
Mage Tower in PaxLair City (UO)
I walked down our main street where I saw a misty portal open. I waved my invitation card at it, and the portal shimmered inviting me in. I eagerly stepped through. In an instant, I was on the other side of the portal facing a dirt road and wooden fences. I was in New Britannia. I saw a guard in armour stationed at a gate and I stepped forward. He asked who I was and told me I was in Owl’s Head. He gave me a quick look-over, and let me pass through.
I was awestruck at the buildings in the village and the people in the streets and shops. I could describe so much of the village and the city, but I would run out of ink. As I wandered through the streets and buildings, I found many home furnishings in various chests. I grabbed all I could carry.
Finally I came upon a very large building in the inner city — the “Lord of the Manor Home” (LotM) — my future home in New Britannia. The entrance was so immense, it took my breath away.
(SotA Pre-alpha 1) The Lord of the Manor Home
The front of this building is at least as wonderful as our Twin Towers in PaxLair City. I remembered that a long time ago Lord British personally gave us a Proclamation of Distinction plaque above our Mage Tower doors. (See Lord British Visits PaxLair, November 11, 1998) Now, I could sense his fingerprints upon New Britannia as he creates a new world for many people once again.
I stepped into the expansive entryway of the LotM Home. Two staircases bordered a grand opening to the back room of the first floor which also lead to a back door outside the home. I always wanted a back door to my home so I could take a quiet walk and think without distraction from people constantly at my front door. Very refreshing. I quickly set up some furnishings in the back room, the back porch, and the back yard. The furnishings were very easy to move around, turn, and place. Very nice. I put in a table and some crafting benches that could be used by anyone visiting the home.
(SotA Pre-alpha 1) Back Room, First Floor
(SotA Pre-alpha 1) Backyard
I went upstairs to the second floor where there were two bedrooms — very large. I didn’t have a bed with me, so I went up to the third floor which had several alcoves that would be perfect for a sitting room, library, and museum. Then I ventured up to the fourth floor and opened a large, heavy door. That door opened to an immense room larger than any I’ve seen. Now this is a great hall! A meeting chamber for all of our PaxLair Statehood and Alliance. A place to bring citizens, friends, and even enemies together to discuss and decide the future of our lands and cities. So much could be done here.
(SotA Pre-alpha 1) Large Hall on 4th Floor
Well, my adventure in New Britannia was short. But I found more information about the Lord of the Manor Home with a much more decorated view. (see the SotA Six Month Progress video at 6:52 minutes and the images below. Also see the housing guide at Forsaken Virtues for the LotM Home and more!) Now I have a grand idea what this home can be like! I can’t wait to visit again on January 24-26, 2014.
(SotA Video Demo) LotM Home Entryway
(SotA Video Demo) LotM Home Bedroom
(SotA Video Demo) LotM Home 3rd Floor Library
(SotA Video Demo) LotM Home 4th Floor Hall