---- WELCOME TO THE FORTRESS OF MEROPIDE

[loupmorque]

♪♬♫ clockwork waltz - the rotating realm

Simple Entry

[ There are two ways into the Fortress. The easier--more straightforward way is in the exact same place where the Statue of Focalors sits. While it is a lengthy trip down a long elevator that brings you deep underwater--You'll get a gorgeous view of the fortress outside and the ocean below once you arrive in the central hub. From there, there's another long elevator down to the Fortress itself... ]

Difficult Entry

[ Or, maybe you just don't like elevators. Maybe but maybe you just LOVE swimming. Which is why entryway into the fortress #2 is Right for You. Near the Krusty Krab--a restaurant on the bottom of the Harbour, has a rather strange set of tunnels that twists and turns and eventually opens up into a beautiful cave full of greenish crystals--and eventually into the fortress itself. A number of long hallways that start out lush and green and full of plant life eventually settles into the same thing: a copper-bronze, dull metal as you find yourself entering the Fortress, soaking wet... ]

CREDIT TEXT

First Floor

[ First impressions: This place is huge. You now understand why the elevator rides were so long, or why the swim down took forever. The place is enormous, and this is just the first floor. The entryway into Meropide--whether you came in through the secret entrance or through the front gates welcomes you with the same: The first floor and it's common areas. Directly in the center is a large door with a Cerberus Motif--and leads to Wriothesley's Office. To your left, the Coupon Cafeteria; to the right, the Pankration Arena. There's an area to mingle with others living down here, as well as even a bulletin board where the Duke posts announcements such as lunch menus or current jobs needing done; as well as posting up items needed for the clean up or adjustment of the fortress. ]

Coupon Cafeteria

[ No matter if you're here for a visit, or if you live here, the number one thing that Wriothesley insists on is that everyone should eat at least one square meal a day. You needn't pay for food at Meropide--simply come to the Cafeteria when hungry and you'll eat your fill for free--but that is, perhaps not entirely 'for free'. Maybe it's the Duke having a bit of fun, or perhaps it's just his way of running things--what you get to eat may not always be what you suspect. Wriothesley isn't a talented chef after all--so some meals cooked down in the fortress might come out delicious--while some suspicious. Each one also comes with a hand-written fortune slip. The writing is oddly immaculate and well-scripted, however, what might be written on each slip may mildly differ... He won't admit it outright, but rumor has it the Duke himself writes these out. ]

Pankration Arena

[ "Pankration" (from Ancient Greek παγκράτιον pankrátion, "all powers") was a combat sport in the Greek Olympics that allowed practically all forms of techniques that did not involve weapons or other objects, similar to modern mixed martial arts. This is exactly what's on the label--a 1v1 fighting ring. The caveat is, unlike Fight Club that's run by Nero; no special powers, weapons, or transformations are allowed. Fights are done with fists only, and matches are decided when one combatant is knocked out or surrenders. The Arena is where Wriothesley earned his title as Duke and would be willing to fistfight almost anyone there. He wants to start up championships there again soon... ]

The Duke's Office

[ This is where you'll find the Duke most days. Either spending time in his office alone reading--going over paperwork left behind by the Order, drinking tea or just plain napping--the door is always open for visitors and people who need his help alike. Upon entering there's a spiral staircase that brings one up to the Duke's personal living quarters--or, if one goes down, they'll find two things: One being a giant Sluice Gate that leads down to Yggdrasil; a direct portal to Asgard, now empty of the Unyielding--as well as an old, abandoned airship yard, where... a giant ship used to be. Now there's just tons of equipment for building an airship with no actual means of doing so. Pity. It could probably be used at some point, with enough work. ]

Second Floor - Living Quarters

[ Welcome to the second floor. The hallways in here are long and bisecting, many leading off into--you guessed it--bedrooms. There are dozens of rooms on this floor, all twisted and hidden among the pathways branching outwards; you have your choice of a comfortable solo room, large enough to live in comfortably and put whatever you'd like inside. The Duke will have at least set up a bed for you, and will offer you an allowance for things like bedclothes. The decorating is then up to you otherwise. You may also choose to stay in one of the rooms that have a more dorm-like quality to them, hosting a much bigger living/shared area, but with four bunk beds in one corner. It's truly up to you. On this floor also exists the Infirmary--a doctor's office in case anyone gets sick or--what with the Pankration Arena below--hurt. There's a quick elevator next to it for ease of access. Currently Living in the Fortress: ]
Wriothesley
Jun Nightroad
Joshua (NPC)
Ghilley Adair
James Rogers
Hermes
Ana
Maxima quo Priscus
Eren Jeager
Harumasa
Lia

[ part time workers/visitors ]
Varian
Ragna
Caleb
Fugo
Josuke

Basement - Factory and Forgotten

[ And finally, the basement of the Fortress. On the first layer lays the production facility--a place where the Guardemeks that had attacked the city were made and manufactured. After the fights inside the fortress, many of the mechanisms that run the factory have been broken and made obsolete, but with enough they could be fixed up and made to work again. However, Wriothesley is a tinkerer, not an engineer, so he hasn't gotten around to figuring out such a thing anyway. If the things can even be made anymore. The magic that ran the guardemeks back home was different from the magic down here, after all. Furthur down from the Factory is the more maze-like part of the fortress. Down there is the darker part of the Jail that Meropide truly is, and The Duke will ask any and all who live here to stay away from this part of the fortress--for their own safety. Down there, after all, still sleep the many locked away and sealed individuals the Order had felt too dangerous to let roam free or risk allowing to reincarnate into the world again. As much as The Duke dislikes it, some things are best left sleeping.]

FORGED IN STEAM AND SMOKE

Located in the basement in the production facility, there is a corner dedicated to a forge. A gas forge is the heart of it, allowing for any smithery to be done with relative ease. It's spacious and perfect for nearly any project. There are work benches set around it, along with a wide array of tools - most them Varian's, but he doesn't mind people using them so long as they put them back. An anvil sits nearby too. Half-finished works dot around the place because Varian sometimes gets distracted. Try not to touch them, just in case.

A PLACE FOR QUIET LETTERS

Located near the Administrative Area, there's a large library that was added in December 2024 magically by Veldora. The library is massive, containing thousands of books in any type of genre you desire. The entire library is done in a rococo style with spiral staircases and towering bookcases that require ladders (think the library in Beauty and the Beast). That said, there are plenty of modern comforts added to the library: a reading area with plenty of armchairs or squishmallow pillows; a small computer lab with internet access and a printer that works half the time (magic can only do so much); and a number of private study rooms.

[ IF YOUR CHARACTER LIVES IN THE FORTRESS, please feel free to COMMENT ON THIS POST with a housekeeping/description/any images for reference to what their living space looks like. ]

Comments

GUEST ROOM

[whiteshroud]

One room in the Alley has been set up to be a guest bedroom for any family visitors that need to stay overnight or longer. Being the considerate folks they are, it's actually pretty nice! The room itself is about the size of a studio apartment, giving the guest plenty of room if they wish to stay in.

The room contains the following:

A king-sized bed that is covered with a purple and white quilt provided by Fugo. Should you need more pillows or blankets, there is a storage container beneath the bed with more. There is a nightstand next to the bed with a lamp, a phone charger, an old fashion alarm clock, and a magical dream flower that'll ward off any bad dreams.

A wardrobe that any guests staying awhile can use to store their clothing. There's also a couple changes of clothing in the wardrobe should anyone need an emergency change. They made sure to buy them in varying sizes- but you're at the whims of sibling's fashion sense.

A personal bathroom with a bath/shower. There's basic hygiene products like soap and shampoo if you need it. They are decent quality, but you got to bring your own stuff if you're more particular.

A sitting area with a comfortable couch, an armchair, a couple bookshelves stocked full of books that the family (and previous guests) felt would be good reads, and a TV.

A kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and coffee machine. The fridge is stocked with drinks and snacks. If they know far enough in advance that you're coming, it'll be stuff that they think you'll like specifically.

A table near the door that is a good place to set down any keys and what not. On the table there is a map of meropide, a map of kaisou, and homeward compass that belongs to Harumasa, so it'll always direct back to the alley should you get lost.

The decor of the room has been made as pleasant and comfortable as possible. They even installed a window that's been enchanted to show sunlight and other views if you'd like. However if you look carefully, there's been a few crosses hung in hidden places around the room such as behind a wardrobe or a curtain. It's to protect from the demons okay. Demon guests will be warned of these crosses.