Castle Darddu
From Changeling Venue
Castle Darddu is the Spring Court Hollow of New York City. It is controlled by Erised as Sovereign of Spring and maintained by Molly Moonglow as Chamberlain of Spring.
Contents |
Development
Darddu was established out of need in the late 1960's. Upon the death of Ramblin' Rose, the Chamberlain of Spring, the Sovereign felt the need to establish a safe haven and place of defense in the tumultuous world of the late 1960's. War and the draft had taken members of his court to war, many registered MIA. The court was tense, frightened, fearing the worse for all their Lost. The Sovereign needed to calm the fears of his courtiers and to feed their desire for protection. He also needed to replace his right hand, Rose.
The suggestion for the Hollow to reflect the real world castle of Belvedere in Central Park came from a young, outspoken Wizened named Molly Moonglow. With her blunt manners, she reminded the Sovereign of his lost Chamberlain and handed her the project, then the title.
Plans for Draddu were completed under Sovereign McDugal, but the stress lead to a heart attack that ensured the King would not live to see what he had developed. The new Queen, a young Fairest named Milly saw the construction and completion of the structure she hoped they would never need.
In Peace
During Milly's reign, Castle Darddu was used as a place for official functions - her own coronation, celebrations and parties that only the Spring Court was invited to, the naming of her Scion, Erised. The young Scion found himself locked away in the Castle during his brief education into the world of the Sovereign of Spring. As the Sovereign aged, she spent more and more time in Darddu, hidden away so her court would not see exactly how dim her light had gotten. When her light died in Spring of 1998, it was within that Castle walls that she expired. She is buried in the walled in gardens.
Erised made even less use of the Castle during the early parts of his reign. Other than his Coronation, he never stepped foot in the gleaming Throne Room, and avoided going to the Castle all together. He assumed that it was well taken care of by the aging Chamberlain, Molly Moonglow, who had indeed made sure the castle was clean and well stocked, just in case.
In War
The only time the Castle has been tested was during the Battle of the Bronx in Winter of 2007. After the assassination attempt on the Sovereign's life, Molly moved the Court to Darddu, where the Soldiers of Spring set up operations. Recovery efforts and work to remove injured of all Courts from the battlefield were headed by Myo with Molly assisting. The Battle of the Bronx proved deadly for the Spring Court, leaving a skeleton of the formerly robust Court.
Access
During the Battle of the Bronx, the Castle was opened to the those who were fighting as a place for recovery from injury. A Door was opened in the area of the fighting and those Combat Medics of Spring were getting people off the Battlefield using that Door. That is the only Door that has ever been made publicly known and, following the Battle, has been terminated.
For those who are Members of the Spring Court, access is granted through one of two Doors. One is in Reverie and one is in Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Both of these Doors have existed since the early days of Castle Darddu. In order to get through the Door, one must have been recognized by the Sovereign as a member of the Court of Spring in New-New Amsterdam (OOC: They must have put at least 1 dot into the shared Hollow).
Layout
The Castle is large, and designed for security. In addition to many security functions outside the grounds, there are additional precautions within the castle itself. The hallways are twisted and tight. Staircases go nowhere, doors open to walls and secret entrances are everywhere. Part of the duties of the Chamberlain is to known Castle Darddu in strict detail so to be able to lead the Spring Court through it when needed. Other members of the Court are encouraged to meet with the Chamberlain to learn routes throughout the castle for their own use and safety.
The primary area of use is known as the Public Wing and was all of the Castle that those who are not Court of Spring have had access to. It contains a Main Hall, Kitchen, Dining Hall, Infirmary, Armory and two Dormitories. Somewhere down the twisting, winding halls are also the Sovereign's quarters, guest quarters for visiting dignitaries, a library and the Throne Room.
The Castle Gardens and Orchards
Molly maintains a large garden and orchard at Darddu, similar to what one could expect in the days when castles were used to house hundreds of people. A variety of Goblin Fruits have been planted here over the years. Some include:
- Coupnettle
- Amarantine
- Jarmyn
- NightCap
- Buglewort
Public Knowledge
Spring Court
Locals
Spring Court members of New New Amsterdam have all been taken to Darddu once they have been approved by the Sovereign (OOC: Once they put a point into the shared Hollow). They are given a tour by the Chamberlain. It is suggested that they make arrangements to get to know the castle better in case they ever need to navigate the maze quickly.
Outsiders
Any member of the Spring Court who has visited New-New Amsterdam might know that there is a Hollow there. Any who came in to help during the Bronx Battle in Winter of 2006 might have had access. Please contact Greg and Jenn to work that out.
Other Courts
Locals
Those who are residents of New-New Amsterdam but not Spring Court would know that the Spring Court has a shared Hollow somewhere in their traditional protectorate of Manhattan. A few might have had access to the Public Wing during the Bronx Battle. If you think you would have had access, please contact Greg and Jenn to arrange it. If you have not been told you had access, then you didn't.
Outsiders
With very few exceptions, those who are not Spring Court and do not reside in New-New Amsterdam would not know about Castle Darddu. If you think you are one of the rare exceptions, please contact Greg and Jenn to discuss it.
Contact Info
New-New Amsterdam VST: Chris St. Louis
PC Contacts: Erised, Soveriegn of Spring: Greg
Molly Moonglow, Chamberlain of Spring: Jenn
