Library Component

A library component provides a large room lined with bookshelves, and arrangements for comfortable reading including comfortable seating, a reading desk, and often a lectern. This component provides space for a single collection.

Unless additional effort is made, the component provides a generic collection of fiction and non-fiction, including only common topics and interests. Collections on specific topics or specialist knowledge need to be built up through effort.

Upkeep: 5 pounds / month

Staff: 1 Footman OR 2 Maids

Note: Maybe should come with no collection at all, allowing the player to describe the "general tone" of the collection. The idea here is that simply taking the component gives some "padding" to the library, just like a garden comes with actual trees and flowers in it.

The scope of "a single collection" for specialist knowledge is roughly estimated as a knowledge ability, or expertise thereof. E.g., Law, Physics (Science expertise), Medicine.

Atelier/Workshop Component

An area arranged for leisure crafts or an artist's activities. The atelier or workshop is well-appointed to both offer the tools and materials of the craft and look good to those visiting at the same time. The exact tools available and materials in stock depend on the craft or art the atelier is dedicated to.

Upkeep: 5 pounds / month

Staff: (1 Footman, 1 Maid) OR (1 [Skill 3])

Note: This is the quintessential "noble who sculpts" atelier. It provides him with a place to work, to show off his half-finished pieces, and to receive others to impress them with his skill (or lack thereof). The first set of staff is for mostly show-off ateliers, or for arts and crafts that do not require much in the way of assistance. The second option of staff is for arts and crafts where an Assistant (of Skill 3, but the name is not listed in the Servant table yet) is needed to assist, clean up the workshop, and remove wood shavings, chips of stone, etc.

Hothouse

A large, heated greenhouse capable of providing an environment where exotic plants and flowers thrive. A few small exotic animals can be part of the hothouse's ecosystem. The hothouse's glass panelled ceilings and walls make the hothouse an impressive addition to the estate.

Your Head Gardener will have the expertise to care for exotic flora and has the connections necessary to acquire the right kinds of soil and fertilizer for the plants in the hothouse.

Upkeep: 10 pounds / month

Staff: 1 Head Gardener, 1 Gardener

Occult Laboratory / Workshop

An area furnished for occult research and experimentation. The occult laboratory or workshop consists of several well-appointed rooms for specimen and reagent storage, literature research, and research by experimentation. Additional rooms could be specifically conditioned rooms are available for the performance of undisturbed rituals, or rooms prepared as conductive places for summoning or conjurations, or the creation of mystically significant objects.

Note that the exact furnishings and trappings of the occult laboratory or workshop depend on the occult traditions the magus subscribes to, as do the requirements of staff.

Upkeep: 10 pounds / month

Staff: 1 (Skill 3), 1 Maid

Note: The staff of this special is somewhat flexible, but should be at least a (Skill 3) assistant, as well as someone that does manual cleaning. Maybe 'Maid' is a skill rating too low at 1, and the second person should really be a (Skill 2).

Society Headquarters

A headquarters of a club, secret society, or other social organisation that counts the gentry and nobility amongst its members. A large receiving hall or other entrance befitting the society is adjoined by several rooms are furnished to match the activities and proclivities of the society's members.

If you assign an agent as concierge you, or the society, can task them with far-reaching jobs such as the acquisition of a unique item, rare materials, or the arranging of special guests.

Upkeep: 10 pounds / month

Staff: 1 Concierge (Skill 4), 2 Footmen, 2 Maids

Note: The Concierge arranges secretive transport, entertainment, members' private requests, and other things needed by the society. If an agent, they could also arrange the satisfaction of more outrageous proclivities, all depending on the society.

This one will be replaced with Society Headquarters, as it overlaps too much with the Library Component.

Grand Library

A large hall a librarian's desk, towering bookcases and a unique showpiece in the center area. A reading and research area is available in the library itself, and adjacent rooms contain a small workshop for rebinding and repair of books, the librarian's office, and bookstacks. The Grand Library offers space for three collections.

If you assign an agent as librarian, they can be sent to perform complex acquisitions of collections or unique volumes, ensuring proper transport and restoration of degraded works.

Upkeep: 10 pounds / month

Staff: 1 Librarian, 1 Maid

Special: The Grand Library requires at least two Library Components be present at the estate.

Note: The Librarian is a (Skill 3), and can be either male or female. The idea behind the Grand Library is that it is a "proper" library in the sense that others outside of the household can visit and, with approval, borrow books for use elsewhere. The two required Library Components are to provide volume (which might not be necessary).