Halpine House is a large mansion on a corner of Albemarle Street, and the primary residence of [[Julia Ashburn]]. It features the open-to-the-clan [[Halpine House#Library & Study|library]] and an [[Halpine House Laboratory|occult laboratory]], which is very much not open to anyone. Halpine House's size and layout has changed over time, as described in [[Halpine House#original construction]]. ==== Residents ==== Since Halpine House is the primary residence of [[Julia Ashburn]] this is where almost all household staff can be found. The exceptions to this are the permanent staff of [[Cherrypond Mansion]] and [[Bridewater Manor]]. Currently, Halpine House has a single residentthe following residents: * [[Lady Gallorett]], the owner of the mansion * [[Miss Alcorn]] * [[Miss Hartward]] ==== Principal Floor ==== Halpine House has the front door on Albemarle street. The house's front garden serves as a small buffer between the hustle and bustle of the street and the house itself. Following the garden around the corner, one can find the large stables and the servants' entrance. The stables house the [[R&C Landau Custom]], the [[Brougham Reskin Custom]] as well as the associated horses, and both [[Pandia]] and [[Helia]]. The layout of the principal floor is that of a grand house. A dedicated entrance hall for the front door connects both to the central hall, as well as two ante-rooms to allow for multiple groups of guests to be received at the same time. A small cloakroom allows for quick retrieval of cloaks and coats when guests leave, and a connection to the back staircase ensures that residents can leave the house through the front door without the need to move through occupied rooms. {{gallery>Halpine House#Principal Floor (Completed)|}} ---- Receiving ---- The "white" drawing room is used to receive more formally, it is well-appointed and uses creme and lighter colours. A golden harp is present, as well as a piano. The white drawing room also boasts the largest number of doors of any room in the house: it connects to the central hall, the reading room, the library proper, the secret garden, and the parlour. The "red" drawing room is used to receive in a more familiar manner. The furnishings are aimed at being cosy, and allowing more intimate seating arrangements. The red drawing room also has doors to the garden and centreal hall, and further connects to the ante-room and the eating room. The parlour is reserved for use as a more private room for residents or close acquaintances. It features three large windows looking out into the garden. The fireplace corner is arranged as a seating area to allow for relaxed reading, or private conversations and games. ---- Library & Study ---- Halpine house features a large library that can be visited by members of [[Clan Angliae]], it boasts a growing collection of books and texts on occult and supernatural subjects, and as such ais somewhat masquerade unfriendly. It is possible to borrow books from the library, given that one is in good standing. Those wishing to borrow a book discuss such with [[Miss Steele]], and unless the book has been reserved, she will update the borrowers' register. The round entry room of the library showcases a 4-foot diameter, freely rotatable globe of the world. Four statues of mythological females inhabit the four alcoves, and the walls are lined with low bookcases. [[Miss Steele]] has a desk here, as well as a cabinet for filing reports and miscelanlaneous texts. The entry room of the library connects to a reading room set apart with luxurious leather chair various tables for studying, research, and note taking. The library proper has a two-story high center, with staircases left and right of the entryway. High bookcase line the walls, and a short ladder is available to allow footmen and gentlemen visitors to grab books higher up in the stacks. Chandeliers hang down from the ceiling, providing the light necessary to navigate the library at night. At the back of the library, on the ground floor, is a double door seemingly without handles or lock. A large circle is carved in the two doors, and it seems impossible to open the doors either by pushing or pulling. Connected to the reading room and the ante-room is Lady Gallorett's study, where she keeps non-sensitive correspondence, and meets with business associates and those that report to her on various activities. ---- Occult Laboratory & Workshop ---- Beyond the handle-less door lies the occult laboratory and workshop. //[[Halpine House Laboratory|Read more...]]// ==== First Floor ==== The second floor can be reached via the grand staircase, as well as the back staircase (and the servant's staircase as well). Two hallways lead from the upstairs hall to the residents' bedrooms and the guest bedrooms respectively. The master bedroom suite is large and well-appointed and, starting when lady Gallorett bought the house, furnished as a ladies' bedroom. The bedroom of the mistress of the house is currently unused, but kept in order nonetheless. The guest bedrooms are furnished in modern styles, and are large enough for guests of the the highest of rank. Near the master bedroom is a small study, where lady Gallorett keeps masquerade-sensitive letters, and sensitive correspondence. From here a door leads to a passage up into the attic, and over the library, where it eventually runs into a single handle-less and lockless door into which a circle is inscribed. The door leads into the [[Halpine House Laboratory]]. ==== Secret Garden ==== The garden of the house is a secret garden in the sense that it can only be entered via Halpine House, and that it is not possible to look into the garden from outside of Halpine House. One of the two enclosing walls of the garden features seven empty alcoves that are clearly waiting for something to be placed in them, but are kept empty and clean. The garden is laid out to allow a beautiful view from the parlour and library windows while at the same time having several areas hidding from view. An enclosure in the back houses several fluffy white rabbits that are well-cared for. A special feature of the secret garden is its rather large collection of enclosed candle-lanterns. Lighting each and everyone of these takes two servants about half an hour, and the results are enchanting. At night, the garden is transformed from a dark mass into a very comfortable area of natural calm. ==== Original Construction ==== The original plans for Halpine House were intended to be a grand house, with a hidden court garden at the back, so the first, second and third drawing rooms would offer a view of a natural setting. The house was to feature a large gallery on the principal floor, as well as a bedroom and dressing room for the master of the house. Unfortunately, before the house was fully finished, the funds ran dry. The first owners, to keep most of the house the area of the planned garden was sold and another building has been erected there. While the structurall components of windows are present in the first and second drawing rooms and the library, there are no windows there. As most of the foundational work had already been done when she bought the house, Lady Gallorett made plans to finish the construction. Of course, this required that the building currently occupying the planned garden was torn down, as well as buying the building next to Halpine House so that it can be remodelled to fit the library and laboratory. After buying the necessary surrounding buildings and adjusting the final building plans, Halpine House was finally completed in the summer of 1874.