Demiplane Overview
Although Maynitra's Refuge is fundamentally a demiplane, it shares much in common with the Prime Material Plane
in the vicinity of Ivost -- so much so that a person transported unknowingly from one to the other might not
immediately notice the difference. However, there are a few differences.
First, Maynitra's Refuge is small -- even compared to the city of Ivost. Traveling 720 feet in any direction
brings you back to where you started, as the demiplane wraps around upon itself. This even applies to those
attempting to fly straight up or dig straight down (through 60 feet of soil, then another 300 feet of bedrock);
they will eventually find themselves approaching at a spot 360 linear feet away from where they departed, i.e.
on the "opposite" side of the demiplane.
Second, instead of reflecting the physical environment surrounding Ivost, Maynitra's Refuge is predominantly
covered with an oak forest, although the forest clears in four places. The first is in the immediate vicinity
of the True Demense -- Maynitra's home; the second and third are around a pair of small lakes. Each is about
300 feet from the True Demense, albeit in opposite directions, and each one is approximately 60 feet across
and 30 feet deep. Each lake is fed by a 300 foot long river (generally 10 feet across and 5 feet deep, although
these dimensions vary depending on location, rainfall, and time of year) that flows from the other lake.
Together, the two lakes and two rivers form a rough circle of water that bisects the demiplane. On the far side
of the demiplane, approximately 300 feet from the True Demense, lies the fourth and final clearing; to all
appearances it is simply a 60 foot wide empty field. All of these clearings are maintained by Valonde, the
elderly grey elf druid that nurtures and guides the plant and animal life brought to Maynitra's Refuge. In
addition to the oak trees are a variety of other smaller plant species, all of which have been encourage to
grow lush and wild. Although this means that there is plenty of food available -- for both the animals present
as well as humanoids -- it also means that much of the forest is choked to the point of being basically
impassable. Winding trails (as designated by Valonde) are available, although they are not always obvious.
Speaking of animals, Valonde has (with Maynitra's help) acquired enough animals to establish a minimally
independent food web, including a variety of insects, birds, lizards, small mammals, and the like -- all of
which are native to and appropriate for an oak forest environment. In addition, perhaps due to his own
preferences, the forest hosts a small family of leopards, lead by his animal companion Enyasa. Valonde has
trained most of these to recognize Maynitra as a friend -- or at least, "not-food". The lakes and rivers are
home to a variety of freshwater fish, amphibians, and water plants.
Third, although the demi-plane reflects the same light cycle and seasonal cycle as Ivost, the temperature and
weather proceed with a regularity that Ivost does not. Every third day is marked by gentle precipitation (as
appropriate for the season), regardless of what the weather may be like in Ivost. In addition, the temperature
moves in regular, predictable cycles, and never rises above 100
oF or falls below -20
oF.
The river's flows are similarly regular, and although flooding due to rainfall can and does occur, it always
does so in the same locations at the same time each year.
Finally, the demiplane to some degree reflects Maynitra's personality and quirks. Those who do not share her
preferences for order may feel uncomfortable while present on the plane.
Access to the plane is limited. The primary method of accessing the plane is via the portal between the Second
Floor of Mayitra's Tower in Ivost and the first floor of the True Demense (below). In addition, Maynitra's
Refuge touches and connects to the Ethereal plane at a single point. On the demiplane, that point occurs at the
bottom of the stairwell, just below the portal mentioned above. On the Ethereal Plane, that point occurs within
the guard room of the cell-block of the Judiciary; as such, it is embedded within a block of Ethereal rock and
thus is generally inaccessible without significant work. Finally, it is possible to
plane shift to
Maynitra's Refuge, although doing so requires a specific focus: an acorn harvested from one of the plane's oak
trees.
Note: Maynitra's Refuge is finite and self-contained (with a hyperspherical shape), and has
normal gravity and normal time. Like the Prime Material Plane, it has the alterable morphic trait. In addition,
it is mildly Law-Aligned, and applies a -2 circumstance penalty on all Charisma-based checks to any being with
a chaotic alignment.
Ground Floor -- "Maynitra's Tower Level Two"
The True Demense is built in identical style and structure to Maynitra's Tower in Ivost; in fact, from the
interior, the only clear indication that one is here (as opposed to there) is that the small table near the
stairs holds a humanoid skull instead of a vase with a single dead rose. Six guest bedrooms are available here
to those trusted and valued guests that Maynitra has chosen herself; in addition, a well appointed sitting area
extends from the stairwell. An iron door provides exit from the tower to the clearing surrounding the True
Demense on Maynitra's Refuge. This door bears two locks and can be barred from the interior. The stairwell at
the center of the tower extends both up and down. At the bottom of the stairs is a wall of stone marked with
the outline of a door; this doorway is the original connection point to the Ethereal plane, although the space
on the other side of the portal is currently filled with Ethereal stone.
Note: Near the middle of the downward stairwell lies the return portal to Maynitra's Tower in Ivost.
In general, anyone passing this portal will be transported, regardless of whether they bear Maynitra's arcane
mark or not. Thus, anyone coming down from the True Demense will be transported to Ivost, descending the stairs
to the Second Floor -- Level One of Maynitra's Tower; those ascending from the connection to the Ethereal Plane
will be transported to Ivost, climbing the stairs up to the False Demense.
First Floor -- "Maynitra's Tower Level Three"
The central stairs terminate in a single door on the first floor of the True Demense. Beyond is Maynitra's
research library, dedicated to the subject of abjuration and protection in all of its many forms and
manifestations
*. The library continues up a single flight of stairs to the floor above. One
door leads from the library to a storage area for supplies, memorabilia, and other items Maynitra is loathe to
part with, for one reason or another; another door leads to her research laboratory, complete with an attached
bath and privy. Another stairwell here leads up to her study.
Note: All of the doors on this floor are arcane locked.
Second Floor -- "Maynitra's Tower Level Four"
The second and topmost floor of the True Demense, this is the only place where Maynitra would ever consider
truly relaxing. Half of the floor is taken by the continuation of the library collection from below. Her
personal study is accessible from the library here, or from a flight of stairs leading down to her research
laboratory. Her working desk fits into one corner of the room, along with a bookcase containing her notes,
journals, and diaries detailing her travels and experiences; a sitting area dominates the rest of the room,
providing space for her to entertain any guests she might invite into her most trusted spaces. Her bedroom has
direct access to both the library and her study, including through a shared bath room and privy.
Note: All of the doors on this floor are arcane locked.
* Note: Maynitra's personal collection Library provides a +6 circumstance bonus to Knowledge
checks for any research specifically regarding abjurations or protections, regardless of the type of Knowledge
check. Due to the breadth of her collection, however, even inquiries that are not related to abjurations and
protections will still gain a circumstance bonus, depending on the Knowledge skill being researched. Arcane and
Planes gain +4; Architecture/Engineering, Dungeoneering, and Nature gain +2.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Sat 03 June 2023.