House of Rain
A few of the group have been here already, but for the others, it is a bold new direction.
The street seems typical of most cities--cobblestone, winding, rises and dips. It's not that wide, but it is certainly not an alley. The houses on either side are mostly built against each other, with only the occasional alley or walkway to the back of the houses.
The houses all seem to be built at a slightly different angle, so the facade is highly irregular. There are parapets and balconies and wrought iron railings. There are stained glass windows, large fancy doors, and a kaleidoscope of colors and decorations, even a few arcane symbols.
Ember's house has one of the fancier doors.
Upon entering, there is a foyer, with a curtained alcove off on the right. Ahead, you can see a set of circular iron stairs that go upward. Ember leads you to and up the stairs.
At the top of the spiral stairs, there is a hallway with five closed doors and one open door at the end. Ember Heads down to the open door where a study or den is visible beyond. You enter on one side near one end. The walls are lined with bookshelves full of books and bric-a-brac, and there is a desk in front of a large arched window at the other end.
Ember heads over to the desk and sits behind it. There are seven chairs set in front of the desk.
"Please, be seated," he says, gesturing to the chairs.
While everyone is being seated, he opens a desk drawer and pulls out a strange device and sets it on the desk. It is a tall pyramid shaped wooden box with some sort of wire sticking up out of the front. He pushes the wire to one side and then lets go. Seemingly of it's own accord, the wire begins to bounce from one side to the other.
"Merely a precaution," he explains. "It alerts me if someone tries to scrye into this room, even though I have other protections up."
"Now, let's start out with any questions you might have."