The Castle of the Bloated One - Garden Sub-Level 1

December 10, 1977 Original Concept

The Garden Sub-Level was designed as a place where crops are grown and harvested for the Castle's occupants, while the resulting seed is stored/maintained for next season. Fresh water is collected via the natural sandstone filter in the ceiling, which slowly drips down into the deep central collection chamber.

Ventilation, sunlight, and some rain water is filtered down to the 80 foot tall chamber via two vertical Columnar Basalt shafts who's entrance is housed in twin open air buildings on the surface. These shafts have steep vertical stone steps, and while only the steadfast dare to use them on a regular basis, most prefer the twin Guard Tower stairs.

A grove of trees serves as a reminder of the deep connection to the Older Faith, while the outer walls keep the residents safe and secure during wartime. Other secrets remain...

Thus, presented below is the Garden Sub-Level:

Cheers,

The Castle of the Bloated One - Castle Complex: Level 3

December 09, 1977 Original Concept

Level 3 is the main living quarters of the family. This is the only level that is separate from the guards towers, and gives total privacy. In this instance, I'm not including a roof level, given the simplicity of the design and to save space for more important maps.

Of note here is the two outer buildings, of which the 3rd level is shown. Both are open air structures and thus no roof is needed.

Presented below is the third floor of the Castle Complex:

Cheers,

The Castle of the Bloated One - Castle Complex: Level 2

December 09, 1977 Original Concept

The second level of the Castle was quick and simple to create, using just the roofs of the courtyard buildings, and focusing on the living quarters for the staff and owners. On my original drawings, I had tree stumps on the first floor, and full leaf foliage on the second to show detail by leaving (ahem) the road off for clarity.

I felt early on that a simple design would work well because I didn't feel a full blown castle with all the trimmings fit TCotBO. My original map has a scrawling script across the top:

"Twin circular towers with square central building"

Presented below is the second floor of the Castle Complex:

Cheers,

The Castle of the Bloated One - Castle Complex

December 09, 1977 Original Concept

The Castle Complex was first laid out on a brown roll of paper, and then transferred to graph paper three months later. Ideally I envisioned the castle as being a network of smaller buildings that dealt with day-to-day operations, and because it would (hopefully) fade out of this existence, it needed to be self sustaining. From blacksmith and fletchers, to food stores and a couple smoke houses, the courtyard quickly filled up.

In design, I originally considered the entire complex, including outer walls to be able to "faze out", but then I thought about a section of the outer walls that would remain behind. Perhaps even one of it's "homes" would be nothing but rubble, due either to the passage of time or some catastrophic event. So the "Ruins of the Bloated One" remained a future project., while this current layout became my primary focus.

Presented below is the main floor of the Castle Complex:

Cheers,

The Castle of the Bloated One - Earthmaster Site Level 4

December 04, 1984 Original Concept

As with level 3, level 4 requires a condition to be met prior it becoming available to explore/use. Once the requirement is met, then the four walls slide silently into the floor, opening up a massive structure. Like the previous rooms, this entire structure is made of Psuedo-stone, and the floors, walls and ceiling are perfectly smooth. 

There are seven main paths within the Vargas Earthmaster site that can be explored. Each leads upwards to a perfectly circular room, that contains a rotating 10 foot sphere. Each sphere is of a specific element, in this case, one of the seven prime of the world. The known elemental stones are:

Diamond
Amethyst (quartz)
Emerald
Ruby
Sapphire (star)
Labradorite
Opal  

What other secrets this site contains have yet to be discovered...

Included below is the Vargas Earthmaster Site, level 4 in original black, and for those that prefer an easy-on-the-pocket-print-version, simple white:

Cheers,

The Castle of the Bloated One - Earthmaster Site Level 3

December 04, 1984 Original Concept

Level 3 of the Vargas Earthmaster site is a sealed affair, accessible only after seven specific items are placed on the dais into the depressions, and in the proper order. When the requirements are fulfilled, the eastern-most wall in this chamber slides silently upward revealing a 70' X 70' square room that features paintings on each wall. The air in this room is fresh, while the floor is very smooth and dust-free.

North:
Depicts a jungle, with a large step-pyramid structure rising above the trees.

East:
Depicts a desert, with a large smooth pyramid rising above the dunes.

South:
Depicts a lake and waterfall, with a large obelisk rising out of the water.

West:
Depicts an archway, while the rest of the wall is covered in stars.

Included below is the Vargas Earthmaster Site, level 3 in original black, and for those that prefer an easy-on-the-pocket-print-version, simple white:

Cheers,

The Castle of the Bloated One - Earthmaster Site Level 2

December 04, 1984 Original Concept

The main Vargas Earthmaster site is reached by first traversing a long connecting tunnel, some 290' in length, due East of the main entrance. The tunnel itself has sheer straight walls with an arched ceiling, of which an intermingling of pinkish-grey stone can be seen every 40' or so.

After following the dry, dust-free hallway, the passages drops down two sets of stairs some 40' before finishing at a small perfectly circular 30' round, 50' tall arched chamber. The entire room, from the entry point archway is comprised completely of this pinkish-grey stone, which has no visible seams, cracks or crafting marks.

The only feature of note is the 13' round, 3 foot tall dais centralized and raised from the smooth floor. The dais has 7 half-moon depressions, although their purpose remains a mystery.

Included below is the Vargas Earthmaster Site, level 2 in original black, and for those that prefer an easy-on-the-pocket-print-version, simple white:

 Cheers,