» Fri May 04, 2012 6:11 am
As the world knows … at least the portion of it who frequent these forums … my decrepit avatar owns a number of fine abodes scattered throughout Cyrodiil, as well as a rather nice lodge in New Sheoth Palace. Of them all, his chosen base of operations … and this too should be common knowledge … is Weye Manor, located near Wawnet Inn in, you guessed it, Weye Village.
Why Weye? First and foremost, those three magical words: location, location, location. Of all his properties, Weye Manor is situated nearest the Imperial City and White-Gold Tower. Verona House is little more than a stone's throw further away, but even that small bit of added distance creates needless delay. He could of course sleep in his Arch-Mage quarters in the Arcane University, the private room reserved for him in the Councilors' Wing of White-Gold Tower, or one of the city's numerous Guard Towers. Those are closer yet.
None pass muster. If nothing else, none is luxurious enough to provide adequate housing for both himself and his traveling companion. Additionally, he's somewhat uncomfortable and thus reluctant to spend much time at the University, being aware that his magical abilities are inadequate for the lofty title bestowed upon him. (As I've stated before, he considers it a purely political appointment. What law-abiding guild would not want to boast of having the Champion of Cyrodiil and Divide Crusader at its helm, despite that individual's other qualifications...or lack thereof?) His rooms in White-Gold came gratis with another honorary title, Duke of Colovia, earned through service to the Council. He feels somewhat better about this one, but it is rather bleak and cramped, and again not sufficient for two.
He would be most at home in an upper floor barrack of one of the city's Guard Towers, and indeed spent many a night there during and immediately following the Crisis. But those Towers lack too many conveniences. They are certainly no fit place for a young impressionable Nord girl-woman.
Besides, while he enjoys close proximity to the seat of power, he possesses at heart a small town mentality and prefers to live near the hustle and bustle of the big city rather than in the midst of it.
Weye Manor has other attractions. It is spacious enough to house both himself and Vilja comfortably, each with their own separate sleeping accommodations. It even has room to house a decent size staff, all of whom work for room and board. (The latter a plus for someone like my avatar who, while now very well off financially, lived much of this life in or near poverty and thus remains something of a miser. Not that he isn't be generous when the situation arises. He simply prefers not to spend frivolously.) The manor has a spacious dining room where he and/or Vilja sometimes join the staff for meals, circumstances permitting. There's a alchemical closet in the basemant. Best of all, there's a private balcony off his third-floor bedroom that offers a glorious view of Lake Rumare, The Imperial Isle, and the Capital. He eats many a breakfast on that balcony, watching the sun break over the City walls, and less frequently downs a nightcap there at the end of the day just prior to retiring to his bed.
He's quite fond of Weye and its inhabitants and has long admired the Wawnet's proprietress. And speaking of the Wawnet, where else can he go of an evening and hear a bard recount tales of his various adventures?
Here's http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20Oblivion/ImpIslePanorama1.jpg, the manor's red-domed roof rising above tree level mid image.
Here be the entire gang http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20Oblivion/WeyVillage4.jpg, the manor visible beneath a bridge arch.
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20Oblivion/WeyeManorBalconyMorn1.jpg, along with http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20Oblivion/WeyeManorBalconyMorn2.jpg. My avatar contemplates life here many an early morning or evening.
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20Oblivion/WeyeVillageScenic1.jpg.
As to his other digs, I'll touch on them briefly:
Verona House: A HUGE estate house. He gets lost in there. He rarely sleeps there, it being so near Weye.
Faregyl Estate: Nice and cozy. Beds for two. He likes it very much. They spend the night there whenever their adventures see them near Faregyl at bedtime.
Castle Seaview, Gold Coast. One of the first if not the first grand dwelling my avatar acquired. His mount Arrowspeed hails from there. He almost never stays there, it being too far out of the way for practicality's sake.
Benirus Manor, Anvil. This is his home away from home on the Gold Coast. Only one bed, so he and Vilja must be on their best behavior. Before acquiring Benirus they slept at the local Fighters Guild Hall.
Fighters Guild Hall, Skingrad.
Fighters Guild Hall, Chorrol.
Fighters Guild Hall, Bruma.
Fighters Guild Hall, Bravil.
Fighters Guild Hall, Corinthe Elsweyr.
Mages Guild Hall, Cheydinhal.
Mages and Fighters Guild Halls, Leyawiin. One in each hall due to overcrowding and lack of beds.
The above is where they choose to stay in those cities where they own no private property.
Barracks and private officers quarters, Fort Akatosh (along the Niben between the Imperial City and Bravil). He slept in the Akatosh barracks with some regularity early on, but rarely stays there now.
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20Oblivion/SI_Home_1.jpg, a first play-through image. This is a very nice abode. My avatar sleeps here during his extremely rare visits to the Shivering Isles. This is one of the very first non-utility mods I installed during my first play-through. I continue to think highly of it. Its lack of popularity likely stems from its location, fine for those who reside in the Realm of Madness but too far out of the way otherwise.
Arch-Mage Quarters, Arcane University. Councilor's Private Quarters, Councilors' Wing, White-Gold Tower, Imperial City. These are both discussed above.
When circumstances find them in the wilderness or a dungeon at bedtime they think nothing of grabbing some shuteye at any available campsite or bedroom. My avatar will, with some reluctance, even spring for an Inn room when push comes to shove.
-Decrepit-