| Type | Castle / estate |
|---|---|
| Located in | Central Starside, to the south |
| Head | Vander Evren |
| House | One of the most powerful Great Houses on Starside |
Contents
Location
Vander Evren’s estate is a vast magical castle located near the center of Starside, to the south. It is the home of Vander Evren, heir to one of the most powerful Great Houses on Starside. Aris Agron reaches the estate during the Questral after summoning Vander for help. Because Vander can portal directly to his home, Aris and Raker cover more than two weeks of travel almost instantly.
Description
Vander Evren’s castle rises from glimmering light-gray stone and towers over its surroundings. More than a dozen gray-blue turrets end in blade-sharp points, while its highest spires reach toward the lowest clouds. A pine-lined path leads through a courtyard, up stone steps, and toward towering silver doors.
The interior reflects the same scale and wealth. High ceilings, carved sculptures, pale marble, and silver details dominate the halls. A large double staircase made from pure white marble rises through the entrance, with silver veins running through the stone like lightning.
The guest wing contains enormous rooms made from white and silver-speckled marble. Large windows overlook a carefully maintained garden filled with statues, ponds, and sculpted hedges. The rooms include oversized beds, wardrobes, and spacious bathrooms with white claw-foot tubs.
The estate also contains an extensive library filled with rows of books and an ancient wooden table. Vander uses his sword there to create a living silver map of Starside, showing locations such as the Prism Path, the Beast Tree, The City on Fire, and the Land of the Gods.
The castle itself appears to possess a form of magic or awareness. Aris notices objects and clothing appearing where they were not before, silver in the stone seeming to move with her, and a room capable of creating clothing when Vander gives it instructions. Vander suggests that the estate is, in some sense, alive and warns Aris not to antagonize it.
Attendants serve the estate and treat Vander with considerable respect. Although he does not require them to call him “lord,” they choose to do so because of his position and what he has done for his people.
Relevance
Vander Evren’s estate becomes an important base for Aris Agron and Harlan Raker during the Questral. Vander brings them there after Aris summons him, but keeps Raker chained in the stables while allowing Aris to stay inside the castle. When Raker becomes seriously ill, Aris persuades Vander to provide medicine. Vander’s connection to Stellan ultimately convinces him to help Aris further.
Aris spends several days at the estate researching Starside, the Great Houses, their swords, and the oaths that connect wielders to their blades. Vander explains that the Great Houses are enchanted and connected, and that an invitation to another Great House can allow a sword to portal its wielder directly to that house’s gates.
The estate later hosts a major ball that marks the beginning of a long courting season. Heirs, heiresses, and other nobles from across Starside attend, giving Aris a chance to seek invitations and alliances that could help her reach the Land of the Gods. Vander helps her prepare by teaching her to dance and showing her how to identify the different houses by their crests.
Key Events
| Aris and Raker arrive | Vander portals Aris and Raker directly to his estate after Aris summons him. Raker is placed in the stables, while Aris stays inside the castle. |
|---|---|
| Aris asks Vander for help | Raker becomes seriously ill, and Aris asks Vander for medicine. After learning more about Aris’s connection to Stellan and her goal of killing the gods, Vander agrees to help her. |
| Aris researches Starside | Aris spends time in Vander’s library studying the Great Houses, their histories, swords, crests, and alliances. Vander uses his sword to create a living map of Starside and helps her plan a route toward the Land of the Gods. |
| Vander explains the Great Houses | Vander teaches Aris that the Great Houses are enchanted and connected. With an invitation from a house, a wielder can use a bonded sword to portal directly to that house’s gates. |
| Aris prepares for the ball | Vander tells Aris that a ball will take place at his estate and that heirs from most of the Great Houses will attend. He teaches her to dance and helps her prepare to seek alliances and invitations. |
| The ball begins the courting season | The ball marks the beginning of a months-long courting season, during which eligible heirs and heiresses stay at the castle to form matches and political alliances. |
| Aris seeks invitations | At the ball, Aris dances with heirs and nobles from several houses while searching for allies who can help her reach the Land of the Gods. She succeeds in securing at least one invitation. |
| Raker enters the ball | Raker eventually escapes his restraints and appears at the ball. His arrival disrupts Aris’s plans and draws attention to their complicated relationship. |
