Belizna

The abandoned Belizna Castle and its surrounding lands was purchased by Natalie Northbrook in the summer of 2046, one of many once lavish estates deserted during the Russian Revolution and ultimately left to fall into tragic disrepair over the course of many decades. With financial backing from investors, including Adrian Kane, the main property has undergone extensive and intensive restoration work, with a decent portion of the manor now habitable.

The grounds are vast, including several outbuildings, and the rest of the refurbishment will likely be ongoing for years to come. It lies on the rural outskirts of Moscow, and is unusual for its vastly Gothic design

After months of careful networking, in late 2046 Belizna quietly announced its intention to open its doors to women and girls who wished to learn more of their channeling gift. It has attracted a small consortium of women who will lay the foundations for what Natalie intends for it to become. In early 2047 it will welcome its first students.

Historical Origins

The legend of this odd castle begins in the 19th century, when a Russian nobleman travelling through France made a wager with a French lord over the superiority of architecture in his country. Charged by the encounter, when Arkady Belizna returned home he promptly purchased more than 20,000 acres of land and contracted Pyotr Boitzov, arguably the best architect in Russia at the time, to construct his dream. Built roughly in the style of a medieval German castle with a hint of French chateau, the manor was an architectural anomaly in the Russian landscape. Eventually, stables, a pavilion, cascading ponds, and many other amenities were added.

The original castle was only two-stories high, but later wings would increase it to four stories. It had two round towers and consisted of 80 rooms which were so distinctive that they were given their own names, such as the amber room, the mirror room, and the pink room. The extensive surrounding grounds featured several orchards containing several hundred fruit trees and berry bushes. There were several greenhouses and also flower beds at the entrance to the estate. In its heyday the park became famous for the rare and exotic tree species in its arboretum.

As the estate flourished, Arkady used his wealth to finance local educational institutions, including music schools and carpentry workshops. In addition, he offered financial assistance to poorer citizens in relation to school admission fees and medical needs. However when the Russian Revolution came to pass, he was forced to flee his lavish creation, and is said to have died in squalor. His exquisite estate was used as a college for a time and then a hospital while the Great Patriotic War was raging, but eventually it fell into disrepair. The size of the estate has since diminished. Two fires later occurred, after which nothing remained inside.

The main manor is now structurally secure, but much of it remains in various states of ongoing restoration, and many rooms are empty. The One Power has expedited much of the work, which has been kept sympathetic to the castle’s origins. Several rooms are furnished, including a library, various bedrooms, study and lounge areas, a music room, and a communal kitchen.