• PM
• Walfende Manor

Note - Though likely well known to many PM player characters, much of the information in this article is not common knowledge.

Walfende Manor is an estate of about 42 hectares in the archduchy of Walby. It is located on a tributary of the river Walby, Bepers Creek, near its junction with the river. It is about 20km upriver from the duchy seat, and is adjacent to the 85-hectare ducal hunting preserve of Bepers Wood Park, from which it was split off by subinfeudation.

The nearest village is Meterspay, the center of which is about 2.5 km distant from the manor house.

History

The land was granted to one of the archduke's hereditary knights, who built a manor house there in 1520. It reverted to the archduke's demense in the early 17th century, after the heir died without issue and more distant relatives were disqualified from inheriting because of the then-current religious laws. The manor house was then already in poor condition, with only the newest wing being in livable condition, and its fields had lain fallow for several years. A series of tenants occupied the property until the 1730s, during which time a local economic recession and a shortage of agricultural labor (due to the war) resulted in its becoming vacant.

In 1750, the property was occupied again, this time by the Magical Establishment.

Manor House and Current Use

The Magical Establishment, a quasi-official state-sponsored institution for magical research, training, and (to some extent) operations in the Kingdom of Heghom, has its offices, quarters, and laboratories in Walfende Manor. The adjacent hunting preserve, Bepers Wood Park, acts as a buffer zone on one side of the property and a testing area.

The main dwelling consists of two wings and a single-storey addition to the older wing. The new wing is three stories plus attic and basement. The old wing is two stories plus attic and basement. The addition consists of the ground floor, attic, and a cellar.

There are also substantial stables, a hothouse in partially-repaired condition, a carriage house, and a dock with a boathouse.