Ravnglade, Festival Hall, Summer Gardens

Summer Gardens

As you step out of the back of the Festival Hall a magnificent sight beholds you. It is but a short walk across the balcony a decorative stone railing. This balcony is about twenty feet above the large sunken gardens and festival grounds that surround the hall. Looking downward, you see the first of the fountains, a large waterfall. To each side of this stepped waterfall gray marble staircases lead downward to the garden below.

In the summer, these large gardens are a wonder to behold. Created recently, many of the trees are still young and filling out. However, great care was taken to use the local fauna. As such many ancient trees still create deep shade from the warm sun. Numerous trails lead off to private areas, each one secluded, cooled by the soft shade and warmed by bright flowers. The richly colored sprays of exotic flowers create rainbows of harmony, woven expertly through the entire landscape.

At night, tiny lanterns illuminate the gardens softly with flames or glow bulbs, depending on their distance from the hall.

Fountains
Throughout the gardens, nestled within the shade of hundreds of exotic trees are upward of 200 statues and fountains. Some small, some grand, some are built to play tricks on the visitors. Each one is unique.

The first of the three main fountains is the stepped waterfall which leads downward from the back of the hall. Water gently cascades down the pink marble stone steps, lending a quiet pleasant sound to all. At each step flanking the water are a pair of golden dragons, each with one raised foot, and their mouths open. Water streams out of their mouths to join with the cascading waterfall.

At the base of this fountain stretching outward for 100 feet is a reflecting pool. A narrow decorative ledge is all that surrounds this perfectly still body of water. The hall is reflected perfectly in the dark calm surface creating the illusion of a dual building: one reaching high into the sky, and one perfectly rebuilt below.

The third of the fountains is a beautiful construction light enough to lift anyone’s spirit. Created for fun and whimsy, the top of this blue marble fountain is fashioned like man and woman, riding the back of a pair of dolphins. They are atop a large petaled flower, which might shoot water out at passers by! Light trickling noises can be heard as the water that glides out of the petals dances over bells of every pitch.

Hedge Maze

Past the main gardens is a Hedge Maze. Its lush green walls reach upward about 7 feet. This winding and elaborate maze keeps even the shrewdest adventurer perplexed within its well-groomed walls. One never knows where one might end up, in a private sitting area, near a spectacular fountain or even on the large chessboard. Is it magic that keeps people within the ever-changing maze? Or maybe faeries confuse the senses and laugh as people get lost. Whatever the cause, the maze is full of wondrous delights for those brave enough to try to find them.

Champion Tournament Grounds

Far from the hall, and past the gardens is a clear hill that is used for tournaments. A sitting box with comfortable chairs within has been set up for the Family and their prestigious guests. Masks and violet swaths of cloth decorate it. To the left and right white chairs have been set up on the ground for other guests to use. This clearing can be used for numerous events that the Family holds, including fighting bouts, archery contests track and field races, jousting tournaments, horseshoe matches, and fox hunts.

Back to Festival Hall.