Floor Master: Haruki Suneya
The 5th floor of the Guild Castle, home to Haruki Suneya and others who call the shadows home, is a haven of tranquility and discipline. The floor is designed to reflect the philosophy of shadow monks, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and a connection to the shadows that fuel their techniques. The dimly lit atmosphere, illuminated primarily by flickering lanterns and faint beams of magical moonlight streaming through false slitted windows, creates an aura of mystery and focus.
Layout and Features
- Central Fighting Dojo:
- The heart of the floor is a spacious fighting dojo. Its polished ebony wood floors are marked with faint, intricate patterns resembling flowing water and swirling shadows. The dojo is illuminated by paper lanterns hung low from the ceiling, their soft light casting long, shifting shadows.
- Weapons racks along the walls hold an assortment of simple yet masterfully crafted training tools, including staffs, daggers, and practice swords.
- A sand-filled meditation circle occupies one corner, used for both mindfulness exercises and practical stealth training. The patterns in the sand often reflect the flowing nature of combat forms.
- Concealed panels in the walls allow for shadow-stepping practice, providing areas for monks to blend into darkness and reappear elsewhere in the room.
- Meditation and Living Quarters:
- Private chambers for residents are minimalist and functional, each containing a low futon, a simple chest for personal belongings, and a single wall scroll with inspirational calligraphy or a scene of natural beauty.
- The lighting is sparse, with small alcoves for candles or dimly glowing orbs, creating an environment conducive to meditation.
- Shadow Training Hall:
- Adjacent to the dojo is a dedicated training space for shadow techniques. The room is almost pitch-black, designed to sharpen senses beyond sight. A central brazier emits a faint, flickering light, perfect for practicing blending into shadows and silent movement.
- Training dummies and shifting partitions challenge monks to navigate and strike unseen.
- Garden of Twilight:
- A small, enclosed courtyard garden serves as a place for reflection and inner peace. The garden is filled with dark moss, obsidian stones, and a single, small water feature that provides a gentle, calming trickle. Moonflowers, which bloom only in dim light, add a touch of elegance.
- The space is partially open to a simulated night sky above, allowing the faint glow of moonlight and stars to filter in, ideal for nighttime meditations or discussions under the stars.
- Library of Shadows:
- A modest library contains scrolls and books on shadow magic, martial arts, philosophy, and meditation techniques. The shelves are carved from dark wood, and reading is done by the light of hooded lanterns.
- A hidden compartment in the floor houses more sensitive materials, accessible only to trusted monks.
- Communal Dining Area:
- A small, shared dining space offers simple meals reflective of a monk’s disciplined lifestyle. Low tables and cushions provide seating, and the fare consists of nourishing, uncomplicated dishes such as rice, steamed vegetables, and tea.
Atmosphere
The floor exudes a serene and disciplined aura. Shadows seem to move with the inhabitants, lending an almost supernatural quality to the space. It is a place where silence is golden, and every detail fosters introspection, training, and mastery of body and mind.