The Macaw Order monastery , Macaw House, in the Westerpark District is a three-story structure that serves as both their home and their base of operations. The ground floor is the heart of the monastery, where the monks gather, train, and conduct their daily activities. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by an entrance hall that leads to a large combat training area, where monks can be seen honing their skills in unarmed combat. The ground floor also houses a dedicated library with books and scrolls teaching radical philosophies of freedom. This is also where the slave index is kept. There are storage rooms, quarters for the head monk and guests, and a kitchen. In rare cases, escaped slaves call Macaw House sanctuary, until they can be reunited with their families.

The Macaw House, nestled in the Westerpark District, serves as the sanctuary and operational base for the radical Macaw Order monks. Known for their unwavering devotion to the abolition of slavery, these monks are both warriors and philosophers, balancing physical mastery with a commitment to freedom and justice. The three-story monastery is a hub of activity, reflection, and training, offering refuge to those in need and fostering a community dedicated to liberation.


Layout of the Macaw House

Ground Floor: The Heart of the Monastery

  • Entrance Hall: A simple but welcoming space that reflects the humility of the monks. The walls are adorned with murals of macaws in flight, symbolizing freedom and defiance against oppression.
  • Combat Training Area: A large open room where monks train in unarmed combat and agility. Wooden dummies, sparring mats, and climbing ropes fill the space, echoing with the rhythmic sounds of practice and discipline.
  • Library of Freedom: A modest but deeply significant library filled with texts on the philosophies of freedom, resistance, and liberation. Among the books is the Slave Index, a meticulously maintained record of enslaved individuals, used by the Macaw Order to track and rescue those in bondage.
  • Sanctuary for Escaped Slaves: Hidden beneath a false floor in the library is a small chamber where escaped slaves can find temporary refuge. It is furnished with basic comforts and is guarded by a rotating watch of monks.
  • Kitchen and Dining Hall: A communal space where monks prepare and share meals, emphasizing their sense of unity and shared purpose.

Second Floor: Living Quarters

  • Monastic Cells: Modest rooms where the monks sleep, meditate, and reflect. Each contains a simple bed, a writing desk, and a window overlooking the district.
  • Guest Quarters: Reserved for allies, traveling monks, or those seeking sanctuary, these rooms are slightly more comfortable but maintain the same minimalist aesthetic.

Third Floor: Administrative and Strategic Space

  • Head Monk’s Quarters: The residence of the leader of the Macaw Order, a place of quiet reflection and planning. Maps, correspondence, and strategic plans often cover the desk.
  • Council Room: A circular chamber used for meetings and planning liberation missions. Its centerpiece is a map of Seregon and surrounding regions, marked with current and potential rescue operations.
  • Rooftop Garden: A serene space for meditation and training. The garden features exotic plants, including macaw-safe fruit trees, providing sustenance for the monks and their avian companions.

Reasons to Visit

  1. Hermit

    • Connection: A character who once lived in seclusion to meditate on the injustices of the world may have found their way to the Macaw House to align their philosophies of freedom with the Order’s mission. Their insights into liberty and defiance could make them a valuable addition to the cause.
  2. Criminal (Ex-Slave)

    • Connection: An escaped slave who found refuge at the Macaw House may have trained with the monks to gain the strength and skills necessary to fight against slavery. Their past could drive them to become a liberator themselves, using their hard-won freedom to rescue others.

Reasons a Character May Visit the Macaw House

  1. To Seek Shelter

    • Escaped slaves, or those fleeing oppressive regimes, may come to the Macaw House seeking sanctuary and aid.
  2. To Collaborate on a Mission

    • Characters involved in fighting slavery or oppression may visit to coordinate rescue operations or seek the Order’s assistance with their cause.
  3. For Training

    • Adventurers may come to the Macaw House to hone their skills in unarmed combat, agility, or stealth, benefiting from the monks’ expertise.
  4. To Access the Slave Index

    • Scholars, abolitionists, or those searching for missing loved ones may come to consult the Slave Index, hoping it holds clues to a loved one's whereabouts or fate.
  5. To Deliver a Warning or Request for Help

    • A character may bring news of an impending slave raid, a new slaver in the city, or a plea for assistance with a particularly dangerous liberation effort.

The Macaw House embodies the ideals of freedom, resistance, and unity. It is not just a monastery but a bastion of hope for those who fight against oppression and a source of strength for those who seek to free others from bondage.