Explore Castle Phoenix.

It needs work, but that will come in time. You have a basic floorplan of the area, but you decide to do some exploring while you wait. It wouldn't hurt to have an accurate map of your new home within your mind. You doubt Lynx's note portrays everything perfectly. This is a large building an an even larger area around it, all enclosed within tall sturdy walls. Much of the outside is in shambles, but that's less of a worry. You'll need solid houses if people do actually decide to come here like Nyllia suggested could happen.

Full of energy, your party splits up to look around. You're reinvigorated by Nyllia's entrance and her inspiring words. No longer does it feel like a loss. After everything that's happened, you came out on top with a net gain! Nyllia departs with the signed work order. Now it's just a waiting game.

The first place you start is the Great Hall which also doubles as the Throne Room. It seems to be approximately 60 x 100 feet, but it's hard to get an exact measurement without any tools. Two large columns help sustain the ceiling, and at the far end is a step up to a raised platform housing a golden throne with red cushions. Three doors exit--one on either side of the throne, and another across the room. You make your way down the carpet first. It leads you towards the exit doors, and you fantasize about the potential of such a grand room. You picture a few huge dining tables to the sides, creating a grand festhall the royal throne overseers, while the room can function as a meeting place for guests as well if you feel like acting the part of sovereignty.

Passing through the double doors ahead, you enter the Hallway which passes left and right. You came from the right side initially. That's the way that leads to the Kitchen and food storage areas, which then leads down a staircase into a two-level subterranean Dungeon. But before all of that, there's a staircase up. If you go left instead, you eventually come to a couple more staircases to the second level, and the Servant's Quarters as well. There are supplies for washing up, a bathing room, and extra beds for staff to sleep as well, though hardly. Sa'dis didn't have a lot of people working for him that aren't creepy little gremlin monsters, so there was little need for luxury when it came to anybody but himself.

The upper level holds even more rooms. Most you assume are meant to be various Sleeping Quarters for a whole royal family. It reminds you of Dragonhide Manor in that regard. There's a Master Bedroom as well, which you'd like to claim for yourself, though even many other rooms up here are fancier and larger than the one you had previously.

Back from the throne, you pass through the door on its right. It leads to what seems to be a War Room, or a place for important meetings of council. There's yet another door here that descends down a staircase that turns twice before reaching the Treasure Room. Right now, it's filled with various treasures hoarded by the Demon King. You still need to sort through all that.

The other door leads to the Royal Bath. Polished stone bends around in a pathway circumventing a pool of glistening water pouring in from a waterfall across the room. Small columns border the area, and it's illuminates by magically glowing braziers. Murals decorate the walls, as well as two statues of beautiful women standing across from one another within inlets in each opposing wall. It's just like the one back at the manor. The water remains hot and clean, even if you don't fully understand how.

The upstairs also leads to defensive Towers and Walls that surround the exterior of the inner castle. From there, you can see the entire outside. It's a beautiful view of trees that form rolling green hills between the mountains. You're so high up, yet the air isn't frigid. It is a bit colder than back in Avana, but the topical scenery, the sun's rays glistening over tree tops, and the chirping of birds that flutter up from the canopy into the clear blue sky, fills you with warmth.

That's not even everything. There are several rooms you're uncertain of, as they weren't being used by the Demon King for anything. This structure appears ancient, even if it's standing strong. It's unlikely he had anything to do with its creation. He was a squatter, not unlike yourself, though you're going to make far better use of it than he did. There's also a lot to decorate. Pots, plants, paintings, statues, shelves, supplies... There can be a lot done with this place to make it look a little less barren and abandoned. It'll be illuminated by magic lights and feel more like an illustrious mansion than an evil castle. It'll just take time.

As for the exterior, it's a small town surrounded by walls, and despite the debris, you can make out the general idea of the layout. There's a large Stable where you can keep your draft horses for the time being. There's infrastructure for a Smithy, Houses, and even various other Shops if that's needed. Trees and flowers decorate the area despite being ravaged by war. Peony is happily at work tending to the area. Instead of a mansion's courtyard, her garden is village-sized, or even larger if she wanders beyond the walls.

It takes hours to take it all in. Your feet eventually get tired, and decide to retreat to some relaxation in sorting through all that treasure. Just you and a pile of gold and jewels.

You descend down the staircase. Though before you reach the bottom, you hear a noise from farther in.