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“The Sanctum of Vermathrax-rex and Bellina” at Vexation and 99th

Usually I leave reviewing homes to chance, taking on whatever building I happened upon as I roamed the city. As I had been discussing my newest endeavors with friends however a little known place of Vermathrax-rex and Bellina’s kept coming up. “It hidden unless you know it’s there, the place has some magical elements to it.”, I was told. After hearing that I just knew I needed to see this place at Vexation and 99 3/4^th. Teleporting to just outside of The Sanctum it took a bit of scanning, even knowing what I was looking for, before I noticed the rich colored brownstone building against the night darkened surroundings.

Once I set my eyes on the building I dared not look away for fear I’d lose it the way I kept losing Pandrora and CBK’s place. As I approached The Sanctum’s entrance way, just before reaching its massive oaken doors I noticed something shimmering along the walls. Upon closer inspection I noted that it had appeared someone had taken glow in the dark sparkle paint and tagged the home. “The Carcosian and the Ballerina welcome you.", it read and I wondered if this was the work of one of their childer, similar to the way human children wrote on sidewalks with chalk during the day, or if the owners had scrawled this themselves? My thoughts then went to that first title, as I knew from personal experience that the Bellerina was Bellina. The Carcosian, by educational deduction, must then be a reference to Vermathrax-rex, but what did it mean? I’d never heard the term before and even breaking it down it made little sense. Car – an automobile, cosi – comfortable, an – an comfortable car? My little used English classes from long, long ago always failed me in these instances, I just knew there was more to it. I pulled out my smartphone and googled the term, the information I found was minimal at best and nothing led to anything that actually made sense save for an old myspace page that belonged to D, himself, which reference the title again. I was starting to think that everyone in this city was really weird, including me, and having said that I supposed that made us all normal. Having my mind blown before I even knocked on the front door, I waited to make my entrance with bated breath.

A housekeeper, who unnecessarily made eye contact with me and introduced herself as Leilani, took me to their solar to await something… I don’t know what; I got distracted by an attractive reflection in a mirror. A few moments later I realized that I was in a room full of books and it made me uncomfortable. Did they know about my history of book abuse? One in particular stood out as I looked around trying to seem intimidating. I picked up the all too bold looking bit of literature and attempted to violently shake all the smugness out of it. It was some book about shadows and splinters that I made into little shadows and splinters with my sudden mutating claw hand.

An hour or so later, after teaching a few other books a lesson, I realized I needed to flee the scene of the crime as I so often did in these instances, but I couldn’t leave The Sanctum yet. There was so much to explore still, I had to have just a bit more information for my review. As I wandered through the building I noticed many of the servants had tan skin and a sort of island feel to them. I couldn’t quite figure it out, but their accents sounded funny as I tried to eavesdrop. None seemed to pay attention to me as I nosed about; the placed seemed to have its own hustle and bustle about it that implied I might go undisturbed in my searching so long as I didn’t get caught making trouble. I spied The Shambler going around a corner as I passed through intersecting hallways and turned my nose up at the beast that always beat my Yorgie in best pet year after year. The building did not lack for space or doorways that I could note as I went along. In fact, it seemed there was much and more that this place could hold than I would have imagined from the outside. I opened a few of the doors and didn’t like what I found: things that shouldn’t be and nothing I intended to mess with. By the time I figured I had gathered enough of the place to do a decent review I realized I was in a maze I didn’t know my way around. Just when I had reduced my efforts to swelling up my chest and wailing for help a baffled servant approached and guided me hurriedly towards the nearest exit with a slight grasp on my elbow, obviously understanding my desire to leave quickly. He must have seen the need in my eyes as he didn’t even bother wasting time with a door, instead opening the nearest window and gently tossing me out a story or two like a mother bird might to their babe who was ready to fly. Only I couldn’t fly and it took me the rest of the evening to heal my shattered knees. Humans were so stupid sometimes, but you can’t blame them. Over all I enjoyed my experience at The Sanctum, despite a few snags here and there.

Creativity:  4 out of 5

Unique Name:  3 out of 5

Ease of Travel: 3 out of 5

Welcoming Nature:  5 out of 5

Curb Appeal:  3 out of 5

“The Sanctum of Vermathrax-rex and Bellina” Overall Rating: 18 out of 25

[On the southern edge of the city sits an unassuming Brownstone styled building that almost blends into the surrounding area - it almost takes an effort to see it, as if something averts the eyes unless one truly knows what they are searching for. Beyond the massive oaken doors lies a different story as visitors will swear the place is far larger on the inside than the outside suggest to the naked eye. Doorways are hidden within this place. Doors to other worlds and planes of existence wait for those who know how to travel in the places between the places and can deal with who or what may be found there. Sometimes one might see various servants - all with the cast of people from the South Seas about them - moving to and fro about their business while the sharper of eyes may glimpse The Shambler entering and exiting the building in the process of doing its master's bidding, or perhaps his Proud Beauties coming to visit.

It is a busy place, yet a quiet place. A place wrapped in mystery and age that smells of magicks and moods, yet filled with love, devotion and stories as well. A private world within a world, where anything is possible.

As anyone touched by the night approach the doors, a section of the wall shimmers briefly, revealing the words "The Carcosian and the Ballerina welcome you."

If one enters, Lelani - the head housekeeper - responds and escorts the visitor to a curious room lined with books. One particular tome stands out, and one may open it to read while waiting.]