Looking for a couple of suggestions

[Nahlis]

<p>I have one of the 5 room places in Neriak and have a pretty good idea now what I want to do with most of it.  My problem is I'm brand new at trying to really decorate nicely so not sure what to use to get certain effects and was hoping some of you all can help. The room on the right is my Brigand's 'office'.  Here he meets with potential high powered clients and does neferious wheeling and dealing in a very nice and gentlemenly way in which nothing illegal is overtly discussed.  Picturing sort of the Corleone study from the original Godfather.  I currently have the stairwell leading down the the basement blocked off by a hanging dragon banner.  Essentially it's supposed to be a secret entrance. Below is where I'm really stumped.  I want several piles of crates (easiy enough) but also want to give the illusion that the basement actually butts up against the underground river that runs below Neriak there.  Water on the floor in one corner with the illusion of a large hole in the wall, that sort of thing.  The idea being that this is where goods are smuggled in and out of, sort of a staging area. If anyone has any ideas on how I can accomplish this please let me know and thank you!</p>

[GuardianOfTheDe]

For your office, don't forget the weapon rack. "Leave your weapons at the door!" <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> For the river idea, you'll need a mystical mirror, a couple of aviak baths (or simmaler) and flooring of your choice- Oggokian tables or Oak tables depending on what type of mood you're willing to set with the flooring. This will raise your floor to sink the water down to where it's supposed to be.

[Night Poet]

I'd stack some Ogg chairs into the wall behind the mirror as well, just to give that cave-like appearance.

[Banbha]

And for the sake of Rallos, post some pictures when you are finished!

[Nahlis]

Xsara@Mistmoore wrote: <blockquote>And for the sake of Rallos, post some pictures when you are finished!</blockquote> Absolutely, and I very much appreciate all the suggestions thus far!

[MadTexan3]

<p>Personally I'd simply use an old wardrobe as the hidden door giving river access, and then add a bunch of crates and other odds and ends there to make it look like an innocent storage area. Seriously, if you were a smuggler in real life would you want anyone who manages to get into your house to easily see where you get goods in and out? No, you'd hide that as much as possible and would have a hidden door.</p><p>So you've already got the banner hiding access to the basement itself, but I've read enough fantasy/mystery/adventure books to know that you never stop at just one secret door. Assuming someone discovered the one hiding the stairs, they get downstairs thinking they've discovered where you're keeping your valuables, etc. only to find that whatever was there before is now just a bunch of old crates so they leave. Disappointed, they completely miss that the real treasure--the smuggler's access--is hidden almost in plain sight.</p><p>See how that works? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Nahlis]

I do take your point and yet... this pool/cave look is shaping up to be much cooler looking overall. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Almost finished with it at this point, just need to get a suficient sized pool and do a bit of re-arranging.  Should be ready to post pics for you all ina  day or two.  Again, thanks for the advice!