Thank you!

It’s an obvious question for a modern person, and the answer is “no”. Like most Grand Houses of its era, Highdark Hall has chamber pots located in the bedrooms. Every morning and evening the maids must empty the used chamber pots into the Cesspit in the basement. The empty pots are washed in the Scullery, and replaced back in the rooms. The State Bath Room on the Third Story is just that – a room with a tub, for important guests to take baths (a luxury when all the water has to hauled up there by maids). Historically, some houses might have had separate closets where the chamber pots would be located, but it was not the rule. Starting in the late 18th century, “water closets” with flushable toilets came into use, but they were still uncommon in 1795. Many Grand Houses, however, didn’t have anything like regular toilets until well into the 20th Century. And yes, the Cesspit would have to be regularly emptied by someone, a job that was just as awful as it sounds.

Thank you for the compliment. So long as it’s a non-commercial use, I’m perfectly fine with you using the Highdark Hall plans. Just credit me as appropriate. And I’d love to see the results if possible!

Thank you! Of course, you should feel free to modify the material as you want for your own noncommercial, personal use. That’s what I originally made it for!

As an example, besides my own “official” workup of Highdark Hall ( https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/254169/Highdark-Hall ), the maps were also used as the basis for “The Engagement of Adelaide Endicott” ( https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/272712/The-Engagement-of-Adelaide-Endicott ), which originated as a community project on RPGGeek.com .

I personally love to hear about the different ways people have adapted Highdark Hall for their home games. I only ask that you don’t use the maps for any commercial purpose without my permission.

I’m glad to hear it. And thank you again for your kind words.

My plans are to include maps and floor plans in the “final” illustrated version of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”. That might even include some of the locations from the original Ghastly Affair play-test Saga.

I’ve also thought about the possibility of a “Village of Lowhaven” expansion for “Highdark Hall”, which would include maps of the Village, the Lowhaven Lead Mine, and all the land the Altumbers own. Of course, I’ve got two other “Ghastly Companions” (the Gothic Icons and High Society books) ahead of it!

You’re very welcome. The mansion worked out perfectly for the game with minimal setting specific tweaks.

I just want to thank you again and really emphasize how much I appreciate how clean the map is. It makes it much less painful to re-label a room or nudge furniture around due to player interaction.

Do you have a collection of maps and structures for purchase?