The Den
Also called
"The Drawing Room"



Welcome to the Den! This was originally an
elegant ladies' parlor, but Sarah Carter never
stepped foot inside it for a very good reason:
the smell!

The Miskatonic River has been giving off foul odors
since the time of the Micmacs.
The primitive approach to sanitation and waste
removal that went hand in hand with Colonial life
didn't improve things, either.

In spring, the rainstorms would swell the banks of
the mighty Miskatonic to the point of flooding.
While the Mansion was constructed a safe distance
from the river, the groundwaters would fill the queer
catacombs beneath the estate, and the stench
from the sub-basement would waft up the cellar
chimney and stink up the whole house!

Zachariah Carter never minded the odour much,
as attested by Sarah in a letter dated 1806 to
her sister in London.

"It was a spectacular embarrassment when, whilst leading Goody McMead on a tour of the upper floors last Friday, an horrific gust of foul air issued from the Sitting Room, choking myself and my guest to the point of physical nausea! Some forgetful servant must have left the door open (for I remember shutting it that morning) and allowed that damnable chimney to regurgitate the river's stench into the whole of the house! I have informed Z of the situation, and he plans to lay morter to that devilish aperture this very week. Z admitted that he rarely notices the smell, and when he does, it does not entirely offend him! It probably reminds him of the sea!"

Well Zach was true to his word, and after
blocking the fireplace (pictured below)
the room soon became suitable again for
entertaining social callers .

In 1909, Randall Carter mentioned his desire
to refurbish the room in a more modern
style to his wife, Ethel. She agreed
enthusiasticaly and together they
attempted to remove the fireplace completely.
As you can see, that project was never carried out.
An old medical file taken from Miskatonic University
Hospital indicates that just after the workmen
had unblocked the fire-pit, Ethel swooned suddenly,
pitching forward and knocking herself quite senseless
on the brick mantle.

She recovered in a few weeks, with no memory of
the incident, however her passion for redecorating
this particular room had substantially cooled...

Here is the fireplace.



Would you like to look down the cinder-chute?


To the east is the Library.
West will take you to yet another
parlor andthe Polynesian Room