Alden House

Alden House in Los Feliz

Alden House is a building located in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA, south of Griffith Park. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Calvin Alden in 1923, and built in 1924.

The design was based on ancient Mayan temples and along with other buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright, such as the A. D. German Warehouse in Wisconsin and Hollyhock House in Hollywood, the Alden House is sometimes referred to as an example of the Mayan Revival style. Its prominent detail is the relief ornamentation on its textile blocks, inspired by the symmetrical reliefs of Mayan buildings in Uxmal.

Magdalena Carter has resided in the house since Alden's death in 1954. The house was bequeathed to the Promethean Foundation, with the stipulation that Ms. Carter be allowed to reside there until her death.

Public Facilities

Alden House is the headquarters of the Promethean Foundation. While the house is private and rarely open to the public, there are research facilities located across Glendower Avenue from the house.

See the Promethean Foundation for more information on these facilities.

Secret Facilities

During the 1950s a number of underground chambers were constructed beneath the house. Some of these chambers were expanded from existing caves. The construction of the house above is particularly secure from digging underneath due to Frank Lloyd Wright's ingenious design and construction.

A bookcase in the hallway outside the bedroom hides a small private elevator that descends to the lower chambers. The lower chambers are constructed and decorated in a style similar to the house above.

The elevator exits into a hallway with recessed doors, each labeled according to its purpose. There are no windows on any of the doors. Each door is permanently mage-locked and will permit entry only to a select few.

Library. Enchanted by Slow Time (1/3 normal rate), this is a great place to study IQ-related skills. Two large study tables with six chairs at each table and six private study carrels are located here. Books of magic and lore are on the few shelves; the Foundation inherited an extensive collection from Miskatonic University. Dangerous magical texts are kept in the Warehouse, of course.

Ritual Space. This is a generic ritual space that could be set up for any number of uses. A storage area contains ritual implements (non enchanted) from a number of religious and mystical traditions. Pentagrams may be drawn and erased on the floor with any stylus-like object – a stick, a sword, even just a finger! The walls behave in a similar manner. Tricksters should be careful what they writer on these walls, however. The temple is also enchanted to restore 1 FP per 5 minutes and 1 HP per hour.

Research Laboratory. A fully-stocked laboratory for alchemy and herb lore is located in the ritual space.

Warehouse. Restricted to all except the Technology Director.

Enchantment Chamber. Restricted to all except the Enchanter.

Mana-stat

The house is equipped with “mana reflectors” that enhance the local mana level within the boundaries of the house walls. These magical devices are built into several of the ornamental blocks that construct Alden House. The level of mana in the house and lower chambers may be adjusted up or down one level, and the level is always one step higher in the lower chambers than the house itself. At most times, the mana level setting within the house is "Normal," while the corresponding level in the the lower chambers is "High." In the event of an emergency, the mana level of the house may be raised to High. This procedure takes one hour to complete and requires the constant presence of two magicians in the enchantment chamber below ground. Additionally, the system may be switched "off," which lowers the house ad the lower chambers to the surrounding Low level.

Floor Plans

Alden House - Driveway and lower floor.

Alden House - Main floor.

Alden House - Lower chambers

See also

Ennis House – the inspiration for Alden House.