Map:Gambino Mansion

The Gambino Mansion has gone through numerous incarnations since its first appearance inon Gaia.

Initially just another building drawn on the map, it was opened for The First Gaian Anniversary Ball on February 18 2004, with Johnny K. Gambino and his son Gino Gambino handing out Gaia Tshirts to users attending, as well as paper party hats and noise maka(s).

Halloween 2k4 saw it as the location of the Halloween attack, after the lead-up of the Map:G CORP guild and plotline. Users were given shotguns to shoot zombies - or could be bitten by a zombie, and then bite other Gaians to convert them as well. Users received prizes [shirt, labcoat] depending on their number of 'kills' and what side they were on - Zombies received human items, and Humans received zombie items. At the conclusion of the event, the mansion was destroyed by a small thermonuclear device.

Late winter / early spring 2005 saw Gambino rebuild his mansion using donations from the general public - he created a monstrously large tower, spanning several maps and topped with a mansion. When Gambino was shot by the Sniper, the tower crumbled and fell, with the wreckage extending all the way to Durem, crushing the Von Helson Mansion in its path. The mansion on top of the tower landed where the Von Helson mansion had been

The tower was revealed to not only be topped by a mansion, but have another at its base; therefore, the Gambino Mansion was now on both the Isle de Gambino and Durem maps. Gino opened the Isle mansion for Halloween 2k5, an event which turned into another zombie-fest; users were infected by grunnies, until a fire broke out and burnt down the mansion. Undaunted, Gino later opened the Durem copy of the Gambino Mansion for the The Third Gaian Anniversary Ball.

After Gambino's return, the Isle Mansion was rebuilt once more. Despite being damaged by the Zurg spaceship at Halloween 2k6, it has so far remained standing.

Interior and Layout

Taken from the Halloween Bash 2k5 Forum, presented by Bucho.

Foyer

Foyer (from main entrance)
The entrance to Gambino's mansion is overwhelming with its high vaulted ceilings and massive portraits of Johnny K Gambino himself. The room is well lit with elegant wall scones of glass and gold and an immaculate red carpet that runs across the room. Several posh couches line the walls, the gold trim and velvet cushions reminding you that Gambino never spares a penny when flouting his wealth.

Straight Ahead: Ballroom Entrance

On the Right: Guest Bathrooms

The Main Ballroom

Ballroom (from foyer)
There has never been a better sight to behold than the grand Gambino Ballroom. Velvet Curtains of red, and black hang from their valances, and the two leveled room is topped with an enormous glass chandelier suspended high above the room's central area. Expecting a grand party, Johnny Gambino had the tables pushed to the sides, opening the central area up for a much more social environment. Along the left wall is a wide staircase leading to the ballroom's second level. Oak railing compliments the upstairs feel, its softer light creating a warmer atmosphere for those who simply enjoy watching the festivities of the main ballroom.

Level 1 Straight Ahead: The buffet table!

Level 1 Straight Ahead: The Gardens

Level 1 On the Left: Stairs to Level 2

Level 1 On the Right: Kitchen Entrance

Level 1 On the Right: Stairway to Attic

Behind You: Foyer

The Kitchen

Kitchen (from ballroom)
Walking in to the kitchen from the ballroom provides the source of the wonderful aromas that made up the buffet table. Several cooks rush around, each one too busy in their task at hand to pay you any mind as you move about. Woks sizzle, knives shop, pasta boils, and there is not a single person idle in the entire room. Towards the back of the kitchen is the walk-in freezer.

Straight Ahead: Walk in Freezer

On the Right: Bathrooms

Behind You: Ballroom

The Bathrooms

Bathrooms (from the foyer)
My goodness! Even Gambino's bathrooms are spectacular! The pearl faucets, the marble countertops, and even a butler who will towel your hands on the way out. Unlike any other public bathroom you have seen, these stalls are huge! If only something like this could fit in your house!

On the Left: Kitchen Entrance

Behind You: Foyer Entrance

The Attic

Attic (from ballroom)
What could you possibly be doing up here in the attic? The party is downstairs! Several closed chests and old sheets cover many artifacts that are likely Gambino's heirlooms. Or, perhaps he just hasn't built a big enough mansion to display all this stuff. It's really musty up here, and what little sun seems in through the painted windows causes large amounts of squinting.

Behind You: Stairway To Ballroom

The Gardens

The Gardens (from ballroom)
Peaceful, lush, and vibrant, Gambino has brought together plants from around the world to create a visual treat for the eyes. Several small waterfalls help calm you, and a few picnic tables make it the perfect place to escape the chaos of the party. Ahead is the trail leading to the guard house, and along the left you can see the trail that leads to the pier. Both trails are lined thick with trees, creating a beautiful shaded area that is home to many birds.

Straight Ahead: Guard House

On the Left: Pier / Beach

Behind You: Ballroom

The Old Guard House

Guard House (from the gardens)
The small shack is likely home to the gardener or perhaps the estate's care taker. He doesn't seem to be in- maybe he is enjoying the party? It would be rude to intrude, so you decide it probably isn't best to go inside.

Behind You: The Gardens

The Pier and Beach

Pier / Beach (from the gardens)
It should be no surprise that Gambino has his own private dock on his island. Not wanting to settle for "common sand", Johnny Gambino ordered the most pure white sand from afar, and had it laid on his beach. Be it day time or night, the beach absolutely glows with beauty. The wooden pier appears to be a bit old, but it is clearly still functional. The party really doesn't seem to have spread this far, making it very quiet.

Behind You: The Gardens

The Basement

Basement (from ?)
How did you get down here? The only way down to the basement is through a stairway under the Attic stairs! Nobody comes down here... and nobody should! It's damp, it's cold, and worst of all, there is no free food!

Behind You: The Kitchen

The Underground Test Facility

Underground Test Facility (from basement)
Rebuilt from the ground...under, the Gambino Testing Facility is hardly a secret anymore. Pursuing the advancement of science, the hallway is lined with awards and commendations. At the end of the hallway is a single door- locked. It would be interesting to see what lies beyond that door...

Behind You: The Basement

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Interior and Layout: ZOMBIE Version

Taken from the Halloween Bash 2k4 Forum , presented by Gambino.

Foyer

Foyer (from main entrance) (ZOMBIE Version)
The giant doors that stretch towards the sky closed with a deafening slam and a sickening click of the thick bolt locks. It's reasonable to assume the outside is barred even more, eliminating the chance of making a hasty retreat from the party. The tears in the giant Johnny K Gambino posters reveal the thick wooden panelling behind them, the details impossible to make out in the flickering light. Shards of glass line the floor from scones broken during the chaos.

Straight Ahead: Ballroom Entrance

On the Right: Guest Bathrooms

The Main Ballroom

Ballroom (from foyer) (ZOMBIE Version)
What was once a lively place is now a dangerous area in which to walk. The large, open room is very dark; the chandelier overhead makes a dull creaking sound as it sways in an unknown wind. Groans of agony and pain echo off the walls, cries of terror pierce the silence. People have taken to hiding behind tables along the wall, using anything possible to avoid the threat. The second floor is even darker than the first. In many places, the second floor railing has splintered, cracked, and shattered, most likely the result of struggles that sent one or both people over the railing.

Level 1 Straight Ahead: The buffet table!

Level 1 Straight Ahead: The Gardens

Level 1 On the Left: Stairs to Level 2

Level 1 On the Right: Kitchen Entrance

Level 1 On the Right: Stairway to Attic

Behind You: Foyer

The Kitchen

Kitchen (from ballroom) (ZOMBIE Version)
Although lively during the party, the kitchen now paints a much darker picture of the horror. Bodies line the ground, victim to the mansion's dangers. All gas has been cut to the house for saftey reasons, though you swear you can hear a hissing sound. Maybe it came from the walk in freezer...

Straight Ahead: Walk in Freezer

On the Right: Bathrooms

Behind You: Ballroom

The Bathrooms

Bathrooms (from the foyer) (ZOMBIE Version)
Perhaps this is the only safe place in the entire mansion! At least, you had hoped. This, of course, was before you saw what was left of the butler who was there to towel your hands on the way out. With no lights, the tile and marble make horrible echos, and every footstep feels like it might be your last. The stalls, while large provide little protection if any, and once back in the stalls, there is only one way back to the kitchen and foyer entrances.

On the Left: Kitchen Entrance

Behind You: Foyer Entrance

The Attic

Attic (from ballroom) (ZOMBIE Version)
Offering several places to hide, the attic at night is the perfect place to entrench yourself to avoid the chaos down in the ballroom. Offering only a single entrance (or single escape), the bottleneck might make survival possible. The wooden floor creaks as you move though, so it is likely if you hole up in here you are expecting to hold your ground for a while.

Behind You: Stairway To Ballroom

The Gardens

The Gardens (from ballroom) (ZOMBIE Version)
Eerie, just eerie! The trees seem ominous, and the comforting shade from before has become looming shadows that hide the path to both the guard house and the pier. The thick cover could possibly be a good place to hide, but it could also be a good place for something else to be hiding. An occasional cricket chirp is the only sign of life around you...

Straight Ahead: Guard House

On the Left: Pier / Beach

Behind You: Ballroom

The Old Guard House

Guard House (from the gardens) (ZOMBIE Version)
The first thing you notice is the door ripped clean from its hinges and claw marks around the door's frame. On the inside, everything haas been ripped apart and blood splattered on the walls. Some kind of violent struggle took place here, but the bodies are nowhere to be found!

Behind You: The Gardens

The Pier and Beach

Pier / Beach (from the gardens) (ZOMBIE Version)
Leave it to Gambino to seal off his private beach! Any chance of escape was ruined the day Johnny Gambino decided to create thick netting among a tree line to seal off his private beach. Scaling it would be near impossible, and cutting it would take forever. One could always try for swimming, but with sharks off the coast, perhaps the undead just might be a better alternative...

Behind You: The Gardens

The Basement

Basement (from ?) (ZOMBIE Version)
When it's dank, dark, and scary, what better direction to go than down? With all the chaos up on the main floor, it makes sense to try and hide. However, aside from a few barrels and a funny looking wall, there isn't much to- hey... funny looking wall?

Straight Ahead: Secret Underground Test Facility

Behind You: The Kitchen

The Underground Test Facility

Underground Test Facility (from basement) (ZOMBIE Version)
So THIS is the Secret Underground Test Facility you've heard so much about! The elevator is locked straight to the Lab Tech's sublevel, but the area is a mess. There is blood everywhere, and broken glass litters the concrete floor. It feels almost like a labyrinth or maze. The moaning of something not-human echoes through the empty halls and sends a shiver down your spine. Maybe coming down here wasn't such a great idea.

Behind You: The Basement