Randland Points of Interest

From Portalstones.com

Points of interest are places located Randland or elsewhere in the world of the Wheel of Time, created by PortalStones members and open for everyone as referance point. Most can be used by everyone; with those that are very detailed and include PCs, asking them would be polite.

Tar Valon: Scrolls and Rolls, Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe*

Altara: The Stag and Hound Inn (Ebou Dar)

Amadicia: none (yet)

Andor: Blue Swan Inn (Four Kings), The Golden Quill Inn (Caemlyn)

Arad Doman: none (yet)

Arafel: none (yet)

Cairhien: none (yet)

Ghealdan: none (yet)

Illian: none (yet)

Kandor: none (yet)

Murandy: none (yet)

Saldaea: none (yet)

Seafolk Islands: The Maidenhead (Qaim)

Seanchan: none (yet)

Shienar: none (yet)

Tarabon: none (yet)

Tear: none (yet)

Tar Valon

Scrolls and Rolls: Tar Valon’s premier book and kaf shop

Submitted by Sinak

After his retirement from the Black Tower, Sinak found an old book store located across the street from the main gate to the White Tower whose aging owner was looking for someone to sell it to. In refurbishing the rundown structure, he created a new concept which included space for clients to sit down and enjoy a mug of freshly made kaf, a drink from the land of his birth which was brewed in the manner he’d been taught by his own people. Soon there after the sign “Scrolls and Rolls” graced its entrance and he was open for business.

While he’d never operated a bookstore before, Sinak was fortunate enough to have the prior owner’s assistant, a man known only as Andyr, stay on and lend his expertise. Even to this day, whenever Sinak is off on one of his many journeys, Andyr serves the store’s clientele with his skill and rich knowledge of the many tomes available.

Within months, the business was a beehive of activity – from Aes Sedai wanting their personal copies of books jealously hoarded by those of the Brown Ajah in the Tower’s own Great Library, to Accepted looking for a place to meet over a kaf under the guise of studying in a place that did not have the reputation associated with other drinking establishments, to a place where commoners could come and discuss new ideas gained from the variety of books available.

Disaster did strike however. During an attack on Tar Valon by the Children of the Light, Sinak’s establishment suffered the same fate as so many others located nearby the White Tower. Unlike his stock of books which he and several friends managed to evacuate to his home elsewhere in the city, the building itself was burned to the ground.

In the aftermath of that catastrophe, it was decided not to permit that row of wooden structures which had sprung up over the past half century to be rebuilt. The ancient beauty of the city as it had stood since time immemorial would be revealed, and with the wooden buildings eliminated, the roadway was doubled in width and beautified while once again the ancient Ogier built stone edifices presented their face to the White Tower.

It was in one of those graceful structures, directly behind where his shop has once stood, that Sinak secured a larger space than ever before. Today, “Scrolls and Rolls” is open once again, with features better than those of earlier times. A huge fireplace around which people can sit and read or enjoy a kaf keeps out the winter chill while the spacious stone structure itself keeps the area cool during the summer’s heat. It has also been speculated of late that under a special arrangement with the Sitter of the Blue Ajah, Sinak now serves a new drink known only as “Blue Kaf” whose ingredients are said to be somewhat potent. This however is merely a rumor and only a chosen few of his most privileged clients would know of it as it is not available to the general public.

Regardless of whether or not that tale can be believed, “Scrolls and Rolls” is definitely a place you should not to miss on your next journey to Tar Valon.

Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Submitted by Melora

Not entirely an antiquities shop, but close enough. It's deceptively small from the outside; on the inside is rows and rows of all types of junk, from Trolloc skulls to potential ter'angreal to moldy croissants. You never know just what you'll find there. From the outside, it looks like a small shop with wooden windows on each side, and a lettered sign. Inside, lots of shelves and the occasional pouffe chair.

• Location: Rumored to have been based in Tar Valon, this is a mysterious place that moves around on its own; one never knows which town it will pop into. If left and sought again, it will never be found.

Altara

The Stag and Hound Inn

Submitted by Tamerlane

Located in Ebou Dar. A clean, pleasant establishment under excellent management.

Andor

Blue Swan Inn

Submitted by Juleena

Located on the outskirts of Four Kings

Owned by: Riha E’Ghd, a middle-aged woman that doesn’t tolerate nonsense. Considered a mother hen by many, Riha is respected and known for her homey touches. She has a strong temper though, and tends to lose her patience easily. Riha has black hair with a white streak in her bangs, which is usually kept up in a neat bun, and bronze eyes.

List of staff: Serving Maids: Kerria (black hair, blue eyes), Josephia (red hair, brown eyes), Meoni (black hair, green eyes), Sophie (blonde hair, blue eyes), Hannah (brown hair, brown eyes), Leona (black hair, gray eyes), Jonia (brown hair, green eyes), Blaire (blonde hair, brown eyes), Milien (black hair, blue eyes), Wilamina (blonde hair, brown eyes), Leela (red hair, gray eyes), and Tanenea (blonde hair, blue eyes).

Head Cook: Renil Le’ann (red hair, brown eyes)

‘Bouncer’/Guard: Humlin Omarn (big bald man, quick and muscular, has black eyes)

The Common Room/Outside Description The Blue Swan Inn is a homey place located in the outskirts of Four Kings. It is a large brick and wood building with a small garden out front. Around the back is where the stables are located with an ever-present stable boy (whether he is awake or not is not a guarantee).

Once inside the building, the guest will enter into the common room, Humlin usually standing by the door to greet anyone who comes through. Gim E’Ghd, Riha’s son, can usually be found in the common room, speaking to the patrons and learning stories from their travels.

On the opposite wall from the door is a large fireplace that is always lit during cold and dreary days. The small bar is located on the right wall of the common room, but the tender is always instructed to give away the special spice drink Riha herself created. It is the famous drink that many people had grown fond of, and usually preferred it over ale. The swinging door to the kitchen is also on the right wall, wonderful smells of food wafting through the air.

The stairs leading up to the rooms is located at the upper right corner of the common room, which has carvings of a swan along the railings.

To continue, the tables in the common room are heavy wooden tables, usually large enough to hold up to five people. The chairs are padded a pale blue color, following along with the color scheme and embroidered with a golden swan in the middle. Also, on the tables there is always a small glass vase, freshly filled with flowers every day except in winter. In winter there will usually be a cinnamon stick along with any rare flowers that may be found during the winter times.

Guest Rooms The Blue Swan Inn has up to one hundred rooms, each designed by Riha herself. On the inside of each door there is a carving somewhere of a swan, some carvings larger on some doors than others. In each room there is a finely crafted wooden bed with a soft mattress and four goose-feather filled pillows. Keeping with the theme, the sheets are a pale blue color with dark blue pillows, each with an embroidered swan in gold. Next to each bed there is a night stand with three drawers, again with a swan carved across the top of the stand.

Next to each window there is a small table with two padded chairs of the light blue color as in the common room, a vase with fresh flowers on this table as well. Beside the table are the wash basin, mirror, and washstand, holding a gold embroidered towel. An ivory pitcher filled with water is always located on the washstand, though each morning a serving maid comes in and fills the wash basin with hot water.

Next to the washbasin is a small fireplace with two small lanterns that can be placed wherever the guest chooses. There is always wood in the fireplace and can be lit by either a serving maid, or can be done by the guest themselves. Above the mantel is usually a picture depicting a swan or some other form of art Riha had collected over the years.

As for the windows, they are wooden paned and is made out of thick glass. They are dressed with thick golden curtains in some rooms, blue in others, with a swan embroidered along the bottom hem of the curtain. The windows can be opened on warm days to let in a breeze, though not every room has a window.

As always, the Blue Swan Inn welcomes you home.

The Golden Quill Inn

Submitted by Charinje

Located in the New City, Caemlyn

The slightly old, medium-sized building is located along the main streets of the New city in Caemlyn. It’s obvious that the wooden structure has been around for some time, but it’s well kept. A rather large sign hangs across the door, displaying a golden quill. The inn is named after the owner’s husband, who is a talented writer.

Lively music can often be heard from the inside. Normally it’s bards or other musicians that are visiting, but sometimes the proprietor joins in too. Charinje Sendan, the owner of the inn and former member of the Tuatha'an, is proud of her dancing, and her ability to play a violin. She lives in a part of the inn which is separated from the rest with her husband and daughter.

There’s a common room on the first floor, with a small bar where one can order various dishes with tasty food, and drinks. The most renowned treat is the delicious homemade apple pie. Tables and chairs are spread throughout the room; there’s space enough for maximum 25 people to sit down. It’s well lit, with candles on every table, and a few windows which lead out to the bustling Caemlyn streets.

One can find bedrooms for the travelers upstairs; the house has three floors. There are two double rooms, and ten single rooms.

Seafolk Islands

The Maidenhead

Submitted by Maviel

Located on the island of Qaim, The Maidenhead is famous for the infamous 'Captain's Table' where pirate captains convene to tout their adventures and practice the manly art of wenching.