Page 29 - Tomb of Annihilation

MERCHANT PRINCE'S VILLA

UPPER LEvEr.

MAP 1.2: M ERC:HllNT PRINCE'S V1LLA

always on alert against tricksters and magicians trying
5. GARDEN
to gain entrance to their master's home, so they have
Ferns, potted palms, orchids, and other exotfo tropical
advantage on skill checks and saving throws against at-
flowers are cultivated in the garden, which is open to
tempts to distract, bamboozle, or charm them.
the sky. Chultan plants with useful properties or ap-
The ceiling of the entryway is two stories tall. In
plications as poison might be found in the garden of a
some homes, it's open to the sky. In those cases, the
merchant prince with a horticultural bent, such as Jessa-
fountain is sunk into the floor and doubles as a drain for
mine. See appendix C for examples of rare plants.
rainwater.
6. DINING ROOM
2. SITTINC AREA
The dining table is very low, just a few inches above the
This is both a waiting area and a meeting area for
floor. Diners relax on pillows as they eat.
guests who aren't known to the villa's master, and
therefore won't necessarily be given access to the inner 7. SAUNA
chambers of the house. Decorative columns support ln addition to daily baths, well-to-do Chultans love re-
the arched doorway from area 1. Rugs and comfortable laxing in saunas. Dry heat is a welcome change from
pillows are arranged on the floor. Narrow windows look Chult's high humidity. Most home saunas are heated
into the garden, but these double as arrow slits in case with charcoal burners or hot stones, but in the homes of
visitors aren't as friendly as they claim to be. the merchant princes, a trapped fire elemental provides
round-the-clock heat, and a servant or slave is always
3. GRAND HALL
available to massage tired muscles.
A magnificently tiled floor is flanked by two sweeping
staircases that ascend to the upper floor. Decorations 8. BATH
are in keeping with the individual merchant prince's
The bath is the cornerstone of a Chultan mansion, even
taste and specialization.
more so than the dining room or family rooms. The fam-
ily relaxes here during private times, but there's nothing
4. GUEST ROOMS
unusual about a merchant prince holding meetings
Most of the right side of the house is devoted to accom-
in the bath with trusted advisors and close business
modations for guests. Three private sleeping rooms with
associates. Being invited into the household bath is con-
attached baths, plus two sitting rooms and access to the
sidered an honor in Chultan society, and treating it as
garden, make this far more luxurious than a typical inn.
anything less than an honor risks offending the person
who extended the invitation.
CHAPTER 1 I PORT !-.'YANZARU