The Sober Scholar
Tucked away in a stately corner of the Upper Wall District, The Sober Scholar is an institution wrapped in mahogany, candlelight, and conversation. From the outside, its modest, ivy-draped facade gives little away—save for a burnished bronze sign above the door that reads:
“You need to talk to me to get to know me.”
It is an ethos upheld within. There are no bouncers here, no velvet ropes—just quiet recognition and word-of-mouth invitations. The people who come here know one another, or wish to.
Founded by the late Professor Theodora Simons, a beloved academic known for her firebrand lectures and contagious laughter, the Scholar was envisioned as a place where minds could meet freely. Now in the hands of her daughter, Picadilly Simons—herself a writer of acclaimed historical biographies and a classics scholar—the place has retained its warmth while gaining a reputation for discretion and intellectual elegance. Picadilly, with her pince-nez perched halfway down her nose and ink-stained fingers, can usually be found behind the long, polished bar, talking poetry or politics with whomever drifts in with the rain.
Architecture & Layout
The Sober Scholar occupies a late Aladan Revival townhouse, its bones strong and timeless. Polished black-and-white stone floors, carved wood banisters, and tall windows dressed in rich green velvet dominate the ground level. The ceiling is high and coffered, with iron chandeliers flickering with enchanted beeswax candles that never drip.
The Rooms
There are five distinct rooms, each named for its dominant color and mood:
The Green Room
A quiet reading nook filled with wall-to-wall bookshelves, small writing desks, and armchairs pulled close to the fireplace. Small brass bells are available to summon a glass of wine or a pot of strong tea.
The Red Room
A deep, plush salon meant for lively conversation and debate. It features leather armchairs, low tables, and a small stage for poetry readings and lectures. The scent of sandalwood hangs in the air.
The White Room
Sparse, luminous, and reflective—used for small exhibitions, memorial evenings, and philosophical circles. The walls are adorned with early editions of philosophical treatises and curated artworks by local talent.
The Black Room
The private salon, rarely accessible except by invitation from Picadilly herself. It is whispered that important ideas—and clandestine alliances—have been formed here.
Each room’s walls are adorned with first editions of poetry and essays written by its regulars. Even the menus are handwritten and bound in soft leather, updated seasonally with wine recommendations and literary quotes.
The Blue Room
Reserved for musical nights, especially the monthly string quartet performances. Acoustically tuned, it contains velvet benches and sound-dampened walls hung with serene paintings of coastal ruins.
Patrons & Culture
Professors, expedition leaders, and alchemical theorists rub shoulders with nobility, curious artificers, and promising students. The Scholar is one of the few places where class dissolves into curiosity. Heated debates over philosophy, new archaeological findings, and ethical quandaries sparked by recent inventions are as common as laughter and flirtation.
Monthly Oshi tournaments draw tacticians and enthusiasts alike, while poetry nights have become an unmissable staple of the city’s cultural calendar.
An Invitation to Converse
More than just a tavern or café, The Sober Scholar is a community bound not by class or creed, but by the mutual desire to learn, connect, and understand. Every evening, strangers enter through that quiet door—and if they speak, they do not remain strangers for long.
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