The Igloo Building / Landmark in Sundered Lands | World Anvil

The Igloo

Built and run by the halfling Tarrin Havenbridge, the Igloo gained its name from its domed shape and the entrance passageway intended to keep out blowing sand. It is located in the Sandvoyagers Guild compound in the Oasis of the White Palm.   The dome is studded with narrow slit windows that allow sunlight through the thick adobe walls, although the rippled glass in them does not allow anything to be seen from either side. It was built using sand, clay, and dried grass from the oasis, compacted into moulds before being kiln-dried then the structure reinforced with metal rods from the Ulfgar Mine. The outside was smoothed with a gnome-designed mixture that adds both strength and waterproofing from the occasional winter rain.   The entrance passageway features an outer door, followed by a vestibule area to contain cloaks and sun-wrappings. An inner door serves to keep out sand and heat, while keeping the cooler air within.   The ground floor of the Igloo is divided into front and back halves, with the taproom being the front half. A long bar runs across the back wall, with several tapped kegs and multiple bottles of liquors and spirits brought from all over the world by trade caravans. Tables are scattered across the room, with booths lining the outer wall. The back half of the Igloo is comprised of the kitchen, a storeroom, and living quarters for Tarrin Havenbridge, his niece Poppy Havenbridge, who works as a waitress, and the cook. A stable-boy also works for Havenbridge, with quarters in the attached stables.   A stairwell runs around part of the room's edge, leading up to the guest accommodations on the floor above. The upper floor is divided into eight well-appointed rooms, each capable of housing between one and three people in comfort.   The Igloo's accommodations are significantly more comfortable - and more expensive - than the Guild accommodations provided at the front of the compound. As a result, it tends to be used as housing by the caravan masters and well-off merchants travelling with the caravans, while the drovers stay in the Guild living quarters. The food and drink runs the gamut from cheap and cheerful to fine and expensive, making it a popular attraction for those from all levels of income.   The other drawcard is the fact that the Igloo is always cool inside, with large blocks of ice strategically positioned in the main room. Many of the cold drinks are served with small cubes of ice floating in them, a marvel to the residents of the Oasis in particular. Havenbridge keeps how he obtains the ice a secret.  
WAND OF FROST
  Tarrin Havenbridge's secret for ice manufacture is that he possesses a magic wand, albeit a defective and very limited one.   A number of years ago a traveller passing through the desert did not have sufficient coin to settle their debt, so instead offered their Wand of Frost. Originally intended as a Wand of Winter when it was created, something went awry and it is unable to cast any of the higher level spells. The only spell it is able to cast is the cantrip Ray of Frost, but it can do this an unlimited number of times each day.   The Igloo has a deep basement dug out of the rock below it, intended as a coolroom and a well-room. Already cool thanks to its depth beneath the earth, Havenbridge quickly realised the opportunity he had. Fresh water is poured into large metal trays, whereupon Tarrin uses the wand to repeatedly cast the cold cantrip at them until the water is either frozen or near-freezing, depending upon what he intends to do with it. Some are turned into ice slurries for use with flavoured syrups & liqeurs, while others are broken up with ice-picks to create ice chunks to be added to the drinks. Others are left as large ice blocks to keep the room near-freezing, or chill other parts of the Igloo.

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