Just east of the Inn of the Slumbering Dragon, past a crooked row of hanging lanterns and a wild hedge of blue-green fernbrush, lies a crescent-shaped cluster of six cottages known as the Guest Houses. Built from mossy junglewood and thatched with woven fronds, these small homes are meant for travelers, dignitaries, and the occasional adventuring company who prefer privacy over tavern noise.
Each cottage has a tiny porch, a single wooden chair (weathered but comfortable), and a curtained window overlooking the river — a design meant to allow cool winds in and prying eyes out. Vines creep along the eaves, and small brass bells chime with the wind, warding off snakes and spirits, according to local superstition.
A gentle but unspoken rule seems to govern the cottages: Don’t ask who’s staying in the other houses, and don’t speak loudly at night.