Almondsey

The Holy Sanctuary of Mugg is on the east shore of Loch Mugg. It is the repository of most of the ancient manuscripts relating to the gods Thud and Lott, and is presided over by seven 'monks' who live in ascetic cells along the lake wall, but there is also a priests' hall with a dormitory above for the use of visiting scholars. The temple and cells date back to the 14th Century, but the rest of the building, including the three stories of the scriptarium, gatehouse tower, priests' hall and refectory wing, were built at the end of the 16th Century.

The Holy Sanctuary of Lignapp is the major monastic building in Estalia. There are quarters for 28 priests and 14 priestesses, the keep tower of the Hierophant, two temples, and a large common area. Servants' Wing is on the north side next to the keep. Novices sleep in the garrett over the common room. Note the rivulet that runs under the Great Hall, supplying water to the precinct. The keep is medieval (c. 1390), but the rest of the building, including the priests' quarters, are 16th Century, as are the temples.

The University of Estalia is in the converted Pogin-mim precinct of the town of Lash-l'rou on the north shore of Lake Jatta. It is perhaps a misnomer to call this a university (at least by Oxbridge standards), but it is the main seat of higher learning (secular) in Estalia, emphasizing the sciences and literature. This campus, on the west side of town on a high mound, is the 'northern' branch, with residence for about 40 students and 10 faculty; there are annexe buildings in the town itself. The tower as been converted into classrooms, apart from the Solar, which is the Chancellor's residence. The library is located above the kitchen and dining hall (under which area there are vaulted cellars and a postern gate). Two stories of residence for students and faculty are to the north and south of this. The 'southern' branch is in Poolot't -- see below.

Lash-l'rou also has one of the Castello Hotel Chain castle hotels, Kirsten Hotel.

The University of Estalia, southern branch, is in the converted Plimbo-mim precinct of Poolot't near Estalia Castle. (It is drawn to a larger scale than its larger branch at Lash-l'rou, because it is architecturally more interesting; the college is smaller but more prestigious than the main branch, also.) 'Astrologer Royal' is misleading as a title for the chancellor -- in fact the post is the highest scientific appointment in the nation, and ranks with secretary of state. He is the chancellor of the university and chief of the entire public school education department. Although Estalia was never ranked very highly as providing secular public education, it does at least have such a department, which was established in the 1740's, and expanded 100 years later, over great opposition from the priesthood, who oppose literacy in all forms.

The building is basically divided up into four sections -- the southern range, consisting of the great hall and library (with the original Plimbo-mim tower, now the Chancellor's residence, at the east side), the Faculty tower on the west, which obviously houses the teachers (of whom there are about a dozen), the Student facility on the west and north (including the Bachelors' Hall in the Gatehouse -- semi-permanent members of the college), which houses about 50 people, and the service wing on the east side. Separating the great hall from the Plimbo-mim and kitchen is a small open courtyard with a postern gate. One should also note the music room behind the Minstrels' gallery -- this college is a small but important center for academic music, largely in the area of Estalian folk music and simple accompanying instruments such as harps, drums, and bagpipes. The front of the porch to the great hall has a very elaborate carved frieze panel, two stories tall, above the entrance arch showing important political events in the history of Estalia.