The middle south, particularly the Anwall area, is one of the richest parts of Meron. This sample house belongs to a rich family in the center of the city, not far from the governor's home. Southern Meron is hot and very humid in all seasons but winter, when daily thunderstorms occur. Because of this heat, the house is built all on one floor with breezy curtained doorways.
Most houses are built around courtyards; this has three, all of which are grassy and open to the sky.
The entry of the house is a spacious foyer, (far right) which gives way to a recieving area. This is used for guests, who often don't venture any further into the house. Down the hall is a long table, at which both family and guests take the evening meal.
Around the corner is a smaller table, where breakfast is sometimes eaten and where children often are sent in the evenings. The separate kitchen, which contains the only fireplace in the house, is connected by a roofed but open walkway. The cook and the twenty other servants live either in houses to the back of the manor or else in other locations in town.
Past the breakfast table is the flagstone bathing area. The pool is filled from underground - water is not lacking in Anwall, and strides are being made towards a plumbing system, although it's not perfect and few families but those with as much money as this one can afford one.
Back past the breakfast table and into the first courtyard, we can see the outdoor half of the swimming area, which is used in the evenings. Water for the kitchen is also brought from this pool. Past it is the family sitting room, more private than that off the foyer. Note the potted plants - southern people love greenery.
Beyond the family room is the first bedroom, occupied by the younger children of the family. Southern Meron sleep on well-padded rugs on the floor, usually without blankets, since it doesn't cool down much in the evenings. Connected to this bedroom is the work room - one table is the mother's, while one is the father's desk, typically containing important documents and, if he is an important governmental position, much of his work. If he owns any books, they are probably kept here.
The second courtyard contains the House Tree, a central part of almost all southern family homes. The third courtyard isn't dedicated to any purpose, but lets light and a breeze in. The remaining two bedrooms belong to the older children and to the parents, who also have a sitting area in their room. They, too, sleep on rugs. All have chests in their rooms for clothing and personal items.
This house, it must be noted, is a city dwelling - Anwall is fortified, so there aren't any defenses in the manor. If it were a country manor - which are rarer in the south, due to historical conflict with the Etanans, who performed regular raids on southern villages - it would doubtless be more castle-like and have its own garrison.
Many, many thanks to Lilla and Omar Herensy and their children, who offered their home as a model.
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