The Astral Lounge

The Astral Lounge was originally a Thalara observatory-canteen, built as a rest station for early magicians studying the Six Towers. Over time, as Harjanta grew around it, the observatory was abandoned and the structure was refitted into a public lounge.

Today, it functions as a food and drink establishment, a meeting space for travelers, mages, scholars, and conspirators. Its original purpose (tracking astral energies and measuring "sky-hum") still lingers in the enchanted architecture.

The main room is a sweeping oval 22m long and 14 m wide, with a vaulted ceiling made of black stone flecked with silvery chips. These chips glow at dusk in constellations that do not always match the outside sky.

Floor: polished basalt, subtly warm to the touch.

Walls: pale ashwood beams inlaid with shimmering sigils that shift when no one watches.

Ceiling: starfield stone; occasional drifting motes of astral dust fall but dissolve before touching anything.

Tables are arranged in concentric circles around a small raised stage.

Main Entrance: Wide double doors of darkened ironwood.

Emergency Exits: Two side doors leading to the alley; magickally reinforced.

Windows: Narrow, vertical panes of enchanted glass, opaque from the outside, crystal-clear from within.

Service Entry: Behind the bar; locked by arcane runes known only to staff.

Entering the Lounge is like stepping into a pocket sky.

Sight:

• A soft purplish light radiates from the ceiling stars.
• Illusory constellations drift like slow clouds.
• Tables glow faintly when approached, illuminating menus carved into the surface.

Smell:

• Warm herbs, citrus oil, and a trace of ozone from the astral wards.
• A constant undertone of spiced wine and cedarwood

Feel:

• Gravity feels slightly lighter the closer one stands to the center.
• Air is pleasantly cool, with a gentle astral hum beneath the skin.

Sound:

• A low, ambient chime, like distant glass tapping, responds to conversation volume.
• Stage performances often mix instruments with subtle magickal resonance.

Regulars include:

• Maelin Orrav, the owner, an illusionist with a theatrical streak
• Star-Runners, messengers who navigate Harjanta's rooftops
• Thalara apprentices, studying the influence of celestial magick on daily life
• Wandering performers, especially those with astral or auditory magick.
• Shadow Scholars, researching the Six Towers
• Tourists, drawn by the decor and rumors.

A few magickal pests occasionally appear, such as motesprites, tiny glowing insects attracted to spell-light.

Self-illuminating tables

A crescent-shaped bar made from polished moonstone imitation

Astral projector on the stage (build from old Thalara components)

Velvet seating enchanted to adjust firmness

Shelves filled with star charts and illusionary drink menus

The "Celestial Tap", a shimmering spout pouring gravity-light ale

A locked cabinet of rare astral liquors

The original Thalara star-map stone embedded under the bar

A private journal of early tower researchers (its pages rearrange nightly)

Astral shards collected from strange sky-events—worth fortunes to scholars

Astral Slippage Zones: small patches where gravity thins; one unlucky patron once drifted to the rafters.

Illusionary Doors: old defenses sometimes trigger—leading patrons into temporary illusion mazes.

Celestial Pressure Spikes: rare surges that dim lights and distort sound.

The Cellar: rumored to contain steps leading to “somewhere other than Harjanta.”

Nothing is lethal, but all are inconvenient and occasionally terrifying.

Time feels slightly slowed, making conversations linger and performances feel longer.

Magick is smoother and easier, making it a favored spot for spellcasters.

Astral resonance amplifies sound, perfect for musicians.

Old wards protect against scrying, giving privacy to patrons.

During eclipses, the entire lounge becomes weightless for exactly seven breaths.

The Thalara originally built it as an observatory. Since its commercial conversion:

• Maelin added the stage, balcony, and dining layout.
• Several sealed doors were reinforced rather than opened—she fears what’s behind them.
• Decorative constellations were intentionally not removed, to maintain mystique.
• The cellar was expanded, though workers reported “extra stairs that shouldn’t exist.”

A fusion of:

• Early Thalara experimental astral architecture
• Native Harjantan wooden craftsmanship

The exterior is simple: a squat, dark building with a faint upward glow at night. Inside, it’s another world entirely—a pocket of sky folded into wood and stone.

The structure imitates the Six Towers’ symmetry, subtly aligning with their unseen leylines.

Built as a covert astral observatory for early Thalara researchers around 400 AE, the building was abandoned after an internal schism over the use of celestial data.

In 421 AE, Maelin Orrav bought the property and converted it into a lounge. The Triumvirate tolerated it—so long as she kept the deeper rooms sealed.

Over time, the Lounge has become:

• A cultural icon
• A quiet political meeting spot
• A place of rumors regarding the Towers
• A de facto sanctuary for wandering mages

During the Astral Surge of 512 AE, the ceiling exploded in starfire—but reassembled itself within hours.

Visitors come for:

• The stellar ceiling
• Performances enhanced by astral acoustics
• Rare drinks and illusions
• The chance of witnessing harmless magical phenomena
• Proximity to the Six Towers (which they cannot visit)

Local guides often bring small groups during evening hours, when the ceiling is brightest and the gravity anomalies are strongest.