Caravanserai

Caravanserai, also called caravansary in the Hordelands, was a type of a large building found in the southern lands of Faerûn and further south, in the lands of Zakhara. Caravanserais were used for a similar purpose as regular caravan inns.

Description
Typical Zakharan caravanserais were sturdy square or rectangular structures, similar to small fortresses, with a large central courtyard separated from the outside of the building by a portal with one or more portcullis gates. Both the gates and the courtyards were big enough to accommodate at least one entire caravan. The main structure could be as tall as three stories along the trade routs, up to six stories in big cities, and only a single floor when stationed on a less active route. Outer walls were at least thick and as strong as those of a keep. They were constructed out of mud-spackled stones or bricks, while upper floors tended to be be made out of wood just as often as stone. Caravanserais were never glazed or painted their walls decoratively.

The main managerial office usually was placed above the entrance portal where the owned greeted customers and did business, and had a private entrance, often quite secure – iron-bound door.

Calishite caravanserai were distinct in their design. The structures had at least one minaret and then as many as four, that rose above the rest of the structure. The main gates tended to be taller than their walls but never rose above minarets. These tall slender towers served as a guide to traveling caravans, letting them know that safety and comfort were within reach. The minarets were usually staffed by watchers and occasionally loudly-preaching priests.

Locations
Caravanserais were built along busy trade routs and served as attended waystations. Most commonly, these buildings could be found in Zakhara, the Land of Fate and in the the Calim Desert. In major settlements, caravanserais could be found by the main gates.

Services
Similarly to regular inns, caravanserais offered meals and lodgings to traveling caravaners, sundries, shelter and feed for the beasts of burden, as well as secure cargo storage. In the lands were slavery was legal, additional stables and quarters were provided. Fresh water in caravanserais was available from nearby springs, wells, or pumps on the premises. Unlike inns, however, caravanserais often offered other services related to the caravan trade, such as metalsmithing, harness-crafting, cloth and food retail, and of corse – entertainment. Long-term leases were also available for interested customers. In Zakhara, such lodgings could be purchased for a sum of 30 to 60 gold pieces. Such apartments were kept clean and ready for the leaser to arrive. They often were purchased by caravaners as second homes. Caravanserais offered safety of travelers' worship and religious ceremonies when on the road.

Most establishments were ran by a single family, while other supporting business belonged to distant family members and fiends of the owner's family.

Calishite caravanserais were known to brew their own ales and wines, using them as an additional incentive to attract passing caravans.

History
The first caravanserais began as nothing more than walled overnight shelter in the wilderness. With time, as the number of caravans grew, caravanserais expanded, taking on more roles to accommodate travelers. In Calimshan, the typical form of caravanserais describe above, was popularized in the Second Age and changed little since then. The Fourth and Fifth Ages of the Calim Empire, were notable for an architectural quirk of typically clean shapes of caravanserais. During that period of time, it became fashionable to construct additional wings to accommodate especially large and prosperous caravans. Each new wing that was erected was built higher than the one before. However, that practice was abandoned as the Fifth Age came to an end. Unlike in the Lands of Intrigue, most caravanserais in Calimshan were ruined, abandoned, or repurposed into khanduqs, abbeys, monasteries, and schools by the 14 century DR.

Notable Carvanserais

 * Friary of St. Amahl, a Calishite caravanserai along the Trade Way that was converted into an Ilmatari temple by the 14 century DR.
 * House of Wo, a notable establishment in the City of Delights, Huzuz, ran by ajami named Wo in the 14 century DR.
 * Merchant's Home, a resplendent five-floor tall caravanserai in Huzuz.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Assassin Mountain &bull; A Dozen and One Adventures &bull; Caravans &bull; The Rose of Jumlat &bull; The Last Oasis &bull; Murder in Baldur's Gate &bull; Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
 * Novels
 * Star of Cursrah &bull; Unclean &bull; Undead &bull; Plague of Spells &bull; Brimstone Angels &bull; The Darker Road
 * Fire in the Blood &bull; Ashes of the Tyrant &bull; The Adversary
 * Fire in the Blood &bull; Ashes of the Tyrant &bull; The Adversary