Guildhall of the Alchemists
The Guildhall of the Alchemists is the center of the Alchemists' Guild in King's Landing. It is located at the foot of Visenya's Hill, along the Street of the Sisters.
Layout
Made of black marble, the Guildhall is is a warren of twists and turns. Outside, it has broad curving steps that front on the Street of the Sisters.[1]
The Gallery of the Iron Torches is the receiving area for guests. It is a long chamber with black metal columns which can be lit with wildfire. These iron torches are rarely lit, usually save for important guests. The walls and floor of polished black marble allow the green flames to reflect on their surface and bathe the hall in emerald radiance.[1]
Wildfire, the material that makes the Alchemists' Guild infamous, is prepared in bare stone cells by trained acolytes. Above each cell is a room filled with sand. The floor below has protective enchantments placed upon it. Any fire within the cell will cause both floors to fall and the sand to drop, smothering the fire instantly.[1]
Two vaults are found behind the Guildhall of the Alchemists, under the Hill of Rhaenys. The upper vault has damp stone walls splotchy with nitre. Once a pot of wildfire has been readied by an acolyte, an apprentice carries it to the upper vault. Pots are then placed on tables arranged in orderly rows. Older pots of wildlfire from the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen are stored in the lower vault, which has been pumped full of water.[1] Visitors to the upper vault are advised to dress warmly, as heat is avoided and the only light available comes from carried sealed iron-and-glass oil lamps. The vaults are accessible from a cellar of the guildhall.[1]
History
The last Hand of the King to visit the Guildhall of the Alchemists was Lord Rossart during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen.[1]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
Tyrion Lannister tours the Guildhall of the Alchemists and the upper vault as part of his inspection to make sure the preparations for the defense of King's Landing during the War of the Five Kings are coming along at the proper pace. Wisdom Hallyne hopes to one day host King Joffrey I Baratheon at the guildhall.[1]
Flea Bottom is set afire during the riots in King's Landing. Tyrion tasks Bronn and Sandor Clegane with having the water wagons protected so that the fire cannot reach the Guildhall of the Alchemists.[2]
Quotes
The Guildhall of the Alchemists was an imposing warren of black stone, but Hallyne led him through the twists and turns until they reached the Gallery of the Iron Torches, a long echoing chamber where columns of green fire danced around black metal columns twenty feet tall. Ghostly flames shimmered off the polished black marble of the walls and floor and bathed the hall in an emerald radiance. Tyrion would have been more impressed if he hadn't known that the great iron torches had only been lit this morning in honor of his visit, and would be extinguished the instant the doors closed behind him. Wildfire was too costly to squander.[1]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
We can lose all of Flea Bottom if we must, but on no account must the fire reach the Guildhall of the Alchemists, is that understood?[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.