Second Year Dorms: Dunestead

History and Design 

The renovation of Snowcap Castle led to an unexpected student protest at the turn of the 19th century. Peeved that their own dorms had not been renovated, upperclassmen staged a sit-in that lasted 22 days. 

Shortly after, the administration put forth a plan to renovate the remaining dormitories and so, in 1933, Dunestead was given a makeover. A budding architect from Solterra, Cosmo François arrived on scene with fresh ideas and a love of all things hot. Having toured the Bryn deserts for over five years, François’ architectural vision was rooted in the serene and fluid nature of sand dunes. His warm color palettes, soft curves, and bronze undertones pay homage to the landscape and its heat-loving inhabitants. 

The exterior of Dunestead is an opulent white and gold palace, crowned by a massive onion-shaped dome and flanked by four smaller domes on either side. A rectangular reflecting pool leads to the entrance, which is protected by a line of red fire. Such is the peculiarity of this fire that only students with the proper metal key card are able to pass through unscathed. Even fire Elementals are denied entry to Dunestead if they belong to a different dorm. 

The interior of Dunstead is as rich as its exterior. Within the common rooms are hand painted ceilings, floating lanterns, persian rugs, and trickling fountains. The mosaic tiled pools are a much needed respite for Woodlands, Lunines, and water Elementals, who walk half naked through common spaces due to the dormitory’s stifling heat. Having suffered the arctic temperatures of Snowcap Castle the year prior, Taztleskins and Fennex’s believe it’s only fair that their classmates endure the desert dorm.

Oasis Common Room

The colors and theme for each class change to reflect their new environment, their growth as individual students, and their academic advancement. Sophomore students are expected to embody the trait of Reverentia (Respect), which is written above the common room hearths in resplendent reds. Perhaps a side effect of Cosmo François’ true intentions, respect is a value that is often tested in Dunestead, when half of the student population living there are in a constant state of undress. 

Buyer’s Beware

While Dunestead's plushy settees are a fun change from the straight-backed chairs of regular campus, the cushiness of this dormitory hides a far more nefarious nature. 

The quicksand.

Gilbert Winklestein, affectionately known by his peers as “Gilly”, is one such student who repeatedly comes into contact with the smattering of quicksand hidden throughout Dunestead. While most students have memorized the positions of major sink holes and are able to leap or shimmy past, Gilly finds himself in a daily struggle. Gilly recounts once being stuck waist deep for an hour and a half. It wasn’t until the sand reached past his shoulders when a few classmates finally found him and were able to create a human rope to pull him headfirst from the trap. 

Some of Gilly’s classmates attempted to map out the quicksand for him, only to find this act of compassion greatly annoyed the dormitory. For an entire week a sink hole would form directly beneath Gilly’s feet every time he tried to leave his room. 

Suffice it to say, Dunestead is a popular dorm among the Second Years, and as long as you have a better memory than Gilbert Winklestein, you too will enjoy the exotic comforts of this hall.