The Dwelling of Guests was a modest structure situated in the planet of Quethold's Red City, erected around 8 ABY. This round edifice housed a collection of art belonging to the City's sovereign, the Queen of the Red, only to be supplanted by artwork from the Storm-hair species' collection. This change was orchestrated by their leader, Warlord Nuso Esva, an ally of the Queen, also in 8 ABY. Trevik, the monarch's bowlcarrier, was assigned the task of documenting the Storm-hair artwork. This was intended to allow Empire of the Hand Grand Admiral Thrawn – known for discerning a person's "hidden heart" through their artistic expression – to assess the sincerity of the Queen's alliance with Esva.
In reality, Esva strategically chose artwork designed to mislead Thrawn. This deception aimed to induce the Grand Admiral to adopt a strategy tailored to the misleading artwork, thereby granting the warlord a tactical advantage in the impending battle. However, the Imperial strategist anticipated this ploy and adjusted his battle plan mid-conflict. Shortly thereafter, Esva, fearing the Queen of the Red's betrayal, met his demise at her hand within the Dwelling.
Located in the center of the courtyard of the Palace – the residence of the Quesoth species' leader, the Queen of the Red – the Dwelling of Guests was a circular building in the Red City on the Unknown Regions planet Quethold. Constructed in 8 ABY, this relatively small structure featured a central gathering space on the ground floor, complemented by ten smaller chambers on the upper level. The Queen had several meditation objects which she placed in different rooms and pathways within the Dwelling. Decorative items also adorned the patterned walls. The furniture within the building was specifically designed for the comfort of the Quesoth, whose insectoid physiology necessitated uniquely shaped furnishings.
In 8 ABY, the Stromma species, previously allied with the Queen of the Red, vacated the Dwelling to make way for the Storm-hairs, who had become the Queen's new allies. Due to the humanoid nature of the Storm-hairs, the Quesoth-specific furniture was replaced with furnishings more suitable for their comfort, leading to a significant alteration in the building's interior design. One day, as the Queen's retinue entered the Dwelling, a Storm-hair Chosen warrior swore allegiance to the Queen of the Red, adhering to Quesoth customs. Subsequently, Warlord Nuso Esva, the leader of the Chosen, engaged in conversation with the monarch.
Following their departure from the Dwelling, the Queen's bowlcarrier, Trevik, who bore a bowl of nectar for her, was intercepted by a Circling, one of the Queen of the Red's advisors. The Circling, together with Trevik's brother, Jirvin, persuaded the bowlcarrier to document the Storm-hair paintings within the Dwelling. This was intended to enable Empire of the Hand Grand Admiral Thrawn – renowned for his ability to deduce an enemy's strategy or intentions through the study of their art – to ascertain whether the Quesoth ruler was being coerced into an alliance with Esva. Unbeknownst to Trevik, the warlord had instructed Jirvin and the Circling to manipulate him into this action, ensuring that Thrawn's strategy would be formulated based on Esva's carefully selected paintings, thereby leading to the failure of the Grand Admiral's impending attack on the Red City.
The Chiss strategist initially implemented the strategy desired by the Storm-hair during his attack. However, as the battle unfolded between the Quesoth Soldiers and the Imperial stormtroopers, he adapted his tactics, ultimately leading to his opponent's defeat. After killing the Queen and her entourage, including Circling Borosiv, Esva was killed inside the Dwelling by Thrawn's forces.
The following morning, Thrawn's forces launched the attack on the city as Esva had anticipated. However, Thrawn had foreseen his adversary's scheme and modified his strategy during the battle, defeating the warlord after he killed the Queen and several Quesoth officials including Borosiv. Shortly thereafter, Esva was killed inside the building by Thrawn's stormtroopers.
The Dwelling of Guests made its debut in the novella Crisis of Faith, penned by Timothy Zahn and released in 2011 as a component of the 20th Anniversary Edition of the 1991 novel Heir to the Empire.