Businesses of Luciferian Rock, Vol. 1

Luciferian Businesses

Inns

The Grey Goose – homey, cheap to moderate small private rooms, or two rooms with 10 cots each for a cheap sleep; basic meal provided for extra coin, clean. (Auction District)

The Rusty Shield – four larger rooms with basic, but comfy cots, relatively clean, only a bit shady, but absolutely no fighting or Meg, the half-orc patroness will bounce you out on your ear with no refunds. (Auction District)

Pete’s Sleep Cheap- large cots that you share, a few private rooms, for “special guests” and for a “small” fee, there are two hidden rooms if the Black cloaks are looking for you. Beware the bedbugs. (Auction District)

The Crimson Lyre – all private rooms, expensive, clean, fine meals available for the coin, aged wine, décor obviously caters to Elvish clients or those who want an Elvish “experience”, clean, pretentious (mid-town)

Hampton Inn – Semi-private rooms available in Halfling/gnome and human scale with two rooms for “larger” guests. Clean, hearty food for coin, but light meal included. Moderately priced. Good reputation. (Mid-town)

Screeching Leech – two large open rooms with cots and bribable security guards. Shady af. 2 coppers. No food or drink. (Warehouse district)

The Clockwork Butterfly – Brightly colored, small rooms catering to gnome visitors and guests. Live music, clean, but limited space available. 8 rooms. 4 private, 4 semi-private. Fresh food. (Bath district)

The Hammer and Anvil – A sturdy, quiet, well-fortified inn with human sized rooms, semi-private, a light meal is included, moderate cost, discounts for smithing guild members, secure, clean. Do not piss off Greta with your drunken antics. Do not wake the neighbors. (Smith District)

The Boiling Kettle – small, plain private rooms, long term arrangements possible, tea and biscuit provided for breakfast. Quiet. (Mid-town)

Ista Inn – semi-private rooms for merchant parties, well decorated and supplied, private security, fairly clean, but busy. Decent food and local fare for extra coin. Alcorn, the owner, can arrange for discreet “company” for the night and always seems to “know a guy”. Many out of towners from the capital crash here. (Auction district)

Lockwood Arms and Haberdashery - semi-private rooms, all Halfling/gnome size, clean, cheerful, warm, little security. Moderate or higher, but two light meals provided. (Auction district)

Dolthor’s Door – Small, dark, heavily fortified, luxurious, mid-size rooms, dwarven clientele only. (Smithing district)

Major Breweries & brews sold
Orwell Brews – Eldritch Ale, Witch’s Eye Ale, and Clover Beer
Three Sister’s Distillery – Molly’s Mead, Horseshoe Ale, Honey Wheat Ale
Asimov’s Ales – Apple Joy, Ale of the Ages, Ashes to Ashes
Bradbury Brewery – Dandelion Wine, Firespice Wine, and Ray’s Dark & Stout
Heinlein’s Line – Lydia’s Lager, Betty’ Bock, Patty’s Pilsner,
Well’s Well – Flying Dog Stout, Barley Wine, Bear Bitters, Lucy’s Lament
Lovecraft and Sons – Red Dragon Ale, Hobgoblin, Cthulhu’s Cradle
Verne’s Vats – Mountain Mead, Wild Wolfe Ale, Turner’s Gaiman & Gaiman – Susan’s Sorrow, Blizzard Beer, Starlight Sinners
McCaffrey - Pulled Thread Stout, Amber Moon Ale, Dark Side of the Moon
Crichton Distillery– Raptor Brew, En-Gen Fuel, Ornery Ogre Ale, Gooseberry Juice
Attwood - Goblin’s Corpse, Blackberry Courage, River Water, Apricot Pale Ale
Stevenson and Sons – Wasp Ale, Thunder Blonde, Lemon Bitters, Wicked Wombat
Vogt Brewery – Fox Malt, Lazy Boots Sour, Golden Cellar Brew, Sailor’s Sour
Daughters of Lewis - Devil Cow Porter, Flaming Mage Barley Wine, Bear Lager
Bradley and Zimmer - Elysium Breeze, Morgana’s Mystery Punch, Avalon Ale, Gwen’s Regret Amber Ale
The Adams Family – 42, Your Towel, Jump Juice, The Morning After
Pohl Vaults – Lucy’s Red Rock Ale, Sweet Donkey Wheat Beer, Steel Weasel Malt
Ricemaids – Star Sake, Mantis Pale Ale, Pirate’s Pilsner

Auction/Trade Houses – Although the basic infrastructure of the auction “house”/facility was built with money from the capital, and sanctioned by the Royal Family, many improvements have been made over the years by the common patrons who travel here. You will find traders from local lands here to sell furs, farmers here to auction livestock, miners from the nearby mountains, caravans from the capital, and lone Dwarf emissaries from dwarven kingdoms, gnomish tinkers, alchemists with exotic ingredients, long-standing spice and fabric merchants. The crowd runs the gamut. Amidst the well-known trading “Establishment”, certain names carry the weight of history, of gold and of connection. They are as follows:

Rickshaw and Roland – Human and elven traders of cloth, clothing, leather goods; based in the city of Ista; three caravans a year (early Spring, late Spring, mid-summer)
Weir with All – A general goods human trader established by Ebha and McKenna Weir (aunts to Bores Von Dunlap) until their deaths, whereby the business was taken over by Ebha’s oldest son, Kevyyn Tenali. The company is based out of Telgar and provides one or two caravans a year, usually paired up with other traders.

Spice of Life – Established by the Floros family of Dolnon, these traders of spices and alchemical ingredients gather materials from elvish traders from far continents, and have held the company through multiple generations through strong, savvy sons and daughters. Regular trade from Dolnon, by sea, to Bah Sing Se, Silverburgh and Ista. Usually one caravan a year, paired with other traders makes its way to The Rock. Alex Floros married Bores Von Dunlap’s Aunt Lizbet, Elizabeth’s namesake. Recent marriages are expanding the Floros influence into Elven communities and giving greater trade access to Elvish crafted items.

LaGrange and Co. – This trade company is often spoken of, but mostly in whispers or prayers. The family LaGrange is known for trading/acquiring wives, slaves, mercenaries, marriage brokering, exotic animals etc. If it lives and breathes and you want it, everything has its price. LaGrange has also been known to take payment for getting those same people out of their current arraignments. Oh, they are also a very successful wine trader with legit business. They have a local store in each of the human cities, but their main trade happens in Ista.

Zuiderduin’s – This Company specializes in gems. They trade with all races and have connections globally. Representatives of Zuiderduin can be found in a regular shop/auction house in Human, Elven, and mixed race communities. Heavily armed prospecting groups can be found in mining communities, or in trade caravans. The interesting thing is, very few people actually know who runs the business. Many people are hired by the company, but you never hear of anyone having met a Zuiderduin.

The Spiders – Fang Zhao, Lem Metharom and Leroy Jenkins dropped out of Mage School 300 years ago and instead, devoted their time and attention to the silk industry. Based on the animal charming talents of Fang and Lem and the brute stupid bravery of Leroy, the trio were able, over time, to tame cave spiders, procure silk worms and harbor other less savory creatures. The friends hired the best weavers they could afford and began trading. Centuries later, the business has changed hands and names and incarnations, but people always remember “the spiders”. Adventurers, druids, weavers, are drawn to the company and paid handsomely for their talents. Lansdale hosts the home base for the business, cradling the large menagerie of silk-spinning creatures in the foothills of the mountains. Representatives are multi-racial, and a “special” kind of crazy. Caravans are irregular, but trading spider silk is as good as gold and much rarer.

Aanker’s Away – A new, but robust general goods trader, Old Aanker of Dolnon, his daughter Leyla and his youngest son Erick, practice a nomadic life of adventure, while his oldest daughters, Morgana and Shayna, maintain the main trade point in Dolnon. Old Aanker loves coming to The Rock for the beer and there are rumors of him moving the bulk of the business inland.

Dum-Dum’s Donkeys and Oxen– The Dum brothers are a local outfit well known for raising beautiful, strong, yet slightly built oxen. Their oxen seem to be more nimble than most, having been a rarer mountain variety of ox that grows shaggier coats in colder weather, not unsuitable for wool weaving. There have been more trade interest from out of towners in the last 10 years who are interested in buying breeding stock to import to other cities. Many in town who see these fine animals may point and say, “Dum’s Ass an’ Ox!”

Binici’s Fine Beverages – Originally from the Dolnon area, the Binici family has long been in the herbalism business. The most popular trade for this family is tea, but they are known for herbal concoctions, rare plants, seeds, and specialty items made from rare plants. You will find many druids in the Binici family. Luciferian Rock has a local tea shop run by a 1/4elf girl called Karina, whose mother was a Binici. Bores Von Dunlap’s grandmother was a Binici.

Leone and Co. – A long-standing trading company and Istian family, the youngest Leone twins, Mikel and Malcolm, have tapped into their grandmother’s side of the family and trade in elvish crafts. Masterwork weaponry, armor, leather goods, staves, trinkets, jewelry, perfumes, etc. Many of the items have enchantments and hefty price tags. A few wagons every other year or so come in irregularly with other traders; more often as of late.

Taverns – It’s safe to say that Luciferian Taverns are famous as a collective. The town is well known for drink and the rivalries between local breweries know no bounds, yet with all the stock of magnificent brew to tour, it is down to the tavern to deliver these goods in a unique fashion. There are several local bars who believe in giving their customers as unique a drinking adventure as possible. Her are the most note-worthy:

The Waltzing Goblins – Off, off, off, off Broadway, The Goblins offers the Luciferian version of dinner and a movie. A small stage inside the bar is fair game for jugglers, sword swallowers, skits and live music. You will always find a supply from Daughters of Lewis Brewery, as the Goblin’s mistress is the second Lewis daughter!

The Crystal Flagon – Fans of the Flagon gather for grub. There is a gnome in the kitchen with a pack of chefs who find delight in the fresh and fragrant and pairing the right ale or imported wine to make a complete fine dining experience.

Captain Jack’s – A popular destination for human younglings to sample the finer qualities of The Rock. No ships, no captains and in a completely landlocked city, but décor and brews available follow a nautical theme, catering to the imagination and restlessness of youth.

The Drunken Griffons – A local favorite of The Rock’s elite Griffon Squad, when they aren’t training, The Griffons have an outdoor small arena for games of sport, group arm wrestling and song. The city’s intramural stickball teams often meet for a cold one here.

The Seahag’s Daughter – Specializing in the darker brews of the Luciferian lines, The Hag is known for catering to the professional palate. If darker beers are what ales you, save yourself a seat at The Hag.

The Ham’s Hock – A delightfully dwarven establishment carrying dark brews, popular brews and stout ale in large flagons. You won’t find a day of the week without drunk dwarf songs and a pig on the spit. This is not the place to start a bar fight!

Broomhilda’s - a bright, cheery, large tavern who are one of only a few in town who carry every brand the The Rock offers. Big enough for large groups, family outings, or bachelor parties, and if you time it right, join the owner, Klaud, in a glass of Mystery Swill.
There’s No Place Like Gnome – A lively tavern who caters to the local gnomish population, you will find the customers pint sized, but not the mugs and not the thirst!

Bearded Maid – a reputable spot known by travelers as a “sampler” bar. For one cover charge, you are given half-portions of a variety of Luciferian ales, and everyone from the Rock knows that half-size here, is full size everywhere else.

3 Blind Mice – Serving only liquors with higher alcoholic content, 3 Blind Mice is not for the faint of heart. After a night of drinking here, you’ll know why the mice went blind!

Raptor’s Claw – If you love hunting trophies, The Raptor’s Claw has a jaw-dropping collection of mounted skulls, picked beetle-clean and included in the décor. Harold Honeypot, Halfling hunter, has been collecting these beauties over the years. If you want a good story, a great drink or tips into the local hunting scene, get snagged at The Raptor.

Wenches & Benches – W&B showcases the best things at life in Luciferian Rock, the brisk brews and beautiful women. Woman owned and operated, Giselle Lovecraft serves the family’s brews with an intriguing smile and a firm status as The Rock’s most loved bachelorette.

House of Bard – A fine place for an ale on the lighter side of the spectrum and a pleasant night of musical entertainment. Local bands booked regularly – old favorites and new comers alike; amateur night on Thursdays.

Oversized Cup – A clean, cheerful pub catering to fruitier concoctions and exotic wines, as well as local lagers. A fun mixed-race drinking palace that generally includes nightly music or comedians, and the occasional “drink off”. It’s rarely a dull night, or a quiet one!

The Rusty Plough – A fine place for dinner and drink, both being stout in taste and volume; caters to dwarfs, but the clientele is a broad range of lively and robust peoples. The Plough is well-known for crowd sing-alongs.

Merlin’s Beard - Magic? The gathering! A small, but secure and quiet pub catering to magic casters of all natures. The culture began three generations ago with two local casters playing a chess match each night over a spiced brandy. Other casters came for the spectacle, the chatter, the libations and slowly word grew and Merlin’s hole in the wall was an established landmark in The Rock.

The Crabapple’s Core – A small, well-kept secret in The Rock, The Core caters to more exotic customers who simply wish to have a pint without the prying eyes of those who are less tolerant. The Core boasts a long hallway, littered with private and semi-private rooms for drinking and a meal. Rooms can be reserved with a tolerant and discreet staff.

Brothels – Some places frown upon prostitution as foul or vulgar, but The Rock takes a more practical view on frontier living, and the sex trade is taxed just as any other business. Brothel owners have business licenses and their employees are paid a regular salary and provided security in a stable environment. Alternatively, individual licenses exist. Word of mouth is generally the only advertising you need, but there are always certain establishments whose names are mentioned above others. One may note that dwarf and elf brothels do not exist. You will never see an elf in a brothel, and if you see a dwarf, they are either a part of the security detail, there to drink, or got lost.

The Pouty Pixie – Playtime for the petite patron, The Pixie caters to halfling and gnome populations, both male and female. Lavishly decorated and comfortable, this brothel is also a decent place to get a meal and have a glass of sherry by the fire. Rooms are private, but manners are required, as the security staff are well trained.
The Love Shack – A human establishment catering to both men and women, The Shack has a rustic, country feel akin to a hunting lodge. Private and semi-private rooms, bar and gift shop.

Electra’s School of Exotic Arts – Electra’s is a sex academy for those new in the industry. Her trainers are seasoned in the pleasure arts and initiates are screened and interviewed, and, if accepted, commit to a two year or four year program of instruction and working practice. Half an individual’s income becomes their tuition, while half becomes their salary. That being said, Electra’s employees are worth the higher commission they normally fetch. Several of Electra’s students gain a regular following, and go on to obtain individual licenses, or become trainers themselves.

The Lily and The Rose – A specialty setting, the parlors of what is commonly called “the garden”, is known for conservative manners and propriety, while the private rooms are known for all manners of preferences and predilections. Employees are specially trained in fetish arts and self-defense. The garden caters to men only.

Devil’s Den – A house for the particularly naughty, or those who feels the need for punishment, The Den is mirrored after Luciferian Rock’s unsavory past history with a pit fiend and décor is monochromatic reds. There is a stage and fountain whereby local sinners can be “flogged” and sacrificed to the “fiend”. Don’t worry, it’s all in the good name of theatrical fun, at least until your find your way into a private or semi-private room! The Den caters to all races, and all genders.

Bipple’s Redemption – A pleasant company catering to humans and halflings, the proprietor put away his thief tools and his adventuring, and set up shop in The Rock. Cabaret style dancing, games of chance, a light meal and friendly staff help make Bipple’s an easy, fun favorite and a good choice for a first-timer.

The Stag and Stallion – Clean, comfortable and luxurious, this pleasure house is as much spa as anything else. A women only house for all races, you can go for a hot bath and beauty treatment, a massage, a quiet glass of wine, or a raucous afternoon with one of the beautiful and talented employees.

The Arena – The “sports bar” for sex, The Arena is known for naked mock-stickball tourneys, gladiatorial “combat”, winner takes all ;-), and mud wrestling. A fun environment that caters to both genders and all races, but keep your competitive play friendly. The security team includes 3 half-orc brothers who take their jobs quite seriously.

Gambling Houses – There is only one sanctioned, legal gambling facility in Luciferian Rock, the betting houses outside of the arena. You can gamble on gladiators, beasts, and stickball, as well as other sporting events. Illegal gambling does exist in The Rock, if you know where to go. There are occasional raids, but more often, a 20% cut of the profit goes to the Blackcloaks to turn a blind eye. Sometimes a generous “donation” may be made from one gambling house if the local peacekeepers opt to raid a rival.

Goods – There are a few options for general goods within the walls of Luciferian Rock.
A popular, and fun, if overwhelming, option is the Auction House. Located close the main gates of The Rock, The Auction House is commerce central for the city, accepting local traders, trade caravans, and investors. The Auction House has many skilled employees, trained to facilitate trade and inventory movement as efficiently as possible. All items to be sold or traded are recorded and assigned an auction “booth” for goods, pen for livestock, private/semi-private room for small, valuable, rare or dangerous items. Many traders will bring samples of their wares, while renting a warehouse space for the bulk of their inventory. Seek out one of the employees with the red armbands displaying the Luciferian Rock crest who is carrying a book to see what is available for sale or trade.

Another option is the open air market in Red Stone Plaza. Catering more to locals and everyday items, many market stalls exist around the circumference of the plaza touting baked goods, local wool, leather, flowers, foods, herbs, crafted items, pottery, etc. There are a few smaller plazas within the city offering goods by the locals, the most prominent being in the smithing district and brewing district. These are often good places to make small, individual trades with citizens.
Various shops exist around the city in localized clusters that keep a careful eye on the competition. Some of the more well-known shops include the following:

Franc and Been’s Gently Used General Goods – An excellent choice for budget-conscious folk, Paul
Been and Anne Franc took over the store upon their marriage, after being neighborhood sweethearts. Anne’s father established the store as a result of his wife’s inherent talent for “trading up” that has sparked dozens of stories in The Rock. You can buy, sell or trade here. Inventory rotates regularly.

Aanker’s Away – Permanent shop selling goods not traded at auction from Aanker’s caravans.

LaGrange and Co. – imported wine selections. ;-)

Jasmeena’s Tea Shop - Stop in for a proper cup.

Trudy’s Got Sole – Trudy “One-Shoe” Willowbough, one of The Rock’s fun-loving gnomes, after breaking a centuries old family curse, and being released from her contract with Oberon, settled into Luceferian life making exotic shoes that are true masterpieces of beauty and function. Ready-made or custom work available.

Jim-Jams Pickles etc. – Specialized in all things yummy that will fit into jars and barrels, Jim covets his family’s secret concoctions with his life. Even his wife doesn’t know! The dill and sweet pickles are local favorites, but the fire pickles are only for the truly brave at heart!

Sunflow Solutions – The most popular apothecary shop in town, Vale Sunflow will help you find alchemical ingredients, potions and his well-known Monster tonic. If you’re lucky, he might even play you a tune.

The Sand Fox – leather goods

Zuineduin’s – jeweler

Tobias’s Tome Tomb – book shop

Gwendola’s – tailor; Gwen does custom work for the upper crust

Leather and Laces - Boots, both fine and practical, made by the brothers Ander.

Sheila’s Buns – Not your run of the mill bakery, Sheila is known for exotic cupcakes and fanciful wedding and festival cakes. Sheila knows how to make a party sensational. Beware the brownies.

Zelda’s Cheese Emporium – From goat to yak to yeti cheese, you’ll find cheeses that please.

Maynard’s - Magical items to make life more manageable.

Lillith’s Lauder – Pickles, relishes, jams, jellies, honeys, seedcakes, candies, candles, and small crafts

Bladekeeper’s – Owned and managed by Bryaan Starwatcher, Bladekeeper’s sells fine, masterwork and exotic weaponry, many with magical enhancements. It won’t come cheap, but when your life depends on it, you want the best.

Big Jake’s Cakes – Tall for a Halfling, Jake Butterbum bakes a myriad of tasty breads, but his real passion is large elaborate cakes in exotic flavors.

Gunther’s Threadery – Bolts of cloth in all hues, weights, styles and materials line the walls of Gunther’s. He’s happy to cut your cloth for you to take home, but has two talented tailors on site for your clothing needs.