Wars between the Lathian States, the Roche Empire, and the Alderil Empire have been violent and costly. Aſter more than a decade of war, Alderil, victorious, have claimed the territories of the Eastern Molten Sea, while the Lathian States and the Roche Empire occupy the Western reaches. Lasting peace is not yet in sight. Teboa sits in a middle ground between these three vast nations. A nation of fierce peoples, it battles constantly for its independence.
The people of Teboa have no fondness for agents of the Adleril Empire, but are not quite as opposed to the Lathian States or Roche Empire. In fact, there are several ex-pats from the latter two empires living on Teboa, having fallen in love with the floating island and its people. While letters of Marque are given from the Council of Governers, and in fact the Fools Errand has such a writ for Captain Eugene, for the most part people live their lives: farming, mining minerals other than repellium, building towns and homes. Most have family of know of family that have lost loved ones in the decade plus war.
Beyond Teboa are several other groups of people. To the north, the Ironbound, while sharing no love for much of anyone outside their clans, did not directly aid in the wars. But they recognize the dangers of mining more repellium and have a closer bond to the earth than most humans seem to possess. Many Dwarves have volunteered for Teboa and the Unclaimed Islands. The Great Clans to the west of the Anvil Arie are home to multi-family clans. While many would consider them sustenance level citizens, barely getting by, they have a rich family life and have rich social connections. Traditions and artifcats cross generations and are cherished. They too have lost sons and daughters in the wars. The nomads have fought on all sides and none of the sides in the wars. Some take coin where they can get it, others have stood up to what they see as the destruction of life for the pursuit of coin as a needless and horrific path.
For the people of Teboa, most hate the Alderial Empire with a passion, understanding that continued mining of repellium spells their doom into the Molten Seas. Very few of the magnates of the Empire are known, though most of heard of Sir Wisym Pycey. Word is that he has agents even within the Council. Rumors such as these are vehemently denied. One of the deniers is Joycie Gelnne, Council Representative of Brawicke.
Brawicke sits between the vast farmlands of Haiwold and Chaydale and the rolling forested hills of Coedwigoedd Wood. It has several skydocks, and has a bustling marketplace with the farm products to the east and timber from the west. A quaint town where farmers come in for a bit of civilized drink and woodsmen leave their cutting for gossip and companionship. The regional Council Representative is Joycie Gelnne, an older woman who has served as councilor for almost 2 decades now, representing the towns in the borders between forest and farms. She still dresses in her woodsmen garb as she was from Coedwigoedd and eventually moved the Brawicke. Her political reach extends to the west almost to Coaston, who is represented by Rederr Errer, someone she considers a young upstart. She is fond of visiting different taverns every few nights, to get a feel for "her" people.
The Fox and Boar Tavern sits off Garrion Street. Brancett Taolin is the proprietor, a small man with a large mustache that he takes great pride in. He welcomes all, but has lost a son and daughter to the war and has a hatred of all thing Alderil. Roche or Lathian. It is a smoky tavern with a smoking pit just beyond the kitchen which is used to roast whole boars from the woods. It is several steps down into the tavern proper, with well-worn stone floors and sturdy furnishings. Several small booths line the side walls and there are some scattered tables between the entrance and the bar that takes up half the back wall. A large boar head is mounted above the bar, and if one looks back over the entrance is a stuffed fox, a rag of Alderil uniform hanging from its frozen teeth. The one wall has several portraits done in charcoal, including Brancett's family, Joycie Gelnne and a few others. Even Henrich's portrait may be found (rolling against skullduggary, needing at least 2+ draft).
Using Loresmith's Remarkable Inn's and Drinks, there are a few things to note:
Disposition: though generally a friendly place, Brancett is not fond of foreigners. There can be a noticeable chill in the room when people show up that are not the regulars. While silvers are silvers, feelings can run deep when family is lost. Role playing well may off-set this disposition to those who have a foreign accent or clothing/uniforms from one of the empires. Paying attention, one could see that some guests are favored and offered extra servings or garnishes.
The Inn Keepers Authority. Brancett has moderate regional authority. More through his frequent guests but also because he is recognized as a fair listener even with his losses. Joycie and the town constables will often show up for a pint or two to get a feel for how the people are doing. As with most barkeeps, Brancett is an excellent listener, and has been known to pour an extra stout for those who may need a bit more. He has never betrayed a confidence.
Security. The Boar and Fox is a fairly secure location. It is located off of Garrion Street, just a few blocks away from the Constable's Office and the Government Building. While he does not employ bouncers, his remaining two sons apparently take after his mother and are both large and well muscled from hauling large boars to the pit. They are also the servers more often than not, along with some barmaids if things get busy.
Wealth and Prices. This is a common tavern, so prices are about average (per book):
- cheap ale: 1 silver / mug
- top shelf ale: 3 silvers / mug
- cheap wine: 3 silvers / glass (15 silvers / bottle ~ 6 glasses)
- the good stuff: 15 silvers / glass (65 silvers / bottle ~ 6 glasses)
- teas run 1-5 silvers for a pot which has about 4-5 glasses worth
- Simple Vittles 2s
- Feast 25s
Teas include:
- Vyolotte, a purplish tea made from dried vyola leaves. A pleasant, mild tea that cleanses the palette
- Tea of Gliding, a shockingly pink tea that smells of peanuts but tastes of butterscotch
Ales include:
- Water Ale - perhaps misnamed, this potent ale only looks watery with a dark turquoise color and the taste of onions. This is the cheap stuff some patrons use to get blitzed faster.
- Stella's Earth Extract, a very dark colored ale with the scent of thyme and an earthy taste.
Foods are primarily board-based. Their salads are wilty affairs that few people go for seconds.
While a Tavern downstairs, the 2nd floor has several rooms available at 10 silvers for a shared room and 20 silvers for one of the 2 simple suites. The third floor has the family lodgings. There is a basement, with a loading dock entrance ramp that opens up next to the fire pit. Large barrels of ale are on one wall. Unknown to even Brancett is a secret passage in one corner that leads to the underground water system.
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| Sky ship docking at Brawicke |
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| Garrion Street of Brawicke |
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