Karat-Sizan - Popular establishments

These are primary areas of interest in Scales, along with some of me rambling about the city.

The Horned Devil

The most prominent establishment is the Horned Devil. located on the corner just northeast of the main south gate, the wide cobblestone streets help to ensure that traffic in the area can travel quickly. Although it is a long walk from the docks, the Sailors often travel to this establishment to bet their wages with their friends and the tables devoted to dice and cards.

There are drinks and meals available for purchase, and although the fare isn't known for its high quality it is consumed in large quantities. Krabuz is the owner, and even though he has gone to pasture for twenty years, he is still a formidable Dal-Shiz. He is a known contact for muscle, and many of the current bodyguards of Kruz Alzeen have gotten their positions by impressing Krabuz. He treats his people fairly, and is very protective of his patrons, allowing no fighting in the establishment. That's what the pit is for anyway.

The pit is what caused Krabuz to buy the building in the first place, and during his youth he explored the depths with his old friends. From there, he made enough money to purchase the building, and most of the block. How much he knows of the depths no one has ever heard, save perhaps his old adventuring companions when they talk about the old times. With help of hired muscle, Krabuz and Kruz have made the uppermost level relatively clear of creatures native to the ancient underground city. Here many street gangs come to test their strength and skill against one another, forming another gambling operation that Kruz runs with Krabuz's permission. There are strange things found in the lower levels, and the ones who laugh at tales of the Del and their magic don't laugh upon coming out from a trek into the depths, when they come out at all.

The staff is hard working and friendly for Tillians, treating their customers with courtesy as long as they don't get out of line. There is an old priest of Zilanon who has taken up residence in one of the booths at Krabuz's request, and he treats the wounded who return from the depths in exchange for a healthy tithe for his temple. He has recently taken on an apprentice, a small Moglith youth who has yet to grow his tusks. The apprentice seems to be a quick learner, and has been very helpful and eager to ease the hurts of the Tillians who emerge from the pit.

The Taste of Paradise

A converted wharehouse, this brothel has become the highest class establishment of its kind in the city. The proprietor, Miss Amber, has provided a safe environment for her girls. The head of security, Tienken, is rumored to be one of Krabuz's old adventuring companions, and is an imposing Feznar known for his abnormal intelligence and cunning. He is rumored to have connections to the lords, and provides them with hitmen and muscle when they need it.

Attached to the north of the main stage is an exotic shop. trinkets and odd items from far away lands line the shelves, and fine silks and other expensive goods can also be found here. The Valok sailors seem to have an agreement with Amber to bring her interesting things from the places they sail. There are also a few books to be found lining the shelves, one of a handful of places where written works may be found in the city.

The stage shows here are quite impressive, and draw many patrons who are willing to pay more for their drinks in order to watch the ladies performing on the stage. Their is a chef who's children assist her in the kitchen to feed the staff, but they rarely feed the patrons except during festivals and a few other holidays. There are many rooms which house the staff on the upper floor, and the girls are allowed the most extravagant furnishings that can be found to their desires.



well, next time i'll talk more about some of the other highlights of the city. Plixant's Tomes, Zaranzar's smithy, some of the taverns and inns near the palace, the apothecary's shop, Tower Shields the armory, the leathermaster. still have to talk about the palace, coliseum, bathhouses, mines, the different districts and their lords.

might take a few weeks to get through. kinda nice to have an easily accessible atlas/encyclopedia of the world though. one of these days i'll have to see if i can actually give it a good name...