The Garrison Tavern

Off to the eastern side of Isra, not far from the walls themselves, lies The Garrison in the middle of an unpaved square. Horse-drawn carts came and went, dropping off piles of stones so workers paid by the Vallons could labor meticulously to lay them into the ground, starting with the sidewalk wrapping around the wooden tavern. It would be months before the project was done and, in the meantime, patrons would have to walk in the hoofprint-covered dirt and mud.

Just outside of the tavern, underneath the overhead balcony above the door, which was marked with the Red Right Hand, were two small round tables surrounded by three plain wood chairs each for any patrons that preferred the fresh air over the no doubt smoke-filled interior. A blonde server, hired as much for her assets as for her serving skill, flitted in and out whenever customers lounged outside, taking care of their needs. By the front door, guarding it, stood a Thug dressed in a dark dirty cloak and wearing the distinctive Vallon Gang bycocket felt hat with two hidden razors sewn into it. On his right hip was an oak cudgel with a multitude of small pointed steel studs embedded in the top, and, on his left hip in a plain leather scabbard, was a basic straight short sword made of steel.

If one were observant enough, they’d notice another man similarly dressed and armed sitting on a wooden barrel across the street, reading a couple leaflets and back resting nonchalantly against the wall of the neighboring business. If one were even more observant, they’d see the Thug was merely using the parchments clutched in his hands as cover as he carefully watched the streets for trouble and the comings and goings of everyone.

Two more Vallon Gang thugs/guards stood atop the large balcony, each looking in the opposite direction and armed with small crossbows.

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Main Room:

Several rectangle and square tables made of cheap pine dot the area, each with matching pine chairs lacking any form of cushioning. The long bar is to the right of the main entrance; the counter’s surface had many scratches and notches, but was regularly kept waxed and cleaned. As was most of the tavern. Despite the cheap furniture(a situation that will eventually be remedied), The Garrison was well kept by the serving girls and bartender, each under the careful supervision and orders of Almorlin Da'Lael, the manager of the tavern’s legal side of the business. The hardwood floors were kept swept and mopped, ashtrays and spittoons were emptied regularly, and the iron fittings of the hanging lanterns and wall sconces scrubbed and dried to prevent rust buildup.

To the rear of the main room was a small room that serves as Almorlin Da'Lael’s office, and the stairs leading up to the upper level where the bedrooms were, and John Vallon’s personal office and access to the balcony. To the immediate right of the entrance door, next to the bar, was a tiny room with a single wrap around booth and a table taking up all the room. This room was reserved only for members of the Vallon family; either to lounge peacefully away from the riffraff in the main room, or to conduct business in private.

Next to the stairs leading upstairs is a door leading to a small room with stone steps spiraling down into the tavern’s large basement and cellar. Almorlin’s office as a small cot for her to sleep in.

The upper floor was more compact and tight than the lower floor, with a long narrow hallway running the length of the building; from the stairs to the opposite end. The hallway was dark, with only a couple of wall sconces lit, and warm. One could feel the immediate change in temperature once fully upstairs. To either side were plain wood doors leading to modest bedrooms reserved for the Vallon Family only. Inside each was a small single bed, a couple chests and shelves, a dresser, and a basic and old desk pushed against the wall, generally under a window if the room has one.

The exception was John Vallon’s bedroom, which had an extra room which served as a small storage area. On the opposite side of his room, on the far end of the hallway, was John’s office. It, much like all the rooms on the upper floor, was a utilitarian affair, having just what was useful and having very little in the way of decoration.

John’s desk was to the right of the larger room and was made of a dark oak. Across from his desk chair were two plain pine wood chairs, not unlike the ones down in the bar, for guests and business associates. The desk was old and stained, the wood grain barely discernible, and the surface as covered in books, ledgers, and parchments with a couple inkwells and quills nearby. Behind the desk sat a couple chests and shelves containing important documents and the like for the Gang.

Across from the hallway door was the double doors leading out onto the balcony.

The Garrison’s balcony was fairly large and went the length of the whole front side of the tavern with half of it covered by a large wooden awning. Several circular tables were spaced around the balcony with a small mini bar on the edge holding various liquors flanked by a small keg upon a stand containing the Vallon’s specialty beer. When the small private room in the main bar wasn’t big enough or when it was particularly beautiful outdoors, the balcony is where the Vallons would congregate and socialize and, on occasions, conduct family business.

Other than the two thugs standing guard with their razor bycockets, clubs, and small crossbows, there was a pretty brunette that attended the small bar and keg, serving the family when needed.

The basement is a large square room with four stone pillars in the center of the room. In the center of the four pillars is a small square matt and three rough-hewn braided ropes are wrapped around the four pillars to make a small ring area for the Vallon Gang’s underground fight club. Several wooden chairs are spaced around all four sides of the ring for spectators, the rest of whom would stand on busy nights, and a Vallon family bookmaker stands close by the stairs to take bets as people entered the small arena.

Although there are many wall sconces and hanging lanterns, it is still a dimly lit room lacking any natural light, and a mildly-strong musty smell clings to the air.

To the immediate left of the stairs is a short and narrow hallway that leads to the cellar. The entranceway is guarded by two Vallon thugs who only allow entry to family members and certain authorized employees.

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House Rules