The Midnight Sun

If a traveller turned off one of the wide, straight main roads of The Free City into the innumerable alleyways that wind like capillaries through it, they would likely become hopelessly lost. But, if they knew the way, or simply wandered long enough, they would eventually emerge onto a street remarkably similar to one of the many cobble-flagged main promenades, in but one regard - it leads to nowhere at either end.

An early construction, this particular street was abandoned when a mismatch in the plans was discovered, rendering the construction far off the beaten path. As the city expanded, it crept up to the lonely road, buildings swirling around the edge of the stone like wild beasts circling a traveller’s campfire. Traders set up stalls in the middle, bars squabbled over patrons at the rim, merchants plied their wares throughout, and eventually, this lonely derelict became the center of the underlife of the city.

A sort of Grand Bazaar serving the poor, the criminal, the privacy-seeking, and the morality-free, this area became known simply as the Nexus - so named for the fact that all of the city’s alleyways seemed to eventually run back into it, orbiting around this central mass of debauchery. At the present day, the street is a maelstrom of exotic smells wafting from the food vendors, sounds of shouting and haggling from the shoppers, and drunken songs and soft lighting spilling out of the bars and brothels rimming the strip. At night, floating orbs in all colors of the rainbow cast a kaleidoscopic glow over the people beneath.

At the middle of the Nexus stands a rather new-looking building, set apart from its fellows by the quality of its construction, and the immaculate aesthetic that it presents. As the door opens, disgorging a happy-looking patron, laughter and music sound a fanfare to his departure. The air that escapes smells of spices and mystery, fine liquor and well-used cards, love and lust and seduction. This establishment, standing over the Nexus like a queen over her subjects, is the Midnight Sun. Its doors never close, for the sun never sets on debauchery.

If a traveller were to enter, they would find themselves in the main bar area - a large rectangular room, extending upwards some three stories to touch the feet of the figures in an exquisite mural. At the second-floor level, wide balconies with ornately carved wooden banisters and railings line the left and right sides. The right-hand balcony is reserved for favored patrons, and contains high-backed booths with plush benches. Runic arrays inside the benches ensure that the conversations held in them remain confidential.

The main floor is covered with round tables and ringed with booths, except for a cleared area in front of a small stage located at the back of the room. On the left side of the room stands the centerpiece of the whole establishment: the bar. Ornate stools belly up to a thick slab of mirror-finished ebony, hewn from a single tree, that runs almost the entire length of the building. Bottles of every possible shape and size fill shelves that tower up to the ceiling. Bartenders dressed in immaculate white suits bustle about behind it, attending to the unquenchable thirsts of the patrons.



On the main floor, serving girls flit between tables, ferrying liquid pleasure and liquid ruin to their requesters. At one table, a group of landed gentry are holding a rousing discussion on the proper method of taxing trade. At another, a group of wealthy-seeming men are relaxing in the arms of stunningly -and in one case, scantily- dressed women with orange gems prominently displayed on silver bracelets.

To the left, the bar falls away into another large room. From it, the clink of tokens and the swish of cards being dealt mingle with exultant cries and despondent groans. Sharply-dressed employees in black suits deal red-backed cards onto rich green felt. Patrons cluster around gaming tables. At the side of the room, a woman exits a doorway, a heavy leather bag clutched in her hand. A very remarkable and strangely indistinct gentleperson waves goodbye to her from inside the office. On the desk in front of him, a bottle glows faintly.

At the far end of the bar, a wide set of stairs, accessible from the casino or the main floor, winds its way up into the building. Behind it on the ground floor, a door marked “Employees Only” stands vigil at the head of the stairway to the basement.

The second floor contains rooms and suites, suitable for rest, privacy, or engagements of a more carnal nature. A balcony over the bar provides access to a set of hallways serving the rooms, and an out-of-the-way location with a few tables, frequented by those desiring less proximal clamor.

Any average patron making their way to the third floor would likely turn right around and head back downstairs. A long hallway sits at the top of the stairs, the dark, rich woods of its construction sheathed in plush red carpet, and hung with tapestries and paintings. The roar of the crowd below is but a dull murmur here, like distant waves crashing on the beach. Silver doorknobs dot the walls at long intervals. Those who come here uninvited quickly gain an uncomfortable sense that they do not belong here. These are the offices - the nerve center of the Midnight Sun.

At the right of the main room, a set of soundproofed double doors leads to the inn. The roar of the bar dies away as one enters, giving rise to a more comfortable and secure atmosphere. Immediately to the left of the doors, the inn’s main desk changes the currencies of the lands into Midnight Sun tokens and handles room reservations. Homey square tables fill the center of the room. At the back, a twin set of doors leads to the kitchen.

To the right of the desk, a staircase leads to the second and third level - the rooms. These hallways are clad in warm-colored woods and rich red carpets. At intervals, brass doorknobs mark the entrances to the rooms. The interiors are well-appointed, but not richly so. Their general quality is higher than that of the rooms over the bar, as befits their respective purposes.

There are many other rooms in the building, of course, serving myriad purposes. Those, the general public will likely never know about.

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The Midnight Sun uses a unique currency, called Midnight Sun Tokens. These coins come in four denominations, each one increasing by a magnitude of ten. In order of least to most valuable, they are called Moons, Suns, Eclipses, and Novas. Only these tokens are accepted as payment for extra services within the Midnight Sun, with the one exception being the bar. At the front desk, one may speak with the exchange clerk to exchange anything of value for Midnight Sun Tokens, including other currencies, jewelry, and solid metal. Exchange is also possible in the other direction, one may exchange tokens for the major currencies of the world. The exchange rate is reasonable, and if one were to do the math, they would find the services fairly priced.

For purposes of cost estimation, one Moon may be considered approximately equal to 1 USD. One Sun is approximately equal to 10 USD, etc.



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Patron Menu

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Specialty Beverages

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Heartbreak - Our signature beverage! An exquisite and indescribable taste, found nowhere else in this realm, that simply has to be tried to be believed. We’re so sure you’ll love it, that the first one is on the house. (8 Moons)

Midnight - All the stars in the sky, served to you in a shot glass. Cool, refreshing, energizing. (7 Moons)

Avalon - The beverage of heroes and gods. Like gold in a glass. (1 Sun)

Dragon’s Roar - Warm, spicy, peppery. Fill your belly with the dragon’s fire! (5 Moons)

Blizzard - Cold, sweet, pure, and minty. A mountain vacation, in one shot. Served on the rocks. (6 Moons)

Tomb Raider - Dark, moody, earthy. Tastes like adventure and mystery. (5 Moons)


Beverages

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We offer a wide selection of alcoholic, alchemical, and other beverages, from all across the world. Ask a bartender or waitress for your drink of choice! Some of our customer favorites are listed below.

Silverleaf - Elven wine, aged in barrels made from a secret combination of woods, for an unbeatable flavor. Multiple vintages available. Imported. (Price dependent on vintage. 1-3 Eclipses per bottle, 1-3 Suns per glass)

Nightfyre - A potent alchemical liquor produced by the Red Sisters, strong enough to put a veteran soldier under the table. If you can walk a straight line after two shots, they’re on the house! Imported. (2 Suns, 5 Moons)

Manastorm - A fine lager, infused with mana. Not recommended for consumption by non-casters. Imported. (1 Sun, 7 Moons)

Agatha Vineyards, Special Bottling - A rich red wine, for patrons with … sharply discerning tastes, shall we say? Domestic. (2 Eclipses per bottle, 3 Suns per glass)

Strangling Willow Absinthe - GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF! For adventurous and hardy patrons. (1 Eclipse, 5 Suns per bottle; 1 Sun, 5 Moons per glass)


Food

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Curd of Bergamot and Pomegranate over Crostino - A rich, scarlet preserve spread luxuriously over a crackling slice of freshly warmed bread. (7 Moons)

Panini of Prosciutto and Asiago - An aromatic and gustable fare of cured pork and an aged Asiago Pressato, grilled lightly on either side. Served with an olive Moretum. (1 Sun, 3 Moons)

Welshn Rarebit - A savoury dish of rabbit, served over toasted wheat bread and melted cheese, served with a red wine reduction and topped with a poached egg. (1 Sun, 1 Moon)

The Dynamite - The quintessential working man’s sandwich. Two thick slices of stoneground bread barely manage to contain boiled beef and carrots with a generous dipping sauce of tomato, onion, and worcester. (7 Moons)

Black Pepper Beef Fritta - This light and airy egg based dish lovingly embraces beef, black pepper, and asparagus in a way that is sure to remind you of home, wherever that may be. (1 Sun, 3 Moons)

Imported Peligin Sashimi - A curious dish, perfected by sailors from the depths of Katashima. Darkest Wassabi provided upon request. (1 Sun, 2 Moons)

Platter of Apocyanic Ceviche - Uncooked seafood of multiple varieties with a light dash of lime and Fusilier Peppers. For the patron of fine and sea-kissed taste. (1 Sun, 5 Moons)

Tainted Hunger - For the unaccountably peckish, or those soon to be. (Price on request)

Steamed Mutton Kabab - Lightly grilled mutton skewered with Aralia spinosa thorns with a star anise, fennel, and coriander dipping sauce. (1 Sun, 2 Moons)

Black Mountain - Finely roasted chicken, served with a brown gravy and a half loaf of fresh black bread, with sauteed carrots, turnips, and cabbage on the side. (1 Sun)

Katashima Special - Seared beef with a sesame seed and peanut sauce over rice noodles, broccoli and shiitake mushrooms. (1 Sun, 3 Moons)


Desserts

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Darkdew Cherry Cake - A hearty chocolate cake smothered liberally in a cherry confiture and served with delicately whipped cream. Served by the slice. (5 Moons)

Eucharist Première - Also called the Sinner’s Cake. This flambéd biscuit presents a slightly tangy aire, with a bitter aftertaste. Occasionally, the bakers will throw a Moon into the dough, for good fortune. (4 Moons)

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