A single shaft of light thrusts illumination into the main square, its brightness looking like a solid pillar in the heavy fog. Above the gaping doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming this to be the Blood on the Vine tavern.
The tavern building is about 60 feet square. Close inspection of the sign reveals that it originally read “Blood of the Vine.” (The "of" has been scratched out and replaced.)
This once finely appointed tavern has grown shoddy over the years. A blazing fire in the hearth gives scant warmth to the few huddled souls within. Arik, the barkeep, is always present. A pudgy little man, Arik tends bar and mindlessly cleans glasses, one after another. When they’re all clean, he starts over. If he is spoken to, he takes orders for drinks in a dull, hollow voice. A small glass of wine costs 1 cp. A pitcher of wine costs 1 sp. After serving drinks, Arik returns to cleaning glasses. He ignores all attempts to question him.
Three Vistani women named Alenka, Mirabel, and Sorvia own the tavern and see to it that all customers pay their tabs. They otherwise show little interest in their guests.
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