The Rose & Thorn Inn
Nestled in a prime location at the heart of Easton Quay, Lady Evilyn's infamous tavern, the Rose & Thorn Inn (commonly known as "The Rose & Thorn" or, rather tellingly "Rose" or "Thorn" depending on the individuals' reasons for going there), is widely regarded as the best place in Aberston to persue you deepest desires, whatever they may be.
Lady Evilyn prides herself on the boundless discretion and imagination that her staff are known for - clients need only state their desires and whole teams of Evilyn's workers pull together to create the wildest dreams and fantastic fantasies for her clients, regardless of their social standing, financial circumstances or nature of their request.
The main bar area is steeped in the lore of the building and surrounding area, covering how the land was used before the building was constructed, its long but largely unnoteworthy time as a grog den, and perhaps must amusingly, the inspiration behind the name: Lady Evilyn's vision included rooms upstairs for pleasure (the Rose), and rooms downstairs in an extended cellar for 'torture' (the Thorn), thus making her first foray into what would become her world-famous provision of pleasures.
Lady Evilyn prides herself on the boundless discretion and imagination that her staff are known for - clients need only state their desires and whole teams of Evilyn's workers pull together to create the wildest dreams and fantastic fantasies for her clients, regardless of their social standing, financial circumstances or nature of their request.
The main bar area is steeped in the lore of the building and surrounding area, covering how the land was used before the building was constructed, its long but largely unnoteworthy time as a grog den, and perhaps must amusingly, the inspiration behind the name: Lady Evilyn's vision included rooms upstairs for pleasure (the Rose), and rooms downstairs in an extended cellar for 'torture' (the Thorn), thus making her first foray into what would become her world-famous provision of pleasures.
Purpose / Function
Originally a rough grog den and whore house for anyone with coin, it was at risk of collapse and thoroughly neglected by the aging previous owner who now resides rent free on the upper floor. With heavy investment from several undisclosed donors, Lady Evilyn was able to transform the establishment into Aberstons "most reputable house of ill repute", serving good quality ales, fine wines, genuine Rivermead, nutritous meals and the best entertainment money can buy.
Alterations
Perhaps the most significant alteration to the building was the expansion of the beer and wine cellar into a full basement with low vaulted ceiling, extending out under the adjacement buildings into which the establishment above ground has also extended. Several rooms of varying sizes have built into the basement, ranging from single occupancy up to large gatherings. This area became known as "The Thorn".
Above ground, the bar area has been renovated with large arched windows on as many of the ground floor walls as possible to allow a cool breeze in the heat of summer, as well as to unofficially increase the capacity of the venue - when popular acts are performing, people can purchase their drinks and enjoy the music from outside on the street, the quay wall, or even from any boats or ships they may be alongside.
The upper levels have all been remodelled, with fresh mortar and oak beams, and window boxes and hanging baskets adorn almost every sill to not only beautify the building, making it more alluring, but also to provide a constant sweet fragrance to the rooms that get a lot of usage each night.
A suite of rooms on the quieter corner of the building overlooking the harbour, comprising a comfortable bedroom and living quarters, have been set aside as the permanent residence of the previous venue owner, as part of the deal with Lady Evilyn taking over the venue.
Above ground, the bar area has been renovated with large arched windows on as many of the ground floor walls as possible to allow a cool breeze in the heat of summer, as well as to unofficially increase the capacity of the venue - when popular acts are performing, people can purchase their drinks and enjoy the music from outside on the street, the quay wall, or even from any boats or ships they may be alongside.
The upper levels have all been remodelled, with fresh mortar and oak beams, and window boxes and hanging baskets adorn almost every sill to not only beautify the building, making it more alluring, but also to provide a constant sweet fragrance to the rooms that get a lot of usage each night.
A suite of rooms on the quieter corner of the building overlooking the harbour, comprising a comfortable bedroom and living quarters, have been set aside as the permanent residence of the previous venue owner, as part of the deal with Lady Evilyn taking over the venue.
Architecture
In keeping with local architecture, but utilising the latest construction methods, The Rose and Thorn is often described as the newest old building on the quay; it's newly remodelled upper floors not yet weathered from exposure to the elements, and the roof tiles too new to have any moss or lichen, gleam in the midday sun. Perhaps unique to this building, at least for now, is the addition of the third floor, providing unobstructed panoramic views of the town and harbour.
Defenses
Fire has always been a risk to the inns and taverns of Aberston; wooden building materials, huge fireplaces and vast stores of alcohol meant that there was very little hope of rescuing a building once a fire had taken hold. As part of the renovations, the engineers had devised a clever system of pipes, each with several holes drilled into them, that discretely latticed the ceilings of all the rooms, hallways and staircases. These pipes were connected to a much larger pipe that led via a large valve, down through the floor of the main bar area, into the basement area and out through the quay wall directly under the surface of the The Cattewater. Upon opening this valve, the water would flow at immense pressure through all the pipes, spraying out of the holes in a bid to extinguish the fire, at least long enough to allow the oocupants sufficient time to escape to safety.
Built into the designs of the upper floors are narrow corridors between the rooms, with secret entrances into each room; the initial purpose of this was to provide a safe means of escape to the courtesans whenever a guest became too difficult, but over time it was also used to spy on the guests, becoming an invaluable way for Lady Evilyn to obtain sensitive information (though she rarely spied on the rooms herself).
Built into the designs of the upper floors are narrow corridors between the rooms, with secret entrances into each room; the initial purpose of this was to provide a safe means of escape to the courtesans whenever a guest became too difficult, but over time it was also used to spy on the guests, becoming an invaluable way for Lady Evilyn to obtain sensitive information (though she rarely spied on the rooms herself).
Tourism
Gone are the days of drunken sailors scrapping over watered down ale. Now, the venue is teeming with citizens and peasants from all walks of life; soldiers, sailors, guildsmen, workers, monks, every age, every gender, all united in their collective pursuit of joy and happiness.
With lodgings available upstairs, The Rose and Thorn Inn has become somewhat of a destination across Tamaria, with many people choosing to use it as a comfortable place to stay while visiting Aberston on business; partaking of the additional services on offer is optional, and at additional cost, but rarely not taken up.
Set out over three floors and a basement, guests can enjoy the best courtesans in Tamaria in their rooms upstairs, or submit to them downstairs in the dungeons before retiring to their room. The main bar area, occupying the ground floor has an elevated stage area set opposite the bar, with seating areas arranged for the best views of the best bards, dancers and jesters of the day.
With lodgings available upstairs, The Rose and Thorn Inn has become somewhat of a destination across Tamaria, with many people choosing to use it as a comfortable place to stay while visiting Aberston on business; partaking of the additional services on offer is optional, and at additional cost, but rarely not taken up.
Set out over three floors and a basement, guests can enjoy the best courtesans in Tamaria in their rooms upstairs, or submit to them downstairs in the dungeons before retiring to their room. The main bar area, occupying the ground floor has an elevated stage area set opposite the bar, with seating areas arranged for the best views of the best bards, dancers and jesters of the day.
Comments