The Diving Fin
The Diving Fin is something of a curiosity for the Docks. There are plenty of places in this district to get a meal, but few of them offer anything that could come close to fine. However, there is one exception: the Diving Fin. This restaurant owes its success to the culinary expertise of Dreiden Simmerswell, a former adventurer who abandoned his trade in favor of experimenting with wondrous dishes in the kitchens of his burgeoning restaurant.
While looking for work, he noticed an abandoned warehouse lying in an area that should have been prime real estate. He set aside his ambitions for adventure and used the last of his dwindling fortune to open the best restaurant in Freeport. Unfortunately, he had no idea what he was doing. He had no practical cooking skills and knew next to nothing about running a restaurant. But he focused his creativity and halfling pluck and persevered. He spent most of his energy on perfecting seafood, and through practice and experimentation, his talents increased, allowing the Diving Fin to gain an excellent reputation.
When it first opened, it did poor business, but as Dreiden’s mastery of cooking emerged, so too did the Fin’s reputation. Most folks preferred to keep the place a secret, rather than filling it with those who couldn’t appreciate the delicate fare and complex flavorings Dreiden uses. Word of mouth inevitably spread, and now the Diving Fin is one of Freeport’s most popular restaurants. In fact, they are so busy on most nights you must have a reservation.
Lighting is provided by candelabras dangling from the ceiling and torches hung at varying intervals along the walls. There are a few stabs at a nautical theme, namely some paintings and the occasional stuffed sea creature, but for the most part, the place simply settles for clean and neat. Aside from the general excellence of the food, the sheer variety of available dishes makes the place that much more intriguing. A typical evening will have such delights as soft-shelled crab kebabs, shark sandwiches, kraken steaks, and the occasional appearance of the fabled “Sea Godress’s Delight,” which is the rather large tail of some sea creature smothered in a tangy whisky sauce. Specials change nightly.
One item that is never on the menu, however, is fighting. Gringa strictly enforces this policy. Patrons are requested to deposit their weapons at the door, and at the first hint of unrest, Gringa calmly makes her way to the boisterous party and slowly raises them up to the ceiling. This is usually all that is required to keep the peace, but Gringa is not above retrieving her axe from above the bar. Since Dreiden still has a lot of room in the cavernous building, he dabbles with running an inn. Upstairs, there are a dozen modest rooms for rent, though each is rather plain and bare. Dreiden and Gringa, as well as a few members of the staff, have rooms here, but their abodes are equally drab.
History
Years ago, Dreiden Simmerswell settled in Freeport to seek a life of adventure. While not exceptionally talented in this pursuit, Freeport’s promise of easy riches drew him like a moth to a flame. He was quickly disappointed when he arrived. The open chests brimming with gold were nowhere to be found, the locals were smelly and crude, and there wasn’t a decent place to get a meal anywhere within walking distance of the Docks.While looking for work, he noticed an abandoned warehouse lying in an area that should have been prime real estate. He set aside his ambitions for adventure and used the last of his dwindling fortune to open the best restaurant in Freeport. Unfortunately, he had no idea what he was doing. He had no practical cooking skills and knew next to nothing about running a restaurant. But he focused his creativity and halfling pluck and persevered. He spent most of his energy on perfecting seafood, and through practice and experimentation, his talents increased, allowing the Diving Fin to gain an excellent reputation.
When it first opened, it did poor business, but as Dreiden’s mastery of cooking emerged, so too did the Fin’s reputation. Most folks preferred to keep the place a secret, rather than filling it with those who couldn’t appreciate the delicate fare and complex flavorings Dreiden uses. Word of mouth inevitably spread, and now the Diving Fin is one of Freeport’s most popular restaurants. In fact, they are so busy on most nights you must have a reservation.
Description
The Diving Fin stands on the corner of the Docks, adjacent to both the Warehouse and Merchant districts. The layout of the Diving Fin is rather sparse, as the focus is more on the food than the atmosphere. A single door opens into the main room, which seats about a hundred. The bar is in the rear of the room, directly adjacent to the kitchen entrance. Most times, Gringa, the bartender and bouncer, can be found here, ponderously mixing drinks in glasses that are almost completely engulfed by her hands. Patrons who aren’t half-orcs find her concoctions a bit strong.Lighting is provided by candelabras dangling from the ceiling and torches hung at varying intervals along the walls. There are a few stabs at a nautical theme, namely some paintings and the occasional stuffed sea creature, but for the most part, the place simply settles for clean and neat. Aside from the general excellence of the food, the sheer variety of available dishes makes the place that much more intriguing. A typical evening will have such delights as soft-shelled crab kebabs, shark sandwiches, kraken steaks, and the occasional appearance of the fabled “Sea Godress’s Delight,” which is the rather large tail of some sea creature smothered in a tangy whisky sauce. Specials change nightly.
One item that is never on the menu, however, is fighting. Gringa strictly enforces this policy. Patrons are requested to deposit their weapons at the door, and at the first hint of unrest, Gringa calmly makes her way to the boisterous party and slowly raises them up to the ceiling. This is usually all that is required to keep the peace, but Gringa is not above retrieving her axe from above the bar. Since Dreiden still has a lot of room in the cavernous building, he dabbles with running an inn. Upstairs, there are a dozen modest rooms for rent, though each is rather plain and bare. Dreiden and Gringa, as well as a few members of the staff, have rooms here, but their abodes are equally drab.
Founding Date
849
Type
Pub / Tavern / Restaurant
Parent Location
Owner
Characters in Location
The World of Nor
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