Gull's Roost

Alright, since this is your first time being here you have to follow the unspoken rules if you want to come out in one piece. that means keep out of other's business, never start a fight, and all business is to be done in the cellar you got that? - Causal Customer to new customer

Purpose / Function

The Gull's Roost was originally designed to be a place of rest and social gathering for people after a long day of work. Most notably for sailors that came into the harbor to spend their wages once they got to land. However, when the Vatian Empire or Administration Bureau became more restrictive on the Hyperion people for their rebellious nature things began to change for the tavern as it began to be a place of illegal activity as smugglers other criminal elements began conducting business away from the partying eyes of imperial law.

Alterations

It may not look like in it but the Roost has many things that are hidden inside of it that the average person wouldn't be able to notice. But if you a perceptive enough some hidden compartments and rooms can store items and allow privacy for those who want them. These places were added on when business was plummeting and the tavern was slowing going towards criminal activities.

Architecture

The place is not in the best condition as much of the place is made from old decaying wood that is a few decades old since its last replaced. Much of the design is old Hyperion since it was created making it easy to find, Not to mention the sign that shows a gull in the nest to help the folk who don't know how to read. Along with a series of pillars that help keep it up to ensure that it collapses due to the age of the building.

Gull's Roost

Open full size

Defenses

Reinforced Door: The front door is thicker than an average door to ensure that it cannot be broken down so easily.

History

An Establishment Turned Crooked

For a while, the Gull's Roost was a nice little establishment where people would come to get drinks and enjoy their company. However, that changed as Black Harbor became a prioritized settlement by the empire due to being a hotbed for Black Arabarok near it. Cause the settlement to drastically change as imperial troops and businessmen began swarming the place. This caused the town to change dramatically as it expanded and created better establishments that were Vatain favored, leaving areas of the original town being left behind and rundown as time progressed. Leaving the tavern to become nothing more than an empty shell of what it used to be as business came less and less to it. This forced the owners to change the way the Roost was run to survive as long as possible and seek out the undesirables of the town to earn their keep.
Considering the old tavern was a part of the old part of town, meaning that it was part of some of the poorer areas to live in. This meant that very few people would go there, to begin with, and criminal activities would be commonplace. This, of course, leads to a rise in guard activity to keep crime under control and it would be hard to keep it hidden for long out in the open. So the original owner at the time came to these scoundrels and offered them a deal that they couldn't refuse, which was for them to conduct their business in the tavern all the while paying fees to ensure that their activities were kept secret. This worked surprisingly well for both parties as the once empty establishment was once more thriving under this new policy and would continue to do so to this day.

Place of Business

StoryBook V Tavern by Andrew Maleski

The Roost is considered a highly productive place despite being in a poor part of town, but that is often just a ruse to keep people from getting suspicious. But still, people can have a good time despite the place looking like a dump with cheap drink and food to place the time along with a bit of music and whatnot. But most conversations are kept at a hushed tone to avoid any eavesdropping as most of the conversations are about a business dealing between the criminal elements that have convened at the tavern knowing that they are safe from anyone snacking on them to the law. As long as they pay the fee to conduct their dealing with the Roost then they will be fine. Though if the deal is more risky than usual then the fee will go up and the conversation becomes more secluded often being placed in a hidden room or down in the cellar to ensure top secrecy for both parties. The name of the tavern is rather fitting, to say the least as gull has another meaning rather than just the bird as it means deception, and very few people that don't know what's going on will never realize that it's a business that deals in illegal business transactions. But a set of rules must be followed for customers to return to the tavern or be thrown out and possibly banned depending on the severity of the disturbance. Though very few people are willing to take that chance and just go about their business without causing trouble for themselves. Making it a very lucrative business as long as things sail smoothly for everyone and do not attract any unwanted attention.

Current Situation

The Roost is considered to be in danger with current events going on in Hyperia as restrictions begin to increase throughout the isles. This is due to the empire cracking down on the rebels, namely the Hyperion League which has been causing trouble for them. Making it easier for criminals to go about their daily activities. While this may seem good for business as more criminals use the tavern as a place to meet and do business it can be much more troubling than it looks. Guards and even Legionaries have been exploring the poorer parts of town and even at times entering the Roost in search of possible illegal activities as well. Luckily for the owners, they never found anything that could have them end up in a cell. But extra precautions have to be made to avoid that from ever happening, especially when it is hard to trust anyone that might stab you in the back to save their skin. This is why there is series of tunnels were created by the helped clients to transport their goods without arousing suspicion under tavern in the cellar as long as they can pay. This can also be used to escape as well incase things finally go south and it would be hard to search for due to the tunnel leading to the sewers which go on for miles. But in the meantime, all they have to do now is just carry on with daily tasks and prepare for the worst to happen if that day finally comes.

Tourism

The Gull's Roost is a place where you will find all sorts of colorful characters that you wouldn't want to be on their bad side. From your run-of-the-mill thugs to smugglers and anyone else that doesn't want to business to be seen by the law. But there are normal customers as well, usually the ones who just want to be left alone or seek cheap liquor. Making a place that attracts bad company that anyone who doesn't like the idea of trouble to stay clear of and end up regretting.

Founding Date

812 CA

Alternative Names

The Roost

Type

Pub / Tavern / Restaurant

Parent Location

Black Harbor

Hidden Den

In recent decades with the support of the Hyperion League on the rise, so has their influence within the Hyperia with the Gull's Roost being one of its most secretive meeting places. Considering that the tavern has never had a good reputation and guards never go to it unless they have to it is often the best place for them in Black Harbor. Allowing them to plan and interact with its members without the fear of being arrested at any moment.

Information at a Price

As a way to earn some extra money on the side, the tavern also deals in information as long as anyone can pay for it. This can range from people to shipments that are inside the town as they have informants to help them. These informants are often the poor and the homeless that no one bothers to take notice them as they are carrying on their day. If the information they give is good enough they get paid very well and even get a meal out of it since they are often starving. Anyone can have access to it as long as they follow the rule and do not piss anyone off.

Staff

Owner

Hathen Green: The current owner and bartender of the tavern that won it in a game of dice. He is a man that just wants everything to run smoothly to ensure that everyone is happy by the end of the day. He is not a man that should not be crossed and those that due will regret what happened for the rest of their lives. But if you need a drink or food he is the man you want to talk to or when you want to conduct business in the tavern.

Barmaid

Abigale Green: Hathen's daughter and barmaid, took the job because no one else would do it considering the customer are not the best people to be around. But considering that she grew up with a rough life with her father she knows how to handle herself and doesn't mind busting a few heads that try to take advantage of her just because she has a pretty face.

Doorman

Rolon Hensdale : Consider the circumstances of the Roost there is in need of muscle to keep the peace and give anyone a good beating when the need arrives. A large stoic man watches over the crowds and will quickly get any troublemakers out before things get too violent by any means necessary.

Menu

The menu is not considered the best in town but at least it is something to have while conducting business.
Ale: The cheapest drink to have that is mostly watered down and tolerable.
Rum: A more expensive drink to have as it hard to come by considering it is mostly made in the sugar plantations of the Isles of Refuge
Fish Stew: A mixed assortment of whatever fish that is available to be made to be cooked and thrown into a bowl of vegetables to make it more tolerable.
Crab Cakes: A popular dish that many are willing to buy due to how hard it is to buy crab meat these days and often by the dozens at least.
Biscuits: An easy thing to whip up from scratch with what ingredient you have on you, but it is something to take caution to as you don't know what is actually put in it.