The Rusty Buckler
At the northern edge of Direhelm's city center is a small tavern, tucked away and easy to miss-- at least for those who don't already know of it. Situated in the North Gate Ward, one of the many neighborhoods at Direhelm's heart carved out from within the Helm Mesa, the Rusty Buckler is nondescript, but only from the outside. Though its austere stone walls look much like those of any structure near it, the building's facade hides the idiosyncrasies of its construction: thicker masonry than any other building in Direhelm, heavy iron bars that line and brace the doors, a cannon turret atop the building, and a basement ten times bigger than the tavern itself.
Some Direhelmers believe that these well-known features of the Rusty Buckler speak to a past of the building as an old fortress, an armory, or a prison. These rumors are pervasive but ultimately untrue. The Rusty Buckler is built like a fortress for one reason: the unshakeable and indefatigable paranoia of its owner, a woman by the name of Jack Shay.
A tough-as-nails ex-soldier, Jack Shay is an icon within Direhelm, instantly recognizable by most everyone who has ever met her. Six-foot-four, strong as an ox and loud as one too, her rough-and-tumble earnestness garners her a great deal of respect from many Direhelmers, though her fervent paranoia deters just as many. The source of her unique fear and hatred of the Other is anyone's guess, but the effects of it are obvious enough, for her tavern bears the mark of her superstition. The unique features of the Rusty Buckler are Jack's personal safeguard against the invasion by the Other she's certain will one day come to Direhelm.
Nobody knows exactly what she has tucked away in the massive storage facilities beneath the tavern, but even conservative estimates suggest an arsenal that would put the Direhelm Militia's armory to shame. It is from there that the Rusty Buckler got the nickname that seems to have stuck more than its actual name: the Defense and Munitions Department, or DMD.
Some Direhelmers believe that these well-known features of the Rusty Buckler speak to a past of the building as an old fortress, an armory, or a prison. These rumors are pervasive but ultimately untrue. The Rusty Buckler is built like a fortress for one reason: the unshakeable and indefatigable paranoia of its owner, a woman by the name of Jack Shay.
A tough-as-nails ex-soldier, Jack Shay is an icon within Direhelm, instantly recognizable by most everyone who has ever met her. Six-foot-four, strong as an ox and loud as one too, her rough-and-tumble earnestness garners her a great deal of respect from many Direhelmers, though her fervent paranoia deters just as many. The source of her unique fear and hatred of the Other is anyone's guess, but the effects of it are obvious enough, for her tavern bears the mark of her superstition. The unique features of the Rusty Buckler are Jack's personal safeguard against the invasion by the Other she's certain will one day come to Direhelm.
Nobody knows exactly what she has tucked away in the massive storage facilities beneath the tavern, but even conservative estimates suggest an arsenal that would put the Direhelm Militia's armory to shame. It is from there that the Rusty Buckler got the nickname that seems to have stuck more than its actual name: the Defense and Munitions Department, or DMD.
Breakfast Goose eggs, sharp cheese, raisin bread, and apple preserves. 5 cp.
Lunch Roast rabbit, squash, potatoes, greens. 2 sp.
Dinner Venison stew with tomatoes and lentils, sourdough bread, roast corn. 3 sp.
Drinks Buckler's Ale. 5 cp. Southern Stout. 3 cp. Rattlesnake Brew. 7 cp. Beetleberry wine. 1 sp.
-- A daily menu from the Rusty Buckler.
Founding Date
695 YW
Alternative Names
The Defense and Munitions Department; the DMD.
Type
Pub / Tavern / Restaurant
Comments