The Oiled Cog

Ale before glory! - Rotmiir Stoutkind

Situated on the river Balmok in an old warehouse is the lively tavern known as "The Oiled Cog." The soot stained brick and mortar overhangs slightly over the river, butting up against a metal workshop on the right. On the left, a side alley acts as the main entrance for the tavern; the original front door seemingly barred off. The entrance itself is made of wrought iron, with the old warehouse owners' initials resting rusted at the top.

The inside of the building contrasts the relatively bleak outside with hundreds of colorful ribbons of cloth hanging from the ceiling. The various travelers from around the Throzmuri Kingdom and even the continent have taken it upon themselves to create the tradition of ribbon keeping. For those who are interested, the tavern keeps offer a free Stoutkind ale to those who tear a ribbon of their cloth. Provided they can prove they're travelers.
The portion of the old warehouse which hangs close to the river houses a back entrance of sorts. Away from the day to day crowd yet still accessible, are the back-ladders. What lies on the second floor is the home of the Stoutkind. Above that, the back-ladders are broken but every now and then a light can be seen flickering in the night.

The "Cogheads"

The first person every patron meets is the bouncer Kragan, otherwise known as "Ironjaw." This burly goliath is the sole barrier of entry for any visitors; And, although, the tavern allows entry to all, management makes it known they will toss out any unruly guests. The bravest, or dumbest, of patrons who choose not to leave willingly are themselves responsible for Kragan's nickname. Normally taverns don't require door-keeps but night within the warehouse laden streets of the Clockwork District can present it's own troubles. 
Charcoal dyed aprons with the company logo allow the various wait staff to stand out within the crowd. Among the many employees is Rotmiir's wife, a lively middle aged human named Eleanor and their 15 year old son Ralgruk. Who, although kept within eyesight of his parents, still manages to find trouble. He's known for pulling small pranks on unsuspecting guests such as adding particular mints to ales for a foamy explosion or loosening the joints on benches. For as much of a headache Ralgruk is to his parents, he happens to be the favorite form of entertainment for regulars.
Rotmiir himself is a rather joyous Dwarf with a large pot belly. His beard and eyebrows are often singed from the steam of the copper beakers and the fire from the oven. He wears simple clothing and a rather dirty leather smock. 
Grandma Eleneth runs the kitchen during the day and closes it before the night crowd. Eleneth used to uphold the brewing herself and, although she still makes her opinion on recipes known, she is mostly retired. 

Patronage

The patrons of the Oiled Cog are affectionately named the "cogheads" after the local university sports team. The tavern enjoys a healthy amount of from the day laborers during the weekday but truly comes alive during the weekend. The hipster students of Aufsnaut University gather to drink and unwind with fellow classmates. During this time, the craft ales sell for a slightly higher price, masked under the guise of "discounts."

Honestly it's just so local being around the everyday worker. It really sets the genre for the whole place. I just hope the other University students don't make it too mainstream. - Hekhilda Runecoat

Hekhilda Runecoat is one of the many university regulars that flock to "The Cog" and one of Ralgruks greatest nemeses. The sort of "prank war" going on between the two is only fueled by Ralgruk's fascination with Hekhilda's proficiency in the Artificerial sciences. A master of her craft, Hekhilda builds tiny constructs to follow Ralgruk around and tease him. 
During the week, the laborers come in from the surrounding warehouses and factories to drink and eat on their break. The usual suspects such as the tall and angular man known as William Plankard usually arrived with his factory mate, a gnome by the name of Relni Gibbons. They used to break for about an hour. However, new labor shortages at the factories have forced them to come in less frequently. Rumors of unionization have even circulated between the day laborers; Stomped out quickly by gluttonous conglomerates.

History of the Stoutkind

The proud legacy of the Stoutkind brewers has grown in popularity among the youth of Galtorum. However, they were not always on the favorable end of the market. In the beginning, the Stoutkinds found themselves in a much more humble position. The Dwarves of the Throzmuri have always been infatuated with Palm Sap Wine, created and found only in the Eldrour Woodlands and a traditional drink within the kingdom.
While pine sap wine remains popular among the rural and older crowds, the younger, university age students, have taken kindly to the fizzy ales and drafts. The Oiled Cog was the first family owned brewery within the kingdom. As a result, the Stoutkinds have attracted a plentiful amount of tourists which keep the infantile practice alive. 

by Martin Knize

However, the founding of Arcanum and the eventual progression of steam powered mechanics allowed for a very adaptive dwarven miner to expand her private stash to a thriving family business. Since then, the mantel has been taken up by her grandson, Rotmiir Stoutkind.

Together, Rotmiir and his grandmother Eleneth built the nations first brewery, specializing in stouts and red ales. Eleneth's connection to the northern mines allowed for the cheap purchase of copper and the creation of the steam brewery. Situated on the first floor of the warehouse are the giant copper tanks where the ale is brewed.

"To be printed and distributed:
Here ye here ye, in two weeks progress, the first forenight of the Spring month shall entertain guests with the esteemed bard known only as Galgrung Galgruk and the Maw's."

Founding Date

c.a. 1703

Alternative Names

The Cog

Type

Pub / Tavern / Restaurant

Owner

Rotmiir Stoutkind

by Izdog

Re-written every month, the menu is posted to the front door of the building as well as distributed inside.

Grub

The boiled Balmok fish soup comes with a side of spit roasted dire cabbage! The Balmok fish comes from the river Balmok, which the tavern overlooks. Every morning, Grandma Eleneth attaches a worm to a lure and casts out her line. Whatever she catches is whatever is on the menu; First come first served.
The browned bread is an amalgamation of expired yeast and black rye wheat. Black rye wheat is made in the mills of Galtorum and is considered a local delicacy. The particular strain of the blackened rye is found only within the fields of the lower Kralmire Mountain Range. Combined with slightly overbaking the bread, the rye and yeast mix cause the bread to melt in the mouth. The regulars swear by melted butter and browned bread.

Ale's and Elixir's

Stotkirrn Draft was the first perfected recipe of grandma Eleneth and has been on the menu since the founding of the tavern. The steam powered copper "beakers," as the Stourkinds call them, heat up the mixture of the Kralmire dark rye, water, sugar, and yeast mixture. During the process, a few signature, top secret, spices are added. Once the fermentation is complete, the mixture is set to ferment a secondary time within the wooden caskets. 
The "Monster Slayer's Potion" is a rough and tumble mix of hard liquors gathered from around the monarchy and designed to heal wounds by forgetting they exist. The elixir is made by mixing pine sap wine, Bahl Torum hard liquor, Fernessian malt, and Artifakt Spirits.
The mead is made simply by combining water, honey, a few hops, and a hefty amount of dark rye. The mixture is left in barrels to ferment and served warmed in a mug.
Stoutkind Ale is another crowd favorite and is made through a process called top fermentation in which the aforementioned expired yeast is allowed to ferment in the warm environments of the copper beakers. The drafts are made simultaneously and within the same beaker. The only difference is the separation of the ale and draft. The draft is much heavier and settles to the bottom whereas the red and spiced ale is skimmed off the top.
Kralmire goat milk comes from, well, goats found in the Kralmire Highlands. These little animals are smaller than the average goat and produce a much tangier milk. The milk is drank often as a side or additionto a food course as well as an option for any parents who bring their kids along.