The Rusty Nail Public House
Nestled in the heart of the shambles, the Rusty Nail Public House is a lively gathering point for Whiteport's poorest residents. The raucous atmosphere which surrounds the Rusty Nail can be heard from almost two blocks away at almost any hour. It welcomes visitors, and offers hot food, a dry bed, and a safe place to store belongings- anything one could need in the Shambles!
Purpose / Function
The Rusty Nail is one of the oldest public houses in Whiteport, and has been situated in the shambles since the early 1400s. It caters to every patron, and is one of the cheapest public houses in Whiteport. It has also recently earned the distinction of serving as the primary headquarters and hangout for the Red Chariot faction and its fans. The "Red Rusty" as it is affectionately known, will serve anyone, but those who openly profess support for one of the other factions should be ready to defend their team, as brawling is a favored pastime in the area around the Rusty Red, especially later on in the evening.
Alterations
As one of the oldest buildings in the Shambles, the Rusty Nail has undergone many alterations. It has burned down no less than four times in its history, and the building has a sort of ramshackle appearance as it has been cobbled together and rebuilt in places over the years, and in some places the beams appear blackened by fire. The hardwood floors are irregular and aged, faded, and stained in some places while others appear newer or of different kinds of wood than the others, clearly replacements. Many of the chairs, stools, and tables are old kegs and barrels, and despite its patchwork nature the building has a stocky and solid appearance.
Architecture
The Rusty Nail looks fairly typical of a Whiteport Pub, albeit more run down and patchwork than some of the newer constructions. While it has the standard tiled roofing wooden construction of most of Whiteport's buildings, the Rusty Nail has clearly been rebuilt and repaired many times over the years. The flower planters outside each window are filled with colorful and fragrant flowers, but their paint has chipped away. It has a red tiled roof. The Rusty Nail's outside walls are painted, but in same places the paint has entirely worn away as well. It has frosted glass windows through which the warm lit interior glows faintly, though the glass is coated with grime and dirt. Surrounding the building is a small wrought iron fence, corroded and rusted with time. Despite its cobbled together appearance, the tavern appears stocky and sturdy, though the structure seems to sag slightly from the weight of the upper floor and age, while two large stone chimneys bookend each end of the building.
The Rusty Nail has a welcoming but pragmatic function. When visitors first enter, they pass the drink well and bar. A long line of kegs and barrels make up the far wall, while a dumbwaiter rotates carrying dirty dishes and glasses down and lifting hot plates of food up. The tavern is rectangular in shape, and hosts a small wooden stage against the far wall. Booths and tables are nestled amongst the walls, while center of the tavern floor is actually a sunken space about three feet below the floor, covered in a sand floor, where rows of tables and benches are arranged, known as "the pit." Running across the sunken space above these tables are small catwalks, enough size for a halfling, enabling Karine to traverse the pit and distribute drinks and dishes, and this catwalk circles around the pit as well alongside the standing bar, enabling Karine to speak eye to eye with her patrons.
History
The Rusty Nail is a Whiteport standby, and has stood in its present location for more than a century. The current owner, a halfling Woman named Karine, acquired the Rusty Nail from her father about thirty years prior. Throughout its history, the Rusty Nail has served as a central gathering point for the shambles and is a community standby. Karine and her family are popular throughout the shambles, as despite her stern and intimidating exterior Karine cares deeply for the community and the Rusty Nail also operates as a headquarters or location for the various charitable projects undertaken to support those living in the Shambles. As a result, the Rusty Nail boasts a sizable number of regulars, and draws crowds almost every night of the week. It also boasts that it has never closed since its opening. This feat is made all the more impressive given the fact that the Rusty Nail has suffered no less than 12 distinct fires, the most recent of which was a fairly serious one three years ago which engulfed half the building, which Karines alleges was caused by some blues who had been stirred up after one chariot race, and which disrupted some of its business and charitable activities (although tables were set up outside and drinks were served to anyone who joined the fire brigades to save the building). The culprits were never apprehended and no investigation into the incident ever occurred, but Karine has a stand offer of 100 gold pieces for any information which leads to the culprits capture or which can prove the Blues were behind it.
Tourism
The Rusty Nail attracts all manner of patrons, but is most commonly frequented by residents of the Shambles and fans of the reds. The Rusty Nail offers free food (typically a hearty stew and small loaf of bread) for anyone who wants it each race day, which makes it any especially popular site for the poor who use it for a badly needed meal, all funded by the generosity of the Rusty Nail and Red faction. Sizable crowds can be found around the Rusty Nail at all hours of the day, but especially in the evenings, when the crowds often spill out into the adjacent streets. Tavern brawls are common, and Karine is content to allow the participants to fight it out (even tolerating betting) so long as no weapons are drawn and none of her property is damaged. Losers will be ejected from the tavern though. Cheap rooms are also available to rent.
Menu
Drinks:- Strawberry Surprise (1sp) - a light pink drink which is not in fact made from strawberries, but instead brewed with hot peppers
- End of the Line (25gp) - Very high quality, rather expensive smoky grain alcohol which has survived every fire in the building. A coin is flipped. If heads, your drink is free. If tails, you are forced to drink until you either die or pass out. If you regain consciousness, you must continue drinking
- Slog (1cp) - A drink made from from all the leftover, half drunk, or incorrectly made alcohol is thrown in the barrel to be reused to provide the cheapest possible drink, taste and smell changes night to night
- Rusty Nail Ale (5cp) - The standard ale served at the Nail, deep honey in color with a malty aroma and rich hearty flavor
- Breakfast(7cp): Whole Grain Bread, Smoked Fish (sardine-like), Hashbrowns (1sp)
- Dinner (1sp): Grilled Fish, Baked Potato, Peas (2sp)
- Dessert: A sweet brioche roll glazed with honey (2 cp)
Founding Date
~1400
Alternative Names
Red Rusty
Type
Pub / Tavern / Restaurant
Parent Location
Owner
Owning Organization
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