The Shining Shield

Background

Cressund Town is one of The Towns and as such is populated by Townsfolks. Like all of the Towns, Cressund Town was built for Townsfolk, so the buildings are all constructed from stone, wattle and daub or plaster, with tiled slanted roofs to deal with the rain. All Towns have high stone walls, at least one church and a Town Square.

Most Towns also have at least one public house where the sale of alcoholic beverages is permitted. In Cressund Town, The Shining Shield is the most popular and is situated on the Town Square.

Public Houses

Public Houses, also known as Ale Houses, are the only place in any Town where alcohol can be bought and consumed in public unless it has been blessed and is being used as part of a religious service.
When the Towns were first being established, a lot of taverns popped up, but they soon got out of hand, leading to drunken and disorderly behaviour. The Clerics also quickly realised that these unofficial businesses were leading to an uncontrollable community. So they worked with a couple of Men of Authority who wanted to run official establishments and committed to a set of rules. As a result, men who are granted the license required to set up a Public House by The Protector's Cleric all automatically become Men of Authority.

Rules for Public Houses

1. No women may enter the premises unless they are working.
2. No man is allowed to drink beyond their limit.
3. No man under the age of 18 years old is allowed alcohol.
4. No man is allowed to buy alcohol after midnight.
5. Breaking any of these rules may result in a fine and/or the loss of license.

History

Construction Date

2770

Current Owner

Mr Russell Penly

Alternative Names

The Shield

The Shining Shield was completed four years before the Town Walls in Cressund Town were completed, in the Year of The Protector 2770. It was established by Mr Edward William Penly and has been in the Penly family ever since.
It is currently owned by Mr Russell Penly, who lives above the business with his wife and two sons who support him in running the day-to-day of the Public House, including cleaning and serving.

The name, as with all Public Houses, came from a verse in the Word of The Protector. This one was recorded by Chosen Ogburn, the only Protector's Cleric to come from Cressund Town, which states that "the Shining Shield of Truth shall protect you".
There is one smaller Public House in Cressund Town, but this is the most popular and is frequented by the Men of Authority.

The Building

Like many of the buildings in Cressund Town, The Shining Sword is a combination of stone on the ground floor with the first floor made from wattle and daub. In front of the main entrance is a sheltered outdoor seating area which can be used by patrons and has views of the Church in Cressund Town.

The main entrance leads directly into the tap room and lounge area. There are several active barrels here, as well as ample seating and a bar where men can order and pay. A door on the side of the building leads to the backroom and down to the cellar where the barrels and bottles are stored.

The first floor and loft are mostly reserved for use by the Penly family, including three bedrooms and a small living room, but there are three rooms here which can be used for paying guests. Most of the time these rooms stand empty and they are reserved for Men of Authority who are visiting from other Towns.

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