Drachean Merchant Guide - Shops
You hold in your hands, gentle traveler, a guide to many of the businesses and services available in our great city of Drache. Herein you will find everything from smiths to shipwrights, ale houses to alchemical emporiums. Are you in need of something? Fear not, and let this Guide be your guide to finding your heart's desire. -Anson Elbridge, Arangothian Royal Ministry of Commerce
This page covers the various shops around Drache. Other pages:
Antiques
Antiquity
This humble shop is located in the Merchant's Square District of Drache. It has pleasant, classic atmosphere with clear glass windows and a wooden front door. The proprietor of the shop is Old Chong, a man of Xiunlan descent about seventy years of age, and he is usually encountered wearing long, red, silky robes and soft black close-toed slippers. The main room of the shop is a simple, square affair, usually full of well-kept antiques, making the shop one of the more popular 'gifts-for-sale' establishments in Drache. A wind chime is hung over the doorframe so the door makes a ring every time it's opened or closed. A counter is set to the front of the room, where a simple wooden abacus is kept. Hard to locate items can also be found in Old Chong's extensive inventory, which mostly consists of imports from far off places mostly from the Near West and the Far East. Old Chong is also an herbalist, and a very good alchemist, but only choice circles (such as Drache's Magic Community) know about this particular to-the-side profession of the quiet, soft-spoken old man.
Little Panguro
A small store located near Old Chong's in the Merchant's Square District, Little Panguro deals in herbal medicines and goods from the Far East. Run by an aged immigrant from Nipangu by the name of jo-Takiguri-ia-Shira, the store is renowned for its effective drugs for mental illnesses. Takiguri is Chong's principal business rival, and he has been reprimanded and fined several times for Public Defamation and vandalism against Old Chong, whom he hates with a passion. Though both men seem intent on putting the other one out of business, most people will agree that it does not seem likely that either one of them will succeed at this goal.
Morris Mandarin's Mansion of Mystery
The "Mansion" of Mystery is a curio shop in the corner of the Market Square owned by a human named Morris Mandarin, a collector of antiquities. The place bears a closer resemblance to a museum than it does a shop, but everything under the roof is for sale. He can also read and write several ancient tongues, and is often used by less honest scholars at the Royal Academy to forge ancient documents. An alchemical laboratory takes up all the space in his back room, and he also works on mixing customized potions for his customers, though he has no shortage of competition in that aspect of his business.
Boutiques
Dark Rose Salon
Located within the private residence of Lady Aieshia Daskaline, the Dark Rose Salon is renowned throughout all of Drache as one of the finest boutiques in the city. Lady Daskaline uses only the finest materials in the known realm in the construction of her wares, and invests a great amount of time and skill into the process. Although the location of her residence is well known to most residents of Drache, Lady Daskaline is often quite difficult to find. She is one of the wealthiest women in the city and has no need of the exorbitant sums her creations often fetch, so her business as a clothier is nothing more than an amusement to her. As such, she keeps odd hours and often works on appointment only. Despite her erratic schedule and often eccentric behavior, the quality of her work makes her services highly sought after by Drache's social elite. Getting in touch with Lady Daskaline and attempting to acquire her services has become a full-time obsession for several of the city's noblewomen. Each garment is a unique creation custom-made specifically for the client ordering it, and she adamantly refuses to duplicate any of her past work, regardless of the amount of money offered to her.
Zukoth's Discount Jewelry
This is a humble little establishment located in one of the more run down parts of the market. The the business itself is located in ramshackle little building, made from almost decaying and mostly unpainted grey wood that looks like it might collapse if the wind blows too hard. The door however, its a strong oaken thing, newly varnished and healthy looking, which stands in almost comic contrast to the old, rusty hinges it hangs on. A creaking sign waves slowly in the wind, with "Zukoths Jewelry" carved in it. Rumors among people who would hear rumors of this sort is that the owner buys all sorts of trinkets - no questions asked. But these are just rumors, of course.
Sweet Scents
As its name might suggest, this establishment specializes in the sale of perfumes and incenses. Those entering the small shop are embraced by a mix of heady scents. Exotic Jasmine, rich spices, pristine rosewater and other perfumes mix to give this place a warm, comfortable feeling. Inside the entrance are displays of crushed flower petals and scented salts for bathing. Deeper within the cozy establishment are racks lined with glass vials, each filled with an oil extracted from a sweet flower. The owner of the establishment is the Lady Onian FairFax of Kgearen Hall, a distant neighbor to Drache. While very little is known about the owner, she has recently become extremely popular in Drache by spending large sums of her own money to help those afflicted by Drache's recent perils, such as the mist that blockaded the harbor and the fire that destroyed the city's granaries.
Cube Custom
This shop specializes in custom-made goods, particularly weapons, armor, apparel, jewelry, and accessories. They specialize in accommodating customers with unusual tastes, as well beings of exotic races that may not be able to find suitable clothing and armor elsewhere in Drache. Streea and Octina Johnson, the principal owners, specialize in the creation of spider silk clothing, which they gathers from her own hand-raised spiders. Pyrose Mazeguard, the resident weapon and armor smith, is a dragon who spends a good deal of her time in human form, and puts the rather unique advantages of her race to good use in the creation of exotic weapons and armor. The Jonson sisters also employ a mage by the name of Krysilis Lothore to perform simple enchantments and create minor magical items. While their prices are usually a bit high, they guarantee the creation of items made to the exact specifications of the customer and delivered swiftly. The shop also offers a thirty day trial period in which any item may be brought back for free alterations, no questions asked.
Magical & Alchemical Items
Edgar's Alchemical Emporium
Located in the BlkDragon District near the Royal University, this store caters to wizards and alchemists. The proprietor is a young man named Edgar, who inherited the business after his uncle unexpectedly died in the year 469. Since he was still only a journeyman alchemist, Edgar changed the focus of the business from selling potions and elixers to supplying wizards and alchemists with the supplies they need to practice their craft. He made the shrewd move of allowing the Royal University's scribes to copy his uncle's secret alchemical reference tomes for the Royal Library, and now he does a profitable business selling alchemical ingredients, spell components, glassware, and other laboratory supplies to the School of Arcane Studies' faculty and students. Edgar is always in need of some exotic item or other to satisfy the needs of his magic-using clientele, so he is always willing to hire people to track down said items for him.
Javakh's General Store, Purveyor of Mundane and Magical Items of Interest for the Daring Adventurer
A family owned and operated business since 487. Support your community: buy local!
Javakh's General Store is a sturdy, two-story structure of carved stone and shaped logs reminiscent of hunting lodges and woodland refuges. The first floor contains just about anything an adventurer might want, from ropes and packs to healing potions. A variety of simple and exotic weapons line the back wall and a heavy staircase near the back of the main floor leads upward. The second floor features a variety of magical items, weapons, and armor, including a few rare items of wonder. All of these items are kept under lock and key in resilient display cases. A small forge is located in a back room for basic armor and weapon repairs.
Rummi Gummi's Magic & Pawnshop
Located in a rather run-down building in the Merchant's Square District, this shop is known for buying, selling, and trading anything magical. The inside of the shop is filled with shelves and tables crammed with bottles, rings, wands, and other sundry magical items. He stocks everything from healing potions to love elixirs, magic wands to gem-encrusted scepters. Rummi also offers to track down items not currently in stock. In the words of the owner, "If you want it, I got it. If I don't got it, I can get it for ya." He will even buy discharged magical items, such as rings and wands, recharge them, and resell them.
Other Specialty Stores
Tara's
This shop is owned by a retired rogue that goes by the name of Tara Morningdawn, a pawnbroker and purveyor of used goods. Tara's is a favorite among those with tight budgets, since one can find almost anything within this crammed and cluttered shop if one knows where to look for it, and find it for a very reasonable price. All goods come as is, with no warranties or guarantees, and no returns are permitted. Most of the items for sale are of decent quality, but Tara is certainly not above making money off those foolish enough not to inspect something closely before buying it. Tara's motherly, amiable demeanor is just an act; she is an extremely shrewd businesswoman that always seems to get the best end of a haggling session. There is one additional caveat to consider when purchasing from Tara's establishment: the previous owner may not have willingly parted with a particular item. Occasionally servants will sell items cast off by their masters rather than disposing of them (as often the case with apparel that has been only worn once or twice by fickle aristocrats), and some things have been outright stolen. Tara does not ask questions about the sources of merchandise sold to her, nor does she answer questions on the matter put to her by prospective buyers.
Annie's Toys
This quaint little shop is located in a modest two-story building. The first floor of the building is the residence of the owner, an old woman called Gentle Annie by the locals. The house is a cheery, comfortable place, filled with examples of Annie’s handiwork, exquisitely carved and decorated wooden toys. On the second floor is Annie’s workshop, where she creates her marvelous toys. Everyone who has seen her work marvels at the intricacy and delicacy of some of her items, undoubtedly the work of a master carver and painter. Some claim that it is impossible to get such detail without magical means, but this would make her toys prohibitively expensive. While her creations are highly sought after by the wealthier residents of Drache, Annie has become very popular throughout Drache through her custom of giving away toys to poor children for free on holidays. There have been a number of unpleasant rumors about Annie circulated through Drache, but most people dismiss them as simply the jealousy of rival toy makers whose prices she undercuts and whose workmanship she outdoes. Even if one is not looking for a toy, Annie is always glad to receive company, and will take a break from her work to have a cup of tea and chat with visitors.
Mudropessa Ceramicwork
One of the older, but finer craftsmen of the northern Wharf District, the seventy-odd year old Folvati Mudropessa has been operating his pottery store in Drache since it was only a fishing hamlet. All pots, vases, and other ceramics are made by hand behind the storefront, and the kiln can be seen lit most days except sundas, when Mudropessa is at the local temple. The old potter's eyesight and memory are both fading fast, but his fingers are still nimble and capable of doing even the smallest work.
Whatever your pleasure, it can likely be created at Carved in Stone. Whether your desire is a painting of the sunrise over the harbor, a carved wooden figurine for your desk, a tall vase artfully glazed to hold your favorite plant, or a commission for an alabaster bust, the two ladies of Carved in Stone can very likely meet your request. They also offer a small but quality selection of loose gemstones available to be carved and used for a signet ring (proper and official documentation must, of course, be presented before they will take on such a commission).
Importers & Traders
Desert Moon Imports
Operated by Ladre of Midheim and Gabryal Maithen, this importing business has shops in Arangoth, Enstaria, LoeGlahan, Midheim, Rhydin, and the city of Sigil. They specialize in "exotic goods and needed services from from around the world, including: Bloodwyne from the realm of Midheim, aged Loethian wine from long forgotten Wine Cellars, kegs of the finest ales from far away realms, fine magical teas for all occasions and palates, finely crafted Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Dragon, and Orcish weapons, artifacts and antiquities, magical supplies and spells, spell casting services, pest control and extermination and much, much more." They also take special orders for a minimum down payment.
The Korthai
Fierce nomadic sea traders and dangerous sometime pirates, the Korthai are feared but nonetheless a factor in Drache's trade, shipping in a variety of goods from various places where they have managed to established contact. This sometimes results in exclusive, though expensive, items coming in through their ships. However, the women that conduct the trade are sharp dealers whose tongues are adept at whittling away at one's purse. They do their trading at the docks, in the view of their red-sailed ships, where the savage crews can fall upon anyone that tries foul play on their factors. Due to the nature of some of their acquisitions, the availibility of some goods is not steady. To read more about the Korthai culture, go here.
The Thontaran Market
Throughout the year, goods roll in from Thontaran, to the east of Rondis, including large herds of Hlindar, whose meat is prized. Not only do they sell the cattle, but they also do a brisk trade in other goods. They are also noted for raising horses of great strength and endurance, if little beauty. The horses aren't so sought after, but they are a good price. The Thontaran Market is one of the best places to sell goods to a customer with lots of money and even an affable manner. They will deal sharply, but fairly, and there are several different clans that are represented, peacefully, at the market. Within the confines of the market, the peace is kept by several men who are apparently connected to the powerful Witches that rule Thontaran rather indirectly from the closed city of Lonrath.
The Emerald Eye
Located in a small corner of the plaza, mostly off the beaten track, the Emerald Eye is one of the newer businesses in Drache, recently opened by a shrewd-minded young drowess by the name of Sabrae Vlondril. The store trades mostly in books, jewelry, and lesser magical items, especially enchanted jewels. If one is in need of something more exotic transported from somewhere, however, some people say that Sabrae is the person to see. The merchant herself is reputed to have set up several business deals with other merchants many miles away, and is always looking for a new way to turn a profit. She's also reputed to deal under-the-table in weapons and stolen goods, a common accusation in Drache. The store is easily identifiable by the brightly painted sign over the door, bearing a bright green, stylized eye. The proprietor herself, when out and about, wears a finely carved emerald in the same shape.