The Epicurean (C50)
Situated on the edge of the elven district is a grand, pleasant looking house with a stream of elegant couples leading to and from it. Closer inspection of the sign, neatly written and tastefully decorated, reveals the place as 'The Epicurean Since 2302'. On the step outside is an ogre dressed immaculately in an evening suit, and with a surprisingly educated tone. He will be polite but firm only if you are a guest of a regular patron, or impeccably dressed will you be even considered entry.
Once inside, it is dark, the only light being from the candles on the tables. The walls are covered with sumptuous crimson drapes, only broken up by paintings. Any character who is interested in art can tell that the paintings are original Knuppel's, and would fetch a value of several million Guilders at auction. The floor is of polished wood, and the low ceiling is of white stone. The Tables are of beautiful mahogany wood and have thick, clean tablecloths over them. The Tables have been laid out to create the most secluded atmosphere possible, and the restaurant is large, extending into the house behind.
The Restaurant does phenomenally well. The food is exquisite, and the ambience is faultless. Many are surprised on learning that the chef is not a halfling, but a gnome Adriaan Swaan. Many assume that he is also the proprietor, but it is an open secret, or at least a rumour that the restaurant is actually owned by an important Tilean. Whenever a Tilean comes to the restaurant it jolts the diners awake everybody wants to know the face of this elusive character...
Common Knowledge
"Of course I know it, I thought everyone knew the Epicurean. Its on the edge of the Elven Quarter, and a fine restaurant too. Get this though the food's possibly the best in the city, and it isn't run by a halfling!"
"Ha ha ha ! You think you'll get in looking like that! Oh deary me!"
"That Adriaan's an odd character. He'll be chatting to you friendly as can be, but looking over his shoulder all the blessed time. And don't take any Tileans there unless they're well known that is if you ever want to show your face their again, he can't stand the sight of them. It's all something to do with his past I think. An' don't even bother to ask about that. All you'll get is a blank stare and no answer."
Adriaan Swaan: Chef, ExServant, Ex-Racketeer, Ex-Thief (C50a) Social B16
Adriaan Swaan is of average height, but remarkably lithe and wiry. He is always dressed in very fine clothing and wears flowing white silk shirts of the highest quality, and skintight, colourful leggings. His brown boots are from hand made Tilean leather and easily cost over a thousand Guilders. He has a sharp face, lined with middle age, and a abrupt goatee beard poking unobtrusively from his chin. Although outwardly cheerful, welcoming and jovial, his eyes hint at a darker side of his character. They are grey, as plain as steel, and yet fearful, darting around the room, scanning peoples faces, but never resting on them for too long.
Adriaan Swaan was born in the city of Miragliano, the third son of a family of immigrants. He had a different name then. As a bright but destitute child growing up on the streets of the city he befriended several members of the huge racketeering scam, the Vermosia, that was present in the city and indeed all of Tilea . When he matured, He became part of the organisation, and ascended through its ranks. Soon he was leader of whole areas of the city.
One night, one of his childhood friends who he had not seen for many years met him, and explained to him that both the militia and army were planning to crackdown on the Vermosia. Unfortunately, the very highest leaders of the organisation were under constant surveillance, and their was no way for Adriaan to get word to them. His friend told him that they would be attacked at their half yearly meeting, the location of which had been leaked by a high up member of the organisation.
There was nothing Adriaan could do. He didn't even pack, but stowed away on a trading ship bound for Marienburg that very night. When he arrived he was cold, hungry and homeless. For a year he was a down and out, living in the slums of Riddra. He changed his name, ever fearful of vengeance, and eventually he managed to find work as a servant in one of Marienburg's Merchant houses.
Three years later, as he was in one of Marienburg's food markets shopping for his employer, he happened to bump into someone he hadn't seen for years. Pietro greeted him somewhat coldly, and told him of events. The raid was a success and a great number of higher officials in the Vermosia had been hung. It had not broken the organisation though, indeed the attack had made it even stronger. The new council had come to the conclusion that as Adriaan was not at the meeting, it must have been him that had leaked the information, and they wanted revenge.
Adriaan was terrified. Pietro supported Adriaan, and helped him fake his death in the Brunwasser Kanal. He then lent Adriaan Vermosia money to build the Epicurean. They both worked to build up the restaurant fast, and soon it was established. No one objected when "Since 2302" was scribed on the board. Adriaan was quite taken aback by the success of his restaurant, and was able to repay his debt in no time at all. In fact, the restaurant turned over more money than he ever expected, and soon he was in possession of a considerable sum. It was this money that enabled him to furnish the Epicurean to the level of refinement it stands at today.
Adriaan is still fearful to this day of ever being seen by any of his old companions, and Pietro visits him every few years. He is keen to hide the fact that he is a Tilean, and is deliberately vague about his past. He is cheerful and happy, but anyone can detect a certain level of tension about him, and will begin to notice his nervous glances after a while.
M 4, WS 52, BS 29, S 3, T 3, W 9, I 47, A 1, Dex 49, Ld 54, Int 36, Cl 43, WP 57, Fel 50
Age: 79
Alignment: Neutral
Skills: Art, Cook, Charm, Concealment Urban, Dodge Blow, Drive Cart, Evaluate, Excellent Vision, Etiquette, History (Tilean), Herb Lore, Jest, Luck, Read/Write, Sixth Sense, Secret Languages Thieves, Secret Signs Thieves, Silent Move Urban, Specialist Weapon Fist, Street Fighter, Style, Speak Tilean.
Possessions: Fine Clothes, Small pouches of cooking herbs, Pointy brown leather boots, Stiletto in black leather sheath, Under a hundred Guilders on his person.
Jules Hakkeling: Bouncer (C50b) Social B5
Jules Hakkeling, although an Ogre, is not typical of his race. He doesn't smell (that much), he is relatively clean, well groomed and well spoken. He is, however, very large, very strong, and very mean. He wears a comfortable evening suit and is found standing outside the door of the Epicurean in the evenings.
He is very polite and openly friendly with established patrons. He is not so polite to annoyances, but will be firm and business like. He is perfectly willing to fight if he has to, but will try to make it quick, and take it away from the other customers. He speaks in an educated voice, and it can be a little disorientating when a character first hears him.
Jules is well known by all the regular customers of the Epicurean, but on a professional basis only. He is known at The Contemporary Setting, as he often picks up new paintings for Adriaan. He often gets stick from other Ogres in the city because of his refined ways, yet he has gone past caring.
M 4, WS 56, BS 27, S 5, T 6, W 13, I 41, A 2, Dex 29, Ld 34, Int 33, Cl 68, WP 41, Fel 36
Age: 34
Alignment: Neutral
Skills: Disarm, Specialist Weapon Fist, Street Fighting, Strike Mighty Blow, Strike to Stun
Possessions: Knuckledusters, Evening Suit, Ivory Comb
Waitresses
o Beautiful Elves or humans, tastefully dressed.
o Usually students who find the work in a cultured enviroment interesting.
o Perform job, move on to other things.
o "Good Evening Sir."
o Other people at Marienburg University (C2) and the regular patrons of the restaurant.
M 4, WS 20, BS 21, S 3, T 3, W 5, I 32, A 1, Dex 34, Ld 26, Int 33, Cl 25, WP 30, Fel 47
Skills: Charm, Art
Possessions: Quill pen and notebook, money pouches, unifrom.
Notes
The Epicurean is the place to see and be seen for the higher class members of Marienburg's society, or paradoxically the best place for high level Guild members to finalise details of scams in relative secrecy and seclusion. Adriaan seems to know of his customers needs, and has the right table ready for them. Any number of conversations the PC's hear could get them into hot water.
This location shouldn't be out of bounds for PC's, but they aren't going to let any smelly tramp into the door. Social Class A characters have automatic entry, as do class B characters provided they're well dressed. Class C characters are going to have to grovel to get in and class D characters won't be let in. Use your judgment here allow the players in, but only if they work for it.
It would be quite easy to get the PCs involved in a conspiracy after they have been to the restaurant, as the Vermosia have finally tracked Adriaan down to Marienburg...
