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I've been recently working on fleshing out the taverns, inns and shops in Korvosa, and I find one of the simplest things to do to give the setting some flair is adding in the little details that make it distinct. The named wines and ales, specific fashions that are all the rage, common jewelry, common foods and delicacies and so on. I was wondering if anyone else put any thought into this kind of thing?
So far I have used the following; Abken Apple Brandy, Auroch Steak, Spiced Bulette Jerky, Shoanti Cinderwine and Goblin's Milk (Fermented Goat Milk).
I have the Crested Falcon offering menu items like; Jigsaw Shark, Pheasant, Thileu Bark, Clams and Alikan oysters, all Local dishes.
I have also made use of the three items Immora made up in her game, one of my players absolutely loves Guardso.
Mare Sweat
Mare sweat is the colorful nickname for a brew the church of Cayden Cailean makes to aid those unfortunate patrons who cannot afford magical healing and cures. The drink is a fermented mixture of potent herbs that makes the mind sluggish while encouraging bloodflow. It is often given to insomniacs as a sleep aid, or to the sick or injured to help them rest. A full draught (about half a pint) will encourage a long, peaceful rest, free of bad dreams (granting a +2 to save against such effects). If left undisturbed, the imbiber will sleep twelve to fourteen hours, and heal as if they’d taken a full day’s rest. Remaining awake isn’t difficult, but the Mare Sweat still makes a man groggy, inflicting a -2 penalty to all Wisdom-based skill checks for 12 hours. Mare Sweat has a distinctive, terrible flavor that can’t even be concealed with low-level magic, and hence is almost impossible to feed someone unawares. Cost: 5SP. Craft (Brewing) DC: 20Guardso
Another innovation from the church of Cayden Cailean, Guardso (or “Guard’s Own) is so named because of it’s popularity with the Korvosan City Guard. This strange take on coffee uses a gnomish contraption to push high-pressure, boiling water through tightly-packed grounds, creating a bitter brew that can keep even the most weary guard on his feat. One small cup will eliminate fatigue for 1D4 hours and grant a +2 bonus to Spot and Listen checks for the same amount of time. Afterwards, the imbiber must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or take 1D4 points of Wisdom damage from “the crash”. Guardso is becoming popular with young nobles as well, who brew endless variations using various sweetners and spices to conceal the bitter flavor. Cost: 6CP a cup, though the noble variations can cost ten times that. Craft (Brewing) DC: 14Imp’s Tail Salve
Stinking of animal urine and sulfer, this alchemical concoction is nonetheless a staple in the saddlebags of Sable Company Marines. It is brewed to counteract the numbing poison injected by imps, and while of limited use in most areas, it sees constant application among the military and wealthy of Korvosa. When spread over an imp sting and coupled with a good eight-hour rest, each dose of salve restores one additional point of Dexterity damage. It is typically sold in pots of five doses, and is useless for restoring ability damage from any source beyond an imp’ sting. Cost: 75GP per pot. Craft (Alchemy) DC: 25
So, anyone else have little things that I can use to give my campaign some flavor? I'll add more of what I come up with as I go.
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So, anyone else have little things that I can use to give my campaign some flavor? I'll add more of what I come up with as I go.
I know of a few things you could add, but I'll leave the fancy descriptions and side effects up to you.
Roast Pig (At least 2 encounters in the CotCT AP have pigs/boar, one of which being a butcher shop.)
Imp's Delight (Alligator Gumbo being pawned off as Pseudo Dragon meat.)
Reef Claw Cuisine (Reef Claw's from the description I remember are basically large, mind you abberant, lobsters. Break out the "Old Bay" Season, Melt some Butter and Pass the claws!)
Hippogriff Goulash{Hot N' Spicy Hippogriff?} (Not so cleverly disguised chicken {or some other type of readily available foul} served excessively spicy with peppers and onions. {possibility of causing the sickening condition} "Uses only the bird portion of meat of course, cuz most folks aren't interested in horse meat.")
My thought... The scummier the tavern, the more likely the meals are just common every day food with a ton of spice(or none) with a fancy piratey-truckstop slop-house names.
Do you have a copy of the Guide to Korvosa? It has a list of the top ten delicacies on page 33 that would help flesh out any menu :)
For less discerning palates, you might want to check out some of the butheries in Old Korvosa. I hear they'll serve anyone. Really anyone. And to anyone at all.