Gilardus' Guide to Grub

Gilardus' Guide to Grub is a book uncovered through use of Study-related Inquiries.

## Description

Ashewan Norvegicus, a resident of Amber Run and co-owner of the *Nest and Web* within the settlement sought to look into the best pubs and inns located within the Realm of Atralran, stumbling across a travel guide of sorts written by the curious Gilardus, a travelling epicurean that appears to have largely written the book for their own amusement. Amongst the details that each of the included establishments are scales depicting the increasing range and quality of produce (♨), costliness (⚖), and oddly enough, ability of the proprietors to take a jape at their expense (🜥).

The details contained within are proclaimed to be correct as of 128WD, and likewise declared to not be particularly exhaustive, but rather just representative of Gilardus' journey through the Realm.

## Reading

### Completed by Ashewan Norvegicus

#### The Last Legionnaire

* Description: Although the Last Legionnaire outdates the Great Conduit station to which it is closely located, it has become a popular stopping point for individuals travelling across the continent on the Galerider's Rail, both for sake of convenience and affordability. Overnight stays in common rooms start from around 5sp per person, whereas a full day's meals usually run to a sum of a similar value. It should be noted however that the majority of meals are intended to either be eaten quickly, or those easily packaged up to be stored for a journey ahead, and as such may be lacking for those seeking a sit-down meal.
* Location: Hobs' Fall, adjacent to the station for the Great Conduit
* Rating: ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### Congruence

* Description: What more can be said about the Congruence to sing its praises than to mention that it is supplied directly by the nearby Stalrose Vineyard, and has subsequently become a popular haunt of wine enthusiasts and wannabe sommeliers. For those not swayed by some of the finest wines in the continent, the food available may prove troublesome, for all the listed prices include a suitably paired wine alongside all dishes, a matter considered unnegotiable by the proprietors. A niche establishment celebrating food and drink amongst the most iconic and culturally significant in Atralran, perfect for enthusiast, but arguably dull and pernickety to those less so.
* Location: Oakhithe, Poncet's Plaza
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥

#### Passing Glance

* Description: Serving mainly travellers upon the road between Whittengrove and Chalimar, the Passing Glance is a boisterous tavern located at the intersection between the Merchant's Pass and the road north to the Parrock, seat of the House of Lamonia. Named by the proprietor Burea as a cautionary tale about not spending or investing your wealth - the story has it that much of their own earnings were stolen by a thief, of whom they achieved but a "passing glance", and so they spent the rest establishing the tavern to secure its use - it has become a popular spot known for its high-quality produce, the majority of which comes directly from the lands of the House of Lamonia.
* Location: The Merchant's Pass, south of the Parrock
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### The Royal

* Description: Adjoining a theatre that shares the name of the tavern, The Royal is an affordable and popular establishment that stands out from its numerous competitors by means of its performers, which most typically serves to recreate plays and stories based on the lives of the Monarchs of the House of Goldlor, although this vary from rowdy comedy to high tragedy. Food selection is standard Atral affair, cooked simply but well, with average nightly rates starting around 4sp.
* Location: Chalimar, Hearthfire Canton, Roselin Street
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### The Mystery Knight

* Description: I was told by the owner that he intended to replace the plate armour out front of the Mystery Knight within the month when I asked about the extent of rust spreading at its edges, although I naturally remarked that it added to the charm of it, with vines winding through the steel as a sort of living mannequin. The Mystery Knight is large tavern that sprawls across three floors within the Vasseur Canton, and the weekly games nights featuring all manner of games of cards and dice draw in locals and travellers alike.
* Location: Chalimar, Vasseur Canton, Lion's Pride Street
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### The Sweetbloom Pool

* Description: Undoubtedly amongst the finest of establishments in the capital, the Sweetbloom Pool is a series of five small towers set around a stunning courtyard filled with all manner of flora. Worry not however, those that avoid outside eating in fear of the weather, for an enchantment holds the precipitation at bay, while maintaining a continuous and warm environment below. If any expense is spared at the Pool, then it goes unnoticed, and has become a favourite amongst the nobility, with spacious rooms with windowsill gardens, large balconies overlooking the city and serving staff tending to every need.
* Location: Chalimar, Vasseur Canton
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥

#### The Broken Fang

* Description: Named for the conquests of Elaria Bettencourt, the Broken Fang's walls are adorned with the colours of the House of Bettencourt, whilst the floor is lined with fabric akin to the banners of the defeated Blue Fang mercenaries against which she made her name, placed under foot for evermore. Local produce features throughout the menus, with their take on Firepot Stew being particularly refined and flavourful. Rooms are often hard to come by, giving the tavern's popularity as a final stopping point for travellers on the Melody Walk bound for Chalimar.
* Location: Betten's Court
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### The Cunning Rouge

* Description: Standing at contrast to the Wand and Quill, the Cunning Rouge is a quieter and more subdued establishment that maintains a level of Atral flair in its construction and interior design. Featuring numerous sheltered alcoves lit warmly with a combination of candlelight and arcane flame, it is a popular meeting place for residents of Redbloom and travellers alike. While it is open all hours, the Cunning Rouge notably does not overnight boarding, but as long as patrons continue to order food or drink, they are welcome to remain at their tables for as long as they need or desire.
* Location: Redbloom
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥

#### Wand and Quill

* Description: The favoured haunt of many of the students of the Crimson College, the Wand and Quill is located but a spell's sling away from the establishment's grounds in the cleft between the two shallow hills around which the city has come to be. The tavern is known to directly employ many of the students that frequent its number of halls and siderooms, and thus the patrons have grown patient to those that attempt to deliver ordered drinks and meals by means of *Mage Hand* than other more reliable methods, or when misfiring spells send a table teetering unexpectedly.
* Location: Redbloom, close to the Crimson College
* Rating: ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### The Fused Lock

* Description: Starting life as a barn, the Fused Lock has since expanded several times over with growing interest from travellers upon the road between Storm's Break, Redbloom and Chalimar. Famed for its locally-produced ciders, with range in price between 2cp to a 5gp per cup depending on the particular variety, the Fused Lock is known to freely offer discounts to members of the Silvertower army as a measure of gratitude afforded by the owner - although while the thanks is forthcoming, the reasoning is not.
* Location: Doupter Road, north of Ouryleme
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### Clam and Oyster

* Description: Most noteworthy for its ornately-carved arched doorway, the Clam and Oyster commands impressive views over Oyster Bay, the salt-rich breeze whistling freely through the rustic outside plazas that surround it. Specialising in shellfish from both the bay and the gulleys of the Green River, I can also wholeheartedly recommend the flambéed lamprey, which is best enjoyed with a goblet of fine red wine.
* Location: Storm's Break, just south of Beaconlight Castle.
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥

#### The Bench Hook

* Description: Nestled amongst numerous sailmakers and menders, the Bench Hook is a central spot amongst the numerous smaller quaysides and jetties away from the Sanctuary Docks, where the Atral Navy calls port. Sailors merchant and martial alike are amongst those that make up the typical clientele, retiring to its warm hearth come nightfall. While far more modest in scope compared to the Clam and Oyster, the Bench Hook's hot buttered breads, cheese and pan-fried fish prove a lure for those that know to look out for it.
* Location: Storm's Break, amongst the southern quaysides
* Rating: ♨ ♨ | ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### Newvine's Nest

* Description: Do not let the decriers and sycophants of the Stalrose Vineyard dissuade you from visiting Newvine's Nest and sampling the numerous wines produced in the surrounding lands. Far more affordable for a drink that at its best may be only marginally inferior to those produced within the Province of Pervou, Newvine's Nest has a bountiful selection of produce and rooms alike, serving the local community and travellers. Annually on the Feast of the Brightnoon, the owners of Newvine's Nest set up an elaborate series of challenges for would-be competitors, the winner granted free dining in the establishment for the remainder of the year.
* Location: Garnetgrove, Central Street
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥

#### Sheaf and Winnow

* Description: It is easy to forget that not all Atral cuisine is a high art, as is often espoused by cooks and bakers serving the aristocracy of the Realm. The Sheaf and Winnow remains testament to the remaining existence that for many, it remains a celebrated matter, but of simple dishes elevated by care and attention from tilling to table. Supplied by the local bounty of the lands of the House of Flaxfield, the Sheaf and Winnow is a bastion for traditional Atral cuisine without the exaggerations of both showmanship and price common in the capital. A word of warning though, and I cannot stress this enough, this tavern may been home to one of the most uncomfortable beds I have ever had the misfortune of encountering - and so perhaps a passing visit is advisable compared to a lingering stay.
* Location: Flaxenfelt
* Rating: ♨ ♨ ♨ | ⚖ ⚖ | 🜥 🜥 🜥