Sew and Tell

Sew and Tell is an expensive fabric and tailoring establishment in Parnos. The shop was originally established around 500 years ago, as "A Tall Order" by a Halfling entrepreneur called Fallan Nitas, initially selling a wide variety of general purpose goods and fabrics. The business was handed down to the eldest child of each generation, remaining within the Nitas family. Around 400 years ago the business passed in excellent state from Kithcaryn Nitas to her son 18yo son Finbul. Kithcaryn was wary about the

   transition as Finbul had never shown either interest or talent for the family business. She had considered breaking with the hereditary path of the business to hand it to Finbul's much younger brother Erbin but the pressure of family tradition overcame her reluctance and the business passed to her firstborn as it had always done before. It was widely regarded as a total disaster within the Nitas family!

Finbul decided to change the direction of the business from general trade to fabrics and tailoring. He had grand visions of people wearing "Nitas" throughout Randore. Unfortunately Finbul's vision was not accompanied by an iota of business skill or craftsmanship.

He stocked the cheapest materials he could buy and the shop was full with piles of dusty fabrics. Although Finbul could design beautiful items he was unable to stitch even a simple seam and most clothes he made were returned by angry customers, when they split or fell to pieces.

It seemed that after over half a century of successful trade the Natis family business was going to close. Finbul took to drowning his sorrows in the local hostelry and it was here he first met Ruven Malthen.

At that time Ruven was a young elf but already an impressive figure. He wore his noble heritage like a mantle and exuded both money and confidence. After a night of wine and cards, a game at which Ruven seemed particularly proficient, Finbul lost the shop.

The following night he approached Ruven in the tavern and begged to have his family business back. Ruven seemed to consider this at great length and then made him an offer. He returned the ownership of the shop to Finbul and the Nitas family line for the small price of 90% of any profit made during Finbul's period of ownership. Finbul readily agreed to the terms. The thought of explaining to his mother that he had lost the family business on a hand of cards was too much to countenance.

Ruven proved to be a huge asset to the business and Finbul readily capitulated control to him. Ruven used his wealth to gut the premises and negotiated new stock from a huge range of travelling merchants from across Randore. He employed several highly skilled tailors and seamstresses to make garments of the highest quality. Finbul continued to do what he did best; designing and drinking.

The newly named, Sew and Tell, was reopened with great fanfare and soon became *the* place to buy quality textiles or have garments designed and made in Parnos. The profits rolled in, although Finbul continued to live in a tiny apartment above the shop. His younger brother Erbin knew that Ruven had some hold over his brother but Finbul forbade him from interfering. Finbul knew that his descendent would inherit a wildly profitable business and had no desire for anyone to know the price he paid for that.

Finbul became a designer of renown in his own right, particularly after designing a gown for the Queen of Parnos. He remained somewhat reclusive and Ruven used this to increase the mystique of his garments.

Finbul had several lovers over the years, most notably a Tabaxi silk merchant called Quiet Wave. He was a tall sensual being and Finbul adored him. The two could occasionally be seen wandering the city at night hand in hand. Finbul never married, preferring his paints and solitude. He continued designing into his 90th year but his eyes had become too poor to continue much beyond.

He handed over control of the business to Erbin and Ruven no longer took the profits.

Ruven had accumulated both a vast amount of wealth and contacts during the 75 years of Finbul's tenure and offered to continue in a consultative capacity as required. Erbin never liked Ruven but could see the benefits his contacts and connections could be and as such comissioned his assistance regularly over the years.

Erbin had much better business sense than his brother, although no design skills to speak of! He employed a designer to continue the NITAS design range and Sew and Tell continues successfully to this day.

Ruven would occasionally provide assistance to the Nitas family and commissioned both Arryn's wedding gown and all Aerith's clothes from them as they remained the very best in Parnos.

### Timeline of Sew and Tell

19, 245 - Fallon Nitas opened the original store, "A Tall Order"

19, 662 - Ownership passed to Kithcaryn Nitas

19, 742 - Ownership passed to Finbul Nitas

19, 743 - Finbul Nitas loses the shop in a card game to Ruven Malthen - the only time the business ever passed from Nitas ownership

19, 744 - The shop is reopened as "Sew and Tell" - This is the only period in the business history when a Non-Nitas family member had active involvement

19,748 - Finbul's "Nature Collection" became a huge success and sealed the shop's place as the tailoring establishment for the elite families of Parnos.

19, 814 - Finbul hands over the shop to his younger brother Erbin

19, 853 - Erbin hands control of the shop to his eldest daughter Harana

19, 863 - Harana dies, in an industrial accident, and the shop passes to her sister Leda

19, 910 - Leda hands over the shop to her twin sons Eryon and Eryas

19, 915 - Eryas leaves the business and Parnos under a cloud (he was being pursued by the guard after illegal substances were discovered in a shipment of robes)

19,946 - Eryon hands over the business to his daughter Bella - who was the next owner, after Finbul, to also have a design role in the company

19, 997 - Bella leaves the shop to her sister Ariwyn, having no children herself

20, 057 - Ariwyn hands the shop to Hana (grandmother of Falben)

20, 102 - Hana hands the shop to Korlan (Falben's father) who remains in charge at present. Korlan is looking to change the traditional inheritance. Falben has taken to fighting and thieving and he has no other children. Korlan is considering asking his brother Conbin to take over. This would be the first instance of deliberately altering the inheritance to pass ownership to a more sensible family member.