Bruxelles: The Tired Tiger Saloon

Situated on the north side of the city is the Tired Tiger Saloon. A modest three story brick building, it sports a large open tavern on the ground floor and a total of 13 rooms for rent on the second and attic floors, four of which are suites and suitable for larger parties of travelers.

Entering the tavern, visitors are first struck with the solid construction of the building. Arched stone vaults spring up from solid posts that uniquely divide up the ground floor into nine quadrants. The highest points of the ceiling are 14 feet above the floor making it comfortable for even the largest of humanoids.

Straight across from the main entrance is the bar stretching across the center vault of the far set of arches. It is an old oak carved bar. The intricacies of its carvings cannot be properly enjoyed unless the observer is standing about 4 feet from the bar itself. Then a variety of scenes appear to jump to three-dimensional life. All the figures in the carvings are frozen forever in time but beautiful by any stretch of the mind. Small additions of color and highlighting, whether by paint or magic give the forms an almost realistic aura.

Behind the bar is the kitchen and presumably the proprietor's living space. Visitors can catch glimpses of kitchenware and a large black stove as the hinged door swings back and forth with the passing of the waiters and waitresses the establishment employees.

To the left of the bar is a short hallway that turns right at the end and then up a flight of stairs to the second floor.

The proprietor of the Tired Tiger is Mad Martin, a burly old dwarf with a patch over one eye and an attitude to match. He is rumored to be so old that no one knows exactly how old he really is. His appearance is that of ancient proportions and his wild hair is entirely white. Nothing the old dwarf does gives any hint that he is as old as rumored and he manages the Tired Tiger like a consummate professional many many years younger than himself.

Business at the Tired Tiger is brisk and sports a fairly even mix of travelers as well as locals. Everyone is well behaved and tend to have come here for socialization and drinking. Swish is played on a regular basis by the dwarven regulars who always welcome new players even if they are only there for the evening.


(c) Robert J Becraft, 1995. No portions of these web documents may be reproduced or copied without the expressed consent of the author.