Hidden among the stone alleys of the Nocturnal Pacts District, The Shadow of the Rock seems to be part of the city itself, as if its walls grew along with Dergorai. There are no signs or loud announcements here, only a narrow dark passage between two buildings leading down a damp stone staircase. The light is barely enough to avoid stumbling, and the surrounding silence grows heavier until a massive door, hidden deep within the rock, finally appears.
Beyond these doors, there is no noise of the taverns from the Trade District or the songs of warriors’ halls. Silence reigns here, with hushed voices and the soft clink of coins, occasionally interrupted by the dull thud of mugs hitting tables. This is a place for those who do not wish to be recognized, whose business cannot afford witnesses. No names are spoken aloud here, and no deal leaves these walls.
Atmosphere and Interior
The tavern’s ceiling is low, as if designed not for people but for shadows merging with the rough-hewn walls. The lighting is dim, provided by small magical crystals embedded in the walls, flickering in sync with the city’s unseen breath. The floor is stone, but covered with an old rug to muffle footsteps.
The tavern is divided into several areas:
- Main Hall – Low oak tables, shielded from prying eyes by wooden partitions. This is where secret negotiations take place, services are paid for, and deals are struck.
- The Shadow Hall – A separate room closed off by a heavy metal door. This is where the most dangerous and important meetings occur.
- Solitude Chambers – Small enclosed booths resembling prison cells. Clients can lock themselves inside, communicating only through a tiny window in the door.
- Hidden Exit – A discreet corridor behind the bar leading into the network of tunnels beneath the city.
The scents here are a blend of burnt oil, cheap spirits, and old scrolls. Every object carries a fine layer of dust—not from neglect, but because little changes here except for the people and their secrets.
Tavern Menu
Food and drink in The Shadow of the Rock exist not for pleasure but to maintain vigilance. Here, drinking is not for forgetting—it is for never losing control.
- Black Ash – A thick, dark ale with a hint of smokiness that removes fatigue.
- Silent Whiskey – A strong, scentless drink, the favorite choice of spies and assassins.
- Stone Draught – A heavy, dense mushroom-based infusion from the Underdark, sharpening perception and granting resistance to poisons for 2 hours.
- Traitor’s Dust – A legendary tincture with an unforgettable taste, yet its ingredients remain a mystery even to the regulars.
The Shadow of the Rock
This is a place for those who do not wish to be recognized, those who wield not just weapons but fates. Here, contracts are made, secrets are kept, and people ensure that no one knows more than they should. Anyone may enter, but not everyone leaves with what they came for.
Notable NPCs
Shakra “The Mute Key” – Tavern Owner
“If you have something to say – speak. If not – then listen.”
Shakra is a deep dwarf with empty eyes, missing her left hand at the elbow. Rumors say she was once an executioner but defied an order. Now, her service is not death, but silence.
Grimar “The Faceless” – Eternal Patron
“Have you already paid for your answer?”
Grimar is a dwarf whose face is hidden behind a mask, permanently affixed by a spell. He never speaks first, but he can answer any question—if you know the price.