The Low Slate
The Low Slate takes its name from the flat shelf of dark rock that slopes beneath its pilings at low tide. The first building here was a net-mender's shed, raised on salvaged ship timbers. It became a pub after a harbor clerk named Haku, remembered only in a fading dockside account book, began serving hot broth to crews waiting out bad weather. The current keeper rebuilt the upper floor after a winter storm tore away half the roof.
The Low Slate
Overview
History
The Low Slate takes its name from the flat shelf of dark rock that slopes beneath its pilings at low tide. The first building here was a net-mender's shed, raised on salvaged ship timbers. It became a pub after a harbor clerk named Haku, remembered only in a fading dockside account book, began serving hot broth to crews waiting out bad weather. The current keeper rebuilt the upper floor after a winter storm tore away half the roof.
Quirks
The floor tilts slightly toward the harbor, so mugs left unattended slowly creep across the bar. When the tide turns, the flat rock beneath the pilings gives a low, hollow groan that briefly drowns out conversation. The regulars have a standing wager on which table will lose a coin to the tilt first.
Rooms and services6
- Harbor-facing bunkroomLodgingA broad, salt-stained room with shuttered windows facing the harbor. Sailors can rent a bunk by the night, and the keeper keeps a few dry blankets behind the bar.
- Dockside gear yardStorageA fenced lean-to for pack animals and a locked rack for skiffs' oars, nets, and other awkward cargo. The attendant keeps watch until dawn.
- Wager tableEntertainmentA scarred table where patrons wager copper and silver on knucklebones, cards, or guesses about the next ship to make harbor. The house takes a modest cut.
- Sailor's stageEntertainmentA narrow plank stage for shanties, sea stories, and the occasional traveling performer. Performances are informal, but the crowd will loudly demand an encore.
- Chart roomPrivate roomA small private room with a door that latches from the inside. Its thick curtains muffle conversation, though the floorboards still carry sound to the cellar.
- Wash tubsBathingA freshwater pump and two wooden tubs screened from the yard. The water is heated by the kitchen's stove and is usually available after sunset.
People
The keeper and 5 patronsKeeperBruk Half-orc fighter, level 5
Dockworker, a sturdy local with no taste for unnecessary troubleToma A broad-shouldered dockhand who speaks plainly and pays promptly. He is quietly protective of younger workers and remembers every ship that has hired him.
Traveling map seller and experienced coastal navigatorYámi Sorel A quick-talking chart seller who turns every answer into a story. She is clever and observant, but her bold claims about distant waters are not always trustworthy.
Fisherman and occasional supplier to the kitchenOru A soft-spoken fisher who watches the room more than the door. He offers practical advice freely, but never says why he stopped going out after dark.
Minor trader, accustomed to negotiating with crews and port officialsDalia Rusk A cheerful merchant with a careful eye for bargains. She laughs easily, but becomes guarded whenever anyone asks about her latest cargo.
New sailor looking for a berth on an outbound shipPaku A restless young deckhand who talks big about adventure and gets flustered when challenged. He is brave enough to take a risk, but inexperienced at judging which risks are worth taking.
Keeper's Species
Half-orc
Intrigue
What locals say
The Low Slate is a working pub rather than a polished inn. Its regulars include sailors, net-menders, stevedores, and merchants who prefer to hear dockside news before it reaches the counting houses. The rock shelf below the building makes the tide unusually audible: locals say that three knocks beneath the floor mean a ship is due, though the claim has never proved reliable. The keeper's charts and notices are practical, not magical, and any strange occurrences are custom local rumors rather than established setting lore.
Plot hooks
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