Auvrynon City, The Crimson Tap

Mortimer Moreau, necromancer extraordinaire, inherited the Blue Lion Tap from an uncle he’d forgotten about decades ago. A well dressed man with a dour expression, raven hair and cold, dark eyes, Mortimer didn’t know the first thing about running a tavern but knew that he wanted money to fund his ongoing experiments. It took four years, untold bribes and more than a few spells to convert the Blue Lion into the Crimson Tap, the only legal tavern in the City of Gates to cater to vampires and others that enjoy the taste of blood.

Of course the necromancer had affluent supporters. Some of the oldest vampires are also the wealthiest citizens of the port city and the idea of having an elegant pub to entertain living business associates and others during daylight hours appealed greatly to them. There are rooms available for those needing to rest, all underground, all lavishly decorated. These are only available to undead, not the living. It’s one of the stipulations the City demanded.

While Mortimer visits the Crimson Tap at least weekly, he spends most of his time in his upstairs office or speaking with Eloise, a permanent fixture of the place. Young and beautiful, Eloise is slowly taking over the running of the Crimson Tap from Mortimer. The two seem to share more than a working relationship.

Chained to the exterior on either side of the front doors, perched on cement pedestals, skeletal gargoyles suffer the taunts of city children with indifferent stares and the occasional scrape of their claws against the concrete. A collection of rocks and trash within and around the animated skeletons is cleaned up daily.

Protected from daylight and hunters that would see them eradicated, even those harmed by the sun can find refuge within the magicked walls of the Crimson Tap. Stepping inside the double doors, one encounters another set of double doors within the magically darkened vestibule. The vestibule is such that only one set of doors may be opened at a time to cut out any chance of sunlight, accidentally or otherwise, spilling into the Crimson Tap, allowing vampires within to walk freely through the establishment.

At least one employee, typically a vampire, is always is in attendance within the enclosure. Magically protected from sunlight by a strongly enchanted pendant, the employee screens all potential customers, denying entrance at his or her discretion. Children are not allowed within the Crimson Tap and that’s strongly enforced. Anyone under the age of sixteen, or the equivalent based on race, are not permitted entrance. The exception being for young vampires and even they must be in attendance with a vampire sponsor until a relationship has been established.

Through the second set of double doors, one is at once wrapped in a warm cocoon of satiny darkness, the subdued lighting takes a few moments for the eyes to adjust. Those entering with silver or holy water on their person are highlighted with a bright purple faerie fire, alerting wary occupants of possible harm.

The interior of the Crimson Tap is lavish, the chairs and chaise lounges are covered in crushed deep purple and crimson velvet, the dark exotic paneling of a rare hardwood that shines from countless layers of lemon oil that accentuates the dark red whorls and patterns. The long bar with the black and gold flecked granite countertop is of the same wood. While there is no stage, often the quiet music of talented bards plays from a location near a massive stone fireplace that is lit no matter the hour of the day or season.

The eclectic staff only adds to the unique ambience in the Crimson Tap. Reynaldo, handsome in an unearthly and exotic way, serves up drinks and conversation with a charm that can put even the most timid customer at ease. He has mastered the art of smiling frequently while rarely offering any glimpse of fang. From a dark corner the tinkling notes of piano music indicate that Phantom Jack is in residence. Once a noted gambler, Jack met a bloody end near the wharf when a bitter foe slit his throat over the matter of a poker pot. Since then, Jack has haunted the Tap and provided entertainment with his music and the occasional “assistance” when guests strike up a game of cards. Rounding out the staff are Stubbs, a black severed hand that skitters around and performs odd job, and the White Ladies. They are, perhaps, the most enigmatic of the staff. It is rare to catch more than a fleeting glimpse of white mist as they move through the Tap; more often they prefer to remain unseen while levitating trays of drinks and cleaning up after customers.

Bloodwyne is served, expensive as it is gained through legal means. Blood sausage, Red Velvet Cake and Black Pudding are also served. Along with nourishment for vampires and their ilk, the Crimson Tap serves alcohol and food for the living as well. From venison stew to fine cuts of meat with seasonal vegetables, fresh butter and warm, crusty bread and scrumptious desserts, the menu is full of comfort foods.

Every Thursday night living hosts offer themselves up to quench the thirst of the vampires. It proved a legal nightmare for Mortimer but it now is something featured on their advertising. Donors must fill out a pile of paperwork that is turned over to the city and are asked to arrive an hour earlier to complete the documentation. Women and men, living and willing, offer themselves up to the freaky fantasy of feeding the vampires. Nothing beats the taste and nourishment of warm blood pumped by the heart for the survival of the undead. Every care is taken to make sure that donors are protected from both death and undeath with clerics on site. Mortimer is often seen on these nights to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Due to the liability, any person displaying drunken behavior will be escorted from the Tap. As drunkenness is something mortals are subject to, their behavior is always watched. Vampires can be trespassed from the Crimson Tap as well for taking too much blood from mortal hosts. The Undead establishment is constantly under the watchful eye of the city and nothing will be tolerated that would jeopardize the existence of Mortimer’s business.

The Crimson Tap is like any other high end, respected tavern in the city and has above quality security.