The Padestos

The well-to-do of Balic, as those in all city-states, typically do not wish to associate with the lower classes that make up the vast majority of the citizens within Balic's walls. They would much rather find the best comforts and diversions that their wealth can provide and mingle with those of their own station. The Padestos is such a place.

Located in the North Quarter, one of Balic's wealthiest neighborhoods, this private club allows only the wealthy through its elaborately carved doors. A pair of guards, Gardekus (a mul warrior) and a Erhases (human psychic warrior), forcefully turn away those not deemed appropriately dressed. Those who are not regulars are given more careful scrutiny, but regulars are greeted by name.

From the outside, three stone steps underneath a short curved porch lead to the elaborately carved wooden doors into the club. Only two windows look out from the first floor and they are covered by thick red curtains, allowing only a small amount of light inside. The outside of the tavern is made of gleaming white granite and marble and strongly declare the wealth of the establishment's clientele.

Stepping through the entrance leads brings customers to a waiting area decorated in white and rich red. The floor is nearly entirelycovered by a rug ringed with repeating square patterns surrounding a solid red interior. To the right, a curving staircase with a marble balustrade leads up to the second floor. Straight across from the entrance is the squared archway to the bar, while between the stairs and the bar entrance is a cloak-check operated by a lovely half-elven woman, Marista.

The Darnestis Room, named for one of the club's early supporters and frequent guests, is a dimly lit place to enjoy a quiet meal or drink. Soft light emanates from glow globes interspersed on the red velvet walls. Padded booths and tables, as well as a bar, provide ample seating for guests.

Just to the west of the Darnestis Room is the kitchen. A cramped and busy room, the chefs and staff bustle to serve some of Balic's most influential citizens. A staircase leads up to the second floor so meals are brought up with as little disturbance to the guests as possible.

The second floor is split into two areas. The staircase enters the main dining room, with more seating than the intimate Darnestis Room and more brightly lit as well. A second bar runs along the western wall, opposite the staircase. Large windows provide ample lighting to the dining area during daylight ours, with glowglobes that light later in the evening. A musicians nook rests in the northwest corner of the room. Typically, a single minstrel plays in the day while a small group of them plays in the evening.

To the south of the dining area, overlooking the street, is a patio area, and is typically used in the cooler hours of the day or night. Delicately carved statues and planters decorate the patio and provide a pleasant environment for patrons to sit above the street traffic and enjoy the company of other well-to-do patricians and merchants.

The owner of The Padestos is Jermenses Armenedes (N hm Ari 9), one of the two halves of the Armenedes patrician house. He is renowned for his wit and connections among all the city's elites, and is a fixture at all the important Balican social gatherings. His father founded The Padestos as a place for like-minded (i.e. wealthy) Balicans and visitors to mingle in a quiet and refined atmosphere. The Padestos was build using one of the Armenedes city estates and has been a very successful venture.

Not all of the Armenedes supported the business. The branch of the Armenedes family that runs the estates west of Balic saw the move as a task for commoners, not patricians, and some still feel that way. But the place in The Padestos has in social circles has cemented the restaurants continued existence.

The Padestos serves all of the finer wines created on the Balican Peninsula, though its specialty is Aremendes own dry red grown from grapes on its estate to the east. Several of the regions top beers and ales are also available. The chefs are among the finest in the city, and their dishes such as olive-stuffed jeeth (jeeth are small Athasian lizards), erlu fried in lemon, and orange custard draw the most discriminating palates.