#The Lazy Bowl tavern and inn

[lusifernocturne]

The Lazy Bowl tavern and inn

A smaller building with three floors; one for the tavern, two for the guest rooms(4 small single rooms[5sp], 2 small rooms with double beds[1gp], and 4 moderate rooms with 2 double beds[8cp]). The innkeeper lives in a moderate room on the first floor. The food is made with local produce, spices, and meat.

Innkeeper: Pyre(earth genesi woman)

Menu (or average price of a room/meal): Fish stew(10cp), Buckwheat Porridge(3 cp), Mug of Cider (3 cp), Stewed Pork and Mushrooms with a Tankard of Cider (7 cp), Boiled Mutton and Rye Bread with a Tankard of Beer (9 cp), Boiled Eggs and Dried Beetroot with Tankard of Bitter (11 cp), Tankard of any drinks on the menu(2cp), Fresh salad and Boiled Mutton(2sp), Fresh salad(12cp), Tea(2cp), coffee(2cp), sweet rolls (4 for 7cp), crab cakes(2 good sized for 5cp), and a dish of the day.

Dish of the day by day of the week-

Monday: Atolla sea chili; made with crabmeat, shrimp, and sea scallops, tomatoes, celery, corn, green onions, kidney beans, and colorful bell peppers. It's a very spicy dish with a hint of sweetness at the end. It's served with sweet rolls and a drink of your choice.(5sp)

Tuesday: Grilled bass or trout and mixed vegetables(made up of mushrooms, beets, yellow squash, brussels sprouts, and asparagus). Served with either Rye Bread or a side salad and a drink of your choice.(10cp)

Wednesday: Fish of the day(up to you) with garlic sauce and noodles. Served with mixed fruit(also up to you) and a drink of your choice.(6cp)

Thursday: Fish and chips or Rum-Glazed Shrimp, batter scraps , and rye bread and butter. Served with a drink of your choice, and if wanted lemon wedges and/or a sauce(Tartare, Salt and vinegar, or curry). (3sp)

Friday: Baked Salmon with lemon and garlic, cabbage and rutabaga Slaw, and mixed berry salad. Server with rolls and a drink of your choice.(3sp)

Saturday: Beef stir-fry made with bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, water chestnuts, and green onions. It has a delicious scent and taste combination.  Served with a drink of your choice and either sweet rolls or crab cakes.(5sp)

Sunday: 1. Garlicky Lemon Mahi Mahi, seared scallops, ruby red beet & apple salad, and baked potato. Served with a drink of your choice and either sweet rolls or rye bread & butter.(8sp)

2. Seafood Jambalaya made with shrimp, two buttermilk cornbread muffins, collard greens, and corn on the cob. Served with a drink of your choice and either crab balls, hush puppies, or rolls.(6sp)

Rumors: Small jobs, gnoll attacks, places that may need help, crime, and local gossip.

#tavern #City of Atolla #dungeons and dragons #dnd worldbuilding #world building #dnd tavern #dnd food #dnd drink #Pyre DnD #dnd homebrew #homebrew #The Lazy Bowl tavern and inn

[disneyanduniversalnews]

10 Things you HAVE to do at Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

If you are looking for picturesque views, phenomenal dining options, pools that will transport you and your family to full vacation mode, and oh yeah some Universal Orlando Resort theme park perks, too? Well, you're in luck because half of the fun of a Universal Orlando vacation can be found at the eight unique and impeccably themed hotels throughout the resort.

Since I'm such a fan of all of our hotels, I thought I'd gather up ten of my favorite things to do at each Universal Orlando Resort hotel (Universal's Endless Summer Resort- Dockside Inn and Suites or Surfside Inn and Suites, Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal's Aventura Hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel).

With eight hotels that all offer something different, it was no small feat for me to narrow this list down to ten! I say explore as many of our hotel offerings as possible during your visit, but for now...

Embark on a Rum-Tasting Journey at Strong Water Tavern.

This experience at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is an educational blast- you'll be paired with a Rum Captain (coolest job title ever) who will host a tasting of several different rums and teach you about their flavor nuances. Even if you're not a rum-fan, I recommend trying this out or just sitting at the bar and enjoying one of the other great signature cocktails.

2. Bowl a strike at Galaxy Bowl

Well, at least try to bowl a strike. How many hotels have a literal bowling alley in them? Let alone one as cool as you'll find at Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Whether you're staying at this hotel or not you should definitely plan a bowling excursion during your Universal trip.

3. Make a splash at your hotel pool.

What's a vacation to Florida without a day spent at the pool? Each of the hotels deliver their own great pool experience (Cabana Bay Beach Resort even has a lazy river)! be sure to check out our guide to the pools here and don't forget your sunscreen.

4. Get adventurous with the sushi at Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar.

Sushi with a view is the most succinct way I can articulate the magic is this restaurant in Loews Royal Pacific Resort. The sushi menu is vibrant and inventive, the cocktail offerings are one-of-a-kind, and you'll be enjoying it all with a view worthy of the word "Paradise" as the restaurant overlooks the lush and tropical vibes at Royal Pacific.

5. Attempt the Kitchen Sink Challenge at The Kitchen in Hard Rock Hotel.

Think you have what it takes to eat a burger, side of fries, one fried pickle, and a giant slice of The Kitchen Sink Cake in thirty minutes? Even if you can't, I bet it'll be a delicious experience trying.

6. Enjoy gelato on the harbor.

Get yourself a cup of gelato from the Gelateria and soak in the relaxing ambience of the harbor at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. You may even end up having to pinch yourself to come back to reality and remind yourself you're not actually in Italy.

7. Grab a rooftop drink and bite to eat at Bar 17 Bistro.

Take in one of the best views throughout all of Universal Orlando Resort at Bar 17 Bistro, located at the top of Aventura Hotel. Sipping on a Volcano View with a view of Volcano Bay is an unmatched experience.

8. Level up your vacation with one of our themed kid's suites.

Whether the kids in your group are into dinosaurs, Minon's, or music, there's a kids-suite for them! The different kids' suites throughout Universal hotels will really have you sleeping when the action is with the Future Rock Star Suites at Hard Rock Hotel, Despicable Me Kids Suites Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and Jurassic World Kids Suites at Royal Pacific Resort.

9. Sample all of the exclusive drinks the hotels have to offer.

If you're at Universal Orlando Resort's newest hotel, Dockside Inn and Suites, grab some of the Wet n' Wild-inspired specialty cocktails by the pool. More of a beer drinker? Enjoy the specialty craft beers at Sunset Lounge in Dockside or head to Jake's American Bar at Royal Pacific Resort to try out their menu of specialty beers. Pro-tip for your time at Jake's - all of the Team Members have made-up names there! Be sure to ask your server why they picked theirs.

10. Treat yourself to some pampering at Mandara Spa.

You deserve it! This spa at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel has a ton of options for you to relax and bring your vacation to another level of pure joy and bliss. Besides, after all that roller coaster riding you've been doing in the theme parks, you've earned yourself a massage.

Ok, now I'm at 10 and I knew I'd have to fight the urge to make this list longer! Let me know in the comments below your favorite Universal hotel activities.

[amethystpath-writes]

Haha! It finally worked!!

A drabble about ✨magic✨

"Only juveniles go to the Carnival," an old man explained to the little girl who lived next door. "Damned kids," he grunted before taking a sip of the coffee he had just ordered.

The girl was curious. She had never seen someone drink without first pouring at least two tablespoons of sugar into the mug.

The old man sat the cup down after a few sips and continued, "Do you know the game...the one with the stacks of milk bottles and a baseball?"

She nodded, twirling a spoon in her own drink; warm tea. Usually she mixed in sugar like the coffee drinkers, but this place, her favorite tavern-inn, stuck mint leaves in the tea! Tea with mint was a wealthy person's drink, but here she was sipping it up.

"-don't even use play-balls! They use apples, perfectly unbruised apples! Can you believe it?"

"No, sir, I can't!" But she could believe it and she wanted to see it. She'd never been to the Carnival, which meant she didn't particularly care what they used as balls, even if it was perfectly unbruised apples. The girl wondered aloud, "Do they use red or green apples?" She paused with consideration and the old man waited. "I hope they throw the green ones. The green apples tickle my tongue all weird." At the icky thought, the young girl shifted awkwardly as the old man chuckled at her.

"Yes, the green ones are certainly sour. But you might just like this one."

She squinted at her neighbour's open palm. "But there's no-" An apple appeared in his hand. She blinked with her jaw wide open. "How'd you do that!" she squealed.

The old man held a finger to his lips and whispered, "Magic." A corner of his mouth twitched. "Have you ever tasted magic before?"

"N-no, sir. But that just looks like a regular apple to me." She didn't quite believe in magic. Imagination, illusion, sure, but not magic. It was too far out from her world.

He smiled. "Well if you're not going to eat it-" His teeth were so near to sinking into the green skin.

"No!" She glanced nervously around. She hadn't meant to be so loud. "I want to eat it. I do." It was only the curiosity that got the best of her.

His smile widened and he held his palm out at a slant, letting the apple topple over and over before it fell from the tips of his fingers. The girl barely caught it before it could thump on the table.

The girl examined the apple. It truly did look...ordinary. Completely ordinary. "What's so special about it again?"

"I told you, girl. Magic."

"Well yeah," She shrugged. "But what's so special about it? It is still a green apple. Am I going to bit into it and have caramel fill my mouth?"

"If that is what you wish." He breathed in, sighed. His patience was wearing thin.

"Could I wish for something else?"

He answered, "If you wanted. Take a bite and see."

"I mean, could I make a wish with the apple." At this point, she thought the two of them were playing a game. "Not make a wish of what the apple would be, but if I wanted to make a wish as I bit into the apple, would it come true? Say I wished for my family to have more money." All a game. The girl still didn't believe in magic, and she doubted that her old neighbour did either. They were playing play-pretend. A small part of her said she was too old for these games, but who else her age or older would ever act like true magic existed? It was best to take advantage of this childish moment.

"That's a bit more complicated."

"How?" She twirled the apple in the air with a lazy wrist.

"That apple has already been created-"

Grown, he means, the girl thought to herself. Better not to get too involved with this fantasy, otherwise she might go mad.

"-to do as I said. Whatever taste you wish to have, whatever filling, it will change to your command. If you want a real wish, one beyond the boundaries of an apple, I'd have to craft another."

How old is he again? The girl knew he wasn't old old, but he was- what- in his sixties maybe? Seemed about right. Like a grandpa. Not a great-grandpa, but a grandpa. And the girl was twenty. Forty years seemed like the right age gap.

The girl stared at the apple. I bet it's fully regular. She squinted, eyed the knife set next to her plate. Nodding, she grabbed the knife and slid it into the apple...only to slice through a crisp white inside. "It is normal!"

He smiled. "You were wishing for your doubt to be true, and so it was. Now think of its center being caramel- without any seeds," he added, "and watch what happens. Maybe split it in half, too. Get creative."

She squinted even further, but put the apple on the plate and halved it with the sharp edge. The girl focused on the apple and imagined a hollow- like a bowl- in the fruit. And then she imagined a stream of caramel being poured into the bowl as if it came from a milk carton.

Her eyes widened, widened, widened. Her lips split until her tongue began to feel dry. She licked her lips and laughed.

There it was, the apple half, carved into a miniature bowl with a creamy caramel making up the once empty contents.

"How- But it was- and the caramel-" She laughed again. "I'm dreaming, aren't I?"

The man reached over, pinched the flesh of her arm. She recoiled. "Not dreaming," he said and beamed at her.

"But then how did this- I don't understand."

"The magicians at that Carnival you want to go to so badly are phonies. I can show you the real stuff. I can teach you the real stuff, if that's something you would like." He shrugged, looked suddenly disinterested. "But if you still don't believe it, then maybe I'll talk to the other neighbour kid, the one right across from your house."

Still not fully believing it, but feeling a large shred of greediness, the girl bit her tongue and said, "No. No, I want to learn. I want to make an apple like you did."

The old man smiled. "Very well. Tomorrow, come to my home at 2pm. I will be on the back patio. You can find me there." He slid out of the booth. The girl scrambled to follow. Her leg was busted, and it was difficult to get out of the booth on her own.

"Wait! My crutch!" The old man had her leave it with his coat when they arrived, and after she did, he'd helped her hobble over to where they sat. Now it seemed like he was just going to leave her.

"First lesson," he said just several steps away. "Magic takes a strong will and determination. Get the crutch yourself." And he continued walking. "If you can't do that, don't come to my home tomorrow." He walked to the entrance, picked his coat off of the rack, shrugged it on, and walked out of the door.

Before the girl even thought about hopping on a single foot, or crawling, or asking someone else to get the crutch for her, she looked at her plate, at the still caramel filled half-apple. The other half still sat wholly normal. She stared at it, thought for a moment.

Maybe it was just a wild imagination that made it work, but she pictured the crunchy inside being replaced with wood, and then she thought of it stretch, stretch, stretching until it was the same size, same shape, as her crutch, which was left by the door. The girl stared in glory of what had once been the half apple.

She grabbed the crutch from off the table, blowing a quick bursted breath out of her nose in almost disbelief. The skin of the apple remained attached to the very end of the wooden crutch and the girl grasped it before pulling it off.

Looking back at the door, her crutch was still there. What she held in her hand was just as real, though. And it'd come from an apple. From magic.

#not a prompt #quickly- the characters are NOT a couple #they are friendly neighbours #not sure if it came off differently or not but I just wanted to make sure there was no confusion haha #magic #magic whumper #kind of #magic whumpee #magician #idek what to tag this #I want to write circus whump 👀 #THAT sounds like fun #oh ho ho #I have too many things to write omg haha

[petermorwood]

Does the Big Book of World Stews exist? or is it a metaphor? I have a mighty need

It’s an amalgamation of a bunch of books we have, combined with several others we’ve seen, seasoned with wishful thinking and so, by extension, becomes a metaphorical representation of what stew is.

(Cough) And if you believe that guff, I have a bridge you might like to buy. :-D

In fact I’ve just checked and Amazon do have “The Big Book of Soups and Stews”, “The World’s 60 Best Stews” and “The Best Stews in the World” - so my fictional title isn’t too far from the mark.

Cast the net even wider by using other names besides “stew” - casseroles, braises, daubes, cassoulets - as well as regionals like curry, goulash, chilli, hotpot.

I like making (and eating) one-pot things like these; maybe it’s my inner peasant, but @dduane thinks my inner laziness plays a part. Once all the initial chopping and seasoning and stirring is done, the lid goes on, the heat goes down and the initial washing-up is finished, time and contents will happily work together while I go off and do something else…

Diana Wynne Jones’s “Tough Guide to Fantasyland” (a must-have, IMO) has this to say:

STEW (the OMTs - Official Management Terms - are “thick” and “savoury”, which translate as “viscous” and “dark brown”) is the staple FOOD in Fantasyland, so be warned. You may shortly be longing passionately for omelette, steak, or baked beans, but none of these will be forthcoming, indoors or out. Stew will be what you are served to eat every single time. Given the disturbed nature of life in this land, where in CAMP you are likely to be attacked without warning (but see BATH), and in an INN prone to be the centre of a TAVERN BRAWL, Stew seems to be an odd choice as staple food, since, on a rough calculation, it takes forty times as long to prepare as steak. But it is clear the inhabitants have not yet discovered fast food. The exact recipe for Stew is of course a Management secret, but it is thought to contain meat of some kind and perhaps even vegetables. Do not expect a salad on the side.

I never found out if I was in some way responsible for this, but I have my suspicions. As a result, MY characters eat a LOT better than just stew, and when stew appears, it’s more than just thick and savoury.

In what I’m currently writing the Fourth Wall remains intact, but notice of “why stew not steak” has been taken…

“Then help yourselves.” Eyman waved at the lidded bowls and dishes along one side of the room. “With a little warning the food could have been more impressive.Something fried or grilled or roasted perhaps. Stew is nothing special—”

“Special enough,” said Kyrin. “It’s hot and ready so we don’t have to wait, and we don’t have to make the fire or do the cooking either.” 

The stew was a hearty pottage of lentils, beans, barley and root vegetables from the winter store, flavoured with chunks of garlicky sausage, a generous measure of red wine and onions fried in fat bacon whose intense smokiness came from weeks on a hook near the chimney-breast.Those robust flavours alone made it an improvement on the lean and tasteless winter hares Kyrin had brought down with her sling. Compared to their last meal together in ‘The Seventh Wave’ this food was coarse and rustic, but appetites honed by shortage made a better seasoning than the most dainty relish,and they fell on it like starving wolves.

There was wheaten bread and butter to keep it company and, to finish, crisp oat griddle-cakes, dried fruit, honey from a crock sealed last autumn, and a slab of cheese so aggressively mature that Aldric wondered if he should stun it with a stick. He settled instead for cautious small slices on the griddle-cakes, tempered with a drizzle of honey.

Kyrin ate it with much more enthusiasm, but then she had once told him she also ate habsilaq, which was some sort of Valhollan fermented saltfish. By comparison - his mental palate shied from ‘fish’ and ‘fermented’ side by side - even the most pungent cheese was probably bland.

Despite the dodgy cheese and still more dodgy fish, I feel curiously peckish.

I wonder what could have caused that…? :->

#food and drink #writing #food in fiction #The Tough Guide to Fantasyland #Diana Wynne Jones #invisible-goats

[pektgraktshevolnornum]

Welcome to Pitsberg

 Welcome to Pektgraktshevolnornum   Pitsberg

PektGraktShevolNornum [Pitsberg to most] is tucked amid the peaks of the Stormshadow mountains.  Initially settled by dwarves, surface trade over the centuries and a firm “We’ll take anyone’s money” policy has resulted in diverse metropolis full of different races and peoples.

Pektgraktshevolnornum is Dwarvish for “sound of digging and gleam of precious jewels.” Though since the incorporation of diverse communities and races in the last century or so, most people just call it “Pits-berg”

No one quite agrees if the city’s nickname comes from the preponderance of pits [lots of excavations] and ice “bergs” that sometime crumble from the Stormshadow mountains in the winter, or references of some of the unhappier residents as being in “the pits

 The High Way

There is only one reliable overland route to Pitsberg in the winter. As such, The Highway is the lifeblood of the City, providing imported food and goods. Constant caravan traffic has resulted in many small towns and “rest stops” being established on the way up the mountain.

Down the slope, settlements and communities that have sprung up to support the city & Highway are sometime referred to as "sub-urban" for their lower altitudes.

Ennui among the young and those jealous of "glamorous" city life is common in the sub-urban townships. This contributes to the influx of adventurers and gentrifiers trying to make it in the big city. Smoking teenage loiterers are not uncommon either.

Bartertown

At the entrance to Pitsberg lies "Bartertown." Originally a "free enterprise zone" where non-dwarf traders could reside without "corrupting" dwarven culture, it's now been completely open for more than a century. Most of its walls and gates are purely vestigial.

No peoples with human or equivalent lifespans remember an isolationist Pektgraktshevolnornum, though some older dwarves do, and some still think opening to outsiders was a mistake. "Pitsberg is such a dumb, ignoble name"

The architectural styles of bartertown differ from the rest of this city, being a mix of non-dwarf construction, and crude yet durable dwarf buildings built to be "suitable" for new immigrants.

Being the only reliable entry to the city via the Highway. Bartertown serves as the center of trade and goods distribution for Pitsberg, as it did when it was still closed off to the rest of the city.

"The Melting Pot" is a popular tavern near the entrance to Pitsberg. It serves no fondue, but rather gets it's name from its unusual cast iron construction, It sags a bit on it's north end, having taken some fire damage over its many years of existence.

Originally built centuries ago to house non-dwarf visitors en masse, the "no-style" architecture of "the Pot" was built as blandly as possible to not offend the unclear tastes of humans and other folk, who wouldn't "get" fine dwarf architecture anyways.

The Tower of Commerce

In the middle of Pektgraktshevolnornum is the "Tower of Commerce," a tall cylindrical structure. Embassies from other cities, states, or financial conglomerations are housed within. Even more rare or unusual peoples than are seen in already diverse Pitsberg are often found nearby.

Prior to being open to all, poor non-dwarf visitors to Pitsberg were basically resigned to Barter Town. If you had money and influence, you might stay in the Tower. It’s mostly the same today, except the poor visitor has a much wider array of slums available to them these days.

The middle of the Tower of Commerce is a central vent. Heat from within the mountain below rises and keeps even the top, high altitude floors comfortable in the most frozen winters. Occasionally smoke plumes from the top, but that happens rarely and is seen as an ill omen.

The Devils’ Teeth/The Comb  

At the Northeast edge of Pitsberg is the region known as “The Devils’ Teeth,” where many of the more monstrous races first “hid” in Times less tolerant than the present day. Now most peoples can live openly with all the rights and privileges afforded regular citizens.

Real estate agents, thirsty politicians and local entrepreneurs have taken to renaming many areas of town to be more appealing. Though still referred to as Devils Teeth by most inhabitants, the area has also begun to be known as “The Comb.”

Neighborhoods in the Teeth have also changed names as they become fashionable and more gentrified. "The Graveyards," where most sentient undead citizens (and non-sentient noncitizens) reside has been trying to establish itself as the GREEN Yards for years now. (It hasn't worked)

Once an industrial zone and slum populated mostly by grave workers, the area South of the "Green Yards," (or "SoYar") has seen a large rejuvenation by artists and the young in recent years.

The gentrification of SoYar has also been abetted by its proximity to the "Blood Bowl" arena.

The Blood Bowl was built initially for gladiatorial combat between mostly "monstrous" peoples. In recent years "Undead fighting Championship" where dueling Necromancers control zombies against each other has become the popular sport of choice.

Some activists and sentient undead have decried the very wording of "undead" as offensive, and prefer the term "Differently Animated"

The Cistern

On the eastern edge of the city is "the Cistern," a large dwarf-made reservoir collecting water and snowmelt from the surrounding peaks.

Water levels rise in the cistern throughout the year, being lowest in the midst of winter, but it hasn't overflowed its boundaries or even reached the outer rim in any but the most long-lived dwarf's memory.

There is also a natural "tide" to the water level which changes minutely throughout the day, presumably from fluctuations of the water supply within the mountain. Geothermal activity is also assumed to be what keeps the water liquid in even the most frigid weather.

The edge of the Cistern has a gradual slope before a steep drop off. As it's been centuries since it has been filled to the brim, the "stone beach" has become a popular recreation spot, particularly for humans since they've been allowed full access to the city.

Recreation and tourist activity has also seen a sort of boardwalk of makeshift shops and games set up on the stone beach within the Cistern. Though technically not allowed by building standards and zoning laws, the city of Pitsberg respects most opportunities to make a buck.

Proximity to the Cistern and beach have made the Eastern side of the city more attractive to human inhabitants, with neighborhoods on the East side trending that way demographically.

Less progressive dwarves sometimes stereotype humans as 'lazy" and unwilling to do the work to transport water reserves. "Picking up water for the month" is taken as a standard chore in many dwarf households. Living closer in order do less work is seen as frivolous and shameful.

Pitsberg resides in a crater on top of the highest peak of the Stormshadow mountains. The eastern edge of the city, however, has a slightly lower elevation than the west, hence why the Cistern was placed on that end by ancient city planners to help collect runoff and snowmelt.

The saying "Shit runs downhill" also has roots in antiquity.

"Human-Town" is pejorative used by dwarves and other non-humans to refer to a number of predominantly human neighborhoods on the east side. It's actually fairly diverse, as people from all over the world have migrated in the last hundred years to avoid wars, poverty, or famine.

Running water isn’t unheard of but isn’t common. There are a few aqueducts on the wealthy west side, and some industrious types may have built “snow bucket” water towers on their roofs, but most denizens go to the cistern themselves as part of their “water chores.”  

Gathering water from the Cistern is an accepted part of daily life and contributes to the Pitsberg-ian identity, where people of various socioeconomic classes and races intermingle. And sure, from time to time conflict sometimes arises.  

There are “watermen” who make a living transporting water for inns and taverns, or the lazy wealthy, but self sufficiency is a key value of dwarven culture so there is a slight taboo on an individual relying on one.

“I can carry my own water!” is a common saying, made by many a dwarf who has felt himself undervalued or judged as not up to a task.

#pitsberg #pektgraktshevolnornum #dungeons and dragons #d&d #worldbuilding

[lusifernocturne]

City of Atolla

The City of Atolla is a city-state located on the Eastern coast of Lothian.

Size: City with around 24,000 within the walls and surrounding farmland. 

Attitude toward Travelers: Fairly welcoming. 

Attitude toward Players: Neutral/a little nerves 

Architectural Style: Tudor 

Visual features and quirks: Lots of sea glass and pretty smooth stones, dirt roads despite being a city, a large cave system, massive coral reef nearby, and the ocean quickly gets super deep. 

Prominent buildings: Council building, meeting house/city hall, 3 guildhalls, 1 large temple to multiple gods, 1 large temple to the god of the sea, a druid's grove in the nearby forest, and a public arena(with a strict no kill policy for fights) 

Majority Race (or melting pot): Melting pot, but has a high concentration of draconic races(kolbolds, half dragons, dragonborns, and even dragons) and outer races(Tieflings, Aasimar, Genasi, ect.). Low number of humans. 

Common language(s): Common, Aquan, and Draconic are most common. Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Sylvan, and the other elemental languages are fairly common.

Economy Major trade in the city? Yes. 

Major exports: Elemental Crystal / Ore(water and lightning), fish, sea based gemstones, spices, local flora, and lumber. 

Major imports: Adamantine, Furs, Inks, granite, dyes, incense, exotic meats, and supplies for farming, fishing, and mining. 

Overall wealth: Fairly high

Taxation: Normally fair, but if the city is majorly damaged by a storm it can get kinda high until everything is fixed. 

Leader(s): The Council of Atolla

Police/Guards and Crime: Decent amount of guards and they mainly deal with petty crimes(thieving and vandalism). But there are still murders and such on occasion. The biggest problem is the gnolls that attack the outlying farms. 

Crime rate: Between Medium and Low 

Can they be bribed? No really, it'd be a very hard thing to do. 

How organized are they? How well-trained? How strict are they? Fairly well organized, pretty well trained, and semi strict.

Primary god(s): Mostly worship Abelus Saloninus but also worship The Phoenix Queen, The Raven Queen, Mask, and Pan.

Culture Unique traditions? Pray before ship travel. If a crew is going on a long voyage they hold a gathering at the harbor to set off the crew with food and well wishes. 

Important holidays?

They participate in the Festival of Pan from the 1st- 7th of First Seed. The Day of Tricks on the 31st of Harvestmere. Festival of the Ancestors in Wintermarch form the 20th to th 22nd.

The only fully unique event is The Festival of Atolla during the last week of Highsun(aka the last 9 days, from the 22nd to the 30th) to celebrate their independence from the Cloud Empire.

Factions

Guardians of the Vaults 

A major merchant's guild with plenty of members but few bases/guildhalls. It's main focus is to help new merchants set up and help one another grow through trade and tips. 

Allies: Shiphaulers 

Rivals: None

Shiphaulers 

Otherwise known as the sailor's guild, it is a decent sized group made up of those who spend much time on the seas. 

Allies: Guardians of the Vaults

Rivals:  Hallowed Berserkers

Hallowed Berserkers

 A small mercenary guild with a guildhall outside of the city. They don't often allow new members and are thought to worship Eve but no one is sure. What is known, however, is that they have attacked many ships. 

Allies: None known 

Rivals: Shiphaulers and Memories of the Sea 

Memories of the Sea 

A group that worships Life and Death. They make sure the families of sailors are informed of the lost or disappearances at sea, as well as make sure those loses are honored and if possible makes sure the person is laid to rest. 

Allies: Guardians of the Vaults, The Fallingstar guild, and Guardians of the Vaults(who frequently make donations to make burial possible) 

Rivals: Hallowed Berserkers 

Inns and Taverns

The Lazy Bowl tavern and inn(located in the shopping district on the higher area)

The Grim Kraken(a tavern and inn right by the docks)

The Port's Hole(A tavern, inn, and brothel all in one, located on the far western side of the city)

#dungeons and dragons #dnd worldbuilding #world building #city-state #large city #fantasy #Nessus #Nessus worldbuilding #dnd 3.5 #coastal city #City of Atolla

[envirotravel]

Hotel Crush: Cabana Bay Beach Resort

One thing I’ve been hearing from you guys is that you want to hear more about my current travels right after they happen. Well, ask and ye shall receive! I’m jumping in to start sharing some posts from Florida and Tennessee, a trip so fresh I just unpacked from it. This post is brought to you by Universal Orlando Resort.

If Don Draper had come to Florida instead of California, he’d have stayed at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

Maybe you read my review of Universal Orlando’s Royal Pacific Resort and thought, sounds great — but I can’t afford it! In that case, you’re in luck, because today I’m giving you a tour of the Universal Orlando’s most budget friendly onsite-hotel option, which requires very few compromises. In fact, I’d argue it has some of the best pools, the best theming, and the most fun amenities of anywhere in Orlando!

This retro gem of a resort was inspired by the same classic Florida nostalgia that inspired another hotel I recently reviewed, The Postcard Inn in St. Pete.

With 1,800 rooms and counting, Cabana Bay ain’t no boutique hotel — in fact, it’s by far the largest of all the onsite hotels at Universal. With rates starting at $114 a night, and rooms big enough to fit a whole family, you can see how they sell out even at that size!

Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the one on-site hotel that doesn’t have water taxi access to CityWalk, Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure — however, there is a free shuttle. And the trade off? Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the one onsite hotel with direct access into Volcano Bay, Universal’s brand new water theme park! There are also no Express Passes included in a your stay, however you can purchase them separately — and you’ll still get your extra hour of early admission, free entrance to all CityWalk venues, and free delivery of many onsite purchases straight to your room.

You’ll feel like you’re on vacation — a vintage one! — from the moment you step through the doors of Cabana Bay. The two-wing lobby boasts the cute Swizzle Lounge bar, the expansive Bayliner Diner cafeteria, an appropriately large check-in area, and a well-stocked gift shop.

Rooms are spread out into several long wings with different views — some of the new tower suites even boast Instagram-able views over Volcano Bay! Our room was well sized for three girls with two queen beds, a full size closet, a small table with two chairs, and a large bureau for stuffing clothes in.

While the fancy Keurig of the more expensive onsite hotels was absent, a small fridge and basic coffee and tea maker was available — larger family suites have an entire kitchenette.

My favorite detail? The retro toiletries — what a blast from the past!

The onsite entertainment options at Cabana Bay are really what makes the place stand out. In addition to the standard arcade, there’s literally an entire bowling alley!

Bowling is one of those things I love but don’t actually get to do that often, so I was thrilled when I got to spend a night tackling the ten ten-pin lanes. The prices are super reasonable, and I just love this as an option for either a rainy day or a restless night.

But that’s just where the fun begins. Outside, two totally distinctive pool areas each boast their own bar and grills, plenty of slash zones, and hundreds and hundreds of beach chairs. One side boasts a lazy river where you can purchase branded floats or bring your own for a free inflation, while the other is lined by stylish cabanas you can rent for the day. Other attractions include waterslides, a fire pit — for which s’more kits are sold in the cafeteria — and dive-in movie nights.

Stay tuned for a post coming up this week with more details on the pools at Cabana Bay, and elsewhere at Universal Orlando!

Back inside, I found myself totally smitten with the Jack LaLanne fitness center, my favorite of the onsite hotel gyms at Universal Orlando Resort. The adorably themed — and enormous! — gym has all the usual weight and cardio machines, plus vintage calisthenic videos playing in the background and a small museum-like dedication to Jake himself.

The only drawback I can think of at Cabana Bay is that for those with a palate that extends beyond chicken fingers (AKA, ya know, most grown ups), there isn’t really a dining option for date night. Here’s the full list:

• Bayliner Diner: Cabana Bay’s primary cafeteria. I didn’t get the chance to eat here, though the selection looked enormous!

• Delizioso Pizza: Cabana Bay’s cutely themed but limited room service option.

• Starbucks: My favorite perk of staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort — an in-lobby Starbucks. (I’m obsessed with the egg white bites!) It’s an absolute lifesaver for grabbing breakfast on the way into the park, or a caffeine boost throughout the day.

• Galaxy Bowl: They serve a basic menu of the usual pizza, burgers and chicken fingers for eating in the lanes.

• Swizzle Lounge: This is mostly a lobby bar, but serves a few apps and snacks — probably the best best for grown ups looking for a nicer meal.

• Hideaway Bar and Grill and Atomic Tonic: The two separate pool bar and grills — we had lunch one day at the former, and I was impressed with the exotic hot dogs on the menu (I had one with mango salsa and washed it down with a pineapple cider from the bar) as well as your standard wraps and burgers.

If I was pressed to eat three meals a day here, I’d grab breakfast at Starbucks, do lunch at one of the pool bars, and do either a light dinner at the bar in the Swizzle Lounge or lounging in my room with a delivery pizza.

But! The good news is that you don’t have to go far if you’re craving something a little fancier. Right across the street from Cabana Bay lies the best hotel dining scene in Universal Orlando resort, in my opinion.

Sapphire Falls has it all — a fabulous grab-and-go breakfast spot at New Dutch Trading Co., the best poolside menu around at Drhum Club Kantine, a chic rum bar with amazing dinner options at Strongwater Tavern, and a stunning full service restaurant at Amatista Cookhouse.

I took the girls to a delicious dinner at Amatista Cookhouse for our last low-key night in Orlando before their early morning flights back north. It was just a few minutes walk and several worlds away from Cabana Bay!

In short? I’m obsessed with Cabana Bay! I actually found myself wistful to leave, sad that I didn’t have time for sunset s’mores, a dive-in movie, or a day by the second of the two pool courtyards. And then I remembered — there’s always next time. At with Cabana Bay’s prices, you won’t have to wait too long to save up for your next trip.

Stay tuned for my final post from Universal Orlando Resort!

This post is brought to your by Universal Orlando Resort. I am a member of the Universal Blog Squad, and have been compensated for this partnership. I maintain full editorial control and as always all thoughts, opinions, and over-ambitious craft projects are my own. 

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