The Pine Pillow-House

The Pine-Pillow House is exactly the sort of establishment one might first assume given its name. One can seek the 'comforts' of another for coin, with no less than six men and nine women of the staff being willing to provide such 'services. Beyond that however what the Pine Pillow-House is, is a house of respite. Food, drink, relaxation and rest, all are available within the property and premises. As one enters beyond the front entry hall, where guests may check their coats and cloaks, as well has having to check any weapons they may be carrying, and move into the common area proper, you are greeted by a wonderful fusion of the rustic and more high class speak-easy. Multiple fireplaces with quality lounge chairs, each with a modest but notable bookshelf, with a respectable if not robust variety of tomes to peruse. Various tables and two bars stand out, and the kitchen can be seen from this lounge/common area behind one bar, the wall open. The kitchen is dual style, that is you can see they have an enclosed work area, but for anyone watching the going ons back there long enough they would see double doors swing open on occasion revealing an outdoor prepping area and larger cooking pit, often used for the main course for dinners, where a whole animal, or multiple for smaller game, purchased from local hunters the night before will be prepared in some fashion.

The common area is lit by hooded oil lamps, affixed to the tables so they cannot be removed, screwed down, allowing enough light to easily and comfortably navigate the space, whilst not being so bright as to not allow the four fireplaces to add to the atmosphere. The service staff, all of whom are those whom will also offer private delights for the right price, are courteous and conversational, well trained in the art of the business they are in.

Scadalous Skills



Madam Illia Silverdew knows well her clientele and majority market for her service staff. The hardworking folk of such a tundra village are people of the earth and woad, and so when one enters the common area, the rustic rough hewn walls and rafter, the cozy fireplaces, traditional woven rugs as well as animal hide throws decorating the floor of simple earthen tile feel homey and welcoming. Add to this the scent filling the space, subtle yet perfect, a mix of wintergreen, bergamot and pine sap, an incense Madam Silverdew makes herself, small amounts added to burn and smoke from the oil lamps all about the space every few hours insuring the smell is not overwhelming, but ever present, a heady mixture of scents that cannot help but invoke a boreal forest.

One can of course acquire services of companionship, however these go beyond the obvious. You are not purchasing a specific service and in fact are purchasing time, in half hour increments. Each increment, on average, is six silver moons, though rates vary slightly depending on the specific person you are propositioning on the service staff. But the services that give the establishment its name, though highly sought after, are not all that is offered here. An ear to listen. A compassionate individual to celebrate with, or perhaps to mourn the loss of a close friend or brethren with over a bottle. Someone to banter with, to speak easy, if you will, with. A masseuse, in the most literal sense, less metaphorical, these are all services that can be offered, with most of the staff having some basic skill. Sore muscles relaxed, old injuries and scar tissue that is inflamed calmed. In a village built on the hard labor of woodsmen, timber and lumber, as well as hunting, trapping and tracking, one can imagine such services can also be highly sought after.

As such, there is a notable, though not universal by any means, respect for the Pillow-House and its staff in Spruce Point. Amongst the 'ironback' class, that is the physical labor sorts in particular. For they provide affordable comfort, relaxation and relief for those hard-working men and women, and even some minor medicinal benefits to go along with it all.

The fare is as one might expect, simple but hearty, with stews, simple breads, goat cheeses, and of course wild game and vegetables that might vary based on the day. It is never an extensive menu, but it is always filling. Drinks offer a more notable selection, given the size of the settlement itself, though again, no true high end big city speak-easy this. A handful of ales and stouts, a house brew, perhaps two to four vintages of wine or spirits based on the season. A meal at the Pillow-House is notably higher end fare, running just north of eight silver moons.



Though the establishment has 35 rooms total, of those fully twenty are 'service' rooms, not meant to be used for overnight accommodation unless someone is spending the five gold suns it requires to buy out the full night of one of the service staff's time and attention, or unless it is well into the night, midnight or later and then those are to be rented at a premium of three gold a night. A normal room is one gold sun and six silvers, and for four extra silvers you get a small breakfast and a mug of Silverdew bitters to start your morning. Most nights the fifteen overnight rooms are not all rented out, but generally at least half the rooms are full most nights. The majority of this establishment's income is not garnered from accommodations however, but from food, drink and other 'services' that are offered here.