The Lantern & Lute

The Lantern & Lute is a cheerful shop tucked along Market Street, impossible to miss thanks to the riot of lanterns which hang from its eaves and rafters.

The shop is neatly—if somewhat chaotically—divided down the centre based on its owners conflicting interests. The aroma of oiled leather mingles with the faint scent of polished wood and incense, creating an atmosphere both rustic and inviting.

Interior

The left half of the store is an adventurer’s treasure trove. Sturdy travel gear of all kinds is neatly categorised on dark wooden shelves, while a wall of maps ranging from common trade routes (5 gp) to finely inked charts (up to 25 gp) beckons to even the most discerning cartophile. It’s said that the shop also stocks an assortment of blueprints for local government buildings and mansions under the counter, which they’re willing to part with for the right price.

The right half of the store is a melodic jungle of strings, reeds and drums. Lyres and hurdy-gurdys are displayed beside more unusual instruments—bone windpipes from the Hythorean Steppes, gnomish bodhrans from the Umbrean lowlands, and a peculiar double-necked setar said to have been designed for a thri-kreen.

Customers who linger often find themselves drawn into impromptu demonstrations or lessons from one (or both) of the shopkeepers.

Jorvath & Mila

Jorvath Stonehand is a bespectacled dwarven warrior with a voice like rolling thunder. His business partner, Mila Ryamoto, is a sharp-eyed bard with perfect pitch. Following a storied adventuring career, the two decided to pool their fortune and create a shop which would help shepherd the next generation of dungeon delvers.

Whether debating pricing or critiquing each other’s musical technique, the duo run the Lantern & Lute with a clear affection for the adventuring profession. Despite their playful arguments, it’s evident they both deeply care about the shop—and each other—and will go to great lengths to ensure every customer leaves prepared for the road ahead.