Knife's Edge

1. Lodge of the Tawdry Blade

Leader: Kontu the Bloodless

The guard does not patrol Knife's Edge. The watch does not patrol Knife's Edge. The only actual law in Knife's Edge and Beggar's Walk is the Lodge of the Tawdry Blade. The Blades are a violent, ruthless, and merciless organization that takes as much as it can from the already beaten people of Knife's Edge. Many join out of desperation or out of a desire to spread violence and cruelty. To become a full member of the Blades, you must commit a murder witnessed by a member in good standing. The Blades are fiercely territorial, and the only good thing that can be said of them is that they protect their territory aggressively.   Lately, the Blades have been running into a bit of trouble; their members are being found dead, and their safe houses are being destroyed. It is rumored that the Shrike has decided to put an end to the Blades once and for all. Many wait with bated breath for who will win this struggle between the Blades and the Birds of Prey.

2. Hedley's

Sitting on the Low Street, on the border of Knife's Edge and Beggar's Walk, is a small but nearly always busy tavern. Hedley's sees a constant flow of people coming and going. It isn't for the stained bar or the warm beer that they come, but for information. Blades from the Edge meet with birds of the Shrike's flock to discuss whether a killing was approved or if reparations need to be paid. Watchmen meet with thieves for their weekly bribes, and many others come to Hedley's for a dark and quiet meeting away from prying eyes. 

3. Low Street Traders and Goods

LST, as it is known in the Edge, is the only seemingly legitimate shop in all of Knife's Edge. It is a neat and tidy general store whose shelves are never bare. This is by design, as it is an open secret that almost all of the stolen and ill-gotten goods that the Blades take in make their way onto the shelves of LST. Many a disgruntled victim has come looking for their stolen goods only to be told by Estura, "You must be mistaken, those goods just look like your stolen property, but you're welcome to buy them back for the right price."

4. The Crooked Chimney

The small, dark, smoky tavern gets its name from a chimney that was damaged years ago and never fixed. This means that the common room is perpetually filled with a haze of smoke, making visibility poor at the best of times. The owner, a Tabaxi named Gnarles, decided to lean into the effect, and The Crooked Chimney has become a well-known place for clandestine meetings. The food is also starting to get a reputation. A new cook, a dwarf named Ali Shorehorn, has leaned into the smokiness and started serving a diverse array of smoked dishes that are quickly gaining a following.  5. Rachy's Ritualists Rachy's sells a strange and eclectic mix of items, all used in various death rituals. It caters to those on their way to or from Sleeper's Hill. Flowers, incense, sacred oil, candles and many other items of grief and worship can be found at Rachy's. 

6. Boot and Sandal

Located near the great temple of Taiia, Boot and Sandal may be the safest place in Knife's Edge. Even the mighty Blades are not eager to pick a fight with the faithful of the Great Mother. This means that many of the lay people who have the misfortune of calling Knife's Edge their home frequent the tavern as a safe place to congregate.  The owner is a beautiful Porterling named Ahmood Teethtree Tenti. They were a faithful of the Great Mothers for many years, before buying the Boot and Sandal several years ago. They make sure that it is a safe place for any who need it. One can always find buy a glass of milk and a bowl of stew for a copper, or an hour of work, no matter the time of day. 

7. The Winsome Maid

The Maid has seen several changes over the last five years. A new owner, a woman named Niaz Alimami has taken the ramshakled tavern with a poorly run brothel on the second floor, and turned it into a prosperous and inviting place dedicated to the worship of Wee Jas. The Maid is still both a brothel and a tavern, but gone are the rotted reed floor and watered-down beer. It has been replaced by a beautifully decorated tavern filled with overstuffed cushions and fine food and drink. Upstairs is a temple dedicated to Wee Jas, a goddess of sex and beauty, where the faithful of the red lady help people come closer to their goddess, for a fair price.  Some people believe the Niaz is some form of djinn or fae, using the lust and debauchery for some magical working.