A10 Nicchol's House of Silk

The Epitome of Elegance in Verbobonc

On a gently curving street of the High Quarter, where fine carriages move at a stately pace and shopfronts glitter with wealth, the sign of Nicchol’s House of Silk sways above a polished glass window. Inside, Verbobonc’s elite are measured, fitted, and refashioned for balls at Sarcina Manor, receptions at Haxx Manor, and embassies from Veluna, Furyondy, and Dyvers.

Lady Aleena Nicchol—a noblewoman of House Sarcina, kin and close friend to Lady Kathryn Sarcina—rules this domain of fabric and rumor. Raised among nobles yet deeply influenced by the elves of the Elven Quarter, she blends elven lines and textures with the latest courtly trends, making her designs the envy of Greyhawk and Veluna alike.

Appearance & Atmosphere

The shop occupies a three-story townhouse of pale stone and tall windows. Delicate wrought-iron balconies overlook the street, hung with fluttering silk banners that change color with the seasons. The painted sign shows a flowing gown whose hem dissolves into starlight—echoing the illustration of swirling, luminous fabric shown in the shop artwork on page 2 of the Nicchol’s House of Silk article.

Stepping inside, you pass from cobblestone bustle into a world of perfume and muted harp music:

• Bolts of silk, velvet, and brocade line the walls in cascading rainbows.
• Gowned mannequins display the latest styles from Greyhawk City, Veluna, and the Duchy of Urnst, with subtle elven embroidery at cuffs and hems.
• Soft-voiced attendants in House Nicchol livery glide between customers, bearing trays of gloves, masks, and jewelled slippers.

Interior & Key Areas

Front Showroom – “The Gallery of Splendors”
The main floor is open and bright, with tall mirrors, fitting platforms, and display mannequins wearing the current “must-have” pieces. Here nobles browse ready-made finery:

• Velvet courtier’s outfits
• Silk ball gowns
• Embroidered noble’s robes and brocade dueling ensembles

Prices run at 125% of normal market rates, a quiet reminder that customers are buying prestige as much as cloth.

Private Fitting Salons
A short stair leads to curtained salons—small, elegant rooms with screens, couches, and full-length mirrors. Here Aleena or her senior tailors consult directly with patrons, sketching custom designs and discussing fabrics. This is also where most gossip is exchanged: lords and ladies relax their guard while being pinned and hemmed, and Lady Nicchol’s careful questions yield a wealth of political insight.

Workrooms & Tailors’ Loft
The upper stories hold cutting tables, racks of patterns, and half-finished garments. Tailors, many with elven or half-elven heritage, work by lamplight into the night to meet deadlines for upcoming balls and receptions. It is here that a PC seamstress, artisan, or spy might find work—if they can keep time with Nicchol’s exacting standards.

Aleena’s Office & Design Library
A refined inner office holds ledger-books, sketches of gowns inspired by elven cloaks and forest leaves, and letters from patrons across the Flanaess. Notes from Lady Kathryn Sarcina, Savra Haxx, and Lady Elinor Asbury speak frankly of upcoming entertainments and political tensions, making this room a treasure-trove for a clever infiltrator.

Noble Patronage and Political Alliances

The Crème de la Crème of Verbobonc

• Lady Kathryn Sarcina: A frequent patron, Lady Sarcina's preference for Nicchol's House of Silk underscores its status within high society, especially for her renowned political parties at Sarcina Manor.
• Lord Alistair Tymak and Lord Marakios Willem Haxx: These distinguished lords, known for their grand political gatherings, trust Nicchol's to provide attire that befits their status and the distinguished guests from Dyvers, Furyondy, and Veluna.

A Symbol of Social Status

Exclusivity and Prestige: Shopping at Nicchol's is not merely a matter of acquiring clothing; it is a statement of wealth, influence, and impeccable taste, reflected in the shop's clientele of nobles and dignitaries.

The Price of Elegance

At Nicchol's House of Silk, the discerning nobility of Verbobonc find an exquisite array of fine clothing, ball dresses, robes, and suits crafted from the finest materials and designed to stand out at any grand political event or lavish ball. Here's a list of some of the most sought-after garments available for purchase, along with their estimated prices in pieces of gold, reflecting the premium quality and craftsmanship of each piece.

• Premium Pricing: Reflecting the unparalleled quality and exclusivity of its offerings, Nicchol's garments are priced at 125% of standard market rates, a testament to the luxury and craftsmanship that define the brand.

Nicchol's House of Silk stands as more than just a retailer of high-end fashion; it is a cultural institution that weaves the very fabric of Verbobonc's elite society. Through its commitment to quality, innovation, and exclusivity, Nicchol's not only dresses the nobility but also shapes the aesthetic and social landscape of the city, one exquisite garment at a time.

Roleplaying & Adventure Hooks

• The Fitting Room Confidante: While a PC is being measured for formal wear, a noble in the next salon breaks down in quiet tears over a scandal, unaware that their words carry through the thin partition. Lady Aleena hears as well and later asks the party to help manage—or discreetly correct—the situation.
• Masquerade of Masks: Nicchol’s has been commissioned to provide half the masks for an upcoming political masquerade at Sarcina Manor. One mask has gone missing, and Aleena fears it will be used for an assassination or impersonation. She hires the PCs to recover it before the ball.
• Threads from the Elven Quarter: A rare bolt of enchanted silk from the Elven Quarter fails to arrive. Aleena, anxious to maintain her elven connections and reputation, asks the party to trace the shipment—revealing bandits, smugglers, or Temple agents interfering with trade.
• The Secrets She Won’t Sell: A faction (Temple sympathizers, rival nobles, or foreign agents) pressures Aleena to reveal a specific confidence—perhaps something she overheard about Lord Haxx, Lady Sarcina, or the Viscount himself. She refuses, but quietly seeks adventurers capable of shielding her and countering this pressure without shattering her hard-won neutrality.