B25 Kiles Spice Store
A Trove of Exotic Flavors in Verbobonc
Kiles Spice Store is Verbobonc’s primary purveyor of uncommon spices and dried herbs, supplying everyone from High Quarter chefs to humble stew-pots in the Business Quarter taverns. It also quietly serves apothecaries, alchemists, and a few spellcasters who require rare resins and fragrant powders for their arts.
Master Kile has built his reputation on honest weights and unadulterated goods—a rarity in long-distance spice trade—and fiercely guards that standing. At the same time, his web of river-captains, caravan masters, and gnomish factors makes his shop a small but potent node of information about trade up and down the Velverdyva.
First Glimpse of Kiles Spice Store
Halfway down the lane a painted wooden sign swings above a recessed doorway: a stylized wind-rose surrounded by little jars and pods. The shutters beside it are thrown wide, and warm, unfamiliar smells spill out—sharp and sweet and smoky by turns, like a dozen foreign kitchens trying to cook at once.
Inside, you glimpse shelves from floor to ceiling laden with ceramic jars, glass bottles, and hanging strings of dried peppers, all labeled in a neat, looping script. Someone laughs softly, and a pinch of golden dust is tipped into a waiting hand as if it were worth more than silver. For once, your nose arrives before your boots.
Interior & Layout
The Scented Hall
The front room is long and narrow, its walls entirely given over to shelving:
- Rows of stoppered jars hold colored powders—rust-red paprika, saffron threads, crushed mint, black seeds, and more.
- Bundles of dried herbs hang from the beams, along with strings of garlic, onions, and red peppers.
- A waist-high counter runs down one side, its top crowded with small brass scales, spoon measures, parchment packets, and a slate listing the day’s rarer offerings.
The air is warm and dry; stepping inside feels like stepping into a map of far countries.
Tasting & Tea Corner
Near the front window stands a small tea table with three stools:
- Kile often offers regular customers or interesting strangers a thimble-sized cup of spiced tea while they talk.
- A small sand-brazier warms a copper kettle; bowls of sugar, honey, and dried lemon slices sit ready.
- Gossip and trade news flow as freely as the tea—making this a good spot to pick up rumors.
Rear Room & Storeroom
Behind a beaded curtain lies a cramped but secure space:
- Larger chests and casks hold bulk stock: sacks of peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and dried citrus peel.
- Locked cabinets store high-value goods: saffron, rare resins, powdered amber, and a few “non-culinary” ingredients more at home in a wizard’s pouch than a cook’s.
- A heavy door in back leads to a yard shared with neighboring importers, where carts unload under watchful eyes.
History and Evolution
The establishment of Kiles Spice Store marks a significant chapter in the culinary history of Verbobonc, reflecting the city's growing cosmopolitan character.
- Founding: Established several decades ago by the current owner's ancestors, originally as a small herb garden.
- Growth and Expansion: Evolved from a local herb shop to an exotic spice emporium, thanks to strategic trade relationships developed over generations.
Connections & Politics
- Guild of Importers: Kile is technically under their umbrella but guards his independence; some guildsmen resent his direct ties to foreign captains.
- Nib’s Importers (B14): Friendly professional rivalry—Nib handles bulk goods, Kile the high-value, small-volume delicacies. They often swap news and occasionally coordinate against predatory tariffs.
- Temples: Pelor and Zodal both purchase herbs and incense from him; Kile admires the Sisters of Mercy and sometimes donates mild calming teas for their wards.
Using B25 in Play – Hooks
- The Bitter Shipment
A recent spice caravan arrived with several sacks subtly tainted with a narcotic or poison. Kile is horrified and begs the PCs to track where the contamination entered the route—bandits? A rival? Or Temple agents testing a slow-acting toxin meant for the city’s food supply? - Amber Dust for Dark Rites
Someone is buying up unusual amounts of rare resins and powdered amber “for perfume.” Kile’s instincts say otherwise. He quietly asks the party to shadow the buyer or follow the trail, suspecting some cult or necromantic rite. - The Silent Captain
A trusted river-captain who usually brings Kile’s best cinnamon shipment is weeks overdue. Rumors say his boat was last seen near Nulb. Kile offers coin, maps, and introductions if the PCs will find out what became of ship and crew.
Connections
Show SpoilerSpice Quest
Show SpoilerKiles is currently on a quest to procure rare fey spices from the mystical regions of the Gnarley Forest and Welkwood, or directly from the Fey Kingdom Celene.
- Quest Details: Seeking adventurers or traders who can safely travel to these enchanted lands and return with the coveted spices.
- Reward: Generous compensation in gold or magical goods, along with a lifetime discount at the store for successful retrievals.
Conclusion
Kiles Spice Store is more than just a retail space; it's a vibrant cultural institution that enriches Verbobonc's culinary landscape. Through its offerings, Kiles not only satisfies the taste buds of the city’s denizens but also weaves a tapestry of stories and connections that span the globe. The store continues to thrive under Kiles’s visionary leadership, promising new flavors and adventures for all who step through its doors.
Verbobonc Locations Referenced by Type
Key NPCs
Master Kile of the Seven Winds (NG human, merchant)
A wiry man in late middle age with olive skin, a neatly trimmed beard streaked with gray, and dark eyes that miss nothing. His accent hints at Baklunish ancestry and years spent on caravan roads and riverboats.
- Personality: Soft-spoken, precise, with a dry sense of humor. He rarely raises his voice; displeasure shows as a tightening around his eyes rather than shouting.
- Quirks: Can identify most common spices by scent alone, even blindfolded. Keeps an obsessive written log of every shipment and its origin.
- Motivations:
- Maintain his reputation for fairness and quality.
- Keep trade routes open and safe—bandits and war hurt his livelihood and his friends.
- Quietly encourage young adventurers and merchants who seem honest, sometimes extending modest credit “to see where the wind carries you.”
Lysa Quickscale (CG halfling assistant)
A quick-fingered halfling who handles the front counter when Kile is in back. She has a knack for remembering customers’ favorite blends and gossip alike.
- Role: Day-to-day sales, tasting table host, rumor magnet.
- Motivation: Save enough to fund her own river-barge venture; she pays close attention to any talk of new ports or untapped markets.
Exotic and Magical Spices Price List
Exotic Spice ListThe following list details the prices for Kiles Spice Store's collection of exotic spices, each priced in gold and silver pieces, commonly used in the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
Jotens Fire Salt
- Description: A pungent salt with a smoky flavor, mined from the southern Jotens Mountains.
- Price: 5 gold pieces per ounce
Ahlissian Star Anise
- Description: Star-shaped aniseed known for its sweet, licorice-like aroma, imported from Eastern Ahlissa.
- Price: 3 gold pieces per ounce
Feywild Cinnamon
- Description: A rare spice with a vibrant, magical essence that enhances both taste and vitality.
- Price: 10 gold pieces per ounce
Rare Magical Spices
These spices not only add flavor but also impart minor magical effects, making them highly sought after and priced accordingly.Pixie Pepper
- Description: Grants a mild euphoria and heightened senses when added to any dish.
- Magical Properties: Consuming a dish seasoned with Pixie Pepper grants heightened senses for 1 hour.
- Price: 15 gold pieces per ounce
Elven Saffron
- Description: Known to aid in meditation and mental clarity, sourced from the deep woods of Celene.
- Magical Properties: Consuming a dish seasoned with Elven Saffron grants enhanced concentration and a +1 bonus to Wisdom checks for 2 hours.
- Price: 20 gold pieces per ounce
Purchasing Guidelines
- Minimum Purchase: Due to the rarity and cost, these spices are typically sold in small quantities, often as little as an ounce.
- Usage Tips: These spices are potent and should be used sparingly to avoid overwhelming the intended effects and flavors.
- Storage: To maintain potency, store these spices in cool, dark places away from direct sunlight.
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