The Blackwater Tavern

In the Docksides district of Silver City there is a bar that even the local Ko-Sai try to avoid. The Blackwater Tavern is the most common watering-hole for all Vascian sailors coming to port. Built onto the pier itself, the bar juts out over the water it's named for. Years of wind and storms, and a few brawls, have permanently boarded several of its windows and caused the entire structure to cant at a noticeable angle.

Inside the bar are salt-scoured wooden floors, scarred wooden tables, and greasy lamps. The bar offers dark ales, whiskies and rums. For a copper, the adventurous can knock back a "Blackwater Bilge", an all-sorts mix of leftover drinks that's cut with water from the rain barrel. A modest kitchen and smoker prepares stews, chopped "beef" sandwiches and a house-specialty jerky.

The lack of Ko law enforcement in and around The Blackwater Tavern has made it a haven for illicit deals. A thriving black market operates with impunity, offering nearly anything to those who have the coin. Games of chance are common, with wagers available on anything from dice to rat fights. Almost as common as gambling are the brawls that spark between patrons. Usually, the Blackwater's bouncers are enough to stop most fights before too much damage is done.

Given all of this, it's not surprising The Blackwater has become known as a place where even the locals watch their backx. Patrons who over-drink, or fail to pay their tab, or repeatedly "disturb the peace", may find themselves tossed out the back into the cold harbor waters. Worse, thanks to a local gang of ruthless press-gangers, some might wake to find themselves nursing a hangover while serving on a Ko merchant ship halfway to Gold City.