by Robert N. Emerson, aka CuDraoi 

Situated upon the southern shoreward of Pier 10 is the Swallows' Haunt, sometimes called the Faen Haunt, an inn known for its rare faen seafood menu as well as its hospitality. It is rumored to have a sub-rosa menu, as well, however there is little evidence to these rumors.

Unlike rougher establishments, the Swallows' Haunt is known for a more subdued ambiance, in fact the rare bar brawl is quickly smothered by quickling bouncers working under the watchful eyes of loresong barkeeps.

It is the all faen personnel that marks the Swallows' Haunt as an authenticate source of faen delicacies and service. Few other locales in all of Ptolus possess such a homogeneous staff, which is evident in the camaraderie and pleasantness of the servers, barkeeps, bouncers, minstrels, and even regulars found there.

Notable Menu Items

Baked Spiced Shrimp - 3sp

Steamed Mussels in Broth - 4sp

Sour Poached Redfish in lemon - 5sp

Faen Oyster Pie with vegetables - 8sp

Faen Oyster Pie without vegetables - 1gp

Seafaring gnome bards often stretch their patrons' appreciative depth and breadth with their wide-ranging fare, which may start with a simple sea chantey before sliding into a dirge and finishing up with humorous tales and limericks. Meanwhile, halfling acrobats and jugglers show skills that impress many a veteran sailor.

 A jovial quickling faen, Ceve Siliastorne (halfling rogue3/wizard3), is the owner of the Swallows' Haunt and a common sight at the inn. His hair, a dark, almost burnt crimson, often marks his passage of the fat halfling. Ceve is not truly fat, however his belly is no longer as flat as it was in his youth, which may or may not have to do with his ownership of the inn.

 The barkeeps and wenches are kept in line by Seaenios Forisyano (gnome bard2/expert3) the innkeeper, a lean, dark haired gnome with an hawkish eye. Although a civil gentlefaen, the innkeeper could never be referred to as a warm and gregarious man, unlike Ceve who is often clasping hands, patting backs, and embracing patrons.

Knowledge or Gather Information Checks about the Swallows' Haunt

DC 5 – The Swallows' Haunt is a faen inn located on Pier 10 in the Docks.

DC 10 – The Swallows' Haunt is an inn that specializes in faen seafood.

DC 15 – It is rumored that the Swallows' Haunt has a clandestine menu.

DC 20 – Those who need secrets answered or people followed can sometimes find help at the Swallows' Haunt.

DC 25 – The Swallows, an eyes and ears network, it can be contacted at the Swallows' Haunt.

DC 30 – The Owner and Innkeeper of the Swallows' Haunt are the headman and spy master of the eyes and ears network known as the Swallows.

The Swallows' Haunt

Unbeknown to the average customer, below the waves of the daily activity, the Swallows' Haunt offers another fare, which is provided by the eyes and ears of the galley of operatives secreted below the inn.

From the basements below the inn, Ceve and Seaenios run a freelance eyes and ears network as headman and spy master, respectively. The Swallows, as the network is known to its members, are an eyes and ears network who do not work for a family or government, but work for those who are willing to pay their fees.

In addition to working contracts, the Swallows also collects information on notable personalities within Ptolus, as well as celebrities of the moment, although they do not use this for blackmail. Instead the Swallows horde the information in the hopes of future contracts that may target these individuals and they can provide a cache on the subject without putting agents at risk.

Within the four levels below the inn is an extensive base of operations that maximizes the available space by scaling it to faen, not human standards. Living and training area for the operatives on station, as well as those traveling, or in need of a hideout, are spread throughout the basements. Also, using a mix of magic and engineering, there are doors that lead to the submarine world of the bay outside of Ptolus' docks.

 It is through these submarine doors that the Swallows dispatch thieves and spies who need an extra layer of secrecy, be it due to an operation or the fallout from one, by using a ring of underwater breathing to assist in their exit.

The Swallows protect one and other like a family, which in fact many of them are as the occupation has become multi-generational in various families, several of Ceve and Seaenios' own children, siblings and cousins are members.

The reach of the group is like their namesake and not only goes along the coast of Ptolus, but out into the sea and to various ports that send and receive goods from the City by the Spire. However, Ptolus is their home and, thusly, the focus of the majority of their activities.

Possible Plot Hooks

1) One of the PCs is a target of the Swallows activities after a recent, public event involved them. The person that contracted the surveillance runs a gossip broadsheet and wishes to humiliate the PC. If it were not for the payout, the Swallows would not normally take such a contract and, in fact, would not be displeased if it became too much trouble and they had to drop the case. But, if the party includes a faen bard or rogue, their focus may switch to a possible new member.

2) A well-to-do debutante hires the PCs as she thinks she is being followed and watched. The Swallows have been contracted to record the young woman's activities by an unwanted suitor who is secretly planning on kidnapping her. He plans to flee Ptolus and force the young woman to marry him, or else he'll sacrifice her in an evil rite to gain arcane powers.

3) While investigating a foe, the PCs hear rumors about the Swallows Haunt and the clandestine services that can be found there. Hoping to find out more information about their foe, the PCs approach the Swallows for aide, but are sent on a scavenger hunt of drops, informants, and unusual happenings while trying to find their way to an actual Swallow, or their leaders.

Author's notes: 

• "Faen" is a race from Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved that comes in two varieties: quickling and loresong. However, if your game relies solely on core D&D these can simply become gnomes and halflings as appropriate.

• Originally, Ceve Siliastorne was envisioned as a fifth level Gutter Mage, from the Book of Roguish Luck by Wolfgang Baur, which can be found here.