The Crown Jewel Inn is less an inn than a grand hotel in everything but name, sprawling across an entire block at the heart of the Restaurant Quarter and catering to visitors accustomed to being extremely comfortable.

Its rooms range from richly appointed chambers to vast suites with four-poster beds, marble fireplaces, private sitting rooms and baths supplied with heated water at any hour. The finest overlook the city from high balconies, while the rooftop terrace offers sweeping views across Aranthaes and has become a fashionable place for breakfast, evening drinks and discreet meetings above the noise of the streets.

The Crown Jewel is particularly popular with wealthy merchant families, foreign dignitaries, successful adventurers and nobles who either lack a permanent residence in the city or prefer not to open one for a short visit. During major festivals, diplomatic gatherings and important weddings, competition for the best suites can become surprisingly intense.

Service is correspondingly polished. Porters appear before luggage reaches the door, meals can be brought from several nearby restaurants, clothing is cleaned and pressed overnight, and guests with sufficient coin can arrange everything from private carriages to musicians, interpreters and personal guards.

The inn’s reputation rests on making extravagance feel effortless. Nothing is ostentatiously hurried, nothing important is ever said to be impossible, and the staff possess the remarkable ability to know when a guest requires attention and when they very much do not.

For many visitors, the Crown Jewel is their first experience of wealthy Aranthaes — and the point at which they realise the city considers luxury not an indulgence, but a standard of service.

 

Drinks

Crown Jewel Sparkling White
A dry, celebratory wine served throughout the public rooms and rooftop terrace, crisp enough to accompany food but expensive enough to be noticed.
16 gp
Terrace Rosé
A pale, fragrant wine from vineyards beyond the Aranthaes Fields, especially popular during warm evenings above the city.
14 gp
Merchant’s Reserve Red
A rich, dependable red chosen to flatter long dinners and important conversations.
20 gp
Draktun Mountain Brandy
A warming northern spirit aged in dark wood and served in heavy crystal glasses.
24 gp
Island Honey Liqueur
A smooth golden digestif made with local blossom honey and aromatic herbs.
12 gp
Cellar Selection
A bottle chosen from the Crown Jewel’s extensive private cellars according to the meal, occasion and budget of the guest.
40 gp+
Tea, Coffee or Chocolate Service
A polished silver service with cream, honey, fine sugar and a small plate of pastries.
3 gp

Dining

Crown Jewel Breakfast
Eggs, smoked fish, sausages, fresh breads, pastries, fruit, preserves and hot drinks served in the dining room or guest suite.
10 gp
Terrace Lunch
A lighter meal of cold meats, cheeses, salad, fresh bread and seasonal fruit intended for long afternoons above the rooftops.
15 gp
Butter-Roasted White Fish
Fresh local fish served with lemon, herbs, greens and new potatoes.
19 gp
Roast Island Lamb
Tender lamb with rosemary, honey-glazed roots and a dark red-wine gravy.
21 gp
Merchant’s Steak
A generous cut of prime beef with mushrooms, onions, potatoes and a peppered brandy sauce.
25 gp
Rooftop Seafood Supper
A platter of oysters, crab, prawns and grilled fish designed for two diners and best enjoyed as the city lights come on below.
48 gp
Five-Course Jewel Dinner
A formal seasonal menu of fish, meat, vegetables, cheese and dessert, with attentive table service throughout.
50 gp per guest
Private Family Dinner
A bespoke multi-course meal served in one of the Crown Jewel’s private dining rooms for a family, delegation or adventuring company celebrating in style.
90 gp per guest
Honeyed Pear Tart
Warm pastry filled with spiced pear and island honey, served with thick cream.
7 gp
Crown Jewel Chocolate Cake
A rich dark chocolate cake layered with cream and fruit preserves, served with a small glass of honey liqueur.
9 gp

Rooms & Suites

Grand Guest Room
A large room with four-poster bed, marble fireplace, sitting area, writing desk and private bathing chamber.
60 gp per night
Terrace Room
A spacious room with private balcony or terrace access, particularly sought after during summer festivals.
85 gp per night
Jewel Suite
A bedroom, separate salon, dressing room and private dining area suitable for longer stays or entertaining guests.
150 gp per night
Family Suite
Several adjoining bedrooms with a shared salon and dining room, designed for wealthy families travelling with children and servants.
240 gp per night
Ambassadorial Suite
An extensive suite with reception room, private office, secure document cabinet and accommodation for aides or attendants.
350 gp per night
Crown Suite
The inn’s finest accommodation: multiple bedrooms, formal salons, a private dining room, large terrace and dedicated household staff.
650 gp per night

Services

Private Carriage & Driver
A Crown Jewel carriage with liveried driver available throughout the day and evening.
18 gp per day
Personal Attendant
A dedicated valet or maid for dressing, packing, errands and coordination with local shops and tailors.
12 gp per day
Interpreter or Secretary
A professional attendant for correspondence, translation, appointments and business conducted during the guest’s stay.
15 gp per day
Private Guard
A professional escort arranged through one of the inn’s trusted security companies.
16 gp per day
Rooftop Pavilion
Exclusive use of a screened section of the rooftop terrace for a private meal, reception or small celebration.
75 gp
Private Dining Room
A formal room seating up to twelve guests with dedicated serving staff. Food and drink are charged separately.
40 gp
Wardrobe Cleaning & Pressing
Professional cleaning, minor repairs and pressing of formal clothing, usually returned the same day.
4 gp per outfit
Festival Reservation Service
The Crown Jewel’s staff secure theatre boxes, restaurant tables, carriages and other arrangements during the city’s busiest periods.
20 gp+
Special Request
For guests requiring flowers at midnight, a jeweller before breakfast, six musicians by supper or some other entirely reasonable inconvenience.
20 gp+

 
 

Encounters

The Crown Jewel is grand, fashionable and wonderfully public. Its terrace, salons and dining rooms attract wealthy families, visiting merchants, diplomats, adventurers and anyone who enjoys being seen somewhere important. Trouble here is usually social before it becomes physical, but fortunes can still change hands over breakfast. Roll d10 for possible encounters…

  1. A prosperous family from the City Tier is celebrating a daughter’s engagement with a rooftop luncheon. The prospective in-laws arrive unexpectedly early, just as a spectacular argument breaks out over the dowry.
  2. A foreign merchant has brought half a dozen enormous travelling trunks into the lobby and is refusing to let the porters touch one particular chest. Whatever is inside occasionally makes a soft scratching noise.
  3. Two adventurers who recently returned from a highly successful expedition are attempting to enjoy their new wealth. They have ordered far too much wine, tipped everyone extravagantly and are loudly discussing where they found the treasure.
  4. A delegation staying in the Ambassadorial Suite has misplaced an important ceremonial gift intended for an Aranthaen official. The object is not especially valuable, but losing it would be a grave insult.
  5. A fashionable City Tier family is taking afternoon drinks on the rooftop terrace when one of their teenage children quietly asks the party for help slipping away unnoticed. They have no intention of returning before morning.
  6. A famous actress sweeps through the lobby surrounded by admirers, servants and flowers after a triumphant performance nearby. One bouquet contains no card, but does contain a small silver key.
  7. A wealthy guest is furious because the Crown Jewel’s reservation staff have secured theatre seats for the wrong evening. Unfortunately, tonight’s performance is sold out, the guest’s companions are already dressing, and somebody is offering a considerable sum for a solution.
  8. Two rival trading families have independently chosen the Crown Jewel for important dinners and discover that their private dining rooms are directly opposite one another. Servants from both parties immediately begin trying to discover who the other family is entertaining.
  9. A quiet card game between several affluent guests has attracted a growing audience after the stakes climb into the hundreds of gold pieces. One player remains remarkably calm despite having just wagered the deed to a warehouse.
  10. Aurto Aerum occupies one of the Crown Jewel’s better private dining rooms with two major foreign buyers. Dressed in immaculate silk with his ornate gold cane resting beside him, the renowned gold trader is all charm while discussing a transaction large enough to affect prices across the city’s markets. His guards remain discreetly nearby, and a closed ledger sits beside his wine glass. Aurto appears relaxed, but anyone familiar with his reputation knows that he rarely enters a negotiation without already knowing exactly what everyone at the table wants.
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