Sometime the best places to find something interesting is in the most unassuming locations. The Last Drop is one of the old establishments of the Zenith that has been there forever, and offers a chance to bring a little wonder to your campaign. There is nothing nefarious in this location, although you are free to take this and expand it further.
The Last Drop
The Last Drop Bakery and Coffee Shop has been a long time staple of the Docks District, and it was founded by Gerald and Ivana’s Toadstool, a gnome husband and wife team that moved to Zenith and the docks a long time ago. They are a nice couple who came to the city seeking a bright future and a land of opportunity.
Upon arrival, Gerald and his wife took what little money they had and invested it into building this small bakery and coffee shop. If you asked Gerald he would have told you “Have you had my wife’s baking? Then you would know it’s as close to a sure-thing to bet on.” Ivana and her husband found themselves at home in the community around the docks. They loved the smell of the sea air, and the constantly changing makeup of the neighborhood. It didn’t take long for her baking to endear themselves to the rest of the community.
The Bakery itself was founded over 400 years ago, and Gerald and Ivana’s business became an important part of their community, the kind of place that people brought their kids, grand kids, and great grand kids.
Now, for as much as things were great for a long time, nothing lasts forever. And one day, Gerald Toadstool started to feel sick, and he had caught a mysterious illness that must have come off the ship, and within a few weeks, he became so ill that he could not recover. And with his death, a piece of Ivana’s heart died with him. And the entire community rallied around her, and it reminded her that they had achieved their dream and built a home for the community with their store. And she decided right there, that she would continue their dream so that he would live on.
What is the Last Drop Like?
The Last Drop: Bakery and Coffee shop is found on Archway street of the Docks District. It is situated in a small building with a Tudor style outside of white with dark brown beams that line the wall. The windows covered in a diamond shaped cross-hatch pattern. There is a dark mahogany wood sign, hanging from a coppper fixture outside, and a copper in-lay sign that reads “The Last Drop” and has a steaming coffee cup beneath the words.
When the players enter, the building is smaller, with light tan walls, that have a coffee / cream type color and the building is illuminated by mostly natural light. There are small plants and indoor window boxes full of foliage lining every window. The room feels slightly warmer than outside, and the smell of coffee and cinnamon fills the air.
There is a fine mahogany wood counter towards the left hand side of the room. And behind the counter is a stove that has many coffee pots on it, all of which kept fresh. The room is full of smaller fine wooden tables, with finely cared for wooden chairs. All the tables and chairs were hand made by Gerald.
Lining the counter is baskets full of all manner of baked goods, and they are constantly changing. Everyday there are new creations made by Ivana herself.
Towards the back room, is a very large stone oven, that they built together and is original to the building.
Who is Ivana Toadstool?
Ivana is a small older gnomish woman. She stands about 4’3” tall, and has bright blue eyes and gray hair. She keeps her hair pulled back into a messy bun, and she usually wears bright colored closes and a dark brown apron on her front. Her favorite color shirts or dresses are usually orange, yellow, green, and blue. She also wears a pair of black metal glasses with clear lenses.
For roleplay purposes, use the following:
Personality Trait: “I care about this community and the legacy we’ve built here.”
Ideal: “We helped build this community, and I would do anything to support it.”
Bond: “This place was my husband and my dream, and we built this dream together.”
Flaw: “This place is all I have left of the love of my life, and I will never leave it.”
Menu:
The following is the menu for an average day at the bakery:
- Apple Filed Braids made with minced apples, and are baked fresh daily – 1 CP
- Sourdough Rolls made with an apple butter glaze – 1 CP
- Pound Cakes with a Strawberry Glaze – 1 CP
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing – 2/1 CP
- Dragon Tooth Scones, a cinnamon scone made in the shape of a dragon’s tooth – 2 / 1 CP
- Croissants in different flavors (strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry) – 2 / 1 CP
- Muffins (Blueberry, Blackberry, Strawberry, and raisin) – 2 / 1 CP
In addition to their baked goods, they sell coffee and tea of the following kinds:
- Black Coffee – 1 CP
- Pumpkin Coffee – 1 CP
- Strawberry Tea – 1 CP
- Blueberry Tea – 1 CP
- Hot Cocoa – 1 CP
- Mint Tea – 1 CP
Other Employees:
When it comes to the Last Drop, much of the business is handled by Ivana, but there area few people who help out. Specifically two people:
- Sam Lightfoot, a young halfling with auburn hair and brown eyes. He grew up in this neighborhood and has always liked the “Last Drop” and grew up at an orphanage, but Ivana and Gerald always acted like parents to him. He called them “Uncle Gerry and Aunt Ivy.” Now he works for Ivana running deliveries for her.
- Sandra Lynelle, is a young human woman, with blonde hair, and blue eyes. She stands about 5’10” tall, and has a slender build with kind eyes. She grew up near the bakery and works as an assistant baker and waitress.
Final Thoughts
The Last Drop is a place that’s a great way to add some whimsy and wonder to your game, and it does that for the docks district in Zenith. I find these kinds of places can really help to endear a location to your players. In my game I had a player fall in love with this place to the point that she was ready to burn down a competitor.