Forbidden alley
Forbidden Alley is one of those places you go for "discrete services," as they say, on the edge of the shopping district. It gets its name from the library at the end of the alley. Rumor is that the library was a survivor from the Fall, untouched in all this time. I was told that there used to be two stone golems outside that would tell people it was forbidden to go inside, but their pedestals are bare now. Anyway, the name stuck.
Weird enough, you don't even see the library until you step in the alley. It's a neat trick, must be some sort of spell, which probably keeps out anyone who's only curious. I had a look inside, but all I found was lots of cobwebs and feral cats. Still, I do see people go in from time to time and come out carrying books. Another neat trick, but the unwritten unbreakable rule of Forbidden Alley that I was told is you never interfere with the library patrons. Whatever's going on in there, even the local Watch respects it.
On the northern corner of the alley is a coffee shop. People really love that coffee, I see household servants stepping off the street trolleys with pitchers to bring back to their lords and and ladies. It's good coffee.
It's probably why the Going Out of Business shop is on the southern corner. At least once a month Gerald Cox has someone touching up or replacing his posters in the window so they don't look faded. "30-50% off" they scream in at least four languages, and most importantly, "All sales final!" - and that's important, because everything is marked up 30-50% so really your bargain is no bargain. Rumor has it he waters down the potions to make them "stretch", but I don't know that for sure. Not sure why anyone would want to buy a discount healing potion anyway.
Next to him is Sally's, another local draw. It would be easy to mistake it for a quiet neighborhood tavern, the few times I've been inside it's been very comfortable and the company charming. However, those interested in more... intimate services can climb the spiraling iron staircase to the rooms above. There's been one or two whispered invitations in my ears, but I have my own reasons for declining. I'm sure a few of them in the alley think I'm a spy for the city.
Next to Sally's is the antiques place. I'd think it more of an up-town shop, but weirdly enough this is the only location the dealer can afford. I say weird because of his gift - the man knows when something is genuine or not. The amusing thing is, he's been known to fake up a few pieces himself. if the dealer has any weaknesses , it's antiques and women - in that order.
On the North side of the alley next to the coffee shop is a closed shop filled with books (but not the library). I think it's some sort of book warehouse, but I've no idea whose. There is this one young lady who lives there on the top floor, whose nose seems to be constantly stuck in a book. I see her bringing back books most nights. I wonder if she'll move out when there's no more room?
Next is my building. The ground floor is the alchemist shop, run by Ms. Raven, a half-elf. Every time I pass her store, I can smell the drying herbs and the various spices. Her potions, ointments and salves are well respected from those in the know. The dragon motif however is not like the ones we're familiar with, nor do I recognize the suit of armor and the two curved swords she keeps in a small alcove of the shop. I have a feeling they're native to her land.
Word is, she's the unofficial bank for those who desire a lot of privacy in their banking.
The second floor is "The Bronze Razor," a barber shop that doubles as a doctor and dentist office, with a winged striped pole outside. While the city boasts a great public medicine program, there are those who fear the "public" in "public medicine" means their intimate details may be shared with the city at large, so prefer to visit little clinics like this one.
The third floor is Madame Lydia's, a dressmaker. Apparently so well-sought after that clients are willing to climb two flights of stairs for some of her more intimate offerings.
I have the top floor, so anyone who needs help is usually out of breath from climbing all those stairs. At least you can be sure they're serious. Officially, my job is "Intelligence Gatherer" - meaning I comb through all those tedious details and ask a lot of impertinate questions, sometimes in the not-so pleasant of places. However, it can sometimes mean odd jobs - requests to find lost things or lost love ones, for example. Yes, there's a few for the four-legged kind, but I get plenty of the two-legged variety requests.
For some of these jobs, I rely on various freelancers, who do the actual retrieval while I take a small cut of the fee.