The Anchor

The Anchor: Location Generally considered one of the finer establishments in Li-Onas, this tavern/brothel provides weary sailors with a pleasant respite from the salt spray of the sea.

The business is run by Aethios, a Waejiran immigrant. He has a flair for the exotic, apparent in the food, and drinks served, as well as other entertainments available for his discerning clientele. Exotic by Iskandean standards is nearly anything foreign. The archipelago isn't very close to the mainland, so it is somewhat culturally isolated. Foreign trade ships can make good money sticking to the nations along the coast, so few make the trip to the island chain.

Aethios imports foreign drink, foodstuff, and spices. Foreign visitors can find a welcome taste from home in his establishment, which adds to its popularity.

The Anchor as a name is partly tongue in cheek, partly a statement of fact. Aethios has essentially dropped anchor here (put down roots doesn't mesh as well with the maritime culture of the islands), and its a reference to a home away from home for sailors (a safe anchorage so to speak).

"Dropping anchor" is a euphemism for engaging in sex amongst the sailor crowd. The name is setting equivalent of modern neon sign flashing "Girls Girls Girls".

The tavern's sign is a comely veiled woman leaning provocatively against an large upright anchor.