Location Barton's Wood and Wares

[Abstract]

x x Barton's . Wood and . Wares The arrival of Norvis Barton in Ravok, in the Fall of 509, heralded a rise in the quality of elegant furnishings for homes and workplaces. At the time, he was 2nd in rank in the company, but took over in the Spring of 513, when his partner died suddenly at the hands of his deranged future son-in-law. His holdings now are divided between the combination workshop and showroom, 'Barton's Wood and Wares'; and the clearing sites on the eastern shore of the lake, which are marked by signs reading: 'Barton Lumber Co.' The clearing sites are dangerous places to work. While it is no surprise that danger takes the form of numerous beasts and other natural hazards, many workers have fallen prey to the agents and activities of Mr. Barton's chief rival, 'Calico Lumber Co.' This rivalry extends back to a time shortly after Barton moved his operation from Sunberth, the city of his birth. When Calico began pressuring them to a merger, takeover or ruin, the one man above Mr. Barton was about to knuckle under. Barton knew his position would become "obsolete" when this occurred, and took it personally, swearing privately to fight Calico's agenda. When he received a tip that his boss' future son-in-law was planning to kill the boss and frame Barton, he "adjusted" the plot and landed the son-in-law in prison instead. With his indecisive partner now out of the way, Barton was able to launch a campaign of sabotage and aggression that set Calico's progress back years. Things have cooled between them lately. With Barton' focus more on furnishings, and Calico's more on construction, their business aims are not directly competitive, but they both need the same resources, and so, the foundation of hatred lingers on. In the south, where Calico holds sway, the swamp in the southeast corner of the lake acts a buffer zone, preventing interaction between rival crews. But exploratory squads, sent north and west of the lake in search of new resources to claim, frequently meet. This is the more common, if less apparent, cause of the higher turnover rate. Though Mr. Barton has many exquisite pieces for the home, and provides custom installations in the home, he is best known for his cabinetry and office units.   Prices Mr. Barton does not craft poor or average grade furniture. His "signature" brand is certainly the best that can be found in Ravok, possibly anywhere. Additional features like alternate bed sizes, hidden compartments, built-in locks, etc. cost extra. In all cases, "Good" means high-quality hardwood construction and finish without embellishments. "Fine" means highest quality, rare hardwood construction with exquisite design, eye-catching fittings, scroll work, attention to grain axis and the best finishes. "Signature" means exactly that. The Barton name and reputation is staked upon the matchless quality of the item. The exotic hand carved hardwoods, rubbed and polished by hand, flawless grains worked with absolute attention to minute detail, highlighted by fine metal fittings, frequent jewel and/or ivory inlaying and custom blended finishes bring astonished praise from even the most discriminating viewer. ITEM FUNCTIONAL LUXURY SIGNATURE OPTIONS Arm Chair 8gm 20gm 35gm hidden compartment - add 20gm / extra padding - 5gm Bed 20gm 40gm 70gm King Size add 50% / hidden comps. - 20gm Bookcase 20gm (250 books) 40gm (500 books) add 50% hidden comps. / locking cupboards - 20gm Sitting Chair 1gm 5 gm 8gm extra padding - 2gm Chest, Apothecary 40gm 60gm 85gm hidden comps. or false bottom - 15gm Chest, Bachelor 30gm 45gm 70gm hidden comps. or false bottom - 10gm Chest, Great 4gm 6gm 10gm false bottom - 5gm Chest, Mule 8gm 12gm 20gm hidden comps. - 10gm / false bottom - 5gm Couch 6gm 20gm 40gm hidden comps. - 20gm / extra padding - 10gm Cradle 3gm 7gm 15gm lever rocker - 10gm Cupboard 4gm 8gm 12gm hidden comp. - 15gm Desk 5gm 12gm 20gm hidden comps. - 20gm Dresser 5gm 10gm 18gm x2 capacity=1.5 cost / hidden comps. - 15gm End Table 7sm 2gm 5gm NA File Cabinets 10gm 25gm 40gm x2 capacity=1.5 cost / false bottoms - 10gm Hall Tree 4gm 8gm 15gm hidden comp. - 10gm (NOT a coat rack) Hutch 5gm 10gm 20gm hidden comps. - 20gm Nightstand 2gm 5gm 8gm hidden comp. - 15gm Rocking Chair 4gm 10gm 20gm padding - add 50% / hidden comp. - 15gm Rolltop Desk 20gm 40gm 70gm x2 capacity=1.5 cost / hidden comps. - 20gm Secretary Hutch Desk 8gm 16gm 25gm hidden comp. - 20gm Shelf Set 2gm 4gm 7gm NA Sideboard 4gm 8gm 15gm hidden comp. - 15gm Table, Dinner 3gm 8gm 20gm add'l leaf / hidden comp. - 15gm Wardrobe 5gm 10gm 20gm hidden comps. - 20gm For those units to be permanently installed into a preexisting home, or one under construction, this chart touches on the most commonly requested embellishments. ADDITION FUNCTIONAL LUXURY SIGNATURE OPTIONS Dumb Waiter 75gm 200gm 350gm internal construction - cost X2 Library Wall (1000 books) 200 400gm 700gm rolling track ladder - 50gm Pycon Dollhouse 400gm 1,200gm 3,000gm "Mansion" w/several hidden passages - 8,000gm Staircase Grand 250gm 500gm 700gm X2 capacity=1.5Xcost Staircase, Spiral 150gm 300gm 500gm add'l floors or slide - add 50% Visitors' Personal Lockers (2) 70gm 150gm 300gm add'l pairs at 75% cost Wine Rack Wall (250 bottles) 100gm 200gm 400gm X2 capacity=1.5 cost   Employment At 'Barton's Wood and Wares' there is occasional turnover, resulting in positions for: POSITION PAY PER DAY Carpenters and Woodcarvers 5 gold mizas Guards 5 gold mizas Chemists (stain and varnish specialists) 4 gold mizas Leather Upholsterers 4 gold mizas Seamstresses (upholsterers) 4 gold mizas Artists (both design and technical varieties) 3 gold mizas Clerks 3 gold mizas Floor Sales 2 to 3 gold mizas Laborers (showroom, stockroom and receiving) 1 to 2 gold mizas On the higher end, there is a need for Architects and Engineers for special, in-home customizing, that can command 5 gold mizas. There may someday be a need to replace Mr. Barton's personal attorney, the highest paid employee on the payroll. A new attorney would start at 7 gold mizas per day. At any of the sites of 'Barton Lumber Co., the turnover rate is much higher, due to the dangerous nature of the work. Positions available are: POSITION PAY PER DAY Arborists 5 gold mizas Guards 5 gold mizas Cartographers 4 gold mizas Non-Arborist herbalists 4 gold mizas Animal Handlers (horse teams) 4 gold mizas Hunters (keep the crews fed) 4 gold mizas Wilderness Guides 4 gold mizas Lumberjacks 3 gold mizas Barge Pilots 4 gold mizas Barge crewmen 2 to 3 gold mizas Cooks 2 to 3 gold mizas Prostitutes (keep the crews happy) 1 to 4 gold mizas Simple laborers 1 to 2 gold mizas There may well be other positions as well. These camps are intended to be self-sustaining and may require unforeseen services.   NPC Name: Norvis Barton Race: Human DOB: Fall 4th, 469 AV POB: Sunberth Title: “Mr. Barton, sir” Skills: Carpentry - 62, Organization - 55, Intimidation - 43, BrawlingEspecially with carpenter's tools - 38, Negotiation - 35 Other Information:Much is known about Norvis Barton. It is known that he is one of the most successful new businessmen to arrive in Ravok in recent years. It is known that he has thrived, whereas most of his competitors have floundered. Claiming his recognition of the need for competition to keep an economy robust, he is always available to give advice to struggling newcomers in the trade. He is a dark-haired, dark-eyed, barrel-chested man of stoic demeanor, rarely giving in to displays of emotion, either positive or negative. He pays his employees well and, in turn, demands loyalty from them. Other than his outspoken rival, Calico, few have ever voiced a complaint about either the man himself, or his business, even those he has driven under. There is also much that is unknown about him. This includes the nature of his takeover of the company he now runs, and the steps he has taken to keep it that way. It is also not well known that his willingness to impart tools and advice to potential competitors is only because he intends to let them get established and then take them over through a combination of those iconic Ravokian tactics of extortion, blackmail, framing and murder. These same tactics are maintained to keep knowing tongues from loosening. Also largely unknown is that many of the items he moves around Ravok serve the smuggling ring he runs. Most of the recipients of his goods are not aware that he has moved undeclared goods this way. But most reap the benefits of having goods not normally found in Ravok available through this venture at one time or another. And occasionally he brings an enterprising citizen into his organization in this capacity. He is a careful man, however, and simply approaching him with an illegal proposition will likely see you fed to the lake. But not until after the torture session to find out who the big mouth was that led you to him. Buying goods from him involves no hazard. It is only when a customer touches on these criminal aspects that they had best have some pre-established credentialsThreads Knowing it is unprofitable to smuggle goods that are already available, he seeks to supplement those goods already found in Ravok. So those common items not found in any of the more well-known locations in town, can be found through his connections. But more important, he maintains a schedule of expeditions to other lands in Mizahar. And every season, one of these expeditions returns with goods that can not be purchased in Ravok otherwise. Citizens have learned to keep watch for the announcements of such noteworthy returns.   Smuggling Each Season's smuggled goods will be updated regularily Credit to Inoadar