Once a staple in the Zhongjie Warrens, Yards and Yards acquired the funds to move into a permanent structure mid-513AV. The business is known for its quality, having dominated Riverfall’s entire fabric industry in the many years since it opened in a single, small stall. Since then, the stall grew larger and larger, as the reputation spread of huge selections and exquisite quality. Other fabric weaving businesses were bought out, their weavers being absorbed into Yards and Yards for better pay until an essential monopoly on the market was formed.
The building itself is unassuming, a refurbished structure with a central building and long halls that connect it to smaller buildings that surround a courtyard in the center. What the common customer will see is usually only the main building, a circular structure with a heavy roof. Inside, the building smells faintly of dyes, which becomes much stronger if the doors are flung open to relieve the heat. The bottom floor of the building consists of rows of shelves, each filled to the brim with bolts of cloth. The more common cloths are nearer to the door, while the more expensive wools are closer to the back.
Most notable about the shop however, is the staircase that rings the entire room. Lining the walls of the entire way up the staircase are more shelves, each filled with ever more bolts of fabric. Silks, cottons, velvets, and wools can all be found here, as well as still other fabrics. A limited amount of leather can be found as well, bunched together in a single section. If asked however, Lunnis will defer any looking for a good supply of leather to Load of Leather.
While most do not ask, Lunnis does allow guided tours of his weaving operation. What once started as a small operation in his home, Yards and Yards now employs over a dozen employees, most of which are Lunnis’ own family members. The first hall, to the right of the main building, are the looms for the cheaper fabrics, cottons, linens, and wools. The hall to the left is more securely barred, and houses the operations for silks and the more expensive fabrics. The two halls in the back are exclusively for dying, being the furthest away from the main building. In better weather, the courtyard is usually strung with lines upon lines of flowing fabric, drying in the sun.
Lunnis and Lurtino Carthad
Name: Lunnis/Lurtino Carthad
Race: Akalak
DoB: 21st of Winter, 311AV
PoB: Riverfall
Title: Owner of Yards and Yards
Skills: Weaving 83, Fabric Dying 60, Sewing 55, Business 51, Weapon: Lakan 48
Gnosis: N/A
Additional Info: Lunnis is the head of the prolific Carthad family, and had numerous children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren throughout the city. He is known as an exacting but kind-hearted man with a passion for his family and his work. He is happy to go on for bells about the ‘art of the loom’ as he calls it, and is always happy to get in beside one of the weavers or dyers and help out.
Lurtino is a less sociable side, and has little tolerance for mistakes. He is responsible for combing over every fabric that comes out of production for flaws before it is bundled up and added to either the shelves or storage. He bows out unconditionally to Lunnis when it comes to dealing with customers, as while he has just as much passion for weaving, he has little patience for those who’ve never studied it.
Prices
Because there is variation in fabric, with beautiful patterns making mere cotton fine, and fine or marred scraps going for cheap, fabric is priced depending on the bolt.
Fine fabric, 2–10 gm/yard
Unusual fabric 11–25 gm/yard
Exotic Fabric 26–50+ gm/yard
Employment
Yards and Yards is always on the lookout for new talent. In fact, if you start weaving or fabric making in the city, you will likely be approached by the family to join them. Desk clerks are also sought after, though will need some training in fabric types.
*Location Credit goes to Rosela.
