The Snarling Jaguar

Located in the Merchant District, in a small alley behind the main vendor stalls, is the Snarling Jaguar. Typical of Draji architecture, this low, square building houses one of the better known pubs in Draj. At the entrance, a small sign with a carving of a snarling jaguar face announces the establishment, with the carving made of pieces of mekillot bone held together by giant hair. The jaguar face has been enhanced by small obsidian pieces fixed into the sun-bleached bone, giving it a twinkle when the moonlight strikes the obsidian. The single door is made of bone and agafari, again held together by giant hair. To the side of the door, a small obelisk depicting a warrior standing over his victim reminds any visitor that in Draj, the warriors rule. The obelisk's warrior has his victim's head speared at the tip of his sword, and many feathers on his head.

A first step inside will be enough to mark this establishment as different from the many watering holes of the city-states. The proprietress, a half-elf named Necahual, has made it a point to remind her customers that in Draj, the way of the warrior is supreme. The walls are covered in paintings of warriors, depicting many glorious battles, either with two warriors facing each other, or some warrior slaying a wild beast. The main bar's awning is trimmed with a row of sun-bleached white skulls, Necahual's victims during her many years as a warrior in the Draji army. The tables are consistent with Draji style, with low tables surrounded by small four-legged stools. Unfortunately, Necahual does not cater to halfgiants, so nothing in the bar is of their size. Anyone entering will immediately be assaulted by the smell of pulque, which is the main drink served in Draj, and by any number of different smells. The customers are allowed to smoke, filling the air with the acrid smell of the petun herb. On most days, the bar is filled with merchants and artisans that come here to relax after a hard day's work. Occasionally, nobles can also be seen inside, though they do not belong to the regular clientele.

Pulque is made by scraping the base of the huge maguey cactus to stimulate the flow of the juice. Three or four quarts can be extracted from each plant, which then goes through a fermentation process. The final product is a milky, slightly sour tasting liquid that takes a little getting used to. The Draji often laugh at visitors when their first drink of pulque goes down a little harder than first thought.