The Nine of Swords stands out with a quiet, lethal elegance. Its sign—nine masterfully forged steel blades fanned out like a silver peacock's tail—glints under the city lanterns. The interior is sparse and orderly. Along the walls, racks of arming swords, rapiers, and claymores rest on velvet-lined pegs. These are not mass-produced soldier's gear; each piece is balanced to the ounce, with pommels etched in subtle Flannish motifs. Behind the heavy oak counter stands Cerenoc, a man whose scarred hands and steady gaze suggest he knows exactly how these blades feel when they strike bone. To buy a weapon here is to purchase a lifeline; to ask for a cheap blade is to be shown the door. Cerenoc, a retired high-level fighter, is stoic, professional, and has no patience for 'super-hero' posturing. He values craftsmanship over flashiness. This is the primary location in the city to acquire Masterwork weapons. While he rarely stocks powerful magical items (which are usually kept for private clients or the High Quarter), he can often identify legendary blades or direct adventurers toward someone who can enchant them.
