"It's not so much a port, as a shop with a dock. Coloured ceiling lights shine onto display cases lining the walls. A large shop-counter dominates the room. Cigars, ashtrays, guillotines, matches and carved boxes are all for sale. Each step here transports you into a new realm: at one moment, the heady aroma of summer flowers; then, the earthy fug of fungus; the bitter warmth of morning coffee; the sickening sweetness of sweat and midnight honey."[1]
Rosegate is an underwater tobacco shop. Yes, really.
Located under the Reef of Roses, Rosegate consists of little more than a shop and cigar factory with a zubmarine dock.[2] It is home to the artful and brilliant Crotchety Tobacconist and his Dogged Apprentice, who have set out to this rather non-flammable location to create magnificent feats in the art of cigar making.
The Pursuit of Perfection
Does this look like the face of a madman?
The Crotchety Tobacconist is a Surface-born Londoner, who was brought to the Neath during the Fall and set up shop in this remote spot twenty years ago.[3] He relies on commissions from his mysterious patron[4] to stave off starvation and boredom; it is not made entirely clear who this patron is,[5] but there are implications that the Dogged Apprentice is involved with the New Sequence.[6][7] When not at work, the Tobacconist is a rather sore loser at cards.[8]
The Tobacconist's contracts have dried up as of late, leaving him and his apprentice with a dwindling supply of food.[4] Unshaken, he still strives to create his masterpiece: a cigar that can stay lit underwater. How far is this man willing to go for the sake of his craft? Expensive acquisitions,[9] torture,[10][11] teaching a blemmigan how to write romantic poetry...[12] human flesh?[13] Where does the line between art and insanity end in the Neath? And why does he want a flame that burns underwater?[14][15][16]
The Recipe
"...we're on the verge of a tremendous breakthrough. I'm about to create something beautiful. Something noble. A cigar which will burn underwater. I think I've finally found the right mixture." He taps the sheet on his counter - it is covered in incomprehensible scrawling, equations beyond the mathematical. "Three flavours. Something robust; something bitter; and something luscious. Once I have them, I can finally complete it."[17]
↑Rosegate, Sunless Sea"It's not so much a port, as a shop with a dock. Coloured ceiling lights shine onto display cases lining the walls. A large shop-counter dominates the room. Cigars, ashtrays, guillotines, matches and carved boxes are all for sale. Each step here transports you into a new realm: at one moment, the heady aroma of summer flowers; then, the earthy fug of fungus; the bitter warmth of morning coffee; the sickening sweetness of sweat and midnight honey."
↑The History of Rosegate, Sunless Sea"Standing at a lectern be"fore the hearth, the Tobacconist recites his lofty account of Rosegate. Over twenty years ago he opened his shop on the zee-floor. Why there? "It was a necessity brought upon us not only by the demands of our Art, but by Society's refusal to appreciate what must be done in its pursuit.""
↑ 4.04.1Witness a reunion, Sunless Sea"The Crotchety Tobacconist reaches across the counter to shake your hand. "Our patron has forsaken us. He's only interested in his project to the south. He left my Apprentice to starve, and he hasn't arranged a delivery of the materials I require. I've run out of rubies to try to convince him otherwise.""
↑A last request, Sunless Sea"The Crotchety Tobacconist strides into your zubmarine [...] "To the Iron Republic!" he cries [...] The Dogged Apprentice is slower to board [...] "The Grand Geode," he whispers, before entering the vessel...
↑The Dogged Apprentice on a Break, Sunless Sea"One story revolves around a failed plot in London; another focuses on the desperate escape afterward, made possible by a mysterious patron. The whole collection of work, while stilted, is violently aligned to the anarchic cause, and remarkably detailed. "
↑Challenge the Tobacconist to a game of cards, Sunless Sea"The Crotchety Tobacconist snorts, snatches the cards off the table, and flings them into the air. He storms up the stairs to his workshop. The Dogged Apprentice waits till the door has slammed before scurrying over, muttering apologies."
↑Breaking Down, Sunless Sea"You work in a miasma of bitter dust and floral cigar smoke. At first the Clay Man's shouts drown out the tap of the hammer. Soon, only the hammer rings out."
↑Sneer coldly at it, Sunless Sea"The Once-Talkative Rattus Faber does not even shudder at your words. It only lies down in its bedding, and closes its eyes. The Dogged Apprentice nods solemnly, and lays his hand on your shoulder. "We've got it now. That's as much bitterness and contempt as it can hold. I'll remove the gallbladder in a moment - the master will be so pleased to have his ingredient!" "
↑A Slice of Romance, Sunless Sea"The Blemmigan has used half a pot of red ink editing your poetry. It's so absorbed in criticism, it is unaware of you and the Tobacconist."
↑The Wrapper, Sunless Sea" I'll just need a donation from the boy, and we'll have the last component. Could you help keep him still?""
