The Rust Bucket

Overview

A landmark of “structural rust” on the outer edges of The Drift, the Rust Bucket is a masterwork of kobold ingenuity built directly into the scuttled hull of a derelict ironclad. It sits low in the water, a jagged silhouette of salt-bleached iron and deep oxidation. It serves as both a no-questions-asked tavern and a functional combat arena, known for its neutrality and the “productive hum” of its mechanical proprietor.

The Rule of the Bucket

“Rust holds it together; blood oils the gears.”

• No-questions-asked neutrality.
• The Rust Bucket is a “ranch” compared to the upscale Gilded Keel. It is a place for those who wish to remain unobserved. No one pays attention to your business here, whether you’re hovering over the toilet seat or setting a humming artifact on the table.

Key NPCs

• Sparky Gasket: A twitchy Kobold Artificer and former partner of Dr. Elias Thorne. He is barely visible above the brass bar, moving in a perpetual blur beneath four pairs of stacked glasses. He walked away from Thorne during his “questionable” phase and now runs the Bucket with mechanical precision.

Features

• Structural Rust: The wood has long since rotted away, replaced entirely by rust so thick and deep it has become structural. The walls have a rough, mineral texture and the tang of old iron.
• The Iron Bar: A long, brass counter reclaimed from a merchant vessel. Half the space is dedicated to drinks; the other half is a workshop for Sparky’s gears and clockwork.
• Shadowy Booths: Deep, high-backed booths line the curve of the hull. They are famously dim and “close,” perfect for clandestine meetings or launching paper-airplane notes with unreasonable accuracy.
• The Arena: A circular combat pit located in the ship’s former cargo hold. It is lined with sand and salt, accessible by a rail on the upper deck where patrons can lean over to watch brawls or monster spectacles.
• The Head (Bathroom): Notable for its lack of privacy and the unspoken rule that nobody looks at anyone else while they’re hovering over the seat.