A Night at the Tavern
Adventurers usually visit taverns for pick up rumors, follow up on
information, or simply enjoy some downtime. Sometimes the
tavern becomes the adventure itself.
Hooks
• War veterans have been meeting at the tavern lately,
and some have picked up talk of a “big change,” leaving
everyone concerned. They have now disappeared, but
somewhere someone knows what’s going on.
• Criminal gangs have threatened the innkeeper, and
both parties may hire adventurers to deal with the
problem. The criminals want a larger take from the
tavern, and the innkeeper thinks this is unfair.
• There are rumors the innkeeper secretly is a member of
a thieves’ guild. Discerning the truth can both be
valuable and required to uphold the law - should the
adventurers care about either. Rumors at the Tavern
• Brigands sponsored by an enemy city have attacked an
Entrance outgoing caravan. Local officials and caravan masters
This tavern is a small two-story ramshackle building with the sole have promised a reward to anyone who brings the
purpose of serving food, drinks, entertainment, and making brigands to justice.
money. • Local merchants are expecting sabotage from rivals,
and need someone to watch their warehouse a few
Areas nights.
The ground floor is dominated by a long tavern and a small stage. • The neighborhood has been haunted by serial killers in
There are a half-dozen tables on each floor and space at the the past. Some believe dozens of bodies are buried
tavern. The restrooms are in the backyard and upstairs. Upstairs is under the floorboards of a secret basement.
just a large room with more seating. • An ongoing smuggling operation is working through
the tavern. Cultists are watching the operation, waiting
People at the Tavern for something or someone to appear.
The tavern may serve dozens of people on a crowded night. Here
are a few regulars: Events at the Tavern
• The locals celebrate a wedding, birthday, or just
• Tabs “the Cleaver”, the Innkeeper, Female Human. someone who got a bit of money. The place is roaring.
Tabs is a butcher’s daughter, turned mercenary, then • A young patron takes the stage and publicly proposes to
retired and bought an inn. She claims to not know a loved one. The place is at an uproar over this happy
anything or anyone. Plays cards with visiting occasion.
necromancers whenever they are in town. • The locals mourn and celebrate the life of a departed
• Gareth Strom, City Watch Member, Male Human. regular patron. The mood is emotional.
Strom was demoted for excessive violence, which says • A celebrity bard is entraining tonight.
something considering the guard. Bitter, and now works • Assassins kill a guest during the evening, and nearby
with brigands. player characters become witnesses and possible
• Jera Micera, Alchemist, Female Half-Elf. Jera sells suspects.
remedies to locals and doubles as a fence. Patches up • The scholarly wizards of a remote country need aid and
city watch members for free and secretly works for the need someone to investigate a local ruin to uncover a
thieves’ guild. Pays for a table but never eats or drinks at magic item. The wizard offers to pay the full market
the tavern. price for the item if recovered and supply a few scrolls
• Dugas Brak, Merchant, Male Dwarf. Brak owns a store in advance.
and several apartments for rent. Loan-shark and • The city watch searches the tavern, looking for
member of the thieves’ guild. Ruthless. Known to cry something or someone. They crack down hard on
when hearing sentimental songs. anyone trying to sneak away or in possession of
• Neft Siv, Sorcerer. Siv is a mercenary sorcerer of contraband. Also, what are the local laws regarding
unclear ancestry and shifting appearance. Siv was carrying weapons?
hunted by cultists and has no tolerance for nonsense. • An old rival, enemy or nemesis reappear, attempting to
Siv is looking for fragments of a lost book of great socially disgrace, or simply kill one the characters.
power.
• Irra Hesp, Investigator, Female Human. Hesp is a Reward/Resolution
socialite turned investigator, who frequents the bar A night out should be its own reward, and it is even better if you
looking a dark cult. Skittish after she killed her would- get paid. Hanging out at the tavern, asking questions should open
be assassin. opportunities.
2020 [Link]. Copyright Pål Wilhelmsen.
