Urban Locales: Slum Tavern

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1: The Slum Tavern

  1. The Cock & Bull: The ridiculous mural of an oversized cock fighting a bull decorates the upper storey of this dilapidated building. The ostler, Jussi Ano (CN middle-aged male human), maintains a fighting pit in the cellar.

  2. The Rusty Crown: A rusty iron crown seemingly sized for a giant—that looks a bit like the top of a hacked-off brazier—hangs over the tavern’s door. The opportunistic Kalle Tapo (CN middle-aged male human) looks forward to welcoming (and fleecing) adventurers.

  3. The Weeping Dwarf: The faded sign of a crying dwarf clutching an upside-down tankard hangs over the tavern’s door. The landlady, Leena Ilakka (N female human), does not like dwarves; she won’t say why.

  4. The Rose & Flagon: Near-dead roses sprout from the tavern’s window boxes. When they do grow, they are invariably stolen. Maarit Hirvi (N female human) also festoons the taproom with various plants; many are sickly, and she spends hours tending them every week.

2: Major Locale Features

  1. The dingy taproom’s ceiling is low and smoke-stained. Light comes from lanterns behind the bar and foul-smelling candles on the tables.

  2. The tavern’s bar is nothing more than a trestle table covered by a filthy tablecloth. Barrels of ale and other drinks stand on a sturdy shelved rack behind the table.

  3. The tavern has a rat problem; the ostler has solved the problem by getting almost a dozen cats.

  4. The taproom has two front doors, and a long thin passageway leads to a back alley; it is a popular place for those keen to avoid the watch.

3: Minor Locale Features

  1. A smattering of old straw and sawdust covers the floor.

  2. The taproom smells of sweat and stale beer. Perceptive characters also catch more than a whiff of vomit.

  3. The tables and chairs are crudely-made, much repaired and battered through long service.

  4. A wall in the taproom is painted black. The landlord provides chalk, and regulars use the wall as a message board and somewhere for their obscene graffiti.

4: What’s Going On?

  1. Two regulars are engaged in a drinking competition; most customers are cheering on the rivals.

  2. A local group is holding a meeting in the tavern; one of the gathering is loudly pontificating about something.

  3. Two customers are arguing about some pointless thing. As the argument intensifies, other patrons move away from the pair.

  4. A brawl has just finished. Several battered patrons stagger out of the tavern while the staff tidy up. A few unconscious patrons lie about the taproom; one or more could be dead.

5: Other Folk

  1. Anton Tiera (CN middle-aged male human) nurses a pint and a monstrous hangover. Anton made a killing gambling several nights ago and is still celebrating. Unkempt and unshaven, he does not look like a man who has recently come into almost 50 gp. He is tired and in no mood to chat.

  2. Leena Tulo (CE female human thief 4) hunts for victims; Leena is a vicious thief fine with murder if it gets her what she wants. She has no conscience and is skilled at masking her true nature.

  3. Maalin Janakka (CG female human) needs help—but won’t lie to get it. She approaches newcomers and asks them for a loan (which she has every intention of repaying). She looks harried and stressed.

  4. Arvi Kare (N middle-aged male human) possesses an (annoying) conscience. This down-on-his-luck mercenary is down to his last few coins. He is burly, looks dangerous and is handy in a fight.

Credit

This is a short system-neutral extract from Urban Locale #03: Slum Tavern by Robert Manson. The book is available from DriveThruRPG and here at our store.

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