(POI) (Broker) The Bull & The Bear
May 1, 2017 17:07:27 GMT -7
Post by 👺 Usiel on May 1, 2017 17:07:27 GMT -7
The Bull & The Bear
Map
Map
The interior of this tavern is decorated in a bull and bear motif, with various knick-knacks and paintings placed on shelves, hanging from walls, and occasionally sitting on a table. While the animals are in abundance, paying homage to the name of the inn, the décor stops just shy of making the place feel cluttered. Small and large tables fill the space to the right while on the left a roaring fire burns in a large stone fireplace, an assortment of large comfortable looking arm chairs and a few bookshelves arranged nearby. In the corner, along the interior wall, there is a large stage. At night the vacant space in front of the stage and, in fact, any vacant space in the tavern, becomes a dance floor and patrons show their appreciation to the night's bard with cheers and good tips.
The far wall of the tavern has two doors and a set of stairs, with a long bar stretching in front of one of the doors, which appears to lead to a kitchen. The tavern has a very comfortable feeling and the number of patrons indicate it sees regular business. The private dining room, which is through the second door, has its own fireplace and comfortable furnishings. It is sometimes rented for special events, but otherwise it generally sits empty.
On the upper floors tables with fresh flowers and knickknacks in the bull and bear motif decorate the hallways and landings. The rooms on the second floor are of an average size and feature comfortable beds and desks. The rooms on the third floor are substantially larger and more luxurious, and feature large claw-foot tubs in addition to regular amenities.
As people walk into the tavern, 2 guards inside the door appraise them. Evie is a young human female, wearing a longsword at her waist, Durgul is a young gillman with a hand axe at his belt. If there are any females in the group, Durgul will take note, and possibly make a comment if he likes what he sees. If Evie hears him, and she likely does, the two of them will begin bickering as the characters find a seat in the tavern. When the characters leave, and for a few visits following, Evie will flirt with any male character in the party who returns to the tavern. Despite appearances, these two are quite devoted to each and both are unlikely to do anything but flirt with anyone else. For more information on this pair, see "A Strange Pair of Guards" below.
The Food
While The Bull & The Bear's head cook is known to be one of the best in the city, the tavern brings in unbaked bread from the city's most notable baker, then bakes it in batches throughout the day, serving fresh hot bread with Louisa's delicious home-style cooking. There is no set menu, and generally only one dish is made for each meal, but those wishing to complain will find themselves looking for a new tavern once Louisa gets wind of the complaint. Daily specials vary from hearty soups and stews to roasted meats with potatoes, gravy and root vegetables to sandwiches stuffed with a ground meat and various toppings. Breakfast will often be eggs on bread with a creamy sauce made from butter and lemon or fresh pancakes with bacon. All of the food always has two things in common: it is delicious and there are always vegetables (or fruit for breakfast). Louisa prides herself on taking care of people through their stomachs, ensuring that anyone too skinny has an extra helping on their plate, and anyone caring a little too much weight has more vegetables than their companions.
The bar serves a variety of beverages typical of most taverns, but they will quite often have a drink special, the most popular being the cold ale and the cold wine, made possible by the cold storage in the cellar. In colder weather, mulled wine and steaming apple cider are frequently served, and smell draws many patrons in from the bitter cold or pelting rain.
The Brothel
The second floor of the tavern plays host to The Bull & The Bear's other business: a very successful brothel.
It should be noted the brothel is run discreetly, as it likes to keep higher clientele in secret. Indeed, the manager of the tavern prides herself on discretion which is why, in addition to providing regular brothel services, Hepziba runs an escort service utilized by several of the notables around town who are looking for a beautiful but discrete women to serve as a companion to one of the many dull events they are to attend. We have provided names and descriptions for several courtesan's in "Faces at the Tavern".
While the basic furniture is the same, each of the brothel rooms is decorated a little bit differently, and seems to reflect the courtesan's personality or tastes. All of the rooms are immaculately clean and the décor of excellent quality.
The Rumors
Taverns are both an excellent source of and for rumours. Some of these rumours can be heard around town, while others might be heard inside the walls of the tavern itself. Adjust the wording as necessary. You can chose a rumour from the list below, or roll a d6 and use the corresponding number.
- 1. "Theodus Iversen (a local politician) is a regular at The Bull & The Bear, but he goes there for a little more than just the drinks, if you know what I mean." (True– He enjoys spending time with Kent, one of the lads of the brothel upstairs.)
- 2. "Those Venatores must be looking for someone, but they ain't sayin' who. Got a real bee in their bonnet, if you ask me. Wouldn't wannna be the one they are tracking down."
- 3. "Did you hear about the beating Evie gave Durgul over at The Bull & The Bear? Guess she caught him looking a little too long at some girl who came in."
- 4. "Augustus Marlowe's latest play is his best yet, so funny… the way he made fun of the nobility about town. And that Corrah does an incredible job as the female lead. I couldn't stop laughing."
- 5. "The cook at The Bull & The Bear, Louisa, she's a feisty thing... I heard she was seeing some musician about town. I can't figure out who it is, but I bet he works up an appetite keeping her happy!"
- 6. "Only one place in town you can get a cold ale or a cold glass of wine: The Bull & The Bear. Not sure what sorts of ingredients they use, but that stuff is incredible." (True– The tavern has a cold storage in the cellar, keeping chilled beverages colder than anywhere else in town).
- 7. "Benjamin has commissioned a play from Augustus Marlowe! I bet it'll be full of adventure!" (True— Benjamin has commissioned a tragic love story— with a little adventure—and Corrah will be the star.)
- 8. "Evie is still talking about that piece of jewelry she lost while she and Durgul was off adventuring all them years ago. Better the ring than her hand you ask me." (True - Evie lost her grandmother's ring several years ago when she and Durgul were making their way through a cave complex and ran into a Otyugh. They realized it was more than they could handle and fled.)
Events
Taverns are generally a hub of activity, and no evening at the local watering hole would feel complete without a little excitement. Some of these events may take on a life of their own, or may be a part of the tavern backdrop one evening. Chose an event from the list below, or for a little randomness, roll a d8 and use the corresponding number.
- 1. Notable celebrity and playwright to the crown, Augustus Marlowe, and his lover and muse, Corrah, have arrived at the tavern for a meal. Following the meal, Marlowe buys a round of drinks while loudly regaling the patrons with tales of his adventures.
- 2. The local Duke has bet that he bakes a better chocolate cake than Louisa, The Bull and the Bear's cook; a fierce bake-off has ensued to the amusement and benefit of the current customers.
- 3. Tired of the (nearly true) rumours that her husband is a frequent admirer of the “upstairs ladies” at The Bull and the Bear, Essa Iversen is loudly demanding that he be hauled down for a reckoning. Evie and Durgul are holding the scorned woman back, but she is making everyone uncomfortable. Her husband is currently hiding on the second floor, having been mid-tryst with Kent, his favorite "upstairs lad."
- 4. The city watch have come to arrest local cutpurse Eel Flanagann, who is spending his most recent take on a pint. Having noticed them, Eel is attempting to flee through the kitchen door, if he can avoid Louisa's frying pan.
- 5. Local laborer Sten Millmason has taken a shine to one of the servers and has brought a quartet of friends to run interference with Durgul and Evie while he gets the disinterested girl alone to proclaim his love.
- 6. A teahouse has opened in town, but it doesn't just serve tea. The brothel at The Bull & The Bear has seen a downturn in business since the new establishment opened. Hepziba and most of the staff aren't too worried and think business will return to similar levels soon, but Laella is furious. She asks one of the characters to take care of the problem for her, directing them specifically to two of the girls she is certain are luring away most of her clients. While she does not offer money, on account, she says, of the fact that "those terrible girls" took all her clients, she assures them she would be ever so grateful and will make it worth their while.
- 7. As a pair of Venatores enter the tavern, Vita, the bartender, quickly and discreetly adjusts her clothing to cover her tattoos. The pair scan the establishment, but they don't appear to be looking for her, and instead take a seat in the corner.
- 8. Louisa wants to make one of her much loved pasta dishes, but shipments of one of her favorite ingredients (a dense brown mushroom) keep disappearing before they can make it to town. Louisa is getting frustrated, not a good thing with her fiery temper. She asks the characters to investigate the missing shipments and assures them she will cook them up something extra special for the trouble, on the house, of course.
Faces at the Tavern
Like any interesting tavern, The Bull & The Bear employs a variety of colorful characters. Most of them are more than happy to help any patrons and some even have an interesting tale or two to share.
- Vitarielle (Vita) Dhodararn
- Louisa Greene
- A Strange Pair of Guards
- Durgul Rampant
- Evie Longheart
- Hepziba Newport
- Kairn
- Kent
- Opal
- Laella
- Paul Cotillard
- Corrah
- Benjamin