The Golden Hippogriff
The Most Welcoming Tavern in Highport
Purpose / Function
In a story familiar to so many buildings in Gloomwharf, The Golden Hippogriff is a repurposed building that Worav, an enterprising halfling, took over and made her home and her business. Unlike most, The Golden Hippogriff became a success and has earned a reputation as one of the safest and most welcoming taverns in Highport. The building had originally been a small storage building with a small room above used for living space. Worav now lives in the room above her bar with her son Nal.
Design
The main room is a 120'x45' rectangle. The building itself is not rectangular and the odd spaces are hidden compartments used for storage and, occasionally, hiding more illicit goods. It has a flagstone floor and plaster walls. The bar sits at the southern end of the room. Opposite the door is a shallow pool where people toss their tankards and plates when they are done. On the eastern wall near the bar a staircase descends to the cellar. Mirroring that at the northern end of the room a staircase leads up to a platform with three curtained booths reserved for more private business deals.
Entries
There are five windows in the western wall of the room, two to the north of the main entrance door and three to the south. In the eastern wall are four windows. The windows are reinforced and have wooden shutters on the interior building that Worav keeps closed during the day. From the upper level a single window with a rope ladder attached allows quick escape from the building for Worav and her son. There are also several hidden bolt holes hidden in the hidden storage areas.
Sensory & Appearance
The Golden Hippogriff immediately hits you with the homely comfort of a halfling house, though considerably noisier! It is a tavern after all, and a popular one at that. The bar area is typically packed with a group of halfling regulars sitting on high stools engaged in friendly banter with Worav and playing with Nal. The tavern is not just popular with halflings however, and all peoples are welcome as long as they treat the other patrons with respect. People who cause trouble in The Golden Hippogriff are quickly turned on and ejected by the tavern patrons. In a city of few safe havens, The Golden Hippogriff is one and it is fiercely protected by the people who frequent it. The bar is lit by three hanging wrought iron chandeliers containing twelve candles a piece as well as several strategically placed hooded lanterns. The smell of Worav's cooking - usually some kind of seafood concoction - permeates the room with a mix of mouthwatering spices.
Denizens
- Worav, Owner and Proprietor
- Nal is a child male hobbit, Worav's ten year old son, that loves to wear foppish costumes. He has long, blonde hair. He is generally attentive, but also aloof. His disposition is cheerful but he is jealous by nature. He is quite timid in the face of danger. He has a great interest in cooking. His favorite dress up is in gray sandals, light-gray long pants, and a yellow formal shirt with a giant foppish hat.
- Tinalt is a old male halfling that is clean in appearance and is found nearly every night in the center stool at the bar. He wears a blue green kilt with a white waistcoat over a tan formal shirt and dark red boots. He has long, blonde hair with a thick moustache. He is generally aloof and has a strong mean streak but when drinking his disposition is compassionate. He is quite fearless in the face of danger. He can be perceived as immoral. He is a collector of minerals and gems.
Contents & Furnishings
The furnishings consist of several round tables and stools of varying heights to accommodate the differently sized clientelle.
Alterations
Worav has completely renovated the empty storage space into a welcoming and cozy bar. The one detail she left completely alone were the intricate carvings of the Paragons of Order around the doorframe on the inside of the building.
Architecture
The Golden Hippogriff is a half-timbered building with oft-patched plaster filling the gaps between the timbers.
History
First used as a commercial storage building with a small living area, the original owner abandoned the building and Worav took possession after it sat uninhabited for a few months.
Comments