The Bent Helm
This dockside tavern is Elturel's rowdiest dive. It is a brawling pit visited by those who like to get thoroughly drunk and then have a good fight.
Its signboard is visible from afar: a brightly polished, gigantic war helm hanging from a spar on a stout chain. The helm was worn by a giant in a long-ago battle just north of Elturel. It is bent halfway up at a sharp angle to the right as a result of a leaping dwarf king's axe. The death of the giant was the other result.
The helm now serves as a beacon for brawlers from all over the city, as well as visiting adventurers and caravan guards. Don' t come here if you want to relax, enjoy some minstrelry or quiet, or conduct a little business in peace. All the flying tankards make it hard to concentrate.
Imagine a large open barn without a loft, its hammerbeam ceiling exposed. Add a few driftglobes (which are fixed in place, well aloft, and serve to heat the tavern as well as light it), a flagstone floor, and rusty metal claddingmainly made of old shields, hammered flaton all walls and pillars, that continues as high up as possible. Put a bar at one end, staff it with burly, hairy-armed warriors who can throw hard and accurately, equip them a few hand crossbows and sleep-envenomed bolts to quell major problems, and fit each roof pillar with elbow-height surround tables for holding drinks. Fill the place with thirsty patrons, serve potent ale, stout, and sherry in easily broken earthenware tankards to cut down on fatalities, and stand back and watch the fights.
Tourism
The Helm has a no-weapons rule. Patrons are invited to check weapons at the door by a curvaceous lass who wears a different but always wildly daring costume each night. Two firm but friendly ettins armed with clubs turn away anyone who refuses to surrender obvious weapons. They're backed up by the doorclerk. She's a mage of minor power who keeps a wand of paralyzation handy.
Despite these precautions, stabbings at the Helm are frequent, and the local shrine to Tempus (the Hand That Swings the Sword) directs any visiting priests of the war god in need of funds to spend some time in this tavern's back room, healing the wounded. Typical fees are 1,000 gp per spell applied.
The Provender and the Prices
All drinks are 2 cp per tankard, and no food is available. Available drinks include undistinguished light and dark ales, a stout with a very robust character, and ample quantities of rough, strong sherry. Pouches of pipe tobacco are 6 cp each. Lights, from tapers reached across the bar, are free.
Type
Pub / Tavern / Restaurant
Parent Location
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