Wayside Inn
The Wayside Inn is located in a clearing on the High Road between Neverwinter and Leilon on the Sword Coast.
Campaign Recap
First Time at the Inn (1-2 Mirtul)
Hello, Zombies
On Day 19 of the campaign (1 Mirtul), Collateral Damage and Don-Jon Raskin arrived at the Wayside Inn at night while traveling from Phandalin toward the Brontide Cliffs. As they approached the inn, they saw several zombies attacking the doors to the inn.
Conor McGregor called out and got the zombies' attention, drawing them away from the inn and toward the group. The group then battled the zombies, and during combat two wraiths appeared out of the darkness and joined the zombies against the party. The group eventually defeated the undead creatures, and they discovered the zombies had the letters "UM" branded on their foreheads and they were covered in various leaves and barbs from swamp plants.
Meeting the Staff and Customers
The group was welcomed into the inn, and they spoke with Martisha Vinetalker (the owner), Theren Vinetalker (the owner's younger brother and the inn's gardener and stable keeper), Backes Dunfield (the bartender), Coorah Struckt (the cook) and Teega Savage (the smith). The group also briefly met Silla Scalesweep and Tarbin Tul; they don't work at the inn, but they were playing a song on the stage. Martisha thanked the group for their assistance against the undead creatures, and she gave them free meals and rooms for the evening.
Tarbin, a human bard, stepped up onto the small stage and began singing a song about the eruption of Mount Hotenow in 1451. Silla, a halfling, joined Tarbin on the stage and played her harmonica. The lyrics of the song described chaos and death, but it was an up-tempo song and many of the staff and customers were singing along in a cheerful tone.
Evening Conversations
Martisha called over to Shinzon Greenshadow, asking him if he also was from the Kryptgarden Forest. The two elves realized they were both a part of the Cult of the Dragon-Claugiyliamatar Sect; after the Great Exile in 1472, Martisha and her brother Theren decided to abandon their previous lives serving Claugiyliamatar and open up a small business.
Theren pulled Tubby aside and showed him a bag of beans that was left by a wizard staying at the inn a few weeks back. He described the wizard as an elf with a long beard and a floppy hat. Theren then explained that he was bored one day, so he planted one of the beans in the ground, and a minute later a fully-grown tree sprouted out of the ground with apples all over. He ate an apple, and it tasted like it had healing power, but after an hour the tree disappeared. Theren asked Tubby if he could try selling the bag for him; Theren didn't know anything about magical stuff, but he knew it was valuable. Tubby decided to instead buy the bag from Theren for 20 GP.
Herb Stoner briefly talked with Teega, the smith. Herb learned that Teega worked in the smithy that's near the stables on the first floor of the inn, and she usually stayed around at night and drinks with the other staff and customers. She pointed out to Herb the three suits of plate armor she crafted that were hanging up on the wall.
Conor McGregor talked with Backes, the bartender. Conor asked Backes if they had seen any other undead creatures in the area, and Backes said not since he started working at the inn about six months ago. Backes referred to the fact that unsavory types do travel through on occasion, and the tavern staff knows how to protect themselves (he pointed out some crossbows behind the bar). He thanked Herb and his friends for their help, but he said they would have been able to defend themselves.
Herb then made his way over to talk with Martisha, the owner. Herb said he was interested in investing in the inn, saying he was impressed that they had a good thing going. Martisha said that the inn was doing well, especially since she hired staff like Backes and Coorah to run the bar and kitchen about six months ago. Martisha told Herb she would think about his offer, and she asked him to find her again in the morning before they left. The group then walked upstairs and rested for the night.
Good Morning and Goodbye
On Day 20 (2 Mirtul), the group woke up and walked downstairs. They saw Tarbin, the human bard who was performing the previous night, resting with his head on the bar. They also saw Silla, the halfling who had joined Tarbin in the performance, checking out of the inn.
Rayphlárd approached Martisha and asked her if any other blue dragonborn had come through recently. Martisha said that one may have come through for a meal and a drink a few weeks ago, but she didn't remember any staying for the night. Conor went outside looking for any other zombies, but he didn't see any.
Herb then talked with Martisha again about investing in the business. Martisha explained that she broke even most months, but if she had more cash on hand she would be able to invest in better quality food for the tavern. Her offer to Herb was for Herb to pay her 30 GP per month, and she would then pay Herb 10% of the inn's profits every month. She showed her accounting records to Herb, hoping to prove to him that she kept detailed records of everything and he would receive everything he was owed. Herb agreed to the proposal, paying a total of 60 GP for the first two months.
Collateral Damage and Don-Jon then checked out of the inn and traveled west toward the Brontide Cliffs.
Employees
- Martisha Vinetalker (owner)
- Theren Vinetalker (gardener, stable keeper)
- Backes Dunfield (bartender)
- Coorah Struckt (cook)
- Teega Savage (smith)
Purpose / Function
The Wayside Inn was built to accommodate travelers on the High Road going from Neverwinter to Leilon. Traveling all the way from Neverwinter to Leilon on horseback typically takes more than one day, and the inn was built around the location where many travelers would camp for the night while headed in that direction.
Architecture
The Wayside Inn is an oddly-shaped building. There are two entrances: a smaller entrance at the northwest corner and a larger one on the northern wall for beasts of burden and wagons. The first floor includes a common area and tavern, a kitchen, stables, and a smithy. The second floor includes rooms for guests staying at the inn. Just outside the inn, near the kitchen, is a garden where the staff grows various fruits and vegetables.
History
The Wayside Inn has had many owners over the years, as it was built in a lawless area with frequent attacks from various monsters or raids from bandits.
Tourism
"They've always got room for you!" - Herb Stoner, co-owner
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments