Low Seas Tavern
The Low Seas Tavern is a beacon of warmth in the River Quarter, its well-lit porch and the sound of boisterous laughter drawing in patrons from all walks of life.
Unlike the more cutthroat establishments in the River Quarter, the Low Seas Tavern maintains a slightly higher standard of conduct. Weapons longer than a dagger must be checked at the door, ensuring that disputes are settled with words, wits, or—at worst—fists rather than steel.
The food, though modestly portioned, is excellently prepared, and the drinks, while costly, are among the finest in Greyhawk. The tavern is a favored gathering place for adventurers, mercenaries, and the wealthier Rhennee bargefolk , who treat its halls as both a refuge and a marketplace of whispered deals.
A Den of Secrets and Song
The shabby façade of the Low Seas Tavern marks the northern face of a small square on Cargo Street. Visitors must descend a short flight of stone steps to reach the entrance, which sits slightly below street level. At all hours, the sounds of boisterous revelry echo up to the square—an invitation to some and a warning to others.
Inside, the two-story taproom is alive with smoky alcoves, private booths, and well-worn tables, each a stage for hushed negotiations or reckless wagers. Small stages along the walls host dancers and musicians, their melodies a blend of lively fiddles, rhythmic drumbeats, and delicate finger cymbals. The air is thick with the scent of spiced wine, roasted meat, and pipe smoke, and from the moment a stranger enters, they sense the weight of unspoken judgments—as though they have stepped into a private world where outsiders are noticed but seldom welcomed.
Most patrons of the Low Seas Tavern are Rhennee, the riverfolk traders and rogues who navigate the waterways of the Flanaess, dealing in secrets, smuggled goods, and dangerous favors. In the River Quarter, they are tolerated; in other districts, they are scorned. But here, in their tavern, they decide who is and isn’t an outsider.
That is not to say that non-Rhennee are unwelcome. One-Eye Halloran, the tavern’s owner, is a former explorer who claims all are free to drink from his kegs—though even he fails to see how the Rhennee have quietly seized control of the establishment simply by making it their unchallenged stronghold.
The Domain of One-Eye Halloran
The Low Seas Tavern is ruled—in name, at least—by its enigmatic owner, One-Eye Halloran. Though some also call him One-Leg, few dare to mock him outright. He claims to have been a wizard, a high priest, a noble knight, and a master thief, having wandered the Flanaess collecting countless scars and even more tales.
- Halloran proudly recounts the origin of every wound, missing limb, and battle scar to anyone foolish enough to ask—though his story changes with each telling.
- He wears a patched eye, and his missing leg has been replaced with a sturdy wooden peg, which he has learned to use as a weapon—striking first in combat with it (1d6 damage) before his opponent can react.
- Though his past is greatly embellished, Halloran is no mere tavern keeper—he is a 5th-level mage with more than a few tricks left in his spellbook.
Keeping Order
Halloran needs no bouncers. Should trouble arise, he merely calls upon his patrons. At a moment’s notice, 1d10 + 10 loyal allies will stand by his side—half of them battle-hardened fighters, the rest spellcasters, thieves, or adventurers owing him favors.
Many an overconfident braggart has learned the hard way that the Low Seas Tavern is no ordinary drinking hall. What begins as a simple tavern brawl can swiftly become a deadly skirmish, where enemies vanish in the crowd and knives strike from the shadows. Wiser folk know better than to test their luck here.
The Shadow of János Mézáros
While Halloran still claims ownership of the Low Seas Tavern, its true master is János Mézáros , a ruthless Rhennee barge lord who commands eleven river vessels and their fiercely loyal crews.
- Mézáros leads an extended "family" of forty-seven men and women, all of whom treat an insult against one as an insult against all.
- He is dangerous, cunning, and utterly without mercy—especially toward those who cross him.
- Mézáros commands the respect and fear of every Rhennee in the River Quarter, and even the Thieves’ Guild treads carefully around his affairs.
Though Mézáros has three wives, he treats them as little more than property. The cleverest of them, Amalia, has begun seeking her own escape from his rule. She spends much of her time at the Green Dragon Inn, watching and waiting for the right outsider to befriend—one who might unknowingly bring her husband’s wrath upon them.
Adventure Hooks & Rumors
- Halloran’s Lost Map: Halloran drunkenly claims to have once possessed a treasure map leading to an ancient Rhennee vault. If it still exists, it is hidden within the tavern’s walls—or stolen by someone who doesn’t yet know its worth.
- A Debt Called In: A powerful wizard or noble has business with Halloran, but the old tavern keeper is unwilling to pay an old debt. If the players get involved, they may learn more about his past than he wants anyone to know.
- Amalia’s Desperate Gamble: If a PC earns Amalia’s trust, she may ask for help escaping Mézáros’ control. This would make them a direct target of the barge lord and his entire clan.
- A Job for Mézáros: The barge lord may hire the PCs for a dangerous task, promising them gold, information, or protection—but those who serve him often find their debts hard to repay.
The Low Seas Tavern: A Place of Opportunity and Danger
The Low Seas Tavern is more than a simple drinking hall—it is a hub of power, a fortress of the Rhennee, and a place where alliances are forged or broken over a tankard of spiced wine. Within these walls, secrets change hands, vendettas are born, and the foolish are swallowed whole by forces beyond their understanding.
If the Green Dragon Inn is the heart of adventure in Greyhawk, then the Low Seas Tavern is its shadow—where fortunes are won in whispers, and lives are lost without a sound.
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