Bent Hook
The Bent Hook, locally known as Ortolf’s House of Sludge, is the only tavern in Botkinburg. It is owned (but not operated) by ORTOLF HEIMPEL. His sons and daughters, their spouses, and their children manage the establishment while Ortolf whiles away his few remaining years consuming vast quantities of ale and mutton at a table in the center of the common room. Besides serving large platters of food and dark brews and offering rooms to weary travelers, the Bent Hook serves as the community’s gathering place, and, when necessary, Town Hall. It is a popular establishment frequented by most every member of the community, at one time or another, during the week. The Bent Hook is especially crowded when inclement weather makes work in the fields difficult, during festivals, or times of community concern.
The main building is a large, square, two-story establishment with a stone facing on the lower floor and wooden planked facing for the upper floor. The roof is made of red slate, steeply pitched to accommodate heavy snows during winter, and has a cluster of chimneys and heating pipes poking out of it. The rear of the Bent Hook has a single-floored, wood-planked rear attachment that houses the kitchen and storerooms. Behind the tavern is a large yard enclosed by a stout stone wall and fence, with a barn and stables at one end and the Heimpel’s house at the other.
The door to the common room is almost always open and, other than in the late hours of the night, one of the many Heimpels are around cleaning, fixing, cooking, sleeping, drinking, or eating, but are always willing to serve a customer. The room is spacious, though the paneling of the interior is so darkly stained from years of collected smoke and grime that it is dark and, without the glow of friendly fires, lanterns, or candles, can be brooding and oppressive. There are many tables and chairs of all shapes and sizes haphazardly scattered about the room and two large stonefaced fireplaces at either end of the room. A staircase leads up to the second floor of the establishment, while two large oaken doors open on to the brewery and the kitchen beyond.
The second floor is a series of rooms for let. The largest is a common room where several farthings gives one a place to sleep on the floor for the evening. During festivals or markets, this room is often full. There are six other rooms for let at 1sp a night, each essentially the same. These rooms contain four large oak beds that nearly fill up the entire space, a single table, and one trunk.
The Bent Hook is also known as Ortolf’s House of Sludge due to its dark brown, near-black brew. “Officially,” the Heimpels call the brew KAISEREN BOCK or the King’s Brew. However, it is of such a dark and viscous nature that it eventually became known as River Sludge, or just Sludge. Other than the “the Sludge,” the Bent Hook serves a decent, though local fare. The food consists mostly of take from the river and is served fried, boiled, broiled, stewed, grilled, and even raw. Other meats like beef and poultry are also available, though tend to be more expensive. Locally grown vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, spinach, cabbage and legumes such as pinto beans, lima beans and red beans augment most meals. Supplies of food are plentiful overall and prices cheap. A full meal can cost as little as a farthing, but soups and breads are cheaper, while elaborate meals can cost as much as half a penny. The beer is cheap, costing a mite a tankard.
The main building is a large, square, two-story establishment with a stone facing on the lower floor and wooden planked facing for the upper floor. The roof is made of red slate, steeply pitched to accommodate heavy snows during winter, and has a cluster of chimneys and heating pipes poking out of it. The rear of the Bent Hook has a single-floored, wood-planked rear attachment that houses the kitchen and storerooms. Behind the tavern is a large yard enclosed by a stout stone wall and fence, with a barn and stables at one end and the Heimpel’s house at the other.
The door to the common room is almost always open and, other than in the late hours of the night, one of the many Heimpels are around cleaning, fixing, cooking, sleeping, drinking, or eating, but are always willing to serve a customer. The room is spacious, though the paneling of the interior is so darkly stained from years of collected smoke and grime that it is dark and, without the glow of friendly fires, lanterns, or candles, can be brooding and oppressive. There are many tables and chairs of all shapes and sizes haphazardly scattered about the room and two large stonefaced fireplaces at either end of the room. A staircase leads up to the second floor of the establishment, while two large oaken doors open on to the brewery and the kitchen beyond.
The second floor is a series of rooms for let. The largest is a common room where several farthings gives one a place to sleep on the floor for the evening. During festivals or markets, this room is often full. There are six other rooms for let at 1sp a night, each essentially the same. These rooms contain four large oak beds that nearly fill up the entire space, a single table, and one trunk.
The Bent Hook is also known as Ortolf’s House of Sludge due to its dark brown, near-black brew. “Officially,” the Heimpels call the brew KAISEREN BOCK or the King’s Brew. However, it is of such a dark and viscous nature that it eventually became known as River Sludge, or just Sludge. Other than the “the Sludge,” the Bent Hook serves a decent, though local fare. The food consists mostly of take from the river and is served fried, boiled, broiled, stewed, grilled, and even raw. Other meats like beef and poultry are also available, though tend to be more expensive. Locally grown vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, spinach, cabbage and legumes such as pinto beans, lima beans and red beans augment most meals. Supplies of food are plentiful overall and prices cheap. A full meal can cost as little as a farthing, but soups and breads are cheaper, while elaborate meals can cost as much as half a penny. The beer is cheap, costing a mite a tankard.
Alternative Names
Ortlof's House of Sludge
Type
Pub / Tavern / Restaurant
Parent Location
Owner
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