The Howling Wolf

A bar unlike any other in Olan Tor, or on Terislan. The descendants of a company of mercenaries named the Howling Wolf, renowned for never losing a battle while they were active, own and operate the pub opened by their ancestors in 44 YL. Not long after the founding of the city the mercenary group’s leader set up the bar and established it as neutral territory to all. In subsequent years the retired members of the group always found a job waiting for them at the Wolf. Formed in the tumultuous years after the War of Liberation as recalcitrant rogue dwarves and elf factions fought on, and as Alliance factions sparred over which course the newly freed peoples of Tersislan should take, the mercenary unit gained a renowned reputation. In hundreds of engagements, the unit never lost a single battle and gained fame for its unorthodox but successful tactics. The unit's mystique became legendary and ensured that no one violated the rule of neutrality at the Wolf. After the unit disbanded in 137 YL a few drunks and brave idiots sought to challenge the Wolf's rules, but anyone who spilled blood or violated the truce at the Howling Wolf was found dead, vanished completely, or, if they were lucky enough to have only started a minor disturbance, woke up beaten and bruised in some alley. As a consequence, the number of those willing to break the truce dwindled over the years. The many criminal and business organizations in Olan Tor also realize the benefits of a place where they can conduct business on neutral ground and they all happily abide despite the occasional inconvenience. Also, any bravado by even the most powerful and ruthless of organizations withers when people remember the tale of the Marsh Adders. In 174 YL one of the larger and more violent gangs in Olan Tor, the Marsh Adders sought to wrest control of some rackets from the Blue Daggers. The Marsh Adders violated the truce en mass and attacked some Blue Dagger leaders at the Howling Wolf, rightfully reasoning that no one would expect such an attack. More than twenty years later people still recount that the screams of the Adders could be heard throughout the city for the next two days. None of the Adders survived past the second day and the bodies of the last six Adders were found on a merchant skyship halfway to Andol three days after the attack. The dead were found in various states, some seemingly untouched as if they simply dropped dead, while others were literally torn asunder by some nameless force. The only thing the victims had in common was that any attempts reviving them or speaking to their spirits proved fruitless as if their souls had been scrubbed from existence. Since that day no one has dared to disturb the peace of the Wolf and even the toughest gangsters often help enforce the truce fearing they may run afoul of the force or entity that killed the Adders.

Founding Date

44 YL

Alternative Names

The Wolf

Type

Pub / Tavern / Restaurant