The Cat's Wand and the Howl's Hat

A strange place for strange folk. Still better than camping out here, as long as you know how to behave...
— Knevius Barkmoor, to his apprentice

An inn rumored to exist in the middle of The Mourning Woods, only accessible to those who already know where it is. Mostly spoken of inside inner circles of mages and those curious in the obscure, this tavern functions both as a resting place to those who wander too deep into the marshy forest, as a re-supplying center for both magical ingredients and spell tomes.

Although it is often described as a friendly place to those who enter in search of temporary solace or a specific magical ingredient, it presents a much deeper meaning to those who come in search of knowledge. Be warned though: although calm and reserved, the innkeeper is fickle and always watching. Follow the lead of the one who brought you here and above all else: Do not wrong the innkeeper.

Architecture

Mostly made out of mortar between wooden beams, this tavern is surprisingly well-kept for a lonely building in the middle of a dark forest crawling with monsters of all types. Its tiled roofs, now turned grey, protect the rest of the building from any rain that manages to drip down from the treetops and help it blend into its shadowy surroundings.

Although it does not have many windows, this inn offers its clients leisure areas with tall windows which allows one to look outside while resting. The windows in the rooms for renting however, are smaller and have wooden shutters that completely block out all light once closed.

When entering, a visitor is greeted by a wide hall where several tables are spread out and surrounded by chairs. On the opposite side to the entrance, one can usually find the Innkeeper behind the bar counter, which hides a large variety of exotic brews.

To the right, a small staircase leads to a small second floor, where the available magical tomes are at the disposal of any customer in large bookcases. Here one can find some long chairs and cushions spread across the room, usually oriented to the tall glass window which gives a view to the front of the tavern outside. In this reading lounge, some tables stand near the walls opposite to the bookcases, occasionally still piled with maps and scrolls yet to be re-shelved.

If one is to turn left at the entrance, another small staircase leads to a short corridor upstairs, ending in a large framed window. Two doors on the right side lead to the two rooms for rent. This portion of the inn is isolated from the reading lounge, forcing one to go through the entrance hall to walk between the two. Both rooms have two separate beds and a single window facing the forest.

Rumors and Advice:

One's experience in this inn can vary, just like the rumors surrounding it. Most visitors are veterans occasionally travelling with the extra pair of curious eyes. This causes the rumors to spread in a rather slow manner. However, with the passage of time, reports of this establishment have gained it some generally accepted rumors:

You know you are arriving when the road turns clearer and all birds grow silent. At night, even though the sky is covered by trees, you can see a starry sky of a yellow-ish tone. Veteran visitors advise you not to look too closely or to pay much mind if the stars happen to blink.

Do not harm the owls outside. If you plan on staying the night and still have rations, offer them some. It will make things easier.

The innkeeper is very curious about new spells and potions. Word is, you can gain his favor if you present her with something he has never seen before. Do not try to swindle the innkeeper.

The innkeeper never looks the same whenever you re-visit this place, but she always remembers you and everything you did here, including your favorite drink and snack. Do not wrong him.

You are free to read from the available tomes in the hall as long as you pay for a meal or room, but the really interesting books are stored elsewhere and to access them you must ask the innkeeper. Do not mind the blots and blurs on the books, regardless of what they may remind you of.
Do not steal the books.
Do not ask about the feathers in the rooms.
Do not order any dish with meat.
Don't raise your voice too loud.

If you want to sleep at night and you did not feed the owls outside, buy the innkeeper's Sleeping Brew and try to ignore the scratching on the window shutters.
If you want to rent a room, remember to close the window shutters before dark. If you forget to do so, forsake returning to the room to do it. Instead, spend the night in the lounge reading, as the innkeeper will gladly brew something to help you stay awake. Do not fall asleep with the shutters open under any circumstances.
An eye for an eye, a tome for a tome.
If morning comes and your friend is missing, do not bother to close the window. Ignore the feathers. Don't look at the innkeeper. Gather your things and leave quietly. Do not mind the missing sun outside.Do not look back. Do not look up. Do not return.