Frightened Ferret

“Home for the Haunted and the Healing”

Once a crumbling ruin known as Trollskull Manor, the Frightened Ferret has been lovingly and ambitiously restored into one of the most distinctive taverns in the North Ward. Though the ghosts still linger—some figurative, some less so—the building now stands as a symbol of second chances, hard-won community, and stubborn hope.

First Floor: Taproom and Tavern Heart

The main entrance opens into a warm and bustling taproom, where laughter and music echo off old stone and rich wood. Just inside, a small two-person table rests beneath the right-hand window, offering a quiet corner view of the street beyond. From there, the polished bar stretches along the right-hand wall, boasting a full array of Waterdhavian and imported spirits. The shelves gleam with glass and gold, and at their center hangs a broad mirror reflecting the life of the room.
Above the mirror, the Frightened Ferret Coat of Arms commands attention—a masterpiece designed and crafted by Avi and Embric. A divided shield sits beneath a sculpted figure of Sylvester, the beloved and ever-nervous tavern mascot, lounging watchfully atop it. The quadrants of the crest speak in quiet riddles: – A homunculus with a broken heart mended in shining gold. – A rose coiled around a dagger, with a lightning bolt splitting the sky behind it. – The scales of justice, uneven, one side dragged down by a shattered chain. – A split image of two dwellings—on one side, a Waterdhavian home with a rat and seagull; on the other, a tree-hollowed haven with an owl and squirrel.
Tucked into the front left-hand corner is a raised stage, modest in size but beloved by performers and patrons alike. It plays host to bards, storytellers, and friends with something to share. Along the front wall and around the taproom’s interior, the soft green tendrils of the Starleaf Vine grow freely—an early gift from Roywyn. The magical vine’s presence lends a subtle calming charm to the room, suppressing tempers and soothing troubled hearts. Its soft glow catches on the candlelight, weaving nature into every toast.
Behind the bar lies a hidden office and safe, recently discovered by the current proprietors, its original purpose lost to time. A cellar door, rarely used and heavy with memory, leads downward to a space the party avoids—for good reason. A separate dry pantry sits beside the taproom for everyday storage.
At the far end of the bar, a staircase climbs to the upper floors. Just past it, a hallway leads to the privy, the kitchen, and Kostas’ workshop, where ideas are forged, tinkered with, and sometimes exploded.

Second Floor: Guest Quarters and Staff Rooms

The second floor contains five bedrooms. Three remain vacant, maintained for guests, allies, or the occasional refugee. One room is occupied by Sabine, and the fifth belongs to Brontes

Third Floor: The Party's Sanctuary

The uppermost level of the manor is reserved for its founding owners. Jonnie, Kostas, and Melvin each claim a room here, reflecting their individual tastes and habits. These are not luxurious spaces, but they are well-lived and protected.
From the third floor, a narrow, winding stair leads upward into the tower, where Grayson has taken residence. Known among the others as the Perch, this solitary room overlooks the city from high above the alley. It is a place of quiet, of storm-watching, of brooding. The view from its narrow window reaches far beyond the rooftops of the North Ward—though Grayson rarely speaks of what he sees.

Alternative Names

Trollskull Manor

Parent Location

Trollskull Alley