Mudwurth's Tavern

Mudwurth's Tavern is a pub located in Cloddendale. It is famous for its fine foods and strong drinks. Many folk travel there for a good pint of ale, to mingle with locals, to share tales of brave quests, or to hear the latest town gossip. They also enjoy the merry sounds of the band whose music can be heard at nearly any hour the establishment is open to the public. The crowd is primarily composed of warriors and old men. The only women who can be found in the tavern are those who offer their time for a price.

Purpose / Function

Mudwurth's Tavern is a pub where food and drinks are served. Women are also available to dance with, and a band is on the premises at all times providing merry music to all the guests. This social house is also a place where patrons start their own gambling games.

Design

The tavern showcases one large main room where seating is provided. The area where the band plays is also in this same room, along with an empty space that can be utilized for a dance floor (or a fighting floor when conflicts arise). The tables, chairs, and counters are basic, crafted in wood with minimal to no embellishments. The walls are drab and gray. There are small windows by the top of the ceiling angled to let in a little sunlight in the day, but an elaborate candelabra chandelier hangs in the center of the room to provide light when it is dim or dark.
The kitchen is small and very narrow. The door to access it is located behind the counter. There are stone ovens and counters lining the walls where food is prepared. Underneath the stone counters, kegs of liquor are stored. Overhead, spices are conveniently placed in cubbyholes, and hanging potted herbs dangle from the ceiling among pots, spoons, knives, and mugs.

Entries

There is one set of wooden doors to enter the tavern. The angled windows in the ceiling are much too small and too high for a normal person to escape through.

Sensory & Appearance

The first thing that will hit your nose upon entry is a musty musk masked by a pungent odor of strong drink. As you become accustomed to breathing the thick tavern air for a while, you will detect hints of sweet spices and herbs. No matter the time of year or the weather outside, the main room of the tavern always seems invitingly warm. This could be the result of the roaring ovens in the kitchens, or simply body heat radiating from the people who nightly pack tightly into the establishment. There is also a misty haze that appears to be ever-present. It may be a byproduct of old men's pipes, steam from the kitchen, pure perspiration of the guests, or some misty combination of all three. Through the haze, dim lights pour in through the small high windows, and, in the evenings, the candelabra shines with a warm and inviting golden light. Each of the tables is also adorned with a candle, and there are a few torches lining the walls in the mouths of stone gargoyles. Usually, the music from the band rings through the room, playing drums, harps, lyres, and flutes. Sometimes, one of the resident women will dance and play a tambourine, shaking her timbrel and her dress as she tempts and teases the crowd, provoking excitement and pleasure from all the men who behold her.

Denizens

The regular patrons are traveling warriors, lonely old men, and The Mundbyrdians of Cloddendale. Seldomly, Dwarves will visit and even a spare Gardinbeaufian at times. The band of minstrels who perform here often do so every day of the year, receiving many tips from the crowd. The beautiful women lay in waiting for someone to pay for a dance (or more). Next door to Mudwurth's Tavern is an inn. They are so closely associated that people often refer to them as one and the same establishment.

Contents & Furnishings

The simple wooden chairs, tables, and counters provide a nice space for patrons to relax, play games, eat, drink, mingle, and dance.

Hazards & Traps

Due to the nature of the place, one will most likely encounter at least five drunken men on any given visit, and, odds are, at least four of them will be so intoxicated that they would be willing to start a fight (or blame you for starting one).
There is a resident old man who likes to officiate a game of Drunken Fool every now and again. If you are not careful, you may get valuables stolen away from you.

Architecture

The building is a small, run-down looking shack made of wood and stone. Outside lies a small stable where mounts can be kept and tied. A random local lad often takes attendance there as the stable boy for the day. He will charge a price to feed, water, groom, and keep your steed while you are in the tavern. On the other side of the building is a cozy little inn. It is so closely associated that many assume that they are one business altogether.

History

Mudwurth's tavern is a Cloddendale staple. Passed down from generation to generation of Mudwurths, there is hardly a time anyone can remember when the pub was not there.

Tourism

Locals are the primary crowd here at Mudwurth's, but when a traveler happens upon the pub, there is often great excitement. Many of the regulars vie for a chance to speak to the interesting new visitor and attempt to glean any information they can of him about the happenings in the land from whence he came. They also like to challenge him to win games that only locals are familiar with for their own amusement. The band spruces up to play their very best and even introduce new songs when strange faces are observed in the crowd in hopes of accruing greater tips. The cooks put their best effort into the cuisine, and the ladies wear their finest linen.

Alternative Names

The Tavern, Mudwurth's, Cloddendale Tavern, Cloddendale Pub, The Pub

Type

Pub / Tavern / Restaurant

Parent Location

Cloddendale