Creating an environment is crucial in almost anything including ttrpgs. With a realistic portrayal, players get in contact with the culture of the realm. Characters start to learn the traditions, religion, art, language, cousin and act accordingly. The more they contact the environment the more they become a part of the realm. But how can we do that, how can we portray such an environment? Daily life is the key element of this and what is the common ground of adventurers from all realms? Inns and taverns. With some details, a DM can give the overall portrayal of an area. Here is Shipwreck Inn, a famous one from Svilland.

Shipwreck Inn

Shipwreck Inn is a famous inn on the shore of Hunter Line, South Shore. It is a remarkable construction because from a distance it looks like a weird ship. The sum total of uncertain angles and shapes could mislead people but it is a three-story building. Unsurprisingly, it was built around a big, old shipwreck.

The lights never turn off and the voices never stop. When the travelers come closer, they see lights and hear the joyful voices coming from the inside. A mossy and rusted anchor hangs above the double door. Bad handwriting carved to the door: “We all going to sink.” Nobody knows who carved it but Odfinna uses the quote a lot. Two guards wait in front of the door in case of an emergency and welcome travelers. 

The smell of wood, sea-salt, and fish welcome the travelers. After they get in, they come across a nice, cozy place with good music. The tables in the dining room are generally full of people. Even though most guests here are criminals, the atmosphere is joyful and welcomes the newcomers.

The area is well-lit with the fire pits, torches, big candles and a big fire pit is straight ahead of the room. There are many round-shape tables. The one lying in front of the fire pit is always empty for performers. On the right, there is a long, wooden bar. A rich selection of drinks behind the bar grabs the attention of many travelers. The wall is full of bottles with different colors and shapes. The bartender, also the owner, Odfinna is always interested in all kinds of drinks. On the other hand, drinks are not her only interest, she also likes prostitutes and interested in hiring new ones. There are lots of prostitutes from many genders, races, shapes, ages, and sizes. Even though she denies, it is said that she is trying to find someone who looks like Bergljot the Queen or Gudrick the Moonbearer to work here. 

There are nineteen rooms for the guests, the rooms are clean, warm and well-lit just like the other parts of the inn. There are also bathing bowls in some rooms which are quite unexpected for most people.

Friends and Foes in the Shipwreck Inn

Odfinna (female, austri, bard)

Odfinna is the tall, middle-aged owner of the inn. She has long blonde hair and dark green with flecks of blue. She usually wears a simple skirt and a white blouse with little or no accessories.

Sometimes she is dancing in the dining area if she likes the music.  Her dance is beautiful. The moment she starts dancing her emotions diffuses in the air. Her fluid movements are indecent and graceful at the same time.

Unlike many other inn-owners, she looks like she is enjoying the loud noise, bar fights, drunken soldiers and all kinds of games. Apparently, she can find peace in chaos.

Background: Odfinna is the daughter of a soldier and a midwife but unfortunately she lost his mother from an epidemic at the age of seven and his father at the age of thirteen. After that, an old bard gave shelter to her and taught her the art of performing. She instantly admired dance and music and started to sing and dance. Then owning a place full of music became her dream.

Odfinna has worked in many cities and towns to make her dream become through. Seven years ago, she bought the old shipwreck from a young and desperate captain and built the place. 

Rumors: It is said that Odfinna has good relationships with smugglers in order to have a stable supply of drinks.

Bera (female, austri, bard)

Nearly 6 feet tall, 23 years old, long brown hair with amber eyes; Bera is one of the hostesses for the inn. She wears a small facial cover which is a piece of carved and jeweled hide covers the right part of her face, with one hole for her right eye. It looks like she wants to cover a scar on her face. She is naive and a good listener. She always makes sure that drunks and animals are safe within and around the inn. 

She generally wears long dresses that suits well to her proposition. She likes drinking green rum and watching drinking games.

Background: Bera was born in Thora and lived there until the age of 19.  She lost her faith in the city after a vicious duel. Her scar on her face came from that duel with a merchant. From her point of view, the merchant was involved in a bad trade.

Rokr (male, austri, ranger)

The recklessly handsome man has short, black hair, pale skin and wears a well-tailored robe and leather armor. He has a charming and charismatic aura.  He always carries a long sword. 

Once or twice a week he comes to Shipwreck to guard caravans and sold some wild herbs to Odfinna. When he comes, he enjoys music and drinks.

Specials in the Inn

Rift Monster Blood (2sp/glass)

Rift Monster Blood is a very special drink which is transported to Svilland from the island region. It is a syrupy reddish liquid with sediments and harvested out of recently died rift monster, it is important to distill the blood properly in order not to enhance the poisonous effects of the creature.

Green Rum (3cp/glass)

Green Rum is made in Shipwreck. It is a clear, dark green liquid. The greenness comes from the special herbs that rum is distilled with. There are five main components: three lichens, mint and salt. The lichens must come from the sea, a dead tree, and a black pine. The rum is distilled with the ingredients in a black pine barrel.

It has a fresh flavor and an earthy feeling with a woody smell. Guests like this drink and for this reason, Odfinna wants to keep the recipe under wraps.

Games in the Inn

Drinking contests are famous part of entertainment in Shipwreck. Two or three drinking contests are organized weekly here. The content is chosen by the contestants and the winner is awarded a prize. Three contests are well-known among travelers; ale,  rift monster blood, and green rum. The rules are simple, the contestants have to drink until they passed out, the last one standing wins.

On the other hand, it is very well known that rift monster blood has serious effects to play. The game could be dangerous, some say that travelers even died because of excessive consumption. Odfinna does not deny the rumor but she says that “We are all going to sink.”