The Crooked Tankard
Your tavern. Your menu. Eight charming complications before last orders.
Yesterday you became the legal owner of the Crooked Tankard, a six-room tavern in Hopsford Vale. The deed is settled, the former keeper has gone, and nobody else has a say in how you run it. There is a crew to hire, a signature supper to cook, a house ale to brew, travellers to bed down, and a polished rival across the market who might be competition or might be a dinner date. The big range is older than it looks, the cellar holds two good casks, and the road brings someone new to the door most afternoons. It is yours now. Open it.
Characters8
Brewer and warmth-tile crafter seeking a Tankard trial; Trade Circle member and Hugh's patient friend.
Gilt Hen owner and Trade Circle member; stylish commercial rival whose excellent dining room needs a warmer welcome.
Travelling mapmaker staying at the orchard; Kit's friend, a lively potential tavern guest with route-copying work.
Independent mason lodging at the orchard; repairs the Tankard flue and assesses Kit's shed, encouraged by Ada.
Bellweather Orchard leaseholder and walking guide; offers ingredient outings and a cider-press restoration project.
Independent cook at the Tankard for hiring talks; bold comfort food, exacting standards and a soft spot for Rosa.
Singer and server negotiating a Tankard trial; Nell's friend, eager to turn supper service into a small local stage.
Market carrier and elected Trade Circle chair; brings the opening travel-party request and negotiates reliable deliveries.
Locations5
Kit's leased apple orchard, cottage and old press shed; optional foraging, salvage, picnics and Felix's walking routes.
Supply market and Trade Circle seat; Tomas's cart bay, hiring lodgings and a place to negotiate stock and deliveries.
Root river-valley region: short market walks, working orchards and a tavern community, with no forced grand quest.
Player-owned tavern and management hub: six guest rooms, kitchen, brew cellar, small stage and a reopening to shape.
Beatrice's polished rival dining inn; tastings, spare tables and negotiated overflow lodging, never a hostile headquarters.
Factions1
Voluntary delivery and events association chaired by Tomas at Hopsford Market; Ada and Beatrice are members, not tavern overseers.