Montfort - Inns and Taverns

Dragon's Inn

The Dragons Inn began many years ago as a small, nondescript place on a back street of a dirty little town known as Montfort. The owner, an ex-adventurer named Hugh Rogers, and his wife Judy, have built the business into the notable success that it is today. In his younger years, Hugh did some adventuring, and he still has his sword carefully packed away. These days, he manages the Inn, tends bar, and enjoys meeting new and interesting people. The Inn is famous in the area, and it has a large common room where meals and a great variety of beverages are served; some private dining rooms; and a number of sleeping rooms available for rent. Prices are reasonable, and a wayfarer can obtain some stew and a cup of ale for a few coppers. Sera is the barmaid who takes customers' orders and brings the various refreshments; friendly and good-hearted, she remembers the good tippers...and the other kind, too!

In addition to the other amenities, horse stables are maintained for overnight guests' mounts. Rooms range from the small, without a window, for just 2 silvers per night, to the average with a window, large comfortable bed, and wash basin for 3 silvers nightly, up to the frankly luxurious (just 2 rooms like this!) for 1 gold per night. Sleeping on a bench in the common room costs 2 coppers. Food is very good and highly varied. Good bread and stew are available of course, as is well cooked beef, pork, and chicken. Breakfast ranges from the Inn's very famous extra large cinnamon rolls, to eggs with bacon and some coffee, to a simple hard roll. Drinks include Ale, Cider, Mead...as well as Tequila, Brandy, Elven Wine, and other nearly mythical beverages!

Several regulars are known to come around...Red the Dragon (a real dragon!) comes around often, as does his brother Dralen. Adventurers such as Galen and Jawvig, elves, dwarves, wizards, merchants, incognito nobility, and a retired spy make up the unique mix. There is always a healthy supply of news, rumor, employment opportunities...and just about anything else one can imagine. The Inn also has some powerful and arcane magical spells which prevent violence in the Inn.

Fighting inside the Inn is inhibited by the spells, and any number of unpleasant things can happen to those who ignore this. Additionally, the city watch likes the occasional free meal obtained at the Inn, and is not above leaving troublemakers in a cell with a hungry troll...for several days...

Golden Griffin

Just off of the Avenue of Triumph, the Golden Griffin opened its gleaming doors only a few years ago. More of a high-class gambling establishment than a true inn, the wealthy and the privileged of Montfort and other cities may be found acquiring (only occasionally) losing (more frequently) small fortunes almost any night of the week. After the lavish entertainment, rich food, and strong drink, several of its visitors choose to spend the night in sumptuous (and expensive!) luxury in multi-room suites where it is rumored among the less fortunate that ANY desire may be sated -- again for a price.

Prices range from a simple two-room suite costing a mere 10 gold per night to a twelve-room apartment fit for a king costing 100 gold a night. A wide assortment of games are played in the three common rooms; generally, bets start at a minimum of 25 gold. There are several private games as well. The starting moneys required in these by-invitation-only affairs may be as high as 10,000 gold -- or more! Food and drink are excellent and overpriced; expect to spend at least 3 gold for a meal and two drinks. Torrence Vellar, a retired half-elven mage, owns and runs the establishment. A handsome bachelor, "Torry" is the object of many a woman's affections. Nevertheless, he has managed to remain free of entanglements. Despite rumors to the contrary, he runs an honest establishment; cheaters are usually ferreted out and dealt with severely. Torry himself is a consummate gambler who is also fortunate enough to have a lucky streak a mile wide. Although he refuses to talk about his past, it is generally assumed that Torry is a retired adventurer; where else could he have gotten all the gold required to build such a magnificent place? Furthermore, he must have a dragon's-sized pile of gold hidden somewhere; the Golden Griffin has always covered all bets, and its bank has never been broken.

Palace Arms

Called a "hotel," the Palace Arms could probably be called the "Palace Annex" since it is run by the Baron's cousin and is the resting place for all royal guests and other dignitaries. Usually, the common person -- or adventurer -- is turned away unless they seem like they'd fit in. It is unknown what Carl Benton charges his royal cousin. However, those who are not guests of the Baron can expect to pay a gold per night for a simple yet elegant one-bed, windowless room. The six-room suites (found only on the fourth -- that's the top -- floor) run 65 gold a night. There is a lobby, but no common room to speak of. The Palace Arms keeps its rooms well-stocked with liquor, but has no kitchen. Runners are sent to other establishments around Montfort to fetch requested foodstuffs.