The Hidden Mesa | The Environs
Every good adventure has a tavern in which adventurers find respite, swap stories, and dine on the local fare. Near the Hidden Mesa, that tavern is The Thirsty Tarragon…
Located at the end of a merchant road so old that no one can remember who first cleared it, The Thirsty Tarragon likewise stands the test of time. Wild herbs surrounds its well-maintained masonry walls, with a bountiful garden and a small stable out back. On most days, smoke can be seen rising from the chimneys, mostly peat-fed fireplaces taking the chill out of the misty air. In days past, the land provided raw stone materials for the growing cities of the west. A few stands of rare darkwood, manzanita, and redwood supplemented the local economy. Though a small thorpe had sprung up around the trade, now only its tavern remains. Most of the folk have vanished along with the rare trees. The cities no longer require such building supplies.
Yet a trickle of daring, or some might say desperate, adventurers and miners still make pilgrimage to The Thirsty Tarragon. The former are lured by rumors of a lost ruin upon the mysterious mesa, which rises from the rocky landscape near the tavern. The latter are lured to search the mesa’s scree for raw precious and semi-precious stones, which occasionally reveal themselves to those stubborn enough and hearty enough for the backbreaking work.
The Thirsty Tarragon is a well-fortified, single-story affair, but cozy after a fashion. Most who enter, however, suck in their breath and immediately draw a weapon. The inn’s most notorious feature – the stuffed and eerily posed body of its original owner – greets all patrons. Clad in his hide armor and wielding a great ax, Immoreth presents an intimidating visage from his perch behind the bar. Legend holds he was the first to discover the crumbling tower upon the mesa, and the first to delve into the dungeons below. Stumbling down the mountain, bloody and battered, he collapsed upon the site of the inn, swearing an oath to take up a constant vigil lest either some horror escape mesa’s depths or some fool decide to make his fortune within. By the next year, he had built a little, stone house. When the economy flourished, he turned his residence into an inn.
True to his word, Immoreth did not let death interfere with his oath. By proviso in his will, his body was preserved and became part of the inn’s bequest. While subsequent owners have done their best to change the ominous mood Immoreth suffuses, the varied decorative schemes have resulted in an eclectic feel rather than a welcoming ambiance. Of note around the common room are a framed collection of ancient coins, supposedly once Immoreth’s, a black velvet mask with citrines, the mounted head of a snarling dire wolf, several strings of feathers and beads, a shelf with three crystal decanters, and a large map nailed to the wall. Of all of the oddities around the room, the map itself draws the most attention for it contains the combined lore of the Hidden Mesa. Many a debate lasts long into the night, as adventurers always argue its veracity.
Though most patrons spend the night curled up in the common room around The Thirsty Tarragon’s large, stone hearth, at least once they get used to old Immoreth, it does boast one suite and two, smaller private rooms. Three times a week, the current owner, Olbrod Ence, bakes excellent game pies, flavored with tarragon and whatever other herb catches his eye. The rest of the time, he serves hearty stews, bread, eggs, and a delicious tarragon cheese. The drink is not notable, however. Olbrod Ence pours a rich ale, unless otherwise directed.
NPCs
Current Owner: Olbrod Ence, a middle-aged human male druid (Druid 8/Expert 3). Incapable of relaxing for long, he fidgets and putters constantly. Given to bouts of insomnia, he can be found at odd hours tending his livestock, pulling weeds, or preparing the next meal. Olbrod Ence is blunt, but well meaning. Clearly, he cares more for his gardens than his appearance, since his clothing remains ragged and dirty for long stretches of time. If asked, he is full of advice, mostly of an obscure spiritual nature. He never speaks openly about previous patrons or their exploits. “Their business is their own, best to keep secrets buried in mind as well as stone.” he replies gruffly. His one-eared mastiff companion, Gart, proves an excellent watch dog. Like his master, he is none too friendly.
Maid: Kayris, a human female (Sorcerer 2/Commoner 8). Quite beautiful, but somewhat oblivious, she works with quiet efficiency. Of note is an unusual tattoo, a flowering tree, across her entire back and part of her neck. Most of the time, it is covered, but glimpses of it can be caught. She does not speak about its origin, though rumor holds that she has no memory of acquiring it. Her presence in The Thirsty Tarragon seems out of place, as she brings a ray of light to this dreary locale, but, like her tattoo, her past remains mostly a mystery. Olbrod Ence will reveal only that she showed up, disheveled and starving, one day ten years ago, and he took her in. None know about her arcane abilities.
Local Guide: Gimeld, an ancient dwarf fighter and miner (Fighter 7/Expert 2). After two-hundred years spent digging for his fortune around the base of the mesa, he retired to a life of intellectual pursuit with a modest fortune. At least, that’s how Gimeld tells it. Rather, however, his arrival does not predate Olbrod Ence’s and aside from a few flawed diamonds and a fist-sized green agate, his fortune is limited. In his dotage he has become studious and prone to ponderous thought. Frequently found in a rocking chair beside a roaring fire with books of ancient legend and earthen lore, promise of a few pints can usually roust him from the inn. Though slow, Gimeld remains steady on his feet, as he’ll lead any on treks about the base of the mesa, spouting tales of fabled fortunes made by miners of old. If asked about the ruins of The Hidden Mesa, he politely refuses to speak of such things. If asked about his days before coming to The Thirsty Tarragon, only after many mugs will he spin tales of his youth spent fighting orcs in a dwarven city to the north.
The Adventure Continues…
- Wander the Mesa Loop (coming soon)
- Climb the Path to The Hidden Mesa (coming soon)
- Explore the Wilderness (coming soon)
- Learn the History of the Hidden Mesa (spoiler)