50 Miles from Greyhawk
2nd Stop: Porbell's Mercantile & Transport caravan to Hardby
The Horse and Cart, despite its plain name, is actually one of the higher end establishments along the Porbell route. There are separate levels of accommodation for merchants, guards, and lackeys, as well as stables for the horses. There is also an exceptional staff that includes a locally renowned cook, a wine steward, a cartwright, and a hostler, whose expert services are offered to all guests, at no additional charge.
After crossing the front porch and passing through the main door to the establishment, there is a large room with stone floors, three tables with benches, and a fireplace on the far end of the room. Directly ahead there is a large bar with roughly a dozen stools that wrap around to the right, where there is another dining area, this one with wood floors and an iron stove in the far corner. Through a small service area adjacent to this section there is a doorway leading into a private room that is available for rent. The doorway off the back of the bar leads to the kitchen. There is also a storage room to the left of the bar, and a wine cellar down the steps located through the back doorway.
A staircase found in the bottom right corner of the main floor leads up to a covered balcony running the full width of the inn, and if you follow the walkway there is a corridor prior to the halfway point that runs the full depth of the inn, with doors along either side where the guest rooms are located. Six keyed doors on the left side lead to rooms that are 20x20 and contain a feather double bed, a table, two chairs, a washstand, and a small stove. Adults are not allowed to sleep on bedrolls, but if parents wish to keep children in the same room, cribs and trundle beds are available upon request, at no additional charge. Ten bolted doors on the right lead to rooms that are 12x12 and contain a single straw bed and a washstand. These rooms can accommodate up to three guests, and bedrolls are available upon request, at no additional charge.
Behind the inn there are very fine stables with 20 covered stalls to house riding horses. There are also hitching rails outside, with well-kept feed troughs and water buckets, for draft horses and pack mules. Above the stables is a common room able to hold up to 24 guests- rudimentary arrangements at very low cost. There are no beds, but there is plenty of fresh hay, and there is a large wood burning stove in the center of the room.
Here’s the full list of goods and services, with prices.
Note: There is also a private selection of wines available for purchase by the bottle. The list is available upon request, and prices range from 5gp to 250gp.
The wine steward’s name is Arnaud. He is tall and thin and naturally snobby, but he can be surprisingly friendly to those who show some knowledge and appreciation of wine.
The Cartwright’s name is Wyll, and he is very young, very talented, and eager to please.
The hostler’s name is Charles Henry. He is an elderly fellow but looks like he might have been a heavyweight fighter in his younger years. A man of few words who doesn’t care for people too much, but loves horses and mules and most anything else that walks on four legs.
The well-regarded cook is named Gastronne. He is averaged size, bald, slightly plump, with a well trimmed mustache and beard. He takes pride in everything that comes out of his kitchen, whether it is a multi-course venison dinner for a wealthy customer, or basket of sausage, cheese, and biscuits sent over to the commoners in the hay barn.
The owners of the inn are a middle aged couple whose names are Kristian and Tara. They are both well educated and attractive. Neither is especially friendly, but they are always courteous and professional. He usually tends bar and she often serves as the hostess, although there are additional staffers who are capable of handling either duty.
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Selintan River and River Road