Overview:
The adventurers arrive in the small, rundown town of Stonewell Hollow, a once-prosperous mining town that has fallen into decline after the mines dried up. The town’s remaining residents are disheartened and on the verge of leaving. The party sees an opportunity to breathe life back into the town by building a pub and restaurant, turning it into a hub of community and commerce. However, the process isn’t as simple as it seems. Challenges arise in the form of hostile locals, magical complications, rival business owners, and even supernatural threats.
Part 1: Arrival in Stonewell Hollow
The adventurers come to Stonewell Hollow for various reasons: a call for help from the mayor, rumors of untapped potential in the area, or simply passing through. They find:
- The Town’s Condition: A dilapidated town square, empty buildings, and a handful of villagers scraping by.
- The People: Key NPCs include:
- Mayor Selda Wrynn (Neutral Good Human): A hopeful but overworked leader trying to keep the town alive.
- Grumble Ironspit (Neutral Dwarf Blacksmith): A grumpy smith who hasn’t sold a single tool in months.
- Marnie Thistlepot (Chaotic Good Halfling): A cheerful baker who dreams of a bustling town once more.
Selda proposes the adventurers take over the abandoned tavern, known as The Rusty Tankard, to turn it into something new. The mayor promises free use of the building if the adventurers help restore it and pay the town a portion of future profits.
Part 2: Restoring the Rusty Tankard
The adventurers must work to renovate the tavern, gather supplies, and build its reputation. This phase can include skill challenges, roleplaying, and combat encounters.
Challenges to Overcome:
- Renovation Trouble:
- The tavern is falling apart, requiring the party to use skills like Carpenter’s Tools, Masonry, or Arcana to fix structural damage.
- A swarm of giant rats has taken up residence in the basement and must be dealt with.
- Sourcing Ingredients:
- The adventurers must find quality food and drink. This leads to side quests like:
- Convincing the reclusive Gnarlroot Druids in the forest to part with their enchanted honey.
- Hunting down a rogue boar that has been eating local crops, whose meat could make for a legendary dish.
- Bargaining with the Stonehill Brewery, which is run by a stubborn dwarf who won’t sell unless he’s impressed by the adventurers’ vision.
- The adventurers must find quality food and drink. This leads to side quests like:
- Rival Sabotage:
- A traveling merchant named Paxlin Vayne (Lawful Neutral Tiefling) has set up a competing ale cart and doesn’t want a permanent pub stealing her customers. She hires thugs or uses her own underhanded tactics (poisoning supplies, spreading rumors) to undermine the adventurers.
- Spirits of the Past:
- The Rusty Tankard is haunted by the ghost of its former owner, Bartholomew Cragg. He’s harmless but annoyingly critical, offering sarcastic commentary on their efforts unless they complete his “unfinished business” (e.g., recovering a family heirloom or resolving an old debt).
Part 3: The Grand Opening
Once the tavern is restored, the adventurers host a grand opening celebration. However, the event is interrupted by unforeseen challenges:
- A Monster Attack:
- A group of bandits or a nearby owlbear attacks during the festivities, seeking easy prey. The adventurers must protect the townsfolk and their new business.
- Magical Mishaps:
- A traveling mage offers to enchant the tavern sign or a key piece of décor, but the magic goes awry, causing humorous or dangerous effects (e.g., chairs come to life and start attacking).
- Rival Returns:
- Paxlin Vayne makes one last attempt to ruin the event, possibly by hiring mercenaries or framing the adventurers for a crime.
Part 4: Growing the Business
If the adventurers succeed in the grand opening, the Rusty Tankard becomes a hit, drawing visitors and reviving Stonewell Hollow. This phase can include:
- Expanding the Menu: Finding rare ingredients like wyvern steaks, underdark mushrooms, or dragon’s blood wine.
- Attracting Notable Patrons: Hosting events for nobles, adventurers, or even dangerous individuals like vampires or crime lords.
- Protecting the Town: Rival factions or monsters might target the growing town for its newfound prosperity.
Adventure Hooks for Continuation:
- A Tavern Franchise: A wealthy investor offers to turn the Rusty Tankard into a franchise, but doing so would involve morally questionable decisions.
- A Mysterious Patron: A cloaked figure frequently visits the tavern, leaving cryptic messages. Could they be an ally or a threat?
- Dark Secrets of Stonewell Hollow: The prosperity of the town awakens an ancient curse tied to the mines, threatening everything the adventurers have built.
Key Themes:
- Resourcefulness: Encouraging creative problem-solving to overcome challenges.
- Community: Building relationships with NPCs and making decisions that impact the town’s future.
- Humor and Heart: Balancing lighthearted moments (like crafting absurd menu items) with heartfelt connections to the townsfolk.
With The Tipsy Tankard Tavern Tale, the adventurers will create something lasting in the world, leaving behind a legacy that’s more than gold or glory.