Anyone know of rules for running a tavern or inn?

[Heretic Apostate]

There was a Dragon article (in the 270s, I think...) for AD&D2E called something like, "Invest your Loot." Basically, it gave rules for Inns/Taverns, Merchant Caravans/Voyages, and Adventuring Guilds.

From what I remember from Inns/Taverns, I calculated it would take about 19 years to recoup your investment. Of course, the rules were set up so that the investment wouldn't become the primary source of income. The idea was to keep the focus on the adventuring, not the businesses.

I don't have my collection any more, so I can't look it up. But I'm sure someone around here has their Dragon magazine collection on hand.

 

[BButler]

Well, if its not in the book, I suggest a "field trip" to "research" a few local taverns. In fact, I'll get right on that after work.

 

[Oracular Vision]

And there is this, but I don't know when it is coming out...

http://www.icirclegames.com/fantasylocales.html

A product named Inns and Taverns should be what you need, whenever they get around to finishing it...

 

[Crothian]

Well, if its not in the book, I suggest a "field trip" to "research" a few local taverns. In fact, I'll get right on that after work.

Now that is some research I think we can all get behind.

 

[SableWyvern]

Do your players know the answers to your questions (firewood per night etc...)?

I'm guessing not, or you wouldn't be asking us.

So, unless you want to do some serious research, invent some numbers that seem about right. Discuss them with your players. Implement the results.

I would guess though, that whatever you do, it should be quite some time before the start-up costs have been recouped. Now-days, you are looking at quite a few years from purchasing a drinking establishment before you break even. Quite frequently, the purpose of buying a pub is simply to improve it, reach the point where you have broken even, and then sell it off. I'm guessing that it may be hard to find investors in a lot of settings though - hence the tradition of family-owned inns.

 

[Arravis]

Experienced adventurers often have lots of cash, so the investment isn't the hard part... but not counting the investment, I'm trying to see how much they are likely to see in cash per month.

 

[alsih2o]

toward the end of every month just ahve a couple of lvled npc's get in a huge fight in the bar, there goes the profit, no math required

 

[alsih2o]

but realy, in a town of 700, you don't stand a chance....200-250 are kids, a few hundred dn't have a sliver to spend..you are depending on travellers and maybe a few merchants...700 folks are needed as customers!

 

[dagger]

If its a stop along a well travelled trade route you will have lots of buisness. Another good thing about this, you can go adventure to find out why there is no travel coming through for the last month (war, bandits, ect..).

 

[dagger]

I dont think that product actually gives rules on running a tavern or inn, I could be wrong though. It might give a detailed inn or two though (npcs, menu, ect..).

And there is this, but I don't know when it is coming out...

http://www.icirclegames.com/fantasylocales.html

A product named Inns and Taverns should be what you need, whenever they get around to finishing it...