Anyone know of rules for running a tavern or inn?

[elrichwizard]

Arravis, Thanks for the list!

I don't know how applicable it would be, but you might be able to steal some ideas from:

BeerMogul.com

This is a free online simulation for running a modern tavern.

 

[Uller]

One of the players runs an Inn/Tavern, she gets quite detailed about it and enjoys the mechanics of running the business. She has detailed inventory lists, she's made a menu for each season, we've detailed all the npc's that work there and she even has an accounting notebook to keep track of expenses, etc.

That's cool. Most players don't want to put that much work into the game.

With that, I would simply look over her notes to make sure everything is reasonable and stick with the d20 based check to determine success as many people have described. I'd still concentrate on the opportunities for interesting RP that such an establishment presents. Let her deal with the minutae (after all, she's the one who enjoys it). As long as it seems reasonable, it's all good.

I had been DMin'g it that she made Xgp a month modified by the season. The X number was just pulled out of my butt really, it wasn't based on anything at all. She does alot of things to try to increase sales, save money, etc... Since she puts alot of effort into running her inn, I'd like to put an equal amount of effort in DM'ing it. Unfortunately I know next to nothing on this and that's why I came here.

And you probably know next to nothing about how to build an underground living complex (like a goblin lair) or a stone keep. But you probably wouldn't spend too much time beyond mapping it out in a reasonable manner (thick walls and pillars to keep the ceiling from collapsing...provide a source of water and a cool dry place to store food and raw materials...detailed living and work spaces, etc.) The actual day to day operations of such a place is left "in the noise" as it were.

Maybe that's just me, though.

So no, I'm not some a-hole DM that keeps tracks of every single tiny detail in order to screw over my players and spend more time doing that and less time actually RPing and creating a good story. I think from my previous posts and things I've uploaded here, many of you would know just the opposite. Anyway, I just like to make sure everyone in my group has fun, even if what they think is fun isn't exactly what I think should be fun.

I never said you were "some a-hole DM"...just looking for the context in which these rules would be used.

Anyway...I'm not here to argue with you. I'm just going on my experience that overly detailing ANYTHING beyond what you need for interesting RP is just extra work. IMO, worrying about how much firewood the place uses per day is probably too much detail (just like worrying how much food the high-level fighter's garrison goes through is too much detail). Let your player handle the details...assume that her character knows more about running the inn than she does and as long as her details are reasonable, let them work out most of the time. Give her income (and probably XP) from it based on her level of effort as well as some external influences beyond her control. That way, if they are interested in the details, the details will get worked out. If not...they won't. Either way, everyone will be happy.

P.S.: I'm a he btw

Noted.

 

[RangerWickett]

Bumped for resaearch purposes.

 

[jgbrowning]

well

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!

aren't the numbers for population based upon adults only? where did i read that? ELH? anyone remember...

i think the pop numbers in the DMG are for adults, not kids.


joe b.

 

[LcKedovan]

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.

Count me in! I'll head off to some local Drinking Establishments tonight as well... aah nothing like real world research for in game problems!!!

-Will

 

[elrichwizard]

Re: well

aren't the numbers for population based upon adults only? where did i read that? ELH? anyone remember...

i think the pop numbers in the DMG are for adults, not kids.


joe b.

The population chart in Adventures in DMG states that the numbers are addults and the jouviniles ad another 20-30% or somthing like that. I guess you could also use that fact to work out average life expectancy.

Sort of off topic:
The population chart under Campaigns states that the total population for small towns and larger should be 10-15% of the total population. Using the chart in Adventures and the frequency of population centers of various size, you will end up with about 95% of the population in small towns or larger. What is your take on this:

a) the chart in adventures does not represent the actual population distribution. Adventurers spend more time in larger population centers.

b) the vast majority of the population does not live in a population center.

c) Either the statement in Campaigns or the table in Adventures is wrong.

d) somthing that I didn't think of.

 

[jester47]

only one rule:


BARFIGHT!



Aaron.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I know there was a Dragon magazine article on this some time back. But having this information in a workable, rules-appropriate format would be very usefull.