#86. Hanger’s House (Tavern)
Description: Hanger’s House is a large tavern run by Albrecht Hanger. It was a rather large inn at one time, but the top floor was accidentally burned down one winter’s night by a careless patron with a naked flame. Albrecht bought the inn for a song from the previous owner, but has yet to rebuild the top floor.
Hanger’s House serves anyone with coin in their pocket and thirst on their lips, but most of its custom comes from the common working man, whose meager income is earned by the honest sweat of his brow.
The name of the tavern is something of an inside joke to the regulars. Meat hooks festoon the walls of the establishment and patrons who get too rowdy, violent, or in some other way offend Albrecht or his staff get suspended from one of said hooks. One such customer, who thought he was being clever, shed his belt and coat and handed them to a friend before acting the fool, thinking that Albrecht would not be able to “give him the hook” as it were. Hanger instead took the tack off the man’s horse, saddled him, and hanged him from that. Since then Albrecht has kept a few custom made harnesses handy, in case someone should cause a ruckus without benefit of coat collar or belt.
Owner: Albrecht Hanger lost his wife to a wasting sickness at 26. A childless widower, he left town as a merchant guard to busy his idle hands. He returned twelve years later and bought his tavern. Not much is known about what he did in what he refers to as “his wandering years”. He can be brusque and no-nonsense, but is friendly, a good judge of character, and fair. He keeps a few baskets of Mid’s several day old rolls handy for patrons to chuck at anyone whose hubris has landed them on a hook. They’re too stale for the beggars to eat, but just right for teaching humility. Any customer caught throwing anything other than a roll gets put on a hook himself; Albrecht might be strict, but he isn’t cruel. The transgressors are let down, after they’ve learned their lesson, none the worse for wear and are welcome to return; if they can behave. The way Albrecht runs Hanger’s House keeps the mood light and the environment safe. His prize possessions are a lock of his late wife’s hair, and a sword he acquired while away. It’s a merciful short sword that hangs from his belt at all times. The guard and handle resemble a crying woman with her arms outstretched; he’s covered them with leather to avoid attracting attention.
Other Notables: Hanger usually has four or five serving girls to wait on customers. They are decent, modest women and anyone caught harassing them will end up on the wrong side of Hanger’s sap (or club, or sword as the situation merits). Thom ‘Mid’ Middlehouse does most of the cooking and sells drinks behind the bar when he isn’t preparing food. He’s quick to toss Albrecht the club kept behind the counter, and pretty handy with it himself if he has to be.
Hooks:
1. There are rumors that Albrecht has already rebuilt the upper floor of the inn and that a powerful illusion makes it appear as if it’s still a burnt out husk. Some who believe this gossip think that Hanger is using the hidden second floor as a meeting place for some secret organization or some such activity. Others who believe in the hidden second floor simply think he gives room and board to his more elite and favored clientele.
2. Albrecht can’t abide idle gossip and rumor-mongering, but he does keep a sharp eye out and an ear to the ground. As the proprietor of a tavern, he has accrued a lot of information and, being something of an ‘old soldier’ himself, will share information he has gathered with any well-meaning group of adventurers that has earned his trust and respect. He also might allow confidants the use of the hidden backdoor or the secret passage that leads to the sewer.
3. Albrecht would very much like to find a new woman to share his life with him; unfortunately he can’t get away from his tavern to find one. He’s looking for a good honest woman who won’t take crap from anyone (himself included) and can give him the children he lacks; someone with a sense of propriety and possibly a background similar to his own. In other words, he wouldn’t say no to someone with a few adventures and battles to her name. It’s not necessarily a ‘sensitive’ subject, but he won’t appreciate strangers getting involved. If you’ve gotten close enough that he’ll trust you with information; he might appreciate your help on this matter.
Albrecht Hanger, 42, male human, Ftr1/Exp3; CR 2; Size M (6 ft., 2 in. tall, 204 lbs.); HD 1d10+3d6+4; hp 30; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 12 (+2 Dex)/17 with Breastplate; Attack +6 melee, +5 ranged; SV Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +8; AL CG; Str 17, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Languages Spoken: Common, Dwarven, Orc.
Possessions: Short Sword (Merciful), Breastplate, lock of hair
Skills: Bluff +3, Diplomacy +4, Gather Information +7, Handle Animal +5, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (local) +8, Listen +7 (from Alertness), Profession (Innkeeper) +8, Ride +5, Sense Motive +6 (Skill Focus) Spot +6 (Alertness)
Feats: Alertness, Improved Unarmed Strike, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Sense Motive)