The Mighty Badger

In barbershops throughout Highhelm, it is common for clients to stick around after their cuts to chat and gossip with one another. Samgar Trotter decided to cater to this by opening a combination barbershop/tavern in the Bonerun district in Stonebreach. Although it has never been able to beat out the popularity of full barbershops (like Clips) or taverns (like the Cracked Anvil Brewery), it has managed to run continuously for nearly twenty years now, and in recent years, has been building up a larger clientele--one large enough that Trotter has a waiting list for those wanting his barber services, and the taproom is near full most evenings. Most Breachers have at least heard of the Mighty Badger, even if they don't patronize it.

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Overview

The building that is now the Mighty Badger was originally a tavern called the Overflowing Tankard, which shut down in 4680 and sat empty and abandoned until Trotter bought it in 4697. After some basic renovations, Trotter opened the newly named Mighty Badger the following year. It is a small two-storey building with the ground floor covering approximately 3200 square feet. The upper storey is roughly the same size as the ground floor.   The majority of the ground floor is taken up by the taproom where customers gather to drink, gossip, and otherwise be entertained. As the building was not originally designed as a barbershop, Trotter has converted what was originally a stage in the southwest corner of the taproom to be his barbershop. He has only a single barber chair, and those awaiting their turn sit at tables or at the bar while they wait. Sometimes, when Trotter has finished cutting for the day, the stage might still be used for entertainment purposes, with the entertainer setting up on the corner of the stage. Trotter's daughter, Roxy, often provides this entertainment by singing for the crowd. Once in a while, the assembled patrons will successfully convince Trotter to sing a little with her.   There is a back room at the north side of the ground storey, which is used as both a storage room and kitchen. Trotter's daughters, Roxy and Jorji, do the cooking and serving during the day while Trotter is cutting hair. In the evening, Trotter will move to the bar to help serve customers.   The Mighty Badger serves a variety of foods and beverages. The food menu changes somewhat regularly, based on both what is available and what is popular. In truth, the food is not what draws the Mighty Badger's loyal customers, and while it is not considered bad, it is generally considered average fare. The drinks have a better reputation. Trotter doesn't brew his own ale, but rather imports it from other dwarven settlements, such as Janderhoff. This draws some customers interested in trying non-local brews, but also puts off those convinced that Highhelm has the best brews available anywhere. The main thing that draws customers to the Mighty Badger is Trotter's haircuts.   The upper storey of the building is divided between the Trotter family's personal rooms and a pair of rooms customers can rent for the night. One room has two beds and the other four. Very few travellers stay at the Mighty Badger, so these rooms are usually unoccupied. They can be rented at a relatively cheap price which includes a breakfast in the morning.

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The Staff

Samgar Trotter (he/him)

Known as Sam to his friends (and he considers just about anyone he's talked to at least once as a friend), Trotter has lived his whole life in Stonebreach, and has never travelled farther than the two higher levels of Highhelm. Although he will acknowledge he is a member of Clan Vanderholl (and will talk quite proudly about the clan), he doesn't talk much of his family (other than his two youngest daughters) or his youth.   Sam married at the young age of 45 and was apparently quite happy. He and his wife had three daughters together. His wife worked with disadvantaged people in the Depths, and one day in 4706, she simple didn't come home. No trace of her has ever been found, and it is assumed she was attacked and killed, either by criminals or monsters from the Darklands. Sam was devastated and speaks little of her these days. Most people don't even know her name.   In 4707, Sam's oldest daughter, Nelvax caused a minor scandal when she ran off with a sailor who was part of a diplomatic team from Andoran. She has not been seen since. Sam rarely speaks of her either, though he will fiercely defend his Nelly when people mock her for falling for a dwarf who would deign to debase himself by becoming a sailor.   Despite these two tragedies, Sam is generally a cheerful and garrulous person, happy to talk about almost anything (except his youth, his wife, and Nelly) and to listen to almost anything anyone else has to say. He is a devout worshipper of Torag and the Dwarven Pantheon, and chose the name Mighty Badger as a mark of his devotion (the badger being the sacred animal of Torag).  

Roxana Trotter (she/her)

Known as Roxy, Roxana is Sam's second daughter. In addition to working at the Mighty Badger, she has just completed a 10-year apprenticeship at the Temple of Torag, and has graduated as an adept, making her father incredibly proud. He will talk incessantly about her achievements.   In addition to her religious training, Roxy is an aspiring singer, and those who have heard her sing say she has a beautiful voice and could probably have a successful career. However, her work at both the Mighty Badger and the temple means she doesn't have much time to pursue her singing aspirations beyond occasionally providing entertainment at the Mighty Badger itself. Many people say that she would like to give up her work at the temple, but doesn't do so for fear of disappointing her father. She says he doesn't deserve to have two daughters betray him.  

Jorjiddad Trotter (she/her)

Jorji is Sam's youngest daughter. At 28 years of age, she is still a little over a decade away from adulthood. She has spent almost her entire life living at the Mighty Badger and has been working there ever since her sister Nelly left. She has not started training for any particular vocation, and says she will probably just keep working at the Mighty Badger and take over the place when her father retires.