The Angels Wing

The Angel's Wing: A Taproom and Inn in Thornhaven

Description

Nestled in the heart of Thornhaven, a frontier settlement that balances safety with the ever-present threat of Caliban’s shadowed forests, The Angel’s Wing is a sanctuary for travelers, adventurers, and locals alike. The inn is a modest, well-kept structure made of heavy oak timbers reinforced with iron brackets to weather the region’s harsh elements. Its name is derived from a large, intricately carved angelic wing mounted above the hearth in the common room—a relic said to have been salvaged from an ancient chapel deep in the forest.

Despite its warm and inviting atmosphere, whispers of the inn’s connection to the forest’s mysteries lend an air of intrigue and caution to the establishment. Adventurers, loggers, and traders frequent the Angel’s Wing, drawn by its reputation for hearty meals, strong drinks, and tales shared by its eclectic patrons.

Features of the Angel’s Wing

• The Common Room:
  The heart of the Angel’s Wing is its large common room, dominated by a roaring stone fireplace adorned with the carved angel wing that gives the inn its name. The floor is covered in well-worn rugs to muffle footsteps, and the tables and chairs, though sturdy, are mismatched—an eclectic collection gathered over years of trade and salvaging.
• A stage in one corner often hosts traveling bards or local storytellers, adding to the lively, if occasionally eerie, atmosphere.
• The walls are lined with faded banners, hunting trophies, and a few peculiar artifacts recovered from the forest, such as a rusted sword embedded with faintly glowing emeralds and a shattered wooden mask.
• The Angel Wing Hearth is said to bring good fortune to those who sit nearby. Many adventurers make it a point to begin their journeys here, seeking a blessing of courage from its warm glow.
• The Taproom:
  The bar is tended by the innkeeper, Gruff but warm-hearted beneath his hard exterior, Garrek has a soft spot for adventurers and wayward souls. He speaks bluntly, often barking orders or advice to his patrons, but his words carry a tone of genuine care. He detests unnecessary violence and will throw out anyone who starts trouble in his inn. Despite his no-nonsense demeanor, Garrek has a sharp wit and an endless supply of war stories, many of which he shares freely with a mug of ale.
• Garrek has an old, mangy dog named "Patch" that follows him everywhere and often lies near the bar.
• Shadowbrew Ale: A dark, rich beer said to grant clarity of mind.
• Thornberry Mead: Sweet and tangy, made from berries harvested at the forest’s edge.
• Dreadwake Rum: An imported, fiery drink with a hint of salt from Nuceria.
  The bar’s counter has been carved and etched over decades with the initials of countless patrons, many of whom never returned from their forays into the wilds.
• Private Rooms:
  Upstairs, the Angel’s Wing offers a handful of rooms for rent. Each is small but comfortable, furnished with a bed, a chest for belongings, and a single candle that casts long, flickering shadows. The walls are reinforced with brass studs to ensure safety, even from external attacks.
• The largest room, called The Seraph’s Perch, is often reserved for notable guests or wealthier travelers. It has a window overlooking Thornhaven’s main street and a desk engraved with the same wing motif as the hearth.
• The Cellar:
  Beneath the inn lies a spacious cellar used for storing barrels of drink and food supplies. However, Siona forbids guests from venturing too far into its depths. Locals whisper that an old tunnel network extends from the cellar into the roots of the forest, though no one knows for certain if these stories are true—or what may lurk in those hidden passages.

Notable Staff and Patrons

• Garrek – The Innkeeper
• A bald, grizzled former soldier with an eye patch, Garrek fought in the brutal wars against Nostromo before retiring to Thornhaven. He runs the Angel’s Wing Inn with a pragmatic but welcoming demeanor, serving as a confidant and a source of guidance for adventurers. His past experiences make him a valuable source of strategic advice, and he often acts as a mediator between Thornhaven’s factions.
• Brother Haldrin – The Wandering Monk
• Always seated near the fire with a tankard in hand, Brother Haldrin is a cheerful and rotund monk in brown robes. Having traveled across Caliban, he’s a font of knowledge about myths, legends, and relics hidden in the dense forests. Despite his jovial nature, Haldrin's insights often guide adventurers to profound discoveries.
• Seraphina Quickblade – The Gypsy Knife Thrower
• Seraphina performs at the Angel’s Wing to entertain and earn coin, mesmerizing patrons with her daring knife-throwing feats. Beneath her dazzling exterior, Lenya maintains ties to the criminal underworld. She often overhears secrets and has a knack for steering adventurers toward morally ambiguous opportunities.
• Zeke Crowe – The Gravedigger
• Often seen lurking in the corner, sipping a drink while keeping an unnerving gaze on the room, Zeke is a tall, gaunt figure clad in a dirt-streaked coat and a battered bowler hat. He rarely speaks, but his presence is impossible to ignore. Unknown to most, he gathers information on Thornhaven’s residents and adventurers alike, for purposes that remain a mystery.
• Corvan – The Mysterious Stranger
• In the shadows of the corner booth sits Corvan, a human ranger shrouded in darkness, quietly smoking a pipe. He rarely speaks, watching the room with an air of practiced indifference. Corvan only engages with adventurers once they’ve proven themselves or when danger threatens to overwhelm them. Secretly, he’s a dark elf in disguise, far more knowledgeable about Tyranor’s dangers than he lets on.
• Chef Orvik Ironstew – The Duergar Cook
• The kitchen is the domain of Chef Orvik, a Duergar with no beard but an impressively large mustache. He may only serve food, but his meals are the heart of the Angel’s Wing’s success. Orvik's surly demeanor is balanced by the undeniable quality of his dishes, which draw patrons from across Thornhaven.
• Pack Rat – The Traveling Salesman
• When Pack rat arrives, it’s impossible to miss him. With an enormous pack on his back and a cheerful grin, he fills the inn with stories of his travels and offers an array of basic goods to adventurers. Though his wares are modest, his endless optimism and charm make him a popular figure among Thornhaven’s residents.

Lore and Rumors Surrounding the Angel’s Wing

• The Angel’s Blessing:
  It is said that anyone who rests at the Angel’s Wing before venturing into the forest is less likely to fall prey to its dangers. Some believe the carved wing above the hearth carries a lingering magic, while others claim it’s just a superstition.
• The Haunted Cellar:
  Locals whisper of strange sounds emanating from the cellar late at night. Some claim they’ve seen faint lights moving under the floorboards or felt cold drafts from nowhere.
• The Lost Rangers:
  The angelic wing itself is rumored to have belonged to an order of holy warriors who ventured deep into Caliban’s forests centuries ago. Their fate is unknown, but some believe their spirits watch over the inn—or haunt it.
• Barlow’s True Purpose:
  Some patrons suspect that Barlow is more than he seems. His knowledge of the forest’s dangers and the relics he sometimes trades suggest he has deeper connections to its mysteries than he lets on.

The Angel’s Wing provides a rich starting hub for adventurers. It’s a place to gather information, form alliances, and set out on dangerous quests, all while steeped in the shadowy mysteries of Caliban. Let me know if you'd like to develop this further!