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7. The Weary Woodsman

The Weary Woodsman stands as a rugged yet welcoming landmark on the north-east road out of Twilight Falls, serving as a vital hub for woodsmen, merchants, and travelers braving the Gnarley Forest’s treacherous paths. Established nearly seventy years ago, this renowned inn has long been a favored respite for those navigating the Forest Road, linking Dyvers, Free Lands of, the Wild Coast, Nulb, and the Verbobonc, Viscounty. With a finely crafted sign depicting a weary axeman resting on a tree stump, the Weary Woodsman offers hearty meals, strong ale, and a warm hearth for those seeking comfort after long days of travel and labor.

Now owned by Hidelver Nown, a half-elf of mixed human and Sherendyl elven heritage, the inn continues to thrive as a key establishment in Twilight Falls’ economy and a center of local gossip, trade, and political maneuvering.


“Rangers and merchants sit at the same table here, though only one of them trusts the other.”

Description

The Weary Woodsman is a large, two-story structure, blending practical human craftsmanship with subtle elven influences in its design. Built from sturdy local timber and river stones, the inn’s high-peaked roof and broad porch offer a rustic charm, while its interior boasts a spacious common room, private lodgings, and a bustling taproom.

Exterior
  • Constructed from heavy timber and river stones, designed to endure the harsh forest weather.
  • A large wooden sign depicts an exhausted axeman resting on a tree stump.
  • A covered stable and wagon lot provide secure lodging for beasts and carts.
  • Trellises adorned with ivy and climbing roses, an addition from Hidelver’s mother’s influence.
  • A rear courtyard features an open firepit where meals are often roasted over an open flame.
Weary Woodsman Tavern by 3orcs

Interior
  • Main Taproom: A sprawling common hall filled with rough-hewn wooden tables, a roaring hearth, and the scent of roasted meat and ale.
  • Private Lodgings: Eight rooms for rent, with thick woolen blankets and sturdy beds, catering to merchants, rangers, and druids alike.
  • The Hearthside Nook: A quieter space lined with books, elven tapestries, and maps of the Gnarley Forest, appealing to scholars and rangers.
  • Cellar and Storehouse: Stocked with preserved food, locally brewed mead, and casks of Dyvers-imported ale.

History

Founded by Heuon Nown, a seasoned woodsman and trader, the inn began as a simple rest stop for loggers and trappers moving goods between Twilight Falls and Dyvers. Over time, the Weary Woodsman grew into a well-respected inn, frequented not just by woodcutters and rangers, but also by merchants and those seeking passage through the Gnarley Forest.

Key Events
  • 520 CY: Heuon Nown establishes the inn, carving a niche for weary woodsmen needing food and shelter.
  • 544 CY: Marries an elven woman of Clan Sherendyl, fostering stronger ties between the inn and the local elves.
  • 550s CY: The inn expands, adding a second floor and secure stables, accommodating an increasing number of travelers.
  • 570 CY: Heuon passes, leaving the inn to his half-elf son, Hidelver Nown, who modernizes and strengthens its ties with elven traders and merchants.
  • Present Day: The Weary Woodsman is one of the most established inns in Twilight Falls, known for its welcoming hearth and well-guarded grounds.

“Elves bring the wine, woodsmen bring the timber, and Hidelver makes a fortune selling both.”

Role in Twilight Falls

The Weary Woodsman is more than just an inn—it is a social and political hub, serving as neutral ground where merchants, rangers, and even druids can meet and exchange news.

Political & Trade Influence
  • Acts as a meeting ground for traders traveling between Dyvers, the Wild Coast, and Verbobonc.
  • Maintains strong ties to Clan Sherendyl, allowing rare elven goods to be traded discreetly.
  • Serves as a neutral zone between the Gnarley Rangers and local merchants, preventing disputes from escalating.
  • Hosts visiting Mounted Borderers from Verbobonc, who use it as a rest stop while patrolling the northern trade routes.
Services Offered
  • Food & Drink: Known for roast venison, hearty stews, and a signature blackberry mead brewed from local berries.
  • Lodging: Private rooms and bunk-style dormitories for less affluent travelers.
  • Horse & Wagon Stables: Secure storage and caretaking for steeds and carts.
  • Forest Guides & Scouts: The inn brokers connections between travelers and local rangers or elven guides for safe passage through the Gnarley.
“You’ll hear tales in this taproom that’ll make you laugh, cry, or leave town faster than you planned.”

Staff of the Weary Woodsman

The Weary Woodsman relies on a small but dedicated staff who help Hidelver keep the inn running smoothly. Each has their own reasons for working here, and all have a story to tell.

Mara Thornbrook Senior Serving Wench by 3orcs
Mara Thornbrook – Senior Serving Wench

Mara is a tough, no-nonsense woman in her late 30s, with years of experience managing rowdy woodsmen and drunk merchants. She runs the taproom with an iron glare and a sharp tongue, keeping troublemakers in line with wit, intimidation, and the occasional wooden spoon.

  • Role: Oversees the serving staff, ensures customers behave, and keeps tabs on local gossip.
  • Personality: Sharp-witted, sarcastic, and fiercely protective of the other serving girls.
  • Motivation: Works hard to provide for her younger siblings back home in Twilight Falls.

Lidda “Lark” Redfern – Young Serving Wench
Lidda “Lark” Redfern Young Serving Wench by 3orcs

Lidda, nicknamed “Lark” for her bright singing voice, is a cheerful, freckled young woman of 19, who charms customers with her lively energy and quick wit. Unlike Mara, she enjoys the attention of travelers but knows how to handle herself when things get rough.

  • Role: Serves food and drink, entertains guests with songs, and gathers interesting rumors.
  • Personality: Playful, flirty, and clever, but knows when to be cautious.
  • Motivation: Dreams of adventure and saving up coin to travel beyond Twilight Falls.

Old Tegg – The Gruff Cook

An aging ex-mercenary turned cook, Tegg is bald, barrel-chested, and constantly grumbling about fools and wastrels. He’s ruthless in the kitchen, tolerating no waste and brooking no nonsense from drunkards who complain about his stew.

  • Role: Prepares meals, manages food stores, and ensures the kitchen runs efficiently.
  • Personality: Gruff, blunt, and quick to throw a ladle at anyone causing trouble.
  • Motivation: Prefers the quiet life of cooking to the horrors of war, but still keeps a dagger under his apron just in case.

Conclusion

The Weary Woodsman is more than just an inn; it is a cornerstone of Twilight Falls, blending practicality, diplomacy, and tradition. Whether it’s a ranger seeking shelter, a merchant securing safe passage, or a druid keeping an eye on the human impact on the land, all find their way to the Woodsman. Under Hidelver Nown’s careful stewardship, the inn remains a crucial meeting place, ensuring that both human industry and elven heritage can coexist in the heart of the Gnarley Forest.

Hidden Element – The Crimson Reapers (DM Only)

Show Spoiler
Hidden Element – The Crimson Reapers (DM Only)
The Weary Woodsman has become an invaluable asset for The Crimson Reapers, a feared mercenary and criminal syndicate operating out of Nulb and Dyvers. While Hidelver is unaware of their full influence, the Reapers use the inn as a watchpoint for merchant caravans, gathering intelligence on profitable targets.

Brigand Spies in the Inn
Jothan "The Quill" Calder (Human Rogue 5):
A scribe-for-hire, posing as a traveling chronicler, secretly tracking merchant movements and smuggling routes.
Kedra "Ash-Tongue" Verlan (Half-Orc Fighter 4): A disguised mercenary, blending in as a wandering sell-sword, ensuring the Reapers’ interests remain protected.

These spies regularly relay information back to Nulb, ensuring the Crimson Reapers remain one step ahead of any opposition.

The Weary Woodsman by 3orcs
“The road through the Gnarley is long and treacherous, but all roads lead to the Woodsman in the end.”
— Heuon Nown
Original Article written by Damien "Haligaunt" Edwards. Expanded and adapted to the "Verbobonc Campaign Guide 576cy" by 3orcs.

Type
Inn
Parent Location
Hidelver Nown by 3orcs
Heuon Nown (Medium Humanoid, NG, Scout 6)

AC 14 | HP 45 (6d8+12) | Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 | DEX 16 | CON 14 | INT 12 | WIS 14 | CHA 13
Skills Survival +6, Perception +5, Stealth +6, Persuasion +4
Senses Passive Perception 15 | Languages Common, Elvish

Abilities
  • Forestwise: Advantage on Survival checks in forests, ignores nonmagical difficult terrain.
  • Trader’s Eye: Can assess trade goods' value (DC 12 Investigation).
  • Multiattack: Makes two melee or ranged attacks.
Actions
  • Longbow: +6 to hit, 150/600 ft., Hit: 8 (1d8+3) piercing.
  • Hatchet: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., Hit: 7 (1d6+3) slashing.
Role

A rugged trader and veteran woodsman, Heuon built The Weary Woodsman as a haven for travelers, balancing commerce and nature.

The Weary Woodsman Menu by 3orcs

Food & Drink Menu

Signature Dishes
  • Hearth-Stewed Venison – Slow-cooked with forest herbs and root vegetables.
  • Twilight Forager’s Pie – A hearty mix of wild mushrooms, rabbit, and roasted chestnuts in a flaky crust.
  • Ranger’s Smoked Trout – Fresh-caught and oak-smoked, served with elven berry compote.
  • Gnarley Hearthbread – Thick rustic loaves baked with honey and nut flour, served with spiced butter.
Notable Drinks
  • Blackberry Mead of Twilight Falls – A local favorite, brewed with wild forest berries.
  • Deepwood Stout (Dyvers) – A dark, earthy beer favored by travelers and rangers.
  • Greenleaf Wine (Clan Sherendyl) – A light, floral elven vintage imported from the central Gnarley.
  • Golden Hart Ale (Verbobonc) – A crisp, golden ale brewed from Viscounty-grown barley.
  • Narwell Emberbrew (Wild Coast Special) – A smoky, spiced ale known for its warming heat, favored by caravan guards and outlaws alike.

Jothan "The Quill" Calder

(Medium Humanoid, NE, Rogue 5)

AC 14 | HP 32 (5d8+5) | Speed 30 ft.
STR 10 | DEX 16 | CON 12 | INT 14 | WIS 12 | CHA 15
Skills Stealth +6, Deception +5, Insight +4, Investigation +6
Abilities

  • Sneak Attack (3d6): Extra damage once per turn if attacking with advantage or an adjacent ally.
  • Silver-Tongued: Advantage on Persuasion when posing as a scholar.

Actions

  • Rapier: +6 to hit, Hit: 8 (1d8+3) piercing.
  • Dagger: +6 to hit, Hit: 6 (1d4+3) piercing.

Kedra "Ash-Tongue" Verlan

(Medium Humanoid, LE, Fighter 4)

AC 16 (Chain Shirt, Shield) | HP 38 (4d10+8) | Speed 30 ft.
STR 17 | DEX 12 | CON 14 | INT 10 | WIS 12 | CHA 11
Skills Athletics +5, Intimidation +4, Perception +3
Abilities

  • Second Wind (1/Rest): Regain 1d10+4 HP.
  • Fighting Style (Defense): +1 AC while wearing armor.

Actions

  • Longsword: +5 to hit, Hit: 9 (1d8+3) slashing.
  • Heavy Crossbow: +4 to hit, Hit: 10 (1d10+2) piercing.

Both spies operate from The Weary Woodsman, feeding intel to the Crimson Reapers while keeping a low profile.



Cover image: Twilight Falls Bannor by 3orcs

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