9. The Laughing Moon Inn

The Laughing Moon Inn rests on the corner of the main crossroads of Ostverk, its weatherworn sign etched with a crescent moon carved in mid-laughter. The three-story structure of white-plastered walls, oak beams, and carved gables rises modestly over the village square. In spring and summer, flowering vines coil around the wooden balconies, spilling down like green curtains.

Its darkened windows flicker with hearthlight. On quiet nights, music from within drifts into the street—fiddle, lute, and the soft hum of song.

“You’ll not find finer food, warmer fire, or fiercer ale in all the Kronwood.”

Inn's History

The Laughing Moon Inn was established over a century ago by a wandering bard who fell in love with the village of Ostverk and decided to settle down. The inn has since passed through several hands, each owner adding their own touches to the building and its legacy. Today, it stands as one of the oldest and most respected establishments in Ostverk, known far and wide for its hospitality.

She inherited the Laughing Moon from her human father, Lyrel, a traveling bard and merchant of Verbobonc City who settled in Ostverk decades ago. After Lyrel’s untimely death during a business trip to Humming’s End, Maranna took over the inn and rebuilt it into the cultural soul of the village.

Her elven mother, once an emissary of Celene, returned to Enstad after Lyrel’s passing, leaving Maranna to walk the road between both worlds.

Legacy of Lyrel

Maranna keeps Lyrel's lute above the hearth, unplayed but always polished.

• Lyrel was beloved by the people of Ostverk and known across the Viscounty as “The Singing Steward.”
• He maintained trade in herbs, fruit spirits, and wild game—often bartering with druids like Culinn of Humming’s End.
• His death was sudden—his body never recovered. Some believe he was slain by bandits; others whisper he vanished into the Old Faith's deeper paths.

Key Historical Moments

• Founding by Lyrel the Bard: The original owner, Lyrel, was a traveling bard who named the inn after the "Laughing Moon" that once appeared in the sky during one of his performances. The inn quickly became a popular stop for travelers and entertainers.
• The Rebuilding After the Great Fire: A devastating fire nearly destroyed the inn fifty years ago, but the villagers, led by Lord Corbin Deleveu’s ancestors, rallied together to rebuild it. This event solidified the inn’s place in the heart of the community.
• Current Ownership: The Laughing Moon Inn is currently owned and operated by Maranna, a half-elven woman who inherited the inn from her father. She has managed the inn with grace and skill, maintaining its reputation as one of the finest in the region.

The Inn's Description

The Laughing Moon Inn is a three-story structure made of plastered walls and intricate wooden carvings. It has a welcoming and intimate appearance, with its outer walls adorned with vines and flowers that bloom in the spring. The windows are darkened, offering a cozy interior where the warmth of the hearth and the sounds of laughter and music spill out into the streets.

Common Room & Atmosphere

The interior is warm and packed with energy. A roaring hearth, long shared tables, and thick-scented air of stew, bread, and pipe smoke greet all who enter.

• Clientele: Farmers, gnomes, passing rangers, border soldiers, and caravaners.
• Famous For: Its spiced apple brandy, long-aged mead from Celene, and roast onion pie—a village staple.

The Rooms

• Guest Accommodations: The inn offers twelve rooms for rent, each furnished with a comfortable feather bed, a small bedside table, and a wooden washing basin. The rooms are simple but cozy, providing travelers with a quiet and restful place to stay.
• Private Bath Chamber: The inn also features a private bath chamber, available to guests for a small additional fee. The chamber is kept immaculately clean and includes fresh towels, soap, and a selection of scented oils.

Relationships

Relationship with Corbin Deleveu

Maranna shares a close working friendship with Lord Corbin Deleveu, often acting as a soft power voice in town politics. He entrusts her with sensitive guest arrangements and private counsel on public unrest. Rumors persist that she once saved Corbin’s life during a bandit raid in his youth.

Relationship with Tiriel Mossheart

Maranna and High Druidess Tiriel are bound by shared duty to protect the spirit of Ostverk. Tiriel often holds Old Faith feasts at the Laughing Moon, blessing ale and honoring ancestors at the hearth.

Relationship with the Guard

• Captain Baris Stone finds peace here, often seated in the corner with a half-pint and a frown
• Lieutenant Vyra Gliev treats the inn like a second barracks, watching for tension and maintaining trust with locals

“The Laughing Moon is where rumors end and oaths begin.” — Vyra

Relations with the Elves

Maranna walks a delicate line between humans and Caer Ostverk’s elves. She is one of the few non-elves permitted to enter the outer gardens of Caer Ostverk, and frequently hosts envoys waiting for audience with Captain Triscaryn.

Concerns Over Celene’s Closed Borders

• Waiting for Access: Many travelers who wish to enter Celene must stay at the Laughing Moon while they await permission from the elven authorities at 1. Caer Ostverk. The wait can be long—sometimes months or even years—and the inn provides these travelers with a comfortable place to stay during this uncertain time.
• Tensions and Diplomacy: The closure of Celene’s borders has caused tensions in Ostverk, as traders and travelers become frustrated with the lengthy process of gaining entry. Maranna often finds herself playing the role of diplomat, soothing tempers and facilitating conversations between the elves and the humans.

Village Concerns and the Inn’s Role

Refuge of the Fearful

The inn serves as neutral ground and informal town hall, where villagers speak their fears openly:

• Bandit raids from the Kronwood hills
• Gnoll incursions and Temple cultist sightings
• Shortages and delays in Mounted Borderer patrols

Maranna’s Voice Carries

While not an official councilor, Maranna’s opinion shapes decisions. Corbin often says,

“If Maranna won’t serve you stew, you’re not welcome in Ostverk.”

Adventure Hooks

• “The Empty Saddle” – A merchant friend of Lyrel returns with new claims about the night he vanished. Maranna asks the party to investigate Humming’s End.
• “Ashes in the Brandy” – Strange embers appear in the inn’s hearth and dreams disturb guests. Tiriel suspects a spiritual tether left uncut—Lyrel may have unfinished work.
• “The Celene Coin” – A silver coin bearing Queen Yolande’s personal sigil is found under a guest's bed. Maranna suspects diplomatic intrigue.
• “Last Song of the Bard” – Lyrel’s hidden journal is discovered behind the hearth—written after his supposed death. What secret road did he walk?

Patrons of the Laughing Moon Inn

The Laughing Moon Inn is not only known for its warmth and hospitality but also for the eclectic mix of patrons who frequent its cozy common room. These individuals each bring their own stories, adding to the rich tapestry of life within Ostverk. From seasoned warriors to sorrowful farmers, the inn serves as a gathering place for a diverse array of characters, each contributing to the inn’s vibrant atmosphere.

Garrik Thornwillow Sad Farmer

Garrik is a local farmer whose life has been marked by a series of unfortunate events, leaving him a broken man. He is often found slumped over a mug of ale, his eyes glazed with sorrow.

• Personality: Garrik is a tragic figure, known for his melancholy tales of loss and hardship. He readily shares his woes with anyone who will listen, making him a familiar, if somber, presence in the inn.
• Tale of Woe: Garrik's 13. Thornwillow Farm was ravaged by a series of disasters, including crop failures and a devastating fire. His family has since left him, and he now spends his days drowning his sorrows in drink. Despite his grief, Fendrin is well-liked by the locals, who offer him sympathy and support.

Baris Stone and His Men

Baris Stone the stern captain of the Ostverk Guard, is a frequent visitor to the Laughing Moon Inn, often accompanied by his men and the few remaining Mounted Borderers.

• Personality: Baris is a man of few words, preferring to observe rather than engage in idle chatter. However, when he does speak, his words carry weight, and he commands the respect of both his men and the inn’s patrons.
• Activities at the Inn: Baris and his men come to the Laughing Moon to relax after a day of patrolling the village. They can often be found at one of the long tables, sharing a meal and a drink, discussing the day’s events, and planning their next moves to keep Ostverk safe.

Togo Goodbody, the Halfling Adventurer

Togo Goodbody is a halfling adventurer with a cheery disposition and a love for good food and drink. He is a frequent visitor to Ostverk and has become a well-known figure at the Laughing Moon Inn.

• Personality: Togo is always smiling and ready with a joke or a story. He is friendly and outgoing, making friends easily wherever he goes. His love of fine food and drink is evident, as he never misses an opportunity to sample Maranna’s famous cooking.
• Appearance: Togo is slightly chubby, with a ruddy complexion, green eyes, and curly brown hair. He wears leather armor and a fine gray cloak of elven make, hinting at his adventurous past.
• Role at the Inn: Togo often regales the patrons of the Laughing Moon with tales of his adventures, keeping the common room lively with his stories and laughter.

Hoskuld the Barbarian

Hoskuld is a massive, imposing figure, a barbarian from the far northern lands. His presence at the Laughing Moon Inn is hard to miss, as he towers over most of the other patrons.

• Personality: Hoskuld is a man of action rather than words. He is direct and to the point, with little patience for nonsense. Despite his intimidating appearance, he is not unfriendly, and he has earned the respect of the locals for his straightforward nature.
• Appearance: Hoskuld is dressed in furs and hides, with a wicked axe slung over his shoulder. His attire and demeanor reflect his harsh upbringing in the frigid wilderness of the north.
• Role at the Inn: Hoskuld visits the Laughing Moon for food and drink, often sitting alone at a table, lost in thought. Despite his solitary nature, he is a formidable ally, and those who know him understand that beneath his rough exterior lies a fierce loyalty to those he considers friends.

Green-Eyed Del, the Bard Entertainer

Green-Eyed Del is a traveling bard known for her captivating performances and her striking green eyes. She brings a touch of artistry and music to the Laughing Moon Inn, enchanting the patrons with her songs and stories.

• Personality: Del is charismatic and enigmatic, with a flair for the dramatic. She is well-traveled and has seen much of the world, and her performances reflect the breadth of her experiences. Del is always ready with a smile and a song, brightening the atmosphere of the inn.
• Appearance: Del has an average build but stands out with her green eyes that seem to sparkle with mischief. She wears a mud-splattered cloak, evidence of her life on the road, and carries a lute slung across her back.
• Role at the Inn: As an entertainer, Del is a favorite among the patrons of the Laughing Moon. Her performances draw a crowd, and she is often asked to stay longer than planned to continue her tales and music.

Haln Amenith, the Wild Ranger

Tarian Draelor, known as "Dashblade," is a wild ranger with a reputation for being as quick with his words as he is with his swords. He is a regular at the Laughing Moon Inn, where his sharp wit and daring exploits make him a popular figure.

• Personality: Tarian is brash and confident, with a sly grin that hints at his mischievous nature. He enjoys pushing boundaries and testing limits, both in conversation and in combat. His presence at the inn is always a sign that something interesting is about to happen.
• Appearance: Tarian wears a blackened chain shirt and carries two well-used short swords at his sides. He moves with a quickness and agility that has earned him his nickname.
• Role at the Inn: Tarian often entertains the patrons with tales of his encounters in the wilderness, especially his skirmishes with bandits and other threats. Despite his rough demeanor, he is well-liked and respected by those who frequent the inn.

Lenny the Turbulent, the Paladin of Heironeous

Lenny Valoran the Turbulent is a mighty Paladin of Heironeous, known for his unwavering sense of justice and his impressive physical presence. He is a towering figure, both in stature and in reputation, and his visits to the Laughing Moon Inn are always an event.

• Personality: Lenny is stern and serious, with a strong sense of duty. He is driven by his devotion to Heironeous and his commitment to upholding the law. Despite his rigid demeanor, he is fair and just, earning the respect of both allies and adversaries.
• Appearance: Lenny is tall and lean, with flowing golden hair and gleaming plate armor. He carries a longsword with ease, moving gracefully despite the heavy armor he wears.
• Role at the Inn: Lenny often visits the Laughing Moon to discuss matters of law and order with Captain Baris and other leaders of Ostverk. He is also known to offer counsel to those in need, providing guidance and support to the village’s residents.