From: noel welsh To: wfrp@gojira.monsta.com The Hot Tub Inn & Surrounds v1.0 By Noel Welsh This document is copyright Noel Welsh, 1995, and may not be reproduced in a commercial setting without permission from the author. ------------------------------------------------------------ De Satz's Square Located in the Artisan's Quarter, De Satz Square contains a natural spring which supplies water to the surrounding area. The spring has an elegant fountain built around it, and is known as Maiyir's Font. The water flows into large stone basin, in which inhabitants of the Square bathe (when they're not at the Hot Tub), and draw their water from. Surrounding the Square are the houses of the local residents. Three buildings may be of interest to travellers: The Hot Tub Inn, Ragnok Teln's Smithy, and Elka's Apothecary. The Hot Tub Inn Physical Features The Hot Tub Inn is a five storey, half stone, half timber structure. A polished wooden sign, with the Inn's name and a faded picture of a man relaxing in a steaming tub hangs outside. Inside, the Hot Tub Inn is well appointed, if somewhat old. It is furnished with dark wood and brass fittings throughout the bar and rooms. The ground floor consists of a mid-sized common room, with a bar against the far wall. Behind the bar, a door leads to the back rooms, which in turn lead out to a rear courtyard where deliveries are made. However, few travellers notice these details of their first visit to the Hot Tub. What they do notice is the massive fireplace which dominates the centre of the room. This stove heats the Tub upstairs which gives the Inn its name. Upstairs, of course, is the Hot Tub. This large wooden tub is filled regularly from Maiyir's Font. A large reservoir of water hangs above the fireplace below, and hot water can be drawn up to the Tub. Additionally, the chimney from the stove through the centre of the tub, heating the water within. A leather cover keeps the heat in until the water reaches sufficient temperature to coax the patrons upstairs, whilst wooden slats prevent the patrons from burning their feet on the chimney. A pipe, stoppered with a large copper plug, drains to the sewers. Small windows around the room help remove water vapour and stop the ceiling from rotting. As might be guessed, the Tub is of Dwarven design. In fact, is was built by Ragnok Teln's father. Dwarven runes identifying the artisan can be found along the base of the Tub. Above the Tub are the rooms, which get steadily smaller the higher one travels. On the third level, half the level is occupied by the landlord and his family. The remaining 3 rooms are available for rent. These rooms are approximately 4 yards by 5, and sleep 2 comfortably, 4 (or more) if you like each other. The fourth floor rooms are about 3 yards square and sleep 2. The fifth floor rooms are 3 by 2 cells, and only sleep 1 on a straw pallet. The Landlord and Family Rudolph Grasser The publican of the Hot Tub Inn is Rudolph Grasser (sorry, I have no originality). Rudolph is a big man, about 6"1', who carries a fair bit of weight on his large frame. He has a moustache, a perpetually worried expression, and is bald. Rudolph is not an imaginative man, nor is he given to extremes of emotion. He prides himself on the cleanliness and service of his Inn, and it is his constant hard work which keeps the Inn in good shape. He is always polite and stays out his patrons' lives as much as possible. Catchphrases: "I trust you're enjoying the meal", as he delivers another round of drinks. "I hope you don't mind me asking, I know it's none of my business, but would you know about the strange goings on around here?", when the PCs stagger in, covered in blood, after Nuln is afflicted by Chaos apparitions. Ingrid Grasser Rudolph's wife is a plump woman of 38, about 6 years younger then her husband. Her raven hair is turning grey, and her face is showing some signs of aging, but she still retains much of the beauty of her youth. When Ingrid married Rudolph at the age of 17, she was taken by his handsome features, and stoic resilience. She dreamed he would take her away from her boring life. 28 years later, the dreams have faded, and Ingrid has fallen into a routine life. She cooks the food, helps clean the inn and never finds time to stop to wonder what life might have been like. Ingrid is living life through her children, who she has encouraged to be adventurous and independent, much to their father's disapproval. Catchphrases: "Will that big oaf never stop eating? If he knew how much trouble went into that sauerkraut he might stop to savour it a bit more!" "Renhkard, I want you to do something with your life, I don't want you to waste it." Renhkard Grasser Age: 20 Rudolph's oldest son inherited his stature and good looks, but not his even temperament. His mother's constant nagging to "do something with your life" has created an highly ambitious young man, fond of adventure and willing to do whatever he feels necessary to get his own way. Unfortunately for Renhkard, the Inn offers little in the way of excitement or potential. Renhkard has turned to crime as an easy way to satisfy his goals. He has become the leader of a gang of local youths involved in burglaries and con jobs. So far his success have been limited, but as he gains in confidence and experience, Renhkard is trying larger, and tougher, jobs. As might be expected, Renhkard has a very poor relationship with his father, who he sees as a pathetic nobody. Rudolph suspects that Renhkard is getting up to something, but in his typical stoic manner, has done little to dissuade him. He has no idea his son is a criminal. In casual conversation, Renhkard is witty and lively. Deeper conversations will reveal his self-obsessed nature. Renhkard's great failing, which will prevent him from progressing far in his criminal activities, is that he disdains the boring planning which must go into complex operations. Thus his heists are limited by his quickly waning enthusiasm. Catchphrases: "Sigmar's spirit, it the old bear again. Here to remind me of my blasted duties at his stupid little inn!" "This plan has got to work, lads! Now you know that merchant...um...Acrimboldo, the one with the spicery? Well I overheard him yesterday..." Jutta Grasser Age: 19 Jutta resembles her mother, with dark hair and beautiful features. She is second only to Renhkard in her mothers affections, and has never be constrained by her mother from doing what she wishes. She has grow up spoilt and willful. She demands, and gets, expensive cosmetics and jewelry. Ingrid is trying to give Jutta everything she desired as a child, whilst Rudolph has never been much involved in the upbringing of his children. Jutta main goal is life is to be courted by as many men as possible. It's not that she considering marriage yet, it's just that she enjoys ordering them around, and playing them off against each other. Jutta enjoys getting her suitors to purchase expensive gifts for her, and getting them into fights against each other. She will attempt to seduce anyone who is good-looking and wealthy, patrons to the Hot Tub included. Catchphrases: "No, I'm sorry, I can't assist you, I feel quite faint." "If you really love me, you will do anything for me. I want you to prove that you really love me." Klaus Grasser Klaus died of the pox at the tender age of three. Ain't that sad. Catchphrases: "", and you can quote that. Jorg Grasser Age: 16 Jorg has the characteristic facial features of his family. He is of medium height, and quite pudgy, as he does not partake in sports due to his short-sightedness. By the time Jorg was born, Ingrid was too busy mothering the other children to pay much attention to him. Thus Jorg has grown more to the liking of his father, quiet and calm. Jorg helps out a lot around the inn, and is the likely successor to Rudolph. Catchphrases: "Yes Sir, your horse will be ready in a few minutes. I'll see to it myself, Sir." "Two steins of the house draught? Yes, Sir.....That's 20 pennies. Thank you Sir." "Oh, I'm so sorry! I...um...didn't realise you hadn't...excuse me...um..." Erich Grasser Age: 13 Erich is the result of brief affair between Ingrid and a guest at the Hot Tub. Erich has dark blond hair, and a smaller stature then his brothers. Ingrid knows who fathered Erich, and the neighbours love to gossip about him. Rudolph, typically, hasn't given the possibility much serious thought, and it doesn't bother him particularly. Ingrid has rejected the child from birth. The only attention she pays to Erich is to criticise him. Luckily for Erich, Rudolph was becoming more interested in the children by the time he was born, so Erich is not the wreck he could be. Still, the kid has problems. He has low self-esteem, and is given to misbehaving to attract attention. "Mutter! Mutter! MUTTER!" How's my German? "No! I don't want to! I'm not going to do it! Leave me alone!" Herr Hund Erich's mangy mutt, a mongrel with brown and black fur, is given to slinking around the Hot Tub, whining at customers until it gets chased out, and annoying the neighbours. The dog is a wimp and runs away from anyone it doesn't know, unless Erich is nearby, in which case it bristles and growls. Rudolph is the only person besides Erich who likes the mutt. The rest of the family do their best to ignore it, and boot it if it comes near. Catchphrases: What do you think? "Ich bin Herr Hund. Woof! Woof! Woof!" "Whine! Whine! Whine!" Big sad eyes at the new guest eating the pork sausage. "Here you go you poor dog..." "CHOMP!" "Hey! Come back with my breakfast you!" Life at the Inn The day starts just before dawn. Ingrid goes shopping for bread, meat and other foodstuffs, usually taking Renhkard if he's not hung over, or Jorg. Meanwhile, Rudolph supervises deliveries from the brewer, checks on the stores and lights the fires for breakfast. Erich does menial tasks if he's in a good mood, and steals some food for the esteemed Herr Hund. The hired help arrives to assist in serving tables and cooking. About a half-hour after dawn the first customers, merchants and the like who must be up early, start to filter in for breakfast. Ingrid returns from the shopping and all the Inn's energy is focused on preparing breakfasts. After an hour, the Inn is starting to fill up. The crowd consists of merchants and storekeepers, and the various guest who are staying at the Inn. Serving maids are rushing about and Ingrid is yelling at the clod who just split soup on the kitchen floor. The good Herr Hund is trying to sneak into the common room and Jorg is trying to boot him when he does. The young hopefuls are waiting for Jutta to put on an appearance, Renhkard may just be sneaking in after getting drunk last night and Erich is trying to hide so he doesn't have to do any work. After breakfast, the crowds go to their business, and a small army of maids descend on the common room to clean it, and rearrange the furniture for lunch. The rooms upstairs are also cleaned. Rudolph checks the stocks, and Ingrid or Jorg goes to purchase any items which are low. Jutta will be receiving young men, or be chaperoned about town. Renhkard will be trying to sneak out so he can meet with his gang. Preparation for lunch will start. Following the lull after breakfast, the Inn once again becomes a madhouse when the University bells signal noon. Tradesmen and merchants flock to the Hot Tub for an eel pie and a couple of steins of the house draught. The scene is similar to breakfast, with even Renhkard helping out. After lunch, the common room is again tidied up. Rudolph. Renhkard and Jorg will take a couple of buckets and start filling up the reservoir and Tub for the night. After filling the tub, Renhkard will share a few drinks with his friends and most likely disappear for the night. Jutta will return from town with her new presents, and retire to her room until dusk. At dusk, the big fire in the common room will be lit and dinner commences. The regulars, or Tubbers as they call themselves, arrive about an hour after dusk. Erich will be sent to bed. Jutta will come down for dinner, and then lock herself into the Tub room for an hour (part of her beauty regime). After she has left, Rudolph will declare the Tub ready, and the Tubbers, middle-aged artisans and merchants, will retire to the Tub for some drinks and conversation. After the last patrons have left, around 10 on weekdays or 12 at the weekends, the Inn is tidied up and prepared for breakfast. Renhkard is responsible for cleaning the Tub, but more recently he has been paying Jorg to do this for him. Finally, an hour or two after the Inn closes, the hired hands leave, and the Grassers can retire to a well earned rest. Prices PCs short of cash can work at the Hot Tub. An extra helper or two can always find work, for bread and board, if nothing else. The hours are long, but it pays 7/- per day, or a spot in the common room and meals. Rooms All rooms contain bedding, and a wash-stand. The third storey rooms have a small table and chair. Cramming more people then is comfortable into a room cost and additional 50% per person. 3rd Storey: Rooms go for 20/- per night, or 6GC per week. 4th Storey: 15/- per night, or 5GC per week. 5th Storey: 5/- per night. Normally not rented for longer. Common Room: 2/- per night. Fleas are free. Food Meals are provided in the good old German style; large, and filling. Dumplings are a common addition to many dishes. Medieval cooking tends to be full of spices. The dishes given below are simply examples of what is available. Ideas are welcome. Note that most dishes are served either with dark rye bread, or wholemeal bread. Soups Cabbage Soup: Cabbage and little bits of sausage. 2/- Beer Soup: Always a favourite. 2/- Kidney Soup: Kidneys, milk and egg yolk. Ugh. 1/- Fish Fish Stew: Chunks of fish with onions and cream. 4/- Eel: Baked or fried. 2/- Fish Cakes: House specialty, heavily seasoned. 2/- Fish Pies: Eel or fish with cooked vegetables in a pie. 3/- Fish Dumplings: Eat on their own, or add to soup. 1/- Meats Jugged Hare: A young hare, served with vegetables. 5/- Roast Pigeon: A roast pigeon stuffed with liver and heavily seasoned. 4/- Sauerbraten: Braised and seasoned topside. Good. 4/- Pork chops with plums: Exactly what it says. 3/- Bones: A bone covered with left over meat. 10d each. Vegetables and Salads Sauerkraut: Cabbage fermented with salt and juniper berries and then fried. A house specialty. 1/5d Potato Salad: Boiled potatoes with olive oil, onions and garlic (Not the fake white mayonnaise you see today). 10d Lentil Salad: Cooked lentils with parsley, onions and sour cream. 1/- Steamed Vegetables: Whatever is in season. Usually potatoes, cauliflower and carrots. 8d Deserts Apple Pudding: Cooked apples with a sugar and egg mixture. 1/- Baked Locksmith's Apprentices: Small children...No, they're actually prunes stuffed with almonds and baked. 4d each. Fruit Kuchen: Seasonal fruit baked into a type of pie. 1/- Sultana Cake: Usually very good, but occasionally Jutta bakes this to torture her beaus. Avoid when she does. 8d per slice. Drinks The Famous House Draught: Brewed on the premises. Thick and dark. 10d per stein. Lager: Brewed at one of Nuln's many breweries. 8d per stein. House Wine: Cheap red wine, often mistaken for vinegar. 3/- per bottle. Brettonian Wine: Mostly red, with the odd white, imported from Brettonia. '05 was a good year. 25/- and up per bottle Plot Ideas Well, my original intention was to simply make the Hot Tub a place to stay for the PCs. If you want to base adventures on it, here are some ideas: 1. The shady stranger with a past who comes to stay. What did they do, who are they running from and can the PCs help? 2. Catch the thief. Somebody is stealing from the Tub. It could even be Renhkard. 3. Help the family. If your group likes heavy emotions, throw the Grasser family into crisis. Renhkard is caught thieving, Rudolph is going broke paying for Jutta's extravagances and Erich runs away with Herr Hund. You could even make Jutta pregnant if you wish. Can the PCs bring the family back together? Can they stop Herr Hund from coming back with Erich? Ragnok Teln Elka