Opening
The tavern is low-ceilinged and warm, its timber beams darkened by decades of smoke and spilled ale. A hearth crackles along the far wall, fighting off the evening chill that creeps in whenever the door opens. This isn’t a place of songs and legends—yet—but of tired farmers, passing traders, and the occasional armed stranger who knows better than to draw attention.
The smell of roasted meat and damp wool hangs in the air. A pair of locals argue quietly over dice near the hearth, while the innkeep moves with practiced efficiency, setting mugs down without asking questions. No one stares for long, but a few glances linger—measuring, curious, cautious.
Outside, the town settles into night. Somewhere beyond the wooden palisade lie fields, roads, and the darkened edges of the world. Whatever brought you here—coin, curiosity, or unfinished business—it hasn’t announced itself yet.
For now, there is warmth, a seat, and the sense that something might begin if you choose to listen, speak, or simply wait.
