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A Room For The Knight	Dragon 29	-	Best of Dragon, Vol. II	Dragon

Inns and taverns frequently appear in Dungeons and Dragons
games, yet may not be utilized to their fullest potential either by the DM
or the player characters. The reason for this being the function of inns
and taverns is not fully realized and they can be difficult to design and
stock. This article is presented as an aid to DM’s and players whereby
the functions of inns and taverns can be more fully realized.
The two terms “inn” and “tavern” have become almost interchangeable in modern usage, however this was not always the case. An inn, by
definition is a place where travelers could obtain food and shelter, for a
price. A tavern can be considered to be a place where ale (and other
drinks) would be served in addition to food. An example of a tavern in
modern society would be the English pub or public house. In some
instances an inn would have a tavern on the premises, or within short
walking distance.

Small communities (population 1-150) would probably not have a
need for an inn. These small communities might have a tavern (75%
chance) to serve as a community center, as well as a place wherein
travelers could obtain food and drink. For lodging, a traveler finding
himself or herself in a small community as night fell would probably
either be forced to sleep outside or beg shelter from the local residents.
Early in history, there were no inns, so travelers and pilgrims would seek
shelter in the homes of local farmers or townspeople. These solicitations
for shelter were frequently successful, as travelers were an excellent
source of information about the world outside the local community.
As communities became larger (populations of 150-500), the concept of providing food and shelter to travelers for money became more
common. Often communities of this size would support from 1-10 inns,
depending upon their locations on the trade routes. The closer the
community to a heavily traveled trade route, the greater the number of
inns.

Large towns and trading centers could support a number of inns and
taverns. While we do not generally consider the medieval community as
being heavily populated, one reference states that in 1453, Paris consisted of three square miles.
In these three square miles there were
150,000 people and 5,000 inns and taverns.
The size of inns generally ranged from 5-50 guest rooms, depending
upon the needs and location of the community. As stated earlier, an inn
might have a tavern-type area located within the inn proper or nearby.
For the maximum effectiveness in a D&D campaign, a large number
of the rooms should be filled. Some of the travelers could have come
from merchant caravans (60%), or pilgrim bands (40%). Other guests
might include king’s messengers bearing important documents, adventurers of various sorts, solitary high level wizards, spies and an unlimited
amount of other characters developed by the DM to add zest to the
game.

The cost for rooms would range from 5 copper pieces to 5 gold
pieces per night or weekly rates of between 5 to 20 gold pieces. These
rates would generally include two meals per day. Drinks would not
usually be included in these rates.

For one’s money, one gets a bed, normally made up with clean
sheet and blankets—if not, there is a chance (10%) of bedbugs, ticks or
disease. There may be bathing facilities, but not normally after dusk, a
50% chance of laundry service, a wash basin and a pitcher of water, and
directions to the nearest outhouse. There is a 75% chance that the inn
will be able to feed and shelter one’s horse (or whatever), for 5 silver to 1
gold piece per night. The care one’s horse will receive would probably
include: walking it to cool it off, washing it and brushing it down, and
feeding it

The chores around the inn would generally be done by a youth
apprenticed to the innkeeper. These apprentices were sometimes called
ostlers. Apprentices may have been the sons of the innkeeper or other
youths who wished to learn the trade of innkeeping. An apprentice
would remain in the master’s service until his eighteenth birthday,
having begun the training at about twelve years old. Their tasks include
work in the stable, the kitchen and tavern. They would rarely be
involved in handling money and did not tend the bar until the last years
of the apprenticeship. There is a 25% chance that they are literate,
however most can perform simple mathematical computations.
In addition to the apprentices (1-4), there would be the innkeeper.
While innkeepers have become stereotyped in literature as being short,
fat, balding men with notoriously bad memories, this does not need to
be the case. Innkeepers are male (95%); short (20%), medium height
(60%), or tall (20%). They are thin (20%), average build (40%), or stout
(40%). They are normally observant (a 70% chance of them being able
to remember every detail of a particular event). They are not easily
deceived, though rarely can they be considered clever. 50% of the
innkeepers are lawful, 20% are neutral and 30% are chaotic.
Most innkeepers are married (90%). In medieval society, women
were relegated to a secondary role, involved in such activities as cooking
and sewing for the customers. The innkeeper’s wife normally had from
one to five young women to assist her with her tasks. These young
women also milked the cows and assisted with the other chores, such as
gathering eggs. These young women sometimes act as waitresses, and if
the innkeeper is chaotic there is a 25% chance that these young women
might provide other, more infamous, activities for the customers (1-5
gold pieces per night). If the innkeeper isn’t chaotic in nature and a guest
propositions one of the young ladies in his charge, beware the loaded
crossbow under the bar.

The activities of the inn or tavern centered around the common, or
public room. It is in these areas, that your players will take their meals
and mingle with the other guests and townspeople. Common rooms
would be large, at least 40’x30’, and have a seating capacity for at least
60 people. Some common rooms will be dark and dim, while others will
be brightly lit and cheery. It all depends on the owner.

Food prices will vary  as will the types of food available. Below is a
listing of some of the food items commonly found in various D&D
taverns, with approximate prices.

MEALS
 

Beavertails	5 sp
Snake Stew	5 sp
Rabbit Stew	3 sp
Wolf Stew	3 sp
Chicken Eggs	each 3 cp
Lizard Steaks	2 gp
Beef Steaks	10 sp
Roast Chicken	5 sp
Roast Duck	8 sp
Ham	5 gp
Haggis	5 sp
Salad (lettuce)	4 cp
Lobster	2 sp
Shark	3 gp
Fried Snake	3 sp
Frog Legs	1 sp
Otter Stew	15 sp
Snake Eggs	5 gp
Duck Eggs	11 sp
Eel Steaks	4 gp
Roast Turkey	3 gp
Roast Pheasant	5 gp
Venison	6 sp
Mutton	4 sp
Vegetables (potatoes, etc.)	3 cp
Crab	3 gp
Caviar & Salmon	6 sp
Whale Blubber	10 gp
Beef Ribs	8 sp
Bread	5 cp

DRINKS
 

Wine, good	15 sp
Wine, watered	10 sp
Mead	10 sp
Ale	3 sp
Grog	4 sp
Rum	8 sp
Beer	8 sp

These are priced for a 16 oz. tankard

This list includes many of the items typically found on the menu of an
inn or tavern. This, of course, depends upon largely the locale of the inn
or tavern.

The common rooms not only served as a place for guests to partake
in eating and drinking, but also as a gathering place for the townspeople.
As a focal point for the local people and the travelers staying there, the
common room was a place where news of the world could be shared.
The common room also served as a place where entertainment functions took place.
A traveling minstrel might be a guest at the inn, or the
local residents might bring their own musical instruments whereby
guests and local people could sing and make their own entertainment A
traveling group of actors might be housed at the inn (10% probability).
These companies performed in the inn’s courtyard. The fee charged for
such a performance would usually be one copper piece per member of
the  audience.

Inns and taverns also had underground rooms set aside as root
cellars and food storage. These would be accessible by doors in the
kitchen or just outside the rear kitchen doors.
While some inns and taverns were located in towns, others were
located just outside of towns, usually in wooded areas. The inns may
have a courtyard, a barn, a stable, a well, and at least two outhouses.
Outside the wooded area where the inn is located, there would be fields
and farms supplying the inn and the nearby town.

Inns, outside of large communities were usually located a day’s
horseback ride from each other. Therefore, they played an important
role in medieval society in service to travelers, to serve social needs and
as a place where the latest news could be heard

Inns and taverns play a significant role in D&D campaigns.
If the DM utilizes the information on background, design and operation of
these establishments, they can be an important factor in exciting play.