#taverns and inns

[the-merry-otter]

In the tavern

[pien-art]

yes lan and moiraine share a bed and yes they cuddle and yes moiraine is the big spoon <3

(click images for optimal quality)

both versions available as prints here!

[2minutetabletop]

The Twilight Tavern Battle Map

Today we have a new tavern battle map for you to download! Complete with bar, accommodation, and cellar. While we're at it, what's your best tavern name? :)

→ Download it here today!

[deliciousindelusion]

Sorry if coloring is messy, I was feeling lazy.

LMAO Pattadol doesn’t understand what went wrong in her ‘totally foolproof romance’ plan. Mithrun just took the L like a champ though. Thistle had a good day after that.

[temiree]

This was requested by DJBlueWolf in this month's Patreon suggestion box, featuring Tem, and his OC, Darian! :3

My top patrons on Patreon submit ideas every month to my suggestion box, and I choose one every month to draw. ^^

[pixelsinmyveins]

Dark Ranger Vanesta: "This one is...one of the difficult ones. Have a word with her?"

Mam Eunice: "Oh dear..."

Penny: "M-my head, it's...I can't...did I..."

Mam Eunice: "There there, sweetheart...we'll get you cleaned up and taken care of."

[cuubism]

I have been absolutely loving Bookstore Cryptid Dream! Offline life got rough for a bit there, but this little universe never failed to make my heart happy. Thank you - and I hope you're planning on more!

i've indeed had one in my drafts so i finished it up for you :)

--

Hob has been waiting with equal parts anticipation and trepidation to find out exactly what ideas Dream will pull from his romance novels. He still hasn't figured out why he picked romance novels as his manuals. Maybe he needs his sex positions to have narratives. Maybe he's into roleplay. God.

But Hob doesn't get to find out.

He's been busy for a few days--new term at the local uni starting up means the cafe's suddenly gotten busier--and while Dream's popped in and out a few times, they haven't had the chance to spend much time together. It's probably good, Hob tries to convince himself. Puts the brakes on things, just a little.

But when he finally gets a break, hands the reins over to his staff for an evening, he heads to The Library. Even if Dream is busy with his own tasks, Hob's content to just sit in his space. Listen to his stories. It's not something the busy cafe environment usually allows, but The Library is like an alternate world, cool, quiet, and timeless.

Hob strides up the steps and opens The Library door.

And there's nothing inside.

It takes several moments for his tired brain to comprehend what he's looking at, and several more for him to decide that no, he's not dreaming. He steps through the doorway into a dim, empty room, old wood-paneled walls and dust gathering in the corners, and no infinite winding paths of shelves like in Dream's bookshop. Just a shell.

Hob presses his palm to the wall. It's cool, and smooth, and very much real. Not some mad hallucination of his, this empty room.

Blinking hard, Hob steps back outside, closes the door again, as if that might change things. Opens it again. Same room. Does it again. Same room. He calls out into the empty bowels of the once-Library: "Dream!"

No answer, of course.

Hob had known that The Library had a sort of magic to it. But just vanishing into thin air...

And Dream wouldn't...

...would he?

Hob spins in place on the stoop, looking out on the darkened street which suddenly feels so much more eerie. He steps down to the road in a daze, looking around as if The Library might suddenly appear in another doorway. Resists the urge to yell Dream's name into the darkness.

And then, well, fuck it. "Dream!" he calls. All that echoes back to him is his own voice.

Hob sits down on the stoop, defeated. If he hadn't seen Dream just yesterday, kissed him on his way out of the cafe not twenty-four hours ago, he really might have started to think he'd hallucinated all of this. Invented someone he'd wanted to know.

But he didn't invent Dream, he swears he didn't--so then where is he?

Hob doesn't sleep much that night. He doesn't do much of anything else, either--it's not like Dream left a note to track him down, or any evidence of his existence. It's not like Hob can put up missing person posters: have you seen this bookshop? Or force it to reappear.

He's having a very sleep-deprived, very over-caffeinated morning shift in the cafe, contemplating how long one's not-quite-human not-quite-boyfriend needs to be not-quite-missing before it's reasonable to start finding out which parts of London harbor demons and sorcerers--when a man he's never seen before stops at the counter, hands folded before him, and says, "Excuse me, but do you know if there's a bookshop around here?"

Hob has never seen anyone else ever go into The Library or even acknowledge its existence, and Hob's anxiety is so high that he almost leaps over the counter to grab this man by the collar and demand, what do you know about Dream?! Fortunately he belays that impulse. This stranger really does look almost laughably harmless and definitely not like a demon or sorcerer, not that Hob's seen one--and getting arrested for assault is not going to help anything.

"I tried the door," continues the stranger, as Hob just keeps staring at him, conflicted, "only, well. It seems to have vanished."

Well, at least Hob's not hallucinating. Not that a disappearing bookstore is helpful to his sanity.

After what was surely a conspicuously long silence, though his visitor just waits patiently, Hob says, "Have... you been there before?" He feels weirdly defensive of The Library, even if it's currently AWOL. He doesn't know if he wants random people to be able to find Dream.

Or maybe that's just jealousy.

"Oh, no, this is my first time coming this way," says the man, apologetically. "I'm just looking for a certain book."

Damn odd timing for it.

Hob comes out from behind the counter and waves him over to a table. He should probably get some tea. Proper hospitality and all. But he's too worked up and way too sleep-deprived.

His guest sits down primly at the table as Hob slouches against the back of his own seat. "Sorry," Hob finally says, "if I'm--" he waves a vague hand. "Dream's had trouble before, that's all." He holds out his hand to his guest. "Hob."

The man shakes his hand. "Hm. A pleasure. I am Aziraphale. To any associate of--" he tastes the name, "Dream's, that is."

It's interesting that The Library's reputation carries further than knowledge of Dream himself, despite how deeply Dream seems to be tied to the shop.

"Is it meant to be there, then?" asks Aziraphale hopefully. "I wouldn't blame him for moving around to protect the collection; I certainly wouldn't want all and sundry picking through the shelves!" He shudders. "Though I was hoping to find that book."

Hob doesn't bother asking what book. Whatever it is, Dream will certainly have it. What's more important is--

"'Moving around?' Do you know how?" And then, realizing if he wants a chance at info he's going to need to offer some of his own, adds, "You just missed him, it's only today that The Library's been... gone."

"Oh, dear," says Aziraphale, now looking troubled.

"Not sure what pointed you towards this place, but if you've heard anything..." Hob continues, "Dream is my--" what is Dream, anyway? They haven't established it, "...friend."

Looking contemplative, Aziraphale says, "Well it is odd timing, now that you mention it, because--"

That's when the door to The Library flies open.

A lanky man comes hurtling down the steps, limbs akimbo, yelling something over his shoulder that Hob can't hear from within the cafe. "Oh dear," says Aziraphale again, with a mix of concern and consternation. "Crowley!"

Dream storms out of the doorway next, expression thunderous, his hair sticking up in all directions like he'd been struck by lightning. That has Hob lurching to his feet, which Aziraphale does as well, and they both rush outside, just in time to hear--

"Look, it's just one silly book, okay?" The unfamiliar man--Crowley, presumably--says, stopping in the middle of the road and turning towards Dream. "Don't overreact."

Dream is, in fact, clutching a singular heavy book, and looks like he's just about to hurl it, except that Dream would never do something so undignified as that, Hob thinks.

Dream hurls the book at Crowley.

Or not.

Crowley catches it against his chest, stumbling back with the weight. "I do not accept," spits Dream, each word the strike of a nail, "surreptitious rummaging in my library."

"Oh come on," says Crowley, tossing the book to Aziraphale, who's just caught up to him and who catches it with a surprised little umph! sound. Crowley makes a shooing sort of go on, run gesture to Aziraphale, which he doesn't heed. "It's not like I was going to burn the place down. You're just prejudiced against demons."

"I am prejudiced against thieves," hisses Dream. Hob finally reaches his side before he can throw another book or something, lays a hand on Dream's arm. Though all he's really thinking is, demons?!

"Crowley," Aziraphale admonishes. "Please tell me you did not." He finally looks at the cover of the book, and gasps. "Crowley."

Crowley shrugs. "You wanted it, he had it."

Hob frowns, confused. "You don't need to steal from The Library. It's not a museum. Just go in and buy it." Not that Hob's ever actually paid for any of Dream's books.

Both Crowley and Aziraphale turn to him. "One could not simply give away such an artifact," says Aziraphale, caressing the book's leatherbound cover.

"Least not for a steep price," says Crowley, which evidently justifies his trying to swipe it. "I won't be beholden to the likes of you." He points at Dream.

Dream looks affronted. "Now who is prejudiced?"

"Let's back up," Hob says, unsure how he became the voice of reason here. He still has a hand wrapped around Dream's arm, it's grounding after the way Dream had just vanished on him. "What happened? Dream-- I tried to come over and you were just gone." The empty room past The Library doorway is going to continue to be nightmare fuel.

Dream makes an apologetic little sound. "I apologize. I closed all access to The Library for its protection. As it turned out, my assessment of the threat was overstated." He glares at Crowley and adds, darkly, "I thought you were from the school board. Breaking in in the dead of night like so."

Hob momentarily gets stuck on the fact that Dream considers the local school board a greater threat than an actual demon from hell.

"Which," Dream continues, "was utterly unnecessary. You could have simply come to The Library as a visitor and sought out what you were looking for. It would have been granted."

"Oh, so I was just supposed to know you actually sell your books?"

"The books will find their rightful recipients," Dream says stiffly.

"Crowley, you have been very rude," says Aziraphale, though he hasn't given up the book, "I think you should apologize."

"Eh," says Crowley, waving this off. Hob supposes it wouldn't really be given to demons to apologize for things. "You apologize if you really want to."

Aziraphale turns to Dream with a sigh. "I am sorry for my companion's behavior. And... grateful for the book."

Dream nods solemnly at him. It seems his ire does not extend to Aziraphale.

Crowley leans back on his heels, closer to Aziraphale. "Mayyybee we should go now."

Aziraphale nods. "Quite." He tips his head at Dream, and then at Hob. "Thank you for your hospitality, Hob."

Then he turns and hurries away, Crowley slinking along beside him. As they leave, Hob hears Aziraphale admonish, "Do you know how few booksellers there are with truly rare volumes? We cannot afford to make such enemies."

"Yeah, you're welcome, angel."

"...Thank you."

Hob shakes his head in bemusement and turns back to Dream. He takes both of Dream's arms in his hands now, holding onto him, looking him over. Unable to fully vanish the lingering panic of The Library just being gone. "Are you alright? I was... worried. When you disappeared."

"I am annoyed," Dream huffs, like it's a greater point of suffering than any actual injury. Then he leans in close to Hob, pressing a hand to his chest. "I apologize. I did not intend to cause you distress. I had to shut the doors rather quickly, but I hoped to resolve the issue before you had cause to visit The Library."

"It's alright, love. I'm just glad you're okay." He kisses Dream, tentative for how new this all still is. Tastes lightning on his lips. Dream hums with pleasure.

When they pull apart, Hob wraps an arm around Dream's back, starts leading him back towards the cafe, or perhaps just to Hob's flat above. Tea solves everything. "So. The school board, eh?"

Dream sighs with the weight of the world on his shoulders. "They are enthusiastic about banning books."

Hob pulls him against his side, kisses his temple. "Dream against the world."

Dream grumbles, but leans his head on Hob's shoulder, and despite the many strange things of today Hob is going to have to internalize, he feels all soft inside at the gesture.

"Don't worry," he says, "next time your many enemies come calling, just yell and I'll create a diversion."

"And be waiting with tea after I've dealt with them?"

"Got it in one."

As they reach the door to the cafe, Dream turns his head to kiss Hob's shoulder. "You are good to me, Hob Gadling."

And Hob will keep being so. Even when the next strange thing happens.

[oldschoolfrp]

Our adventure begins in a tavern (Kevin Siembieda illustration for "Rumors at the Wayfarer's Inn," a 32-page D&D adventure set in the City State of the Invincible Overlord and its environs, in Pegasus 11, Judges Guild, December 1982)

[tastesoftamriel]

The Cheydinhal Bridge Inn

The Niben's best kept secret, specialising in Cheydinhal's signature Dunmeri fusion

Morndas

Harlun's Watch famous beef pie, with tender beef brisket, Harlun's Watch Stilton, locally-foraged mushrooms, and a wickwheat crust

Tirdas

Hlaalu-style ash-baked chicken, with fresh roasted vegetables from Cheydinhal Market

Middas

Corbolo River grilled salmon, with a sweet teriyaki glaze, pickled comberries and radish, and egg fried saltrice

Turdas

Nibenay Basin wild rabbit, braised in port, sujamma, and served with ash yam gratin

Fredas

Cheydinhal roast goose, with plum and comberry sauce and creamed hacklo-lo

Loredas

Lake Arrius creamy slaughterfish and mudcrab bake, served atop cheesy saltrice

Sundas

Jerall Mountains venison roast, with black pepper gravy and spicy ash yam wedges

[elderscrollsconceptart]

Whiterun Inn

Concept art for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Art by Ray Lederer

[peony-plum]

Eating at the Ald Skar inn

[thewayfarersinn]

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

Wait, what do the neighbours do to more or less get money? Like what do they do for quests wise?

Howdy's tavern has a board where people can post jobs/quest requests - a lot like in Fairy Tail! a lot of times requests are sent in the mail to any tavern/area that will post them, so you gotta be quick about responding before anyone else does. if the posting was sent in, they have to reply via some form of message to confirm it and essentially say "dont let anyone else take the job, i'm/we're on my/our way"

the quests/jobs have a wide range. sometimes its like "collect this item for me", sometimes its "bodyguard me & my belongings while i travel", and it can be "kill the monster terrorizing my town." it can be anything! it's a mixed bag!

and its a little risky, too. the job postings arent always... In Depth. one time the Neighborhood rushed somewhere because the posting just said HUGE EMERGENCY, LIVES IN DANGER but in reality it was an elderly farmer who had them build a new coop for her chickens before the winter frost. then another time it was all "id like help with a small issue at our town's border" and then the Neighborhood got there and it was a fuckoff huge dragon that they were Not prepared to handle.

the Neighborhood doesnt just take job postings though! their travels often take a while because they'll get into shenanigans/trouble, or in completing one job something else will be asked of them, etc. they also don't always do it for money. if someone's in trouble while they're traveling, theyre gonna help without asking for compensation.

[tellusd20]

Once a border watchtower, this structure was abandoned and fell into disrepair as the kingdom's borders expanded. As the frontier receded, the wilds tamed, and trade routes grew, the site became ideal for other purposes. It now belongs to an innkeeper, who has repaired and expanded upon the original stone tower. Weary travelers can stop in for a hearty meal and drinks, and comfortable rooms are available for those with surplus coin.

+++

This five layer* 25x25 map is available on my Patreon in high-res PNG and VTT files, without watermark, in night/day + grid/gridless variants. 

*Includes a cellar, not pictured in preview.

[2minutetabletop]

Hand-Drawn Food Assets

Today I released my new Food Assets! Inside, 410 hand-drawn foods and tableware which you can use to decorate a campsite, feast, or restaurant. 🥓

→ See them all on 2-Minute Tabletop

[hannibalismos-jaaneman]

the sole and devastating problem with monkey man is that it will literally never be able to push past the people who think the concept of the film disrespects hanuman ji to be exposed in an environment where people see it for more than its name.