The Wayward Wheel

The Wayward Wheel

Type	Tavern
Location	Fairhaven, Joriah
Owner	Martha Honeysuckle

Staff

• Fenwick Honeysuckle
• Rosie
• Clementine
• Jasper Honeysuckle

Services

• Food and Drink
• Accommodation
• Stabling
• Laundry

Location

The Wayward Wheel is located towards the eastern entrance of Fairhaven, Joriah and is easy to spot by those who have travelled from the east, from the city of Aerilon, largely due to the large wagon wheel that hangs above the door.

Atmosphere and Appearance

This tavern stands as a sturdy, two-story building with weathered grey stone walls, a bright red door and an old, weathered, wagon wheel hanging above the entrance, creaking gently in the breeze. Diamond paned windows spill warm golden light onto the street with window planters filled with herbs and flowers, depending on the season. Wooden benches sit against the front wall, an open invitation to let yourself sit and rest for a moment before coming inside. An open stable is attached to the building, its threshold painted the same bright red as the tavern door, with a few horses being looked after and available for hire.

Inside the establishment is loud, cheery and warm, there is a large crackling fireplace that takes up most of one wall flanked by several overstuffed armchairs and the mantle cluttered with trinkets and mementos from her children, their father or from regular customers; a chipped dragon tooth, a stoppered vial of something that glows faintly blue, a tiny carved owlbear and a rock, just a normal rock. The long bar is across the room, designed with a wooden step to enable Martha and other halflings to see over and serve customers comfortably. The furniture is deliberately mismatched and ever-changing, chairs and stools surround several worn tables of varying shapes and sizes and patrons are encouraged to move any available seating to suit their needs. A fluffy orange tabby cat will be found wherever the warmest spot is located, or patrolling the floor beneath the communal table waiting for dropped food.

A creaky staircase near the fireplace leads up to the second floor where the bedrooms are located, the hallway has a slight slant to it but still feels sturdy. Each private room has a sloped ceiling, following the roofline and a window that overlooks the street or the stable yard; the rooms are simply furnished and decorated, with a comfortable bed, clean linens and a unique handmade, patchwork quilt, a chair and small side time, and a small framed watercolour or pressed flower hanging in each room. Shared rooms are cheaper, a large room with a bed in each of the four corners with heavy quilted privacy curtains on iron rings that can be drawn around each bed and a lockbox for valuables, the window overlooking the stable yard.

Staff

Martha Honeysuckle, a smiling halfling woman, in her older years with greying brown hair tied up in a loose bun to keep it out of her face and she is a talker, she adores meeting new people. She's a great cook and is the creator of every recipe the tavern serves, quick to learn people's names and the regular orders of repeating customers, the father to her children, Cortran, was an adventurer and would bring back souvenirs of his travels but hasn't been seen for several decades.

Fenwick Honeysuckle, Martha's younger son, young adult halfling with a short mop of brown hair, not particularly chatty but is happy to help, he handles the stables and general repairs around the tavern and will remember every horse that he looks after. He dreams of being an adventurer, like his father, but feels he needs to wait until he's older, always carries around a little treat for horses.

Rosie, a human female in her late 20s, she keeps her dark pink hair in a high bun on the back of her head and loves to hear about people's adventures, she'll often ask people passing through about their travels. She is a natural when it comes to baking bread and pastries, her cinnamon rolls are legendary, and she's known for sneaking extra portions to hungry children.

Clementine, the tavern cat, a female fluffy orange tabby cat that is the official pest control and unofficial greeter of The Wayward Wheel, she has an uncanny ability to appear when food is dropped and is known to "judge character" by sitting on the laps of good people.

Jasper Honeysuckle, Martha's older son, young adult halfling with longish brown hair he keeps tied back, works at one of the local cattle farms but helps out in the tavern during the cold season, Algus, when the farmer doesn't need as many hands. Very physically strong, helps out with all sorts of jobs when he's around but quiet until he's had a few drinks.

Stock

Kitchen

Meals are 2-8 copper pieces.

Martha's Famous Meat Pie: Golden pastry with seasoned beef, root vegetables and gravy

Hearthfire Stew: Lamb and potato stew served in a bread bowl

The Wayfarer's Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, grilled tomatoes and a warm pastry

Ploughman's Platter: Cold cuts, pickled vegetables, cheese and some bread, serves 2

Rosie's Cinnamon Rolls: Warm, gooey, and generously iced

Rosie's Bread Platter: Fresh bread with butter, honey, and a sharp local cheese

Travel Rations: 2 silver per day's worth

Bar

Ale/Wine 3-6 copper pieces per mug and warm drinks are 2-3 copper pieces.

Fairhaven Ale: House brown ale, nutty and smooth

Honeysuckle Mead: Martha's own recipe, sweet and golden

Spiced Cider: Hot or cold, steeped with cinnamon and clove

Algus Warmer: Mulled wine with honey and winter spices. Only served during the cold season

Blackbrew Coffee: Strong, dark, and served black unless you ask nicely for cream

Herbal Tea: Mint, chamomile, or a Martha's own blend. Served in a proper pot.

Something Stronger: Whatever bottle Martha keeps under the bar. Ask and find out

Services

Accommodation: 5 silver for a standard room, 2 silver for a shared room

Stabling: 6 silver per horse, includes hay, water and oats, and locked saddle and gear storage, additional 2 silver for grooming, or 1 silver for a simple tie-up, just hay and water

Laundry: 1 silver piece per item, extra for stain removal

Clementine's Judgement: Not a paid service, but locals may ask if the cat sat on them as a character reference