THE WHITE STOAT INN 1

he White Stoat is the best inn in Tormau and its innkeeper,

T
Jamys of Abrant, makes sure it stays that way by fair means
or foul. His Lia-Kavair connections ensure that few of the
locals would dare to cross Jamys which suits this short bear
of a man perfectly. It might take a stranger to disturb the
peace of this apparently tranquil inn.

HISTORY
The White Stoat was built as a substantial townhouse for a prosperous
mercantyler over 40 years ago. When his business crashed during the
financial panic precipitated by Ezars War it was turned into an inn by his
creditors. He and his family remained tied to the business: cleaning, cooking
and serving at table until the debt was paid. Driven mad by the degradation
he had heaped upon his family the poor man hung himself in the attic
shortly before his debt was to have been wiped clean. His wife, glad to be
rid of the old fool, set up Tormaus first house of ill repute nearer the castle
garrison. Jamys is not a superstitious man and discounts any claims that the
Location: Tormau,
attic is haunted.
Rethem
Jamys says he won the inn from the former owner in a game of chance
when he first came to Tormau 6 years ago. The less charitable say that he Owner: Jamys of
arrived from Golotha with some leg-breakers and made the owner an offer Abrant
he couldnt refuse.
Size: 6
THE BUSINESS Quality:




The Poachers Reward, at the north end of Tormaus only street, has Prices: High
become the natural watering hole of the Earl of Tormaus Ivinian
mercenaries. Most local labouring men find the Poachers a little too
boisterous these days, while mercenary silver has inflated its prices. They
have taken to walking over to the Dorymans Rest where they drink with the
local fishermen. This leaves the White Stoat for the more well-to-do
members of the Tormau community. The Snug Bar is the informal meeting
place of the local guildsmen and Jamys ensures they are well supplied with
free drinks when they hold their monthly meetings there.
Hugin of Brandas, a journeyman innkeeper, is employed to undertake
the day-to-day management of the inn but Jamys makes much more money
from the semi-covert chapter of the Lia-Kavair he runs from the Stoat. He
has interests across the neighbouring hundreds and the Earl allows him to
operate them because he finds Jamys useful.

SERVICES AND ACCOMODATION

Jamys prefers not to have strangers stay on the premises after dark as he
likes to keep the regular nocturnal comings and goings at the inn private.
WRITER
Commoner guests are confined, literally, to the Common Room with the
door to the kitchen bolted against them during the night. Much is made of Alun Rees
the security this offers them and explains the charge of a penny per night MAPS
per person. Alun Rees
Jamys has been eager to please on the rare occasions that a member of EDITOR
the nobility has demanded overnight hospitality at the inn rather than at the Neil Thompson
Caer. He happily vacates his own room taking his personal and valuable CONTRIBUTORS
possessions with him and displaces Hugin and the cook, Merla up into the
attic. He also puts off any nefarious business until after the gentle visitor has
Dan Bell
left. Playtesters at HarnCon 8 &
IviniaCon 2
HrnWorld A Rees, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games Inc., 2009
 THE WHITE STOAT INN 2
FOOD AND DRINK STAFF
Jamys employs Merla the Lamb as cook at the Stoat. A slave who was Merla the Lamb
There have been several spats between
freed when her master died she specialises in excellent stews and breads.
Merla and Gweyn over Gweyns use of
Her sobriquet the Lamb is an example of Jamys humour as she has a foul the bread oven for drying herbs and
temper and almost as foul a mouth when in her kitchen. Merlas harsh comments about Gweyns
Merla can turn her hand to almost any meal be it animal, fish or fowl and brews. Only Hugin can calm things down
has rarely let the reputation of the Stoat slip though at 1d for a meal few can when the two set their tongues at one
afford her skill. She is also known for the magic she weaves with dough; her another. While Gweyn cannot compete
with the sheer colour of Merlas vocab-
bread cakes sweetened with local wild honey (1f) are a prized part of any
ulary she holds her own through the
meal served at the inn. careful use of biting sarcasm. Observers
Soon after arriving at the Stoat Merla realised that the innkeepers have compared it to man with a maul
associates often returned late and in need of a solid meal. She took to fighting another with a longknife.
keeping a pottage simmering through the night and noticed that this Hugin of Brandas
softened cheaper cuts of meat to the delicate and moist succulence of the Hugin, a very able journeyman, would be
best. Turning necessity into advantage she is now known across the Shire master of his own inn if he wasnt so well
for her rich and filling pottage (2f). She rules Absel the pot-boy with a rod of paid by Jamys. Customers passing
iron and it is he who is tasked to stop the pottage burning during the night through will assume it is this jolly and
by stirring it at regular intervals. Absel doesnt realise it but Merlas harsh approachable man who is the landlord;
assuming Jamys is a well-to-do guilds-
tuition is turning him into an even better cook than she is.
man.
Jamys is no brewer but has identified the local apothecary, Gweyn of The temperaments and skills of Hugin
Kesham, as having the talent he lacks. Though not a member of the and Merla perfectly complement one
Innkeepers Guild Gweyn brews every second day for her own use. another. Merla realises this but Hugin is
Surprisingly she always seems to brew far more than she needs and is blind to the possibility of a shared future.
happy to donate the excess to the White Stoat. In return Jamys finds it She plans to propose a business deal to
necessary to buy enormous volumes of linctus and decongestants for his Hugin he wont be able to turn down
weak chest! The arrangement is, of course, a fiction, but none of the local when she has saved enough but prefers
innkeepers feels it would be in their interest to bring the matter to the not to think about Jamys reaction.
Hugin, meanwhile, admires Gweyn and
attention of the Mangai. Even if they did the local guildsmen know better
her skill in brewing. She is blind to his
than the cross the man who offers them such generously hospitality. As well interest and hides her attraction to Merla
as a tasty small beer (1f) and a stronger dark ale (2f) Gweyn also produces a behind a brisk manner and harsh words.
fine mead (3f) from the same local honey Merla uses in the kitchen.
Justi and Donara
These two sisters are orphans of an old
business acquaintance jamys had killed
Jamys of Abrant Innkeeper (& Lia-Kavair Master) when he began to speak too freely of
STR 14 EYE 11 INT 18 END 10 their dealings. It seemed only right to
STA 10 HRG 14 AUR 09 MOV 10 offer them a roof over their heads and the
chance to earn a living as barmaids.
DEX 09 SML 14 WIL 14 Ini 55
Jamys is very fond of both of them and
AGL 09 VOI 13 MOR 07 Dge 52
regularly accepts offers of their favours.
Skills Currently Justi shares his bed, but last
Acting 62 Awareness 72 Brewing 52 month it was Donara. He keeps both girls
Climbing 52 Cookery 36 Intrigue 99 well clothed as befits a respectable
Jewelcraft 34 Jumping 44 Legerdemain 41 establishment with pretensions to class.
Lovecraft 63 Oratory 56 Physician 28
Rhetoric 92 Script (Lakise) 79 Singing 39 Daftar
Speak (Harnic) 74 Stealth 53 Survival 30 The second pot-boy has very light
Swimming 14 Throwing 54 fingers. He picks the pockets of any
Combat customers Jamys tells him to and can
Unarmed 79/2b Club 85/4b Dagger 70/4p usually replace an item before a guest
realises it has gone missing. Jamys has
the same feeling for Daftar that Merla has
Strike Locations Armour for Absel. They both recognise the
Standard Leather Long Sleeved Shirt and Calf Boots potential the boys have in their chosen
(+2 quality); Cloth Trousers (+2 quality) field of expertise. Daftar is now beginning
to learn the art of cat burglary.

A. Rees, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games Inc., 2009 HrnWorld

 THE WHITE STOAT INN 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE INN
REGULAR CLIENTELE
Ground Floor
[1] The White Stoats Common Room is a large and well lit room with
Setarn the Kuboran
The Stoats most exotic customer was
space for 10 customers to sit comfortably. Visitors will rarely, if ever, cause of a debate among the local
see it that busy and will probably wonder how the Stoat stays in guildsmen a year or two ago when he
business. During the night Jamys business associates sleep here near first entered the Stoats common room.
the fire or, if they wish to be more discrete, in the bunks in the attic. They felt it inappropriate that they should
The door to the small Snug Bar that occupies one corner of the share their local with a savage. Jamys,
Common Room is always open unless Jamys is in conference. however, was adamant. Setarns money
However it may as well be a locked castle gate as it is Jamyss was as good as theirs and he could drink
professional domain and none enter here without his express invitation. there any time he liked. Jamys is an
Whenever he is here there are two well-built young men present. They unlikely student of history and realises
spend their time playing dice but are always seated so they can see that a Kuboran friend might be very
useful if the tribes ever decided to come
what anyone talking to Jamys is doing. Both minders have stout clubs
south again.
and knives beneath their jerkins and will intervene if Jamys appears to
be in any physical danger. If necessary the entire inn staff will descend All the Stoats staff follow their masters
lead and are invariably polite to the
on anyone threatening Jamys. They all value their places here and
Kuboran. They will eject any commoner
have much to lose if anything happened to him. who is not equally civil.
[2] The kitchen is Merlas domain and during business hours both Absel Setarn values the respect he is offered at
and Daftar, the pot boys, will be coming and going here. At night they the Stoat and does not embarrass Jamys
bed down in the cots at the end of the kitchen, though in winter Merla if a customer of noble birth makes a fuss
allows them to drag their bedding in front of the fire. Absel wakes at about his presence; he merely finishes his
intervals through the night to stir the pottage. Daftar will not be here if drink and leaves quietly.
he has been sent out to employ his light-fingered talents. Rumours say that the Jamys and Setarn
[3] The Brewhouse shed is surprisingly solidly constructed and here, under share business interests. The Kuborans
income is sufficient for him to keep a
a well set flag-stone in the floor, Jamys keeps his ill-gotten gains.
house and servants in the style of a
There is also a smaller bag of portable wealth upstairs under his Rethemi gentleman.
mattress.
Lia Kavair Journeymen
First Floor The 4 usually present at the inn are no
[1] Jamys bedroom is much better appointed than might be expected of more than efficient muscle to protect
an innkeeper. There are several books on the table beside the window Jamys local interests. Across Hohanm-
in which glass has recently been fitted. This is a relatively new shire, though, are all manner of
innovation in Tormau and something the local guildsmen now aspire guildsmen from pick-pockets and
burglars to horse thieves and cheating
to. As in so many things they take their lead from Jamys. The well
gamblers. Markets in all the towns owing
made locked chests beside his bed contain the less valuable or more Jamys fealty are alive with apprentices
bulky items of Jamys wealth. At the end of the corridor beside Jamys taking a coin here, a basket of fruit there,
room is the chamber shared by Merla and Hugin. Her half is furthest and the product of any guildsman not
from the door and is neat and functional; his half is a chaos of clothes in sharp eyed enough to spot them coming.
need of mending and a clutter of parchment scraps on which he is They all owe Jamys allegiance and at
collecting brewing recipes for his master piece a book of Rethemi different times they all pass through the
ale and cider recipes. For a man who keeps a pristine inn the room is a bunks in the White Stoats attic when
surprise. It is almost as if he invests such care in his professional life they are too hot to stay in their homes.
that he has none left for the private. Hugin, Merla and the other staff know
exactly what goes on at the inn and know
The Attic many of the guildsmen as friends.
[1] This attic room is shared by Justi and Donara, though one of them is Equally many a journeyman has
usually to be found with Jamys. The bunks at the far end of the attic benefited from Merlas food and Hugins
serve as discrete quarters for his guildsmen when it is best they arent hospitality. Thats not to say these
disreputable characters would go too far
seen in the common room.
out on a limb for the staff of the Stoat but
enlightened self interest means they
would usually intervene if help was
needed.

HrnWorld A Rees, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games Inc., 2009

 THE WHITE STOAT INN 4
PLOT HOOKS
LIA-KAVAIR BUSINESS Visitors from the South
Jamys is the most senior Lia-Kavair guild master in Hohnamshire. He The Golothan Lia-Kavair have decided to
receives tribute from masters at Zaza and Ithius and directly controls guild send a representative to audit the
activities in Winen, Dasen and Quiso. Jamys doesnt begrudge this innkeepers business and ensure they are
independence of Ithiko as the town is known to offer poor pickings. getting an appropriate cut.
Relations with the other Rethemi masters is cordial and Jamys sends tribute Unfortunately Jamys has been a little
to the guild in Golotha as do the masters at Ithiko, Techen and Shostim. economical with the truth in his
description of his activities and his guild
The Warriors of Mameka have a very high minded view of the law and
fees have been lower than they should
apply it rigorously. When they arrived at Alesen a generation ago they
have been. He needs to make his
quickly identified anyone across Emesa Hundred they thought might have business, both above and below board,
Lia-Kavair connections and publicly executed them. A salted head was then look less profitable than it is and asks a
sent for display in every town across the shire. The gruesome gift arrived group of neer do wells to cause trouble
with a note addressed to the local representative of the Lia-Kavair know during the auditors visit. That will justify
your fate if you come to Emesa Hundred. the higher overheads Jamys has claimed
and save him an embarrassing, and
This dramatic demonstration has kept Jamys and, as far as he is aware,
potentially dangerous, admission.
any other Lia-Kavair master, well away from the fiefs of the Warriors until
Alternatively the Lia-Kavair are seeking
recently. However, last Summer, Vavryse Lynnaeus, Constable of Caer
bodyguards able to protect their auditor
Tormau suggested that Jamys send some associates north. Fortunately a
in his journey across the Hohnam Blight
year or two before Jamys had had to send some employees north when to Tormau.
they killed a visitor from clan Zarainsen of Golotha. He never expected to
see them again having told the Zarainsens hed had them killed. Now he Visitors from the North
has re-established communication with the Wonnist brothers and suggested The Warriors of Mameka have begun to
sense that the Earl of Tormau is better
they let hik know the lie of the land. In this way Earl Denyl has begun to
informed of their activities than they
receive increasingly well-informed news of the Warriors of Mameka and just thought. They have sought the aid of
how badly they suffered during their ill-fated expedition to Kustan in 718. their sponsoring order, the Masters of
Jamys is not entirely convinced that the Earl would be able to protect him if Steel who have dispatched one of their
the Warriors discovered his agents. feared inquisitors to Bedenes. There, in
This is not the first time that Vavryse Lynnaeus has used Jamys as an the disguise of a wandering minstrel, the
inquisitor has found a trail that leads him
effective cut-out when undertaking less than legal work on behalf of his
back to Tormau. He appears at the White
brother the Earl. In return Jamys enjoys a deal of latitude in his actions. He
Stoat seeking employment and uses this
regulates crime in the Earls holdings better then the castle garrison could, as an opportunity to find proof of Jamys
ensures his taxes are always on time; and includes a gift towards the spying in Emesa Hundred. Jamys knows
defence of the town each season. Of course no member of the Earls the Mamekans are on to him but doesnt
household is ever allowed to pay for anything at the Stoat. know which of the current visitors to
As criminals go Jamys is an honest crook and abides by the mutually Tormau he should fear.
beneficial arrangement he has established with the castle. He understands Alternatively the Warriors recruit
that if he were to take undue advantage of the Earls favour then he could be independent investigators to travel to
Tormau and find out who is supplying
swatted out of existence like an unwelcome bluebottle at a feast. This is
the Earl with information but this is
why the demands he makes of local tradesmen for protection are seen by all simply a ruse to distract attention from
parties as fair. Equally his squeezing of the beggar population is not so their own spy.
harsh as to discourage them from talking to him when he needs to hear
what they know. A Mission for a Friend
Vavryse Lynnaeus asks Jamys to recruit
Jamys knows that being master of the Lia-Kavair in Tormau is as good a a small group of enterprising individuals
life as he could have dreamed of when he was growing up in the slums of for a trip into the Peran wilderness. The
Golotha. He would do almost anything to make sure his peace and pay will be attractive and the job is
prosperity remains undisturbed. His only current worry is that the assuredly straightforward.
impending civil war will disrupt his rural idyll. If things get difficult he has a They may be seeking Kuboran allies for
fortune biried in the brew house and sufficient portable wealth closer ta the Earl; testing the loyalty of those he
hand for emergencies. With that he would make a dash for the anonymity of already has; or searching for a lost
Golotha and seek to live out his life in comfortable retirement. servant of the Earl.

A. Rees, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games Inc., 2009 HrnWorld

WHITE STOAT INN GM MAP

Ground Floor First Floor

(all surfaces stone) (all surfaces wood)

10

7
8
2 1

8
3

SCALE IN FEET
N
0 5 10 15 20

Roof Attic
(all surfaces wood)

1
8
WHITE STOAT INN COMMON MAP

Ground Floor First Floor

(all surfaces stone) (all surfaces wood)

10

7
8

SCALE IN FEET
N
0 5 10 15 20

Roof Attic
(all surfaces wood)