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Tavern Profile: The Old Skull Inn By Brian Cortijo Illustrations by Jason Juta Cartography by Kyle Hunter Although the Twisted Tower of Ashaba is the undis- spreading of fires), as well as sell the occasional riding puted seat of power in Shadowdale, for the last or cart horse. century and a half the place of greatest influence in Despite the general calming of Shadowdale over the town has been the Old Skull. Also called the Old the last century, the Old Skull sees a fair amount of Skull Inn or simply the Skull, the inn serves as the traffic because it sits on a trade route through the not-so-secret gathering place of defenders of the dale, Dalelands. At three stories tall, the Old Skull is one enemies of the Zhentarim interlopers who sought to of the larger buildings in Shadowdale, and it is easily conquer the area, and bands of adventurers looking to recognized due to the light pouring from its taproom explore Cormanthor or venture into the Underdark. windows at night. It is a blocky structure, not lovely Locals use the Skull as their unofficial town hall, and or impressive to look at, but it stands against the wind the inn serves as a rumor mill for many outside the and rain, and that is all its customers ask. environs of Shadowdale as well as those within it. PEOPLE TO MEET LOCATION AND As the center of local life for Shadowdale, the Old DESCRIPTION Skull sees all manner of visitors. Like any inn or tavern, its taproom has regular patrons and core staff. Situated where the Shadowdale Trail meets the North Ride and named after the massive granite outcrop- ping in whose shadow it rests, the inn is a haven for The Staff adventurers, a center of social activity, and a fine The Old Skull is run by Ghessla Silvermane, her sons stop for travelers crossing the Dalelands in either Xurxo, Breigo, and Glaun, and the long-serving staff direction. Because the inn has good food, reasonable of the inn. prices, a good staff, and warm beds, many agree that Ghessla Silvermane: The owner of the Old Skull the inn is a quality establishment. looks older than forty-nine, her hair having turned a In addition to meals and lodging, the Old Skull shining silver-gray a full decade ago. She is interested offers to stable and shoe horses at its stables (which in her family’s welfare, the reputation and success of are separated from the main building to prevent her inn, the well-being of Shadowdale, and little else. TM & © 2012 Wizards of the Coast LLC. All rights reserved. April 2012 | DUNGEON 201 1 The Old Skull Inn Ghessla is well aware of the inn’s history as a haven and helps drunks get from their tables to their rooms and meals to eat. Dogsbreath has a habit of making for Shadowdale’s defenders against the Zhentarim, (if they have coin enough to cover the nightly cost), to up tales about dangers he has seen while wandering and she is proud of that history. The eldest Silvermane the stables (if they have some coin, but not enough for about the town during the day, but he can seldom be does her best to preserve the tradition of the Old Skull a room), or to the door (if they have no money left). trusted if he is attempting to swindle a better meal and its reputation as the beating heart of Shadowdale. The only time he speaks to patrons is when they have than the slop Thrad brings him for supper. She has been keeping a register of possible recruits failed to pay their bills. Halvar of the Dales: Gathering, selling, and cre- for the Harpers in the hope that the group will again Breigo Silvermane (Hostler and Blacksmith): ating rumors is the sacred duty of Halvar of the Dales. defend the Dales. The middle son of Ghessla’s brood is the shrewdest When he can’t find caravan guards or traveling mer- Glaun Silvermane (Cook): All of seventeen, of the bunch, and he has determined that he is better chants willing to share stories of other lands or new Ghessla’s youngest son is the head cook of the Old served minding the stables and the small forge than discoveries in nearby Cormanthor Forest, he manu- Skull’s kitchen, and he relishes his position. Happi- dealing directly with the running of the Old Skull. factures his own. More than once, Ghessla has had to est when standing at a roaring fire and wielding a He arrives in the taproom at dusk each day, watching defend his right to spin his tales, cautioning that fools freshly sharpened knife, Glaun is known for his abil- for arriving guests and offering to stable their horses, who pick up dropped coins should not complain that ity to turn even the least appealing picks of meat into or to feed their mounts if they will not be staying. they are false. something delicious. When not preparing an ordered Lestari (Barmaid): A girl of twenty, Lestari Sehir Vugar: Seven days out of every ten, this meal, Glaun is usually trying to figure out how to spends her hours at the inn serving drinks cheerfully slim, agreeable-looking man watches for adventur- get a usable cut of flesh from an animal hunted and with smiles galore. Although the whole staff is ers and other travelers from whom he can purchase and donated by one of the patrons, or practicing his protective of her, Thrad in particular watches over “interestingly acquired”—that is, stolen or tomb- knife-throwing. her and steps in to assist her as needed—but only at looted—goods. This fence does not make much coin, Xurxo Silvermane (Server): The eldest of the Lestari’s request. Otherwise, she handles overly flirta- but he does use his softly stated profession as a handy Silvermane boys, Xurxo is responsible for running tious patrons herself. cover for his true role in the dale: He is a Zhentarim the family’s farms north of the inn, and he spends his spy, gathering information on the town for the Black days supervising the hired hands. In the evenings, he The Regulars Network, which has long held Shadowdale as a carries meals to patrons until he grows tired, takes desired prize. Sehir knows of Ghessla’s hatred of the his supper, and heads to bed. Several folk make the Old Skull their primary gather- Zhentarim and is seeking a way of leaving the dale After enduring two seasons of attacks from the ing place, source of meals, or even home. before she learns of his affiliation. hills, he has lost most of his herd to unknown crea- Khara Sulwood: The great-granddaughter of the tures. Xurxo has struggled to maintain the supply former Lord of Shadowdale, Doust Sulwood, and for Glaun’s kitchen and is secretly supplementing his his wife (and fellow Knight of Myth Drannor), Islif stores with beef purchased from nearby farmers, who Lurelake, Khara spends many evenings at the Old Skull, watching its inhabitants for opportunities and ADVENTURES AT THE tease him mercilessly about the fine quality of the OLD SKULL stew meat. He has been trying to convince his friend allies that will help her prove her worth as a future Thrad that he should join him in the fields rather ruler of the dale. Khara does not make any indication Looking for some adventure around the Old Skull than serving at the inn, but thus far has had no suc- of her ambitions, preferring to discuss the history of Inn? Want to learn more about Khara Sulwood and cess. Xurxo hopes that Thrad will help him look into Shadowdale, the Twisted Tower, or the dale’s former the future of Shadowdale? Check out the upcom- ™ the disappearance of his livestock, but he keeps a drow rulers. ing season of D&D Encounters , Web of the Spider ™ sharp eye for adventuring bands that might be better Old Dogsbreath: A lifelong resident of Shadow- Queen , by Logan Bonner, starting May 16 at local equipped for the task. dale, Old Dogsbreath has earned his name due to gaming stores. For more information about where to Thrad (Server): Tall, broad-shouldered, and poor hygiene and advanced age. With few friends and find a D&D Encounters game, visit the D&D website. silent, Thrad carries trays and plates from the kitchen no means of supporting himself through work, he depends on Ghessla’s charity to have a place to sleep April 2012 | DUNGEON 201 2 The Old Skull Inn THINGS TO DO Rooms with an asterisk after their names will be she removes guests who stay longer than three nights closed during the renovations for the inn’s anniver- without bathing (whether they pay or not). As with most inns across Toril, the Old Skull depends sary. During that time, most available rooms will J. The Wizard’s Study* (11 sp): This room is on rumors, crowd-songs, and games of chance to be rented for 5 sp per night. The normal price for a lined with bookcases packed with tomes of general entertain its guests. Singers, musicians, and tale-tell- night’s use of a room (and sometimes also a price for a but rather mundane knowledge on a number sub- ers who visit the Skull can find that their meals and tenday) is given in parentheses after the room’s name. jects. Many books have pages torn from them. drinks cost far less, or become free, if they are willing A.

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