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+--- Thread: The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] (/showthread.php?tid=21100)
The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] - Gegenji - 12-13-2017
Stout Barrel was a Hellsguard with a dream.
Fathered by one of his tribe's greatest warriors, this broad-chested man was expected to take up a similar mantle. However, Nymeia spins bizarre threads of fate indeed, and Stout's was wrapped around a bar stool rather than the shaft of an axe. From a young age, it was quickly made clear that he didn't revel in the battle so much as the retelling of it afterward - oft done over a frosty mug of some alcoholic beverage. He desired to run and maintain such a boisterous and friendly space, letting the war-torn unwind and regale over food and drink.
And so, when he left his tribe to find a place for himself - as Hellguard often did - his wanderings took him from one tavern to the next. First as a mere bus boy or muscle, then as a server, and finally earning his position behind the bar crafting the delectables that would nourish his clientele. But even that wasn't enough for Stout, for his aspirations lay still higher than that - he sought to own a place of his own. Not just that, but one that anyone could visit at anytime to partake in stories and spirits.
And therein lied the problem: location. Where could Stout set his tavern that would ensure that the most people could come enjoy the atmosphere he sought to create, where the most stories could be spun amongst friend and food? The busy and bustling Ul'dah? The raucous and rowdy Limsa Lominsa? Perhaps somewhere out on the frontier where storied men and women oft traveled?
Each had their draws, yet each also had their drawbacks. And not a one seemed to wholly encapsulate the dream that burned deep within him. And so he continued his travels, visiting each tavern and bar across Eorzea. Gaining more skill and knowledge as he searched for that one spark that would inspire him and set his burning desire ablaze.
And then he found it, while part-timing at the Airship Lounge in Ul'dah. He overheard a pair of merchants talking about retiring their old airship and picking up a newer model, now that airship travel was becoming far more prevalent and - with it - a decrease in ship prices. And the final piece fell into place for old Stout, bringing the image of his vision into sharp clarity. His tavern - his magnum opus - was to be Hydaelyn's first airborne tavern.
He had to scrape and save and work many different shifts at different dives to save up the gil, oftentimes running on a couple bells of sleep between them. All the while, he spoke wistfully of his dream to all who would ask why he worked himself so hard. Some were sympathetic, some intrigued, and a few others were dismissive and abrasive. One such patron even went so far as to state that he'd believe such a thing would work "when pigs fly."
But at the end of it all - after all the long days and sleepless nights - Stout finally acquired his ship. An old cargo vessel that had been set for decommissioning - slow, clunky, but with space enough for his tavern and all that would go with it. Its outdated ceruleum tanks and engine meant it couldn't travel vast distances very efficiently either, but Stout planned to make stops enough that it was a non-issue. In his eyes, this old bird was perfect - ready to be born again into its new form. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
And, as word spread that the Hellsguard was to finally launch his flying establishment, a few eager folk stepped forward to help man it. Some were those he had worked with before, others merely those who had heard of his dream as he poured them a drink. Yet others were those who had only now heard of the Hellsguard and his outlandish dream, but came nonetheless. Stout's ambitions - and his passion - had touched their souls, igniting a similar spark deep within them as well.
And so, in front of an intrigued crowd at the very airship lounge where his dream finally came into focus, the Winged Boar Tavern launched for the very first time. Its maiden voyage marked by the breaking of a fine bottle of wine that Stout had held onto ever since that fateful day he overheard those two merchants, with a second uncorked to celebrate with all who would join them aboard. And as the swine-shaped figurehead pierced through the clouds and heralded their coming, the Hellsguard could only smile.
When pigs fly indeed.
~*~
OOC Stuff:
It's been a long while since we've had a good ol' tavern RP thread here on the RPC... and the idea of a flying tavern has been stuck in my mind ever since I had the goofy idea to try and "flesh out" the sadly underutilized IC Tavern RPC chat room. So here it is, a place where anyone - regardless of where they are in Eorzea (and what server their characters might actually be on) can interact!
The only staff member I really figured out was Stout himself, so the rest of the crew is basically free for you guys to shape and play with as you will. Maybe if this catches on and gets enough use, some staff my coalesce into consistent NPCs that can get added into the crew "roster." We'll just have to see how it goes.
To start, I'll give a rough summary of Stout himself - a sort of NPC blurb like you'd find in a PnP campaign book:
RE: The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] - Kieron Lohengrin - 12-13-2017
"The Winged... what's this, then?"
"Something for you to do before you magically vanish back overseas." Calernyn glanced over at his brother, watching the older man tilt his head at the flyer. "I know we can't convince you to stay and finally put some roots down. But you can at least slow down a bit and take it easy for another day or two, right? No grand Garlean scheme or Voidsent apocalypse to foil this week, surely."
Schezar rubbed his chin. "A flyin' tavern. Almost sounds like a Syndicate thing." The Highlander glanced back at his younger brother, the picture of domestic fatherhood as they relaxed at Vina's bedside. His niece was tucked in, fast asleep and hugging on tightly to the miqo'te doll he'd gifted her for Starlight. They continued to chat in mild, hushed tones. "You're right, Rabanastre can wait. And if they have a decent lager on board, I'll send word. Maybe even bring th' kids next time. Thanks, little man."
"Any time, big brother."
* * * * *
That was several days ago. Now, after the traditional bottle smash across the ship's bow, the inaugural crowd chattered excitedly amongst themselves as they filed aboard.
Schezar took his time more slowly, glancing around and taking note of the tavern's older, weathered design. The aged cargo vessel was certainly reminiscent of a stubborn, irascible boar, but she also looked sturdy enough to fly. He was vaguely reminded of his Redbill friends, soaring freely through the skies, malms away in the Sea of Clouds.
With a chuckle, he accepted a small shot glass of the celebratory wine being poured out by one of the wait staff, though he fully intended to follow it up with a proper pint as soon as he reached the bar. "Cheers. Any idea where today's route is takin' us?"
RE: The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] - Gegenji - 12-13-2017
(12-13-2017, 11:03 AM)Kieron Lohengrin Wrote: With a chuckle, he accepted a small shot glass of the celebratory wine being poured out by one of the wait staff, though he fully intended to follow it up with a proper pint as soon as he reached the bar. "Cheers. Any idea where today's route is takin' us?"
The wait staff, just as excited about the inaugural trip as anyone else, was more than happy to answer Schezar's question.
"Well, it's the first time out for the Boar," he explained, raising his voice so that any other customers who might have similar questions could also have their curiosity whetted. "So, the current plan is to do a circle of the great city-states that make up our fine Eorzea! First stop, the glorious greenery of Gridania, then we'll circle north to the snowy spires of Ishgard! After that we'll make our way to the lovely..." He paused for a bit, his impromptu decision to alliterate failing him here. "... the wondrous waters and waves of Limsa Lominsa, before returning back here. We expect it to be a full day affair, but you are all - of course - free to come and go as we reach each stop."
He pauses again with a thought.
"Of course, that's just for this flight. We may change it up down the road - the Boss seems keen to add Ala Mhigo to the list of destinations at some point. But, we will make sure we let everyone know so that everyone can have a chance to come enjoy themselves here on the Winged Boar."
He finishes with a flourished bow and a grin.
"For now, though, enjoy the celebratory wine and... should that not be enough to whet your whistle, the Boss himself is manning the bar to make sure everyone's first time with us is a pleasant one."
RE: The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] - Kieron Lohengrin - 12-14-2017
"Your boss certainly sounds like th' enterprisin' sort. Reckon I'll go pick his brain a bit 'til we get to Gridania." Setting his wine cup back upon the serving tray with a jaunty nod to the friendly waiter, Schezar ambled along the edges of the crowd, eventually ending up at the bar.
There, he tapped a fingertip upon one of the menu pages, briefly considering the porter selection as the airship's owner chatted with other guests, who appeared to be Ul'dahn elites. Once the towering Hellsguard stood back, seemingly satisfied during a quieter moment, Schezar leaned forward on the bartop. The adventurer laced his fingers together in his own relaxed, informal stance.
"Stout Barrel, right? Quite a setup you've got here. Must've taken a while to save up for."
RE: The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] - Gegenji - 12-14-2017
(12-14-2017, 05:28 AM)Kieron Lohengrin Wrote: "Stout Barrel, right? Quite a setup you've got here. Must've taken a while to save up for."
"Just a wee bit," Stout responded, holding up his thumb and forefinger exaggeratedly close together before bursting into laughter. "Still, what's important is that it's here now. A tavern where people from all over can meet up and swap stories over a drink." He motions grandly towards the tavern room - and to a degree the ship as a whole. The fruit of his endeavors. "My dream has taken flight - kinda poetic, really. But enough blabbing about that."
He leans forward on the bar with a grin, the wood creaking a bit under his weight.
"What can I get for ya?"
RE: The Winged Boar [Open Tavern RP] - Kieron Lohengrin - 12-14-2017
The Highlander nodded at the jolly roegadyn. "Schez, by the by. And summat dark will do. A pint of th' Bentbranch porter, please and thanks." Glancing over for a moment at the festive crowd while the drink was poured out, he then looked back again at Stout Barrel as his beer arrived.
![[Image: ZUdu55Q.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/ZUdu55Q.jpg)
After paying with a pair of coins from his gil pouch, Schezar raised the foamy mug in a toast. "One more new captain for th' open sky. To you, your crew, and your new tub. Long may ye all fly free." The adventurer took a long, deep swig, licking his lips appreciatively as he continued to relax against the bartop.