The Soused Bell
The Soused Bell began as a chandlery for the harbor's bell-founders, who cast warning bells for ships and the waterfront watch. When a fire ended the small foundry's work, its owners turned the surviving storehouse into a pub. The old bell still hangs above the door, dented and salt-stained, and a pull of its rope summons the keeper when the common room is too loud for a spoken order.
The Soused Bell
Overview
History
The Soused Bell began as a chandlery for the harbor's bell-founders, who cast warning bells for ships and the waterfront watch. When a fire ended the small foundry's work, its owners turned the surviving storehouse into a pub. The old bell still hangs above the door, dented and salt-stained, and a pull of its rope summons the keeper when the common room is too loud for a spoken order.
Quirks
The hanging bell gives a faint, uneven chime whenever the common-room door slams. Regulars tap their cups twice before drinking, claiming it keeps bad luck out of the ale. The keeper serves no food on a bare table: a scrap of sailcloth must first be laid down to catch crumbs.
Rooms and services6
- Common roomDining and gathering spaceA low-ceilinged common room with scarred oak tables, a broad hearth, and a floor of packed sand that soaks up rain and spilled ale.
- Lodging loftAccommodationFour plain rooms with straw mattresses and shutters that rattle in a hard wind. The keeper can secure a room for a night or longer.
- Stable yardAnimal careA fenced yard with two covered stalls, a trough, and hooks for wet tack. It is sized for a few riding animals, not a caravan.
- Song boardsEntertainmentA plank platform where dockhands and visiting musicians trade work songs, fiddle tunes, and news. Performers usually earn a meal and a few coppers.
- Crew lockersStorage serviceA small, lockable store room where regular ship crews can leave sealed chests overnight. The keeper records each deposit in a grease-stained ledger.
- Tide stepsDock accessA sheltered set of steps descends to the water, useful for tying up a skiff or taking on a passenger. It is not deep enough for a large vessel.
People
The keeper and 7 patronsKeeperHadi Human fighter, level 5
Net-mender and longtime localBorin A blunt, good-humored net-mender who remembers every boat that has used the quay and dislikes anyone who wastes food.
Harbor cargo clerkZsóka Peth A quick-counting cargo clerk with an offbeat laugh. She is friendly until someone asks about the contents of a particular shipment.
Ship's medicAdebayo A soft-spoken, observant deck medic who asks thoughtful questions and quietly intervenes when a quarrel is about to turn violent.
Retired coastal sailorPella Viro A retired sailor with a booming voice and a talent for turning ordinary mishaps into grand, improbable tales.
Traveling guard, around 4th levelGorren A wary half-orc caravan guard who speaks little, watches exits, and pays promptly for a meal and a room.
Acolyte of a local sea-facing faith, around 2nd levelEderik Fenn An earnest young tide-priest who worries over every superstition but is brave when someone is in real danger.
Salvage broker, around 5th levelMirel A sharp-eyed halfling fence who is charming in company and evasive whenever a conversation turns to recent salvage.
Keeper's Species
Human
Intrigue
What locals say
The Soused Bell sits on an ordinary working quay in a busy port, where fishing crews, ferrymen, and coastal traders share space with travelers. Its old bell is not magical, though locals swear it rings on its own before a storm. The story is likely the vibration of passing carts and heavy harbor wind, but sailors still glance up when the weather turns.
Plot hooks
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