Never have a dull moment again in the taverns of your world.
We've all sat down in the tavern, only to not know where to go next. As GM we've accidentally described the blandest, most cookie-cutter fantasy drinking hole, and can't conjure up an NPC that does more than asking "what're ye havin'?" while everyone looks around, hoping for something to engage with. Well, that's why Mike Pisani and Colin Heffernan from Escape Plan Games join us in this episode to bring us techniques and tools to create more dynamic and inspiring taverns.
In The Strategy Stateroom, we cover five elements to include in all your taverns.
Theme the Tavern.
Starting with a unique premise helps the place come together, and gives you something to draw off as you create more.
Create three unique NPC's.
Coming up with at least three contrasting individuals that feel deeper than their job titles, that are created from your theme really helps bring the place to life.
Get Players Invested
Giving the party stakes in the tavern gives you something to play with, or, y'know, threaten. Letting players set up a stand to sell their adventuring loot from, or letting them literally invest in the tavern's success make the players lean in.
Create Entertainment Options
Providing interesting mini-games and events allows players to engage on their own agenda, and create fun where they want it.
Kick off the Adventure
The tavern exists to be the starting point, so you have to make it a great start!
Then we go to The Heroes Stage to Learn more about Colin and Mike, Escape Plan Games, and their newest supplement Tavern Tales Volume I. It's an incredibly rich and detailed body of work surrounding a tavern titled A Trip Away. It includes everything you could ever need and some things you didn't know you needed for your next pit stop. It has NPC's, adventures, magic items, tavern games, a full menu, and shady dealers, to name a few features.
Check out Escape Plan Games - eplangames.com
Follow them on Twitter @eplangames
As always, huge thanks to the support of our patrons for making this episode a reality.
Garr the Pirate, Time Warp, Nico Y., Zach G., No Ma'am, Michelle T., Hentenius, Alan E., Matthew T., Felix R., Chris F., The Senate, Lucas D., Lyla G., The GM Tim, Nevermour, Thomas W., Tyler G., Ty N., Heavyarms, Erik R, Aldrost, Leprecan, and Will H-P.