Skullock Tavern (Social, leads on to an actual RPG)

[AntaeusFishman]

Lightning flashes, once then twice illuminating the land. The rains begin to pour and like any wise traveler you have to seek shelter within this godforsaken moor. Over a small rise in the middle of the moor sits a crossroads. At this crossroads there is a sign. It points in all four compass directions, to the south the route you came from the ageing wood reads Karnstien 100M to the east it says Hustings 50M and under it Krems 100M to the north it reads The Holdfast of Meridan150M and under that Snaketooth Pass - beware the Claw Vipers 50M and finally to the west though you can barely read it Shattuck 25M and finally hastily pinned a scarp of parchment much faded and weatherworn reads The Skullock Tavern 1/10th of a M as you read the parchment flutters and is born away by the winds which howl around you, you set off to the east distrusting the parchment but by some trick you pass another sign reading The Skullock Tavern a small path trails away and in the distance you see a light. Not just any light but the warm glow of torchlight. You grimace and head down the trail.

You look in shock at the tavern when you reach it. The entire tavern is constructed of bone, but also the tavern is the size of a small palace, above the door a dragon’s neck and skull arch out and the doors themselves are made of the shins of unwitting giants. The doorframe is made of skulls both human and goblin, a voice calls out to you. A dry voice devoid of any emotion, "Enter friend for this is the only place that shelter will find you. For the Gods themselves have abandoned the world on this night. For this is Granshom look above you, the moon is strangely coloured tonight? No." You look up unwillingly and the moon itself is above you. The moon is blood red and it glows and sends out an unearthly light. The voice speaks again "Enter, do not be afraid the tavern lives up to its name, it is made of bone. Unbreakable bones yes held together by Necromancy but it is the only place you will find shelter to live out this night." Are you shocked? Or unsurprised? Whatever you feel you decide to take a step away from this tavern before the voice again calls out "Quickly, if you value your soul in its fullness enter! I shall only take a little part of it, or maybe none at all but what approaches shall have it all!" You turn away and hear the screaming of something, it sounds like the demonic mix of a woman and a horse you hear the pounding of hooves coming towards you, closer and closer and louder and then you begin to see the shape of the demon. All courage you may have fails you and you bolt within the tavern.

Inside a ghost sits just behind the doors and speaks "So you did wish to enter after all? I am Kranswich, owner of this tavern, the Skullock Tavern; you may stay as long as you wish. But I shall brook no violence or disruption, the Skullock Tavern is a place of unwitting sanctuary, come I shall show you to the bar." For some reason you cannot help but follow the ghost, who to you looks like a skeleton with a gray robe like garment hanging from his bones, his eyes glow azure to you and you follow through a short passageway into the bar which is kept by a horned demons skeleton. You look round; it seems entirely staffed by the undead though some living creatures are also within.

Curious though it seems a patch of dirt lowered into the floor rests against one wall and a strange clock of bone and gut ticks idly by beside it. A set of stairs leading both up and down into an inky blackness are set across from this bare patch, shaking your head you are sure you hear the sorrowful calls of a lute being strummed near them.

Enjoy your stay within the Skullock Tavern, and beware your soul may be at risk.