The brow of the large, bald man furrows, and his eyes focus sharply upon your face.
"You cause trouble, I break your skull," says the terse bouncer as you arrive at the doorstep of the Helm & Cloak Inn, with all smiles and with good spirit. Hearing these words, your feelings of excitement and anticipation, drop from your visage...
"Me just having laugh with you!", the tall and wide bruiser then says on cue, after seeing your facial reaction. The bouncer places his meaty hand upon your shoulder—it weighs about five stone....
"The glowfire wine flows and the barmaids are kind...just not talk too much with that Fist officer...when the casks are uncorked, that one can get a fair bit unruly! Get on inside you...your friends are waiting!"
The bouncer practically pushes you through the door, and you arrive in the bustling tavern room. Knights of the Unicorn, a few Flaming Fist soldiers off duty, a mysterious old man and many high born are scattered within the large hall.
A barmaid catches your eye and gives you a nod, then looks to either a chair or stool. "Help ye self, or stand if ye will...and if ye be still grimy from the road, the wash room is at the back." She has a fair face, and her general good countenance puts you at ease....
Now, what should I order, you ask yourself?
Provender
The Helm's cuisine is served in generous platters suitable for several ordinary people. Dishes such as fried onion-and-spiced-tubers, candied meats, jellied eels, fresh fish in hot lemon sauce, and glazed and stuffed fowl are representative of the menu at large. Most dishes are cooked in wine.
The inn’s wine cellar is vast, both in variety and in quantity. The Knights of the Unicorn have a particular taste for Saerloonian glowfire wine, and often purchase several barrels of an evening. The contents of the cellar are only sold to non-residents in smaller quantities. Also available are a mediocre variety of mead and cinnamon-spiced milk (hot or cold). No beer or hard liquor of any sort are sold on the premises, in order to prevent a tavern-like atmosphere from arising in the establishment.
Prices
- Mead and milk are 5cp/glass.
Wine is 3gp/tallglass, 10gp/greatgoblet (about 1 bottle), or 25gp/hand cask.
All platters of food are 10gp/ea.
Rooms range from 17-25gp/night, depending on size and location.
Stabling costs an extra 3gp/night/animal (the Helm is noted for providing the finest-quality hostlery).
The staff of the Helm are courteous, welcoming, and swift in their duties. The inn is renowned for its excellent service, especially little touches such as a warmed robe and slippers delivered to one’s room upon waking.
Services include hot baths, clothes-mending, dressing assistance, and as much mint water in-room as desired. All services except for stabling and food are inclusive in the room fee.
Although noted for their courtesy and thoughtfulness, it should be noted that the staff of the Helm and Cloak will not tolerate rudeness, disruptive behavior, and especially violence. On the rare occasions when an unruly visitor refuses to quiet down, she or he is swiftly and forcefully ejected from the establishment. The inn's owners are also said to have close ties to the Flaming Fist mercenary company.
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The establishment is widely considered one of the safest in the city.
.The establishment is widely considered one of the safest in the city.
