Are you a busy GM? Does session prep take too long? Do you never have time to work on the cool little details that can bring your adventures to life? These focused lists give you, the time-crunched GM, the tools to effortlessly add verisimilitude and detail to your adventures.

You can download this material for free as a .pdf and .txt file by hitting the button at the bottom of this post. You do not need to give us your email or set up an account.

If you enjoy this article, sign up to the Sunday Supplement—our weekly newsletter—so you don’t miss any other free GM's Resources!

1: The Upmarket Inn

Billingbear Manor: Once owned by a wealthy noble family, this opulent manor was purchased by Laaus Rauma and converted into a luxurious inn with sufficient grounds and facilities to cater to any guest.
Headland Inn: This inn is well known for its fine fish dishes, usually caught by innkeeper Simo Hirvi, a keen angler. It’s rumoured that on a clear sunrise, the sea-view rooms boast the most impressive vista in the town.
The Sanctuary: Designed to provide a safe refuge for travelling high priests of all religions, this inn, run by the ex-cleric Sofia Ehtaro, has the strict policy of no religious debate or conflict on its grounds.
Thatcher’s Rock Inn: Built on a small island, this inn promises complete privacy, as well as the perfect base for a relaxing afternoon of fishing. A small ferry provides access, operated by the innkeeper, Joakim Ilakka.

2: Major Locale Features

This inn’s taproom boasts an enormous hearth; kept permanently ablaze, it bathes the chamber in a warm, flickering glow.
A well-kept garden behind the inn contains a smattering of polished oaken tables and chairs, sheltered from the elements by a large pavilion.
Spacious windows adorn every bedchamber, providing patrons with an abundance of natural light.
A timber balcony wraps around the first floor of the inn; each room features a door leading onto it, and several rocking chairs provide excellent views.

3: Minor Locale Features

The stout oaken door features a cast iron doorknocker forged in the likeness of a snarling dragon.
Behind the bar, a series of shelves display a wide array of high-quality spirits.
An ornate silver chandelier, its spindly arms casting strange shadows, hangs from the dining room ceiling.
The walls of this inn are crowded with a scattered assortment of paintings on all manner of subjects.

4: What’s Going On?

A well-dressed man clearly has a complaint about his stay, arguing loudly with the innkeeper, who’s doing their best to diffuse the situation.
The common room, crowded with fine figures, is filled with a raucous buzz; the inn is packed.
Stooped over a tub of soapy water, a middle-aged woman dressed in a maid’s outfit is busy washing dark crimson stains (wine) out of a fine silk bedsheet.
Tonight, the inn is hosting the head of a powerful noble family; hired guards stand at every entrance.

5: Other Folk

Henrikki Rasantaja (LN male human) rests after a wearisome day on the road. He and his wife, Ottiliana, are travelling to their second home to enjoy some well-earned time together, away from the stresses of making so much money.
Anton Tuuli (NG male human) takes his job as a stableboy seriously, although he wishes it paid more. Only sixteen, he’s taken on the burden of supporting his widowed mother and younger sister, but with his low wages, he struggles even to put food on the table.
Emmanuel Valtari (LN male human) stands by the bar, brandishing a bottle of his best wine. A local vintner, he’s trying to convince the innkeeper to stock his product and is offering free tastings to prove its quality.
Sandra Ihamuoto (CN female human) converses enthusiastically with the inn’s male patrons. Hailing from the lower-middle class, she hopes to win over one of the inn’s wealthier guests with her feminine charms.

6: What’s For Sale?

Slice of Pie (1 gp): Mrs Mielitty’s homemade beef pie is well-known as a delicious and filling meal.
Bottle of Fine, Aged Wine (25 gp): Produced in Valtari’s Vineyard and aged for ten years, this is one of the finest wines in the region.
Ogre’s Ruin (1 gp): Anyone trying to purchase this potent spirit is warned of its stomach-rending strength.
Glimmering Longsword (500 gp): Taken in lieu of payment from a previous guest who racked up an enormous tab, this longsword is reputed to be magical.

Credit

This is a short system-neutral extract from Urban Locale #19 Merchant’s Townhouse by Christopher Broadhurst. The book is available from DriveThruRPG and ragingswanpress.com.

Get the Free Download

Download this post by hitting the button below—you’ll get a zip file containing a lightweight one-page PDF and a superlight text file for your digital GM’s folder or virtual tabletop (VTT).

If you’ve found this resource useful, please let me know by leaving a comment. And also, leave a comment if you have a suggestion to make this kind of post better.

Download Now