Guest
Guest
Guest Information Register
Highwayman Howff
Groups Index

Summary
A waystation for transient souls, the Howff will board anyone with means to pay — be it with jewels, vittles, or labor. A veritable font of information, it's a good spot to find work... and if you need to beat some heat, not a bad place to disappear into a well of conflicting rumours, either.
Current Event
4/15/26 - Mythris is saved! Those who answered the call have been scattered and the Howff takes many wounded.
3/22/26 - Jakten comes for a visit!
3/5/26 - Property values plummet as the Moving Isle starts glassing the countryside...
Territory
Spirited Highlands
» Verdigris Row

Founder(s)
Roster

Leader(s)
Lyra (Myna) (Captain)
Mal (Boss)

Faction includes mature themes & is led by a 3-3-3 character
[Image: 9e65c3cc025f4bf593b0863018a4f2d759f28f2c.pnj]

Highwayman Howff

Verdigris Row
..:: Inspirations ::..
TTRPG/Fantasy Tavern Tropes · Pirates · Highwaymen · Celtic Mythology
· Discord Channel ·

(#3C3935)

What's this all about, eh?

  • An inn for travelers to rest, recover, and revel! Rovers can get the perks of being a member without living here full-time.
  • A hub of rumours and folks who 'know a guy' (or are a guy), where you can hire entertainers, muscle, thieves, spies, whores, & more.
  • Bounty hunting with special marks that pay out IC rewards.
  • Treasure hunting (or stealing!)
  • Fae folk wandering about, who are left offerings for protection.
  • A bunch of feral kids running amok in the inn.

(#3C3935)

[Image: 2b85e4ebe232f180af4e3abf46958941ba95f326.pnj]

Overview

Hail ye wanderers, rogues, and ne'er do wells — do your feet grow weary? Your throat dry? We’re a miserable lot, but there’s no sense being lonely! Follow the coast and you’ll find her sooner or later, Highwayman Howff is open for business!

A waystation for drifting souls and industrious traders, the Howff will board anyone with means to pay — whether that be with gems and jewels, fresh food or drink for the larder, or time and labor. Transient visitors are free to enjoy the Howff as merely a rambunctious rest stop. There's soft beds, good(ish) music, games, and dance. Or if your distractions are more vice-like, a variety of recreational substances can grant you relief. The lonely can even find "companionship."

Aye, on the surface, it's your typical tavern. But there's more to this Howff than meets the eye.

Runaways, pharaohs, fugitives, adventurers, traders — folk from all across Mythris might find their way to the door, and that makes it a veritable font of information. If you’re looking for someone, or something, the Howff is the best place to start. If you want a calling, and have a burning need to make a name for yourself, then someone here can probably point you in the right direction. And if you need to beat some heat, it’s not a bad place to disappear into a well of conflicting rumours, either...

Ask the inkeep and they’ll tell you the name is just a play on words. But that’s not strictly true. Lyra and Mal run a crew of mercenaries out of their tavern — happy to serve in a variety of above board roles when the pay is good… or take what pleases them when it’s not. Discreetly, of course. While they’re not likely to boast of their less-admirable exploits, the right word in the right ear could open certain doors.

But Travelers take heed, the inn sits on ground beloved by fair folk. Tread with respect, and neglect not your manners when speaking to the fae!
[Image: a883127986e677267938f334540660d377d9dd5d.pnj]

Howff Rules

Respect the Howff
Mal and Lyra are not to be disrespected.
(They can only disrespect each other.)
Their kids aren’t to be harmed or threatened. If you have complaints, you can make them directly to mom or pop.

Respect the Fae
It was their land, first.
Bargains with faeries must be kept.
It’s polite to offer a small portion of your vittles & earnings to the local fae.

If you pay, you can stay
No questions asked.
The Howff keeps its secrets, price of doing so weighed against the value of said secrets.
If you break it, you buy it.

Pay your tab
You’ll be made to, one way or another. Repeated walk-outs might not get to be walk-ins, in the future. Or walk-anywheres.

A deals a deal
(Unless a better deal comes along.)

Loose lips sink ships
Under the table jobs need to stay under the table.
Folk with the gift of gab and a deficit in discretion are liable to find themselves missing a tongue.

No dirty jobs involving children
Mal won’t tolerate the kidnapping, killing, or otherwise exploiting of pups and pregnant mothers.
[Image: 2b951851da09ecd3f1a5a701c06150e91ffcb49e.pnj]

Contracts


The Howff is happy to offer a wide variety of services to anyone, faction or individual, that can afford them.
Feel free to DM Calico if you'd like to plot something out, or just show up at the inn IC with an offer!
[Image: Masochist.png]


Got a fella you just can’t stand? They skimped on a deal, broke their oath, stole your girl, invaded your territory, or, hey, maybe they just chew way too loud?

Bring your grievance to the Howff, and put up a bounty. If Freelancers like what you’re offering, they’ll help you find ‘em, bring ‘em in, or give ‘em what they’ve got coming.

(Well… assuming said Bounty couldn’t make the Howff a better offer, anyway.)
[Image: warrior_hitman.png]


Sometimes the Howff gets wind of a particularly high-profile target, and throws its own bounty into the pot to have it dealt with.

These range from RNG ‘scavenger hunts’ to tracking hidden treasures to battles with a character brought in just to be a bounty target. Bring them in for Howff credit, loot, or maybe even a chance to adopt the character into your own roster!

[Image: misc_escort.png]


Ok, so you have a wedding, or a big important diplomatic meeting coming up. You need entertainers! You need information!

The Howff can provide you with bards to sing, dance, or do magic tricks. Maybe even cleverly insult your rivals.

If you’re looking for more lusty forms of persuasion, Lords and Ladies of the Evening can provide more… carnal approaches to the task. Or just pretend to date you, so you don’t look like a total loser in front of the other guys.

Both can be prevailed upon as spies, too, weasling into places and hearts to gather information you pay them for.
[Image: ranger_cartographer.png]


Looking for a bauble? A rare pelt, some old-Mythris jewelry, exotic plants, or a really cool looking rock? Freelancers can be tasked with tracking down these monuments to wealth, curiosity, or love!

It’s advised to be very specific about the terms and potential division of loot on such expeditions! And bring a good haggler with you to collect.

Cursed objects cost extra.

[Image: warrior_warlord.png]


Maybe you’re involved in the headache of an inheritance dispute, or loners keep raiding your trade routes with the neighbors. A bear is eating all your salmon. If you need some extra muscle to reinforce your territory and protect what’s yours, the Howff can provide.

They probably won’t send the same people who were robbing you to do the guarding.
[Image: heartbreaker.png]


Highwayman Howff is a legitimate business! But if you’re looking for discreet help that isn’t overly concerned with things like karma and political scandal… well, they might know a gal or two.

Prepare to pay a premium for anything like royal assassinations, stealing crown jewels, or providing ‘test subjects’ for your ‘science experiments.’
(#692530)

(#8E3B35)

(#BE4A3E)

[Image: 61f84dd3d5b5f28f1f2ab4c299c0fa5bbc3187f8.pnj]

Innfolk


Permanent residents of the inn might be few, but any traveller worth their salt will want to have some association with the Howff, and will return to defend it if needed. There’s always something to do at the tavern, and a place for hardworking hands.
"CAPTAIN // BOSS"
Leadership of the Howff is split evenly between Lyra, the Captain, and Mal, the Boss. An insult to one is an insult to the other, and they make any major decisions about high profile jobs or enforcement of law in the Howff as a team. While they can be friendly, fun company, and aren't afraid to get their own paws dirty — they expect obedience and respect. Woe betide anyone who thinks to test the authority of Captain or Boss.
So Named: Lyra (Myna) Mal
"CAPTAIN'S KIDS"
Lyra and Mal's children enjoy a seat of particular privilege. The Howff was created at all primarily to give the whelps protection and security growing up. While the Howff's standards of benevolence aren't exactly modern, these pups have vengeful parent's looking out for them. Attempting to in any way harm, or even discipline the Captain's kids without her say so, is a good way to get kicked out of the Howff. If they're getting underfoot, tell the parents, and let them handle it. For your own longevity.

So Named: Lonán Newt Frog Toad
"WAYFARER // TAISTEALAÍ"
The general term for visitors to the inn, whether it be folk staying long term, or only for a night or two. They may be traders, travelers, or curious explorers.
So Named: Benji Sarge  
"BUACHAILL TÁBHAIRNE (M) // CAILÍN TÁBHAIRNE (F) // DUINE TÁBHAIRNE (N)"
An inn’s no good without food and drink. Tavernkeepers  acquire ingredients through trade, hunting, or even thieving, and prepare meals and spirits for feasting upon. They ought to be good conversationalists…. or at least, interesting conversationalists. The first in line to assess new arrivals, they also need to be keen-eyed, discreet, and have a good memory for faces and rumours.

So Named: Taloka  
"FREELANCER // DÍOLÚNACH"
Freelancers, adventurers, and other folk looking to ply a trade. Some stay at the tavern between jobs and may even help out as guards or bouncers. Others just stop by now and then to catch up on the going’s-on. Each will have their own reputation and style. Some may achieve such legendary renown as to be asked for by name on certain jobs. Those with the most diverse sets of skills will have the most flexibility. Whether their motives are pure-hearted or purely selfish, here is the place to come to find fitting work.

So Named: Caspian Citalá  
"BARD"
Performers and storytellers, who keep the place lively. They also spread word of the Howff to interested parties and collect rumours. Many are talented freelancers or lifelong wanderers themselves, and can spin tales of derring-do to inspire all that hear it. But take care — get on the bad side of a bard, and the songs they sing about you might not be so glamorous…

So Named: Jaskier  
"LORDS & LADIES OF THE EVENING"
Some folk come to the tavern lonely or restless, and it’s the talent of a whore to coax them into better states of mind. Those set up at the Howff split earnings with the inn and are expected to make enough to cover the room they keep — but otherwise have free reign to choose their clients and set their own limits. They may be finders and keepers of valuable information, coaxed from blissful lips after nights of passion.

So Named: Maggie Rivers
"WISE FOLK // LIA"
Folk trained in the art of healing or the appeasing of spirits are valuable for their wisdom, and a welcome sight at the Howff. For dispersals and drifters, access to this kind of help might be hard to find, and having a place to go to reliably find it is a great boon.

So Named: Mir Velyre   Elaine
"AES SÍDHE // FOLK OF THE MOUNDS"
Fae folk who live in Verdigris Row without taking on any other profession at the inn. Though they coexist in relative peace, they’re not strictly beholden to the rules of the inn outside its doors, and might have all manner of motives or interests. Travelers take caution when meeting alluring strangers out in the wilderness! Fae can make for lively company, powerful protectors, or terrible foes.

So Named: Will-o'-Wisp Grim Kobold Lichen Selkie Wendigo Diver  
[Image: 0f8e08c5f2924e9c2b71ef9815720ef55e406f23.pnj]

Games & Gambling


"Fight Night
(We don't talk about fight night)

Roughly every fortnight (or when the mood strikes enough folk), Howff hosts a Fight Night. They're good ways to blow off steam and get a gambling fix in. Impromptu matches may be prompted by leadership if a dispute between folk (such as over a whore, or an offensive bardic snipe) escalates at the bar — making for an easy way to resolve questions of thievely honour and profit off of other's poor manners.

At the start of a typical Fight Night, a ring of onlookers forms in the center of the inn or the front yard, an honorary referee is appointed, bets are taken, and opponents square up.

The referee's job is mainly to ensure no one kills anyone else; fighters can establish baseline rules ranging from simple wrestling to permissions to maim and scar... though these rules may get thrown out the window along with your opponent once the blood gets pumping.

The ring is meant to keep the fighters in a set arena. It is considered particularly exciting when fights spill out of the ring.

Some Nights are simple streams of 1v1s, others evolve into tiered ranked matches, and still some end up battles of endurance — a focal challenger attempting to stay victorious in the ring against a slew of consecutive matchups.
"Knucklebones
Talus bones cleaned from prey (usually sheep, goats, or deer) can be used as dice in fast-paced betting games. The shape of these bones makes each side distinct, essentially creating a four-sided dice. Each side has a name: Partridge, Convex, Concave, Dog

Betting pots are filled with coins (or whatever the players are accepting as currency: gems, feathers, morsels, doing someone's chores, taking shots, etc)

There are several different ways to play!
FOUR OF A KIND
(Chance, Simple)

To make a play, four knucklebones are shaken and tossed. Any time a Dog side is rolled, a coin is added to the pot. A set of four all facing the same way, in any configuration, will win the entire pot.

(Watch a video tutorial here!)
CAPTAIN'S BONES
(Chance, Complex)

To make a play, four knucklebones are shaken and tossed. Each side is worth a different number of points. The configuration each roll falls in determine how much goes into the pot. May go on for 5-25 rounds. Whoever has the most total points at the end takes the pot.

Partridge - 6 points (12% chance)
Convex - 4 points (38% chance)
Concave - 3 points (38% chance)
Dog - 1 points (12% chance)

Tailwind:
Partridge, Convex, Concave, & Dog
(Put nothing in the pot)

Clear Skies:
1-3 Partridges
(Put one coin in the pot)
Headwind:
Matching Set of Four (except Dog)
(Put two coins in the pot)

Stormy Seas:
Four Dogs
(Put 3 coins in the pot)
CATCH THE TALUS
(Dexterity, Simple)

Each contender gets five throws where they toss four bones high into the air, and catch them again in their mouth. Any they don't catch must remain on the ground for the rest of their turn. The turn ends if all their bones end up on the floor, they stumble badly, or run out of tosses. The winner catches the most bones on their turn. Primarily a game of skill, but can be bet upon as well.
WOLFJACKS
(Dexterity, Complex)

The goal is to 'capture' at least 40 bones. Ten knucklebones at a time are scattered across a space, usually a circle scratched out in the dirt. Another bone is thrown up in the air, and as it falls, the contender must fit as many scattered bones into their mouth as they can before also catching the falling bone. If they do not catch the falling bone, they get no points for that turn. If they do catch it, they can tally all picked up bones to their total. Contenders take turns until someone wins by capturing a total of 40.

Swallowing any knucklebones is considered an immediate forfeit to victory.
"Floorshows

While Bardic entertainment is a fairly nightly occurrence, it's common for the Howff to host Floorshows, especially for pre-planned revelries when entertaining high-profile guests. Participants tend to be Bards, but all are welcome to sign on and show off. They will compose and practice their best entertainment gigs for the crowd, who will be equipped with sour fruit and stale chunks of meat in addition to whatever valuables they see fit to purse.

Acts then compete for the most accolades (and fewest tossed rottery.) Skilled performers may be showered in valuables and adoration. Flops, or the vaguely irritating, will be pelted in rotten plant goo and mouldy fish. Generally one is allowed to stay in the running for as long as their nose can stand it, but the ones who refuse to admit an inescapable defeat will eventually be thrown off the "stage" by force.

Floorshows can be competitive, and it's common for participants to end up taking turns with different acts of song, dance, and acrobatic acuity, trying to outperform the other. Evenly matched frontrunners can keep a Floorshow going for hours until they are reduced to improvisation, their battles as fierce and engaging as a gladiatorial ring. Occasionally, Floorshow devolves into Fight Night.
POLITICS
The Howff is pleased to maintain working relationships with any faction or dispersal who has means to pay them. Any notable sentiments are listed here:
Camhanaich

Trade Alliance
Both packs exchange furs, herbs, meat, and fruit. Camhanaich provides the Howff with various plant-based substances skillfully prepared for recreational use.
Satriya

Caution, Potential Mark
Wealthy but dangerous, watch their trade caravans closely. Lyra and Mal previously attempted a raid. Pharaoh Khaemwaset and handmaiden Sitamun were wounded in the attack. Though the highwaymen escaped capture and do not boast about the tobbery, Lyra would be easy to recognize by anyone familiar with the crime.


Charts & Maps


Territory Map
Interactive! Click on points of interest to pull up their descriptions!
Howff Floorplan
When possible, it is generally preferred to remain vague regarding which room you are staying in. It can be assumed the Howff always has enough rooms for the amount of boarders, UNLESS "there was only one bed" would be funnier.

[Image: 115217423_nlTm6fVaTE2oHFl.png?1776842446]