The Sign of the Ourobouros

Due to technical difficulties and real-life business, my work on this blog--and especially on the space fantasy material for it--has been delayed. Now I'm getting back to it, however.

-Nate

3. The Sign of the Ourobouros

While the elemental obelisk is the source of life on this worldlet, the center of activity is this tavern and inn known as the Sign of the Ourobouros. This tavern and inn is the place for gathering to share food and drink, and thus also a hub for speculating about voyages, hiring crew members and the like. A shingle hanging out front is adorned with the image of a serpent biting its own tail, which the proprietor says represents the beginning and ending of a successful voyage.

Most patrons assume that the proprietor is a human, and he is happy to let them make that assumption. In truth, however, Kane Prentiss is a serpent person, as are his followers; they simply take on human forms in order to make things more comfortable for said visitors. What is more, they can change their forms (becoming dwarves, halflings, elves, humanoids, etc.) as needed.

The Sign of the Ourobouros

Refer to the appropriate map for the following area descriptions.

1. Common Room

This broad, open area is filled with tables and chairs. Depending on the time of day, it is also filled with noisy patrons sharing food and drinks. There is a bar with numerous stools along one wall, and two stairways lead to the upper level just inside the front door. One door, behind the bar, provides access to the kitchen, while two others provide access to the private rooms (see below).

2. Kitchen

The kitchen is dominated by a broad hearth with a chimney, along with a preparation table, cabinets, water barrels and wash basins. There's always a strong smell of roasting meet and simmering stew, and the ceiling and walls are festooned with pots, pans and other cooking implements.

3. Pantry

A truly impressive amount of food is stockpiled here: fresh and salted meats, fruits and vegetables, beans, flour, oils, beer and wine, etc. Should someone ever lay siege to the asteroid colony, it could hold out for some time.

4. Private Rooms

Each of these rooms boasts a large table with eight chairs. Visitors who wish to conduct important (and discreet) business reserve one of them; usually there is no more demand than can be handled with the two of them.

5. Hallways

The front stairways lead up to the sleeping area; there are two parallel hallways, each line with rooms.

6. Typical Sleeping Rooms

These rooms are furnished with comfortable beds, wardrobes and sea chests.

7. Larger Sleeping Rooms

Each of these rooms has an extra bed, in addition to the furnishings provided in the smaller rooms.

The Staff

Stats for the tavern and inn's staff are presented here.

Kane Prentiss, Proprietor at the Sign of the Ourobouros CR 6 XP 2400 Male serpent person Fighter 3/Rogue 4 N Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian, shapechanger) Init +5; Senses Perception +10; Darkvision 60' DEFENSE AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+11 Dex, +2 armor) hp 45 (4d8+3d10+7) Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +2 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Short sword +8/+3 (1d6+1) Ranged Short bow +7/+2 (1d6) Special Attacks Armor training 1, bravery +1, evasion, rogue talent (major magic and minor magic), sneak attack +2d6, trap sense +1, trapfinding, uncanny dodge STATISTICS Str 12, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 11, Cha 16 Base Atk +6/+1; CMB +7; CMD 18 Feats Alertness, Arcane Strike, Deceitful, Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot, Stealthy, Weapon Focus (shortsword) Skills* Acrobatics +8, Appraise +11, Bluff +13, Diplomacy +11, Disguise +13, Escape Artist +3, Knowledge (local) +11, Linguistics +11, Perception +10, Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +9, Stealth +11 *Serpent people receive racial bonuses of +4 to Escape Artist and Stealth, and +8 to Swim, and +10 to Disguise when using their Change Shape ability. Languages Serpent person, common, elven, dwarven SQ Trapfinding, evasion, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge, minor magic, major magic Combat Gear Leather armor, short sword, spell component pouch Spells Known: Message, comprehend languages Kane Prentiss is the proprietor at the Sign of the Ourobouros, the tavern and inn on Crossroads. Ostensibly, the choice for a symbol—a serpent biting its own tail—represents the safe departure and return of outgoing vessels. What nobody but Prentiss and his family know, however, is that he and his staff are serpent people. Their shapechanging ability allows them to take on the more familiar forms of humans, elves and dwarves. In this way they can gather lots of information about what is happening in the settlement. So far they have only used what they've learned to help keep the peace and prevent trouble, but should they have a more lucrative opportunity, they might not be able to re resist taking advantage of it. Prentiss usually presents himself as a human. He is friendly with guests, but none too quick to share information about himself.

Ourobouros Servers CR ½ XP 200 Female serpent person rogue 1 N Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian, shapechanger) Init +6; Senses Perception +4; Darkvision to 60' DEFENSE AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural) hp 8 (1d8) Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +0 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft.; swim 20 ft. Melee Dagger +2 (1d4) Ranged Dagger +2 (1d4) Special Attacks Sneak Attack +1d6 STATISTICS Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 17 Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 11 Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse (dagger) Skills* Acrobatics +6, Bluff + 7, Climb +3, Diplomacy +7, Disguise +7, Knowledge (local) +6, Linguistics +6, Perception +4, Sleight of Hand +6, Stealth +10 *Serpent people receive racial bonuses of +4 to Escape Artist and Stealth, and +8 to Swim, and +10 to Disguise when using their Change Shape ability. Languages Serpent person, Common, one other SQ Change shape, sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding Combat Gear Clothing, dagger These ladies play the part of friendly, outgoing, attractive types, such as humans, half-elves and elves. They are prone to fawning over customers and gossiping, which is just part of their role as spies for their father.

Ourobouros Bouncers CR ½ XP 200 Male serpent person fighter 1 N Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian, shapechanger) Init +5; Senses Perception +1; Darkvision to 60' DEFENSE AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +3 studded leather, +1 natural) hp 11 (1d10+1) Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft.; swim 20 ft. Melee Longsword +4 (1d8+2) Ranged Light Crossbow +2 (1d8) Special Attacks Point Blank Shot STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 12 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 14 Feats Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills* Climb +6, Survival +5 *Serpent people receive racial bonuses of +4 to Escape Artist and Stealth, and +8 to Swim, and +10 to Disguise when using their Change Shape ability. Languages Serpent person, Common SQ Change shape Combat Gear Studded leather armor, longsword, light crossbow, case w/10 bolts These fellows assume the forms of various rough-and-tumble types such as humans, half-elves or half-orcs. They keep matters at the Sign of the Ourobouros from becoming too raucous. At the same time, they listen for lucrative information, and are always ready to support their sisters.