Urban Locale: Stables
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The Stables
Kurikka’s Place: This family affair supports three generations of the same family. The building looks a little old and tired, but the horses within are well cared for. The original owner of the stables was a retired adventurer—some of her treasures are still buried below the stables in a forgotten secret vault.
The Paddock: A range of wooden stables surrounds this well-cropped field. A spring bubbles up in roughly the centre of the field to form a small pool; here, fresh water is not a problem.
The Happy Horse: This stable has an excellent local reputation as a good place to leave one’s mount. The owner loves horses and takes great care of their charges. For a special consideration, the owner may even take on more exotic mounts.
Main Stables: The owner of this large stable thinks he is funny and loves puns. The stable is comparatively small but well run. The stabler has good relationships with a local blacksmith and leatherworker.
2: Major Locale Features
The stables feature a large muddy courtyard to the rear where the horses are exercised.
The stables comprise two sections: one for normal mounts and the other (separate) smaller section for more exotic mounts and animal companions.
The stables have a thatched roof, and several birds nest within. The sound of birdsong often fills the air.
The stables have several attached storage sheds and the like for hay, fodder and the like. The stabler is also a part-time smith able to shoe horses.
3: Minor Locale Features
Old horseshoes, nailed in place, cover the stable’s walls.
The stables have stood for many years—the whole building looks tired and in need of maintenance.
Several large trees flank the stables and throw their shade over the building.
Several of the stablehands live above the stables in a converted attic.
4: What’s Going On?
A young boy is mucking out the stables and piling horse dung and dirty straw into an overloaded handcart.
The sound of raised voices—an argument—comes from within the stables; someone is complaining about the standard of fodder given to their mount.
The stables are predominantly empty, and the characters can get a good deal.
The stables are almost full, and there might not be room for all the characters’ mounts.
5: Other Folk
Solaith Natiyr (male half-elf druid) wants to stable his beloved wolf companion here, but the stabler is having none of it; both are getting increasingly irate. The wolf stands placidly by the druid’s side, but the whinnying of nervous horses comes from the stables.
Viljami Keiho (young male human) works at the stables as a stablehand. When the characters arrive, he is skiving off, hiding behind some hay bales. He only reluctantly comes at his master’s shout to take charge of the characters’ mounts.
Tahvo Otava (male human) believes the stablehands here abuse their charges—he’s heard the rumours—and as a horse lover, he has come here to see the truth of the matter. He is angry and loud.
Dricolen Silverleaf (male halfling) stables his trusty pony, Surefoot, here. Dricolen is a scout and wanderer well at home in the wilderness. He is chatty and friendly.
6: What’s For Sale?
Old Nag (25 gp): This old horse is obviously on its last legs, and the stabler is keen to get rid of it—its last owner abandoned it here a week ago.
Warhorse (400 gp): An adventurer stabled their jet-black warhorse here a month ago and never returned. The price includes the horse’s studded leather barding.
Lucky Horseshoe (1 gp): The stablehands try to sell this “lucky horseshoe” to anyone who seems friendly and wealthy. If they sell it, they replace it with another “lucky horseshoe” once the customer has left.
Albino Horse (250 gp): This high-spirited stallion is all white and has pink eyes. Its colouration makes it a rarity and, as a result, more expensive than normal.
Credit
This is a short system-neutral extract from Urban Locale #30: Stables: Smithy Robert Manson
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