Secret Tavern Hideout

Type: Safehouse/Tavern
Region: Belendar, district unknown Status: Active (Defended, Currently Sheltering Key NPCs)
Tags: #location/inn #location/allied #location/party-stronghold #location/under-threat

Description

A seemingly ordinary tavern in Belendar that conceals a secret underground safehouse used by the Bane Watchers organization. The establishment operates as a functioning public tavern while maintaining a hidden basement accessible via trapdoor behind the bar. The barman operates the entrance and provides refuge for Bane Watchers and their allies during emergencies. Features both underground basement level and upper floor with balcony overlooking main tavern area. Its existence and location appear to be known only to trusted members of the organization.

Geography

Located somewhere within Belendar's city limits, specific district unidentified. Two-story tavern structure with underground basement. Main floor contains bar area with hidden trapdoor, large distillery barrels (~8ft tall, immovable/fixed to floor), and tables. Upper level accessed by rear staircase, features wooden balcony with half-cover railings providing elevated defensive position. Back area includes pantry/storage room with food supplies. Multiple entry points: front door (main thoroughfare), back door (toward alley/storage).

Key Features

Secret Trapdoor: Hidden entrance behind the bar, operated by the barman
Underground Basement: Safehouse area for hiding fugitives or wounded allies, used for party regrouping
Upper Balcony: Elevated level with wooden railings, provides tactical advantage and half-cover
Large Distillery Barrels: Approximately 8 feet tall, immovable (possibly fixed/attached), positioned throughout main floor
Pantry/Storage Room: Contains food supplies, used as temporary hiding spot
Multiple Entrances: Front door and back door (breached during Session 24 siege)
Public Tavern Cover: Functions as legitimate business to avoid suspicion
Discreet Operation: Barman asks no questions, provides immediate sanctuary

Population

Barman: Unnamed proprietor who knows Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian, operates trapdoor, expects Bane Watcher arrivals
Public Patrons: Regular tavern customers (unaware of secret basement)
Current Refugees: Avicia, Patriarch Siegfried Wildner, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (injured), Ser Silvar's Maître d' (unconscious), various soldiers and squires

Leadership

Operator: Unnamed barman (Bane Watcher contact)
Organization: Bane Watchers (maintains location)
Current Defense Commander: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (Session 24)
Current Protector of VIPs: Patriarch Siegfried Wildner (guarding Avicia)

History

Unknown when established or how long it has served as Bane Watchers safehouse. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian clearly knew of its existence and location, suggesting it predates recent events. Part of wider Bane Watcher safehouse network throughout Belendar.

Current Situation

Session 24 Status: Successfully defended against Falcon faction siege (orange/blue mercenaries). Front door held by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian despite injuries (arrow to chest, stab wound in side). Back door breached but attackers eliminated by party before departure.

Currently sheltering critical NPCs while party conducts palace mission:

Avicia - Royal heir in hiding (identity secret)
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Protecting Avicia, recovered from Session 23 ordeal
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Holding defensive position, injured but functional
Ser Silvar's Maître d' - Unconscious, critically wounded (rescued from mansion fire)
Various soldiers who accompanied Lady Odonia of Galantri and Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
Party squires

Tactical Status: Proven defensible with elevation advantage, multiple choke points, but vulnerable to sustained siege. Enemy aware of location after Session 24 attack.

Connections

Nearby Locations:

Belendar - Town Square (site of Session 22 ambush)
Ser Silvar Glinnan's Mansion (destroyed, Session 22)
Belendar - Palace (party's current mission destination)

Part of:

Belendar (specific district unknown)
Bane Watchers network of safe locations throughout city

Inhabitants

Major NPCs (Current):

Unnamed Barman - Operator and gatekeeper, Bane Watcher contact
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Defending position, injured
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Protecting Avicia, revealed her identity here
Avicia - Royal heir in hiding
Ser Silvar's Maître d' - Unconscious, wounded
Various soldiers and squires

Factions:

Bane Watchers (controlling organization)
Riders of the Storm (temporary refuge)

Quests - Active#Avicia's Education Decision - Currently serving as her hiding place
Quests - Active#Eagle vs Falcon Faction War - Attacked by Falcon forces (Session 24)
Quests - Completed#Defend Palace - Staging point for palace mission
Quests - Active#The Bane - Connected to Bane Watchers operations
Quests - Mysteries#Patriarch's Power Increase - Location of his recovery (Session 24)

Appearances

Session 22 - 15 March 2025 - Party evacuated here after town square ambush. Barman opened trapdoor, survivors descended into darkness. Elvva Beltavar's body brought here.
Session 23 - 6 April 2025 - Resurrection ritual performed in underground area. Party awakened after ethereal journey with Elvva Beltavar alive and Patriarch Siegfried Wildner unconscious. Lady Odonia of Galantri arrived with Patriarch Siegfried Wildner, announcing king's death.
Session 24 - 4 May 2025 - Under siege by orange/blue mercenaries. Party defended position (killed multiple attackers). Patriarch Siegfried Wildner recovered consciousness, revealed Avicia's identity as royal heir, swore party to secrecy. Party departed for palace, leaving Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian, Patriarch Siegfried Wildner, and Avicia to hold position.

Notes

Specific district within Belendar never identified
Barman's name not provided but clearly trusted Bane Watcher contact
Underground basement served as resurrection ritual site (Session 23)
Large barrels confirmed immovable - possibly attached/fixed to floor
Strategic value as hidden base, but location now compromised after Session 24 attack
May have other exits or connected passages (unexplored)
Critical: Currently shelters rightful heir to throne (Avicia) - if discovered, major political implications
Defended successfully but remains vulnerable to sustained assault