Tumbling Stone Tavern

The Tumbling Stone Tavern is a large tavern near the northern gate of the city of Bornheim just inside an area known as The Wash. Frequented by many of the stone masons and stonecutters that work in the fields north of the city. Criminal activity would be highter, but the members of the nightwatch, who headquarters are located in the North Gatehouse, also frequently drink here. Members of the watch can get their first drink free when they get off their shift.

The entire ground floor of the tavern is built with dressed stone that looks out of place among the surrounding buildings. Mallin Haas was once a stone cutter, but lost his leg in a accident. Although he had a wooden replacement made he was unable to return to work. Calling in his friends he purchased enough stone to remake an abandoned building.

What brings people to the tavern is not the drink, food, or companionship - it is that Mallin knows to keep his mouth shut. He doesn't ask questions of paying customers. He has never accepted any bribe from noble or constable to remember the name or face of someone that came in, even if they ducked out just moments ago. He has been put to the question by the Nightwatch several times, but he keeps his trap shut. It is not that he doesn't notice what goes on in his tavern, just that it is none of his business.

The bottom floor is built with dressed stone walls that are lime-plastered on the inside. The flooring is made from decorative fired clay tiles that were a gift to Mallin from “a friend.” Wooden tables, chairs, and benches are scattered about where Mallin pushes them while he is cleaning. Anyone breaking furniture will find that his fists are still strong enough to lay a man out.

To reach the second floor there are stairs along the back wall near the kitchen. They are steep and narrow, but secured solidly into the stone floor. There are three rooms on the second floor, one of them done up as a bunkhouse. Each room has a bolt and lock that can be secured from the inside.

The third floor is where Mallin and his wife live. It is only reached by stairs running up outside the back of the building. Two dogs Mallin keeps in the yard discourage any visitors. The outer door is thick oak planking secured with nails and bands, more solid that just about any other door in the wash. They are not wealthy, but the Wash can be a dangerous place.

The ale is average at best and goes down from there. The wine is either soured or watered down, depending on how low the keg is at the moment. Mallin's wife does the cooking, which she does to at least fair effect. There is nothing fancy served here, but solid chunks of meat, vegetables, course-ground bread can fill a working man. During the evenings he has a girl in to serve the customers. Sometimes she goes home with one of them, but that is none of Mallin's business.

He does not have a writ to offer sleeping accommodations, but there are empty rooms on the second floor. He trusts nobody enough to sleep in the common room, preferring to have people either gone or on the second floor.