Physical Description: Tarin is a robust woman in her mid-twenties with the kind of boundless energy that seems to light up any room she enters. Her auburn hair is usually pulled back in a practical braid adorned with small festival ribbons that customers have given her throughout the week. Freckles dust her sun-kissed face, and her green eyes sparkle with genuine warmth and barely contained laughter. Her hands, calloused from years of hauling ale barrels and washing mugs, move with practiced efficiency even when she’s telling animated stories.
She wears a well-fitted brown dress with rolled sleeves and a leather apron that’s somehow managed to stay mostly clean despite the festival chaos. A collection of small trinkets—carved wooden tokens, pressed flowers, colorful beads—hang from her belt, gifts from grateful customers over the years.
Personality & Energy: Tarin possesses an infectious enthusiasm that makes even the grumpiest dwarven miners crack smiles. She has an extraordinary memory for faces, names, and stories, treating each customer like an old friend returning home. Her laughter is frequent and genuine—a bright, musical sound that cuts through tavern noise and draws people into conversation whether they intended to or not.
She’s naturally curious about people and their stories, asking questions not from nosiness but from genuine interest in the fascinating lives that intersect at her tavern. This makes her an invaluable source of information, though she’d never think of herself as a spy—just someone who cares about the people around her.
Background & Role: Tarin grew up in Greendale as the daughter of a blacksmith, but found her calling at The Third Onion Tavern when she was sixteen. The previous owner, old Henrik, took her under his wing and taught her that a good tavern keeper doesn’t just serve drinks—they tend to the community’s social heartbeat. When Henrik retired two years ago, he left the tavern to Tarin, knowing she’d preserve its spirit.
During normal times, she knows everyone in town and most of their business. During festivals, she becomes a living chronicle of visiting merchants, traveling performers, and the countless small dramas that unfold when different cultures mix over strong ale.
Festival Expertise: Tarin thrives during the Festival of Therion. She’s learned phrases in Dwarvish, Elvish, and Halfling over the years, and has developed an intuitive understanding of different cultural customs around drinking and hospitality. She can tell within minutes if someone is a genuine trader, a down-on-their-luck traveler, or something more suspicious.
Her tavern serves as neutral ground where elven nobles might share a table with human farmers, and she’s proud of maintaining that atmosphere of fellowship.
Key Information She Possesses:
The Suspicious Visitor: Three nights ago, a man came in claiming to be a horse trader from the northern kingdoms. What made him memorable:
- Ordered ale but barely touched it, spending more time watching the room
- Asked casual questions about “how busy the town gets” and “where all the money ends up after a good festival”
- Had fresh scratches on his hands and smelled strongly of pine and woodsmoke
- Left suddenly when a group of off-duty town guards entered
- Paid with coins that seemed older and more worn than typical trader currency
Overheard Conversations: Her position behind the bar lets her catch fragments of many discussions:
- Elven traders mentioning “unnatural disturbances” in the northern forests
- Halfling merchants complaining about missing livestock
- Visiting merchants discussing the safest routes back to their home kingdoms
- Local farmers worrying about strangers seen scouting their land
Pattern Recognition: Tarin noticed that several “visitors” this festival have asked similar questions about money, security, and travel routes—unusual for typical festival-goers who are more interested in goods, entertainment, and lodging.
Speech Patterns & Dialogue: Tarin speaks with warmth and energy, often punctuating her sentences with gestures and expressions. She has a habit of addressing people with affectionate terms:
“Well now, sweetheart, you look like you’ve got the weight of the world on those shoulders! Come, sit yourself down and tell Tarin what’s troubling you. And don’t say ‘nothing’—I’ve been tending bar long enough to read worry lines like they’re written in my ledger.”
She often shares information through storytelling:
“Oh, that reminds me of the strangest thing! Three nights back—or was it four? Time flies during festival week—anyway, this fellow comes in, claims he’s a horse trader. Now, I’ve met plenty of horse traders, love, and they’ve got a way about them, you know? Confident, easy with people, always ready with a story about the roads. But this one…”
Mannerisms & Habits:
- Polishes mugs while talking, her hands never idle
- Has an uncanny ability to remember what each customer drinks
- Collects small tokens and stories from travelers
- Hums folk songs while working, often switching between cultural traditions
- Notices details about people’s hands, clothing, and accents
- Offers food even when people only order drinks
Relationship with Other NPCs:
- Captain Aldric: Respectful but not intimidated—she’s known him since she was a child
- Mensarius: Protective and motherly—she often brings him meals when he forgets to eat
- Town Guards: Treats them like beloved younger brothers, keeping them fed and informed
- Festival Visitors: Professional but warm, able to make anyone feel welcome
Combat Capabilities: While not a fighter, Tarin is surprisingly resilient and resourceful. She keeps a stout oak club behind the bar (for dealing with the occasional drunk) and knows how to use it. More importantly, she can rally the tavern’s customers to action if needed—her word carries weight with both locals and visitors.
Key Dialogue Samples:
“Horse trader, he said, but his hands told a different story. Callused wrong for reins, if you catch my meaning. More like… well, like someone who spends time gripping weapons rather than leading horses. And the smell! Pine sap and campfire smoke, fresh as yesterday’s bread.”
“The elves from Lirithal, bless their ancient hearts, they mentioned something about the forest feeling ‘wrong’ to the east. Said even the wildlife’s been fleeing south. Now, I don’t speak fluent tree-whisper like they do, but when the elves say nature’s upset, I listen.”
Potential Plot Development:
- Could provide the party with detailed descriptions of suspicious visitors
- Might rally townspeople to help defend against the bandit attack
- Could offer the tavern as a safe house or meeting point
- Her network of festival contacts could provide additional leads
- She might recognize items or descriptions from the bandit camp if the party finds evidence
Tarin represents the heart of Greendale’s community—someone worth protecting and someone whose knowledge of people makes her invaluable to the investigation. Her upbeat nature provides emotional balance against the growing tension while her observational skills make her a crucial ally.