There has also been increased contact and trade with Naerie and Naerese officials and merchants regularly stay at the Inn. This has at times created some tension and the Innkeeper works hard to smooth over any issues, as it can be difficult to tell the allegiance of those sitting within earshot.
Communities of Halflings and gnomes reside in the secluded valleys deeper into the Baraktors and the Inn is occasionally visited by such folk. This usually creates something of a stir, for while Rockport has residents of both races, large groups of them socialising is a more uncommon site.
Most nights there will be at least one band of dwarves visiting from the dwarven settlements deeper into the Baraktors. Mostly these dwarves keep to themselves, though several engage with local dwarves and humans to gets news from other lands.
As in the town itself, patrons of the Inn are permitted to carry small unobtrusive weapons as long as they are sheathed or otherwise not readily accessible. Larger weapons are kept in racks in a storeroom with a token provided for their safe return. Drawing of a weapon will result in summoning of a squad of soldiers to the Inn (often backed up by off-duty soldiers already in the Inn).
Adventurers of various kinds are also regular visitors to the Inn. Some arrive by sea, but most arrive from either Irongate or Naerie. The local coastal dales as well as the nearby Iron Hills provide a multitude of unexplored places to adventure, and Rockport makes an ideal base given its proximity and ability to provide equipment, transport and accommodation.
Adventure Hooks
A small clique of former Ideeans has been using the Inn to meet to plot attacks in Naerie. They are short on muscle and need a few good swords...
Local guides meet travellers here before venturing through the valleys into the Baraktors. There has been a noticeable increase of late in attacks on travellers. Some say it is bandits, some say humanoids, yet others claim a wild story about a former Scarlet Brotherhood general who now leads a band of his ex-soldiers as bandits, trying to find their way home...
Fishermen tell stories of increasing encounters with strange creatures at sea. The ships of the Scarlet Sign and allied vessels still frequent the Azure Sea and those handy with a blade might find a berth in exchange for their skill...
Reports of band so of scarlet forces hiding out in the Baraktors and the Iron Hills still persist. Rumour has it the local Lord may hire adventurers to assist his own troops in seeking them out...
A charismatic Hobgoblin (there’s no such animal?) has been marshalling previously antagonistic tribes together and making fortifications within the Baraktors in readiness to stage a siege of local dwarven mines. The dwarves require adventures to seek out and destroy these forces before they can become too organised...
A local merchant is looking to expand his trade into nearby Naerie but fears for his safety. He requires a group of disciplined and politically savvy adventurers to accompany him...
Naerie military forces claims bandits are launching attacks from inside Irongate territory. They have asked for and received permission from House Heshun nobles to pursue bandits over the border. The Lord Protectors forces have a limited ability to repel such incursions and in any case the matter is delicate as neither side wants to harm trade. Perhaps a skilled band of adventurers can find a solution...
A local miner is having trouble with miners being slain in one of his newer mines. No-one seems to survive the attacks, but a poisoned hand crossbow bolt was found at the site of one attack...
