Tavern at the End of the World
Tavern. Publichouse. There are a lot of words for the thing you run. The one you like these days, as occupiers’ boots tramp through your streets, is refuge. You offer a hard drink, a good meal, somewhere to hide. And other, more slippery things. Until they shut you down.
My Establishment
- What is the occupation here, armed and uniformed, to secure?
- Ace of Cups: the Holy Grail → Radically religious government Totalitarian religious government in a Medieval World.
- In addition to food and rooms, what illicit service do you provide?
- The Star: hope, enlightenment, imagination, glitters → drugs that allow surreal experience
Upfront my tavern sells hard liquor and hearty meals. But in the basement I sell the Milk.
Milk is a tea infused with psychedelic mushroom that helps meditation. Milk allows you to reach meditative trans state, become aware of present and deeply relax your body and mind -and if you're lucky enough an out of body experience as well. We provide the Milk and a space to immerse into its effect.
How does one gets access to the basement? First, he/she has to know the password that changes everyday. Once we check the password of the day, we give the cat (customer who wants the Milk) the number of the restroom stall. In the toilet we check the identity of the cat and take him/her to the cupboard with cleaning supplies that is connected to the basement. Long process, yes, but they are all absolutely necessary.
Finally in the basement, the cat chooses a cushion or a mat and sits wherever he/she pleases. We then bring in the Milk. The cat drinks the milk, take whatever position he/she pleases, and enters the meditative state. One hour later we gently wake him/her up and give a bit of time to come back.
- What keeps your establishment off the occupation’s radar, for now?
- The Universe: completion of great work, the highest yet the lowest, beginning and the end → my father is one of the ruling parting in the government.
I have always been an outlier of the family. My father, the son of the greatest Priest of the era, is one of the most respected and the most powerful man in the World.
And I am his disappointment. An outlier of the family. I was never as clever as my brother who memorised the bible by the age of 5. I was never as diligent as my sister who was a varsity student and now became the youngest governing member. I barely graduated high school and I worked at a tavern owned by an old lady ... That's how my family know it. No news is good news to them.
- What’s your tavern’s name?
- 8 of Cups (indolence), 7 of Swords (futility)
Lazy Swords
1st Night
4 of Swords
- Middle-aged soldier, conventionally good-looking
- Wants: inspection
- (2C for being famous, serving: 1H) During the inspection, he opened the cupboard with cleaning supplies. Just then, a cat on its way to the toilet, screeched. I told 4 of Swords we can come back later after we deal with the cat to inspect the cupboard if he pleased. And he said it was ok and this will do for the day.
Ace of Disks
- a wealthy merchant
- Wants: product
- (1C for being famous: 1H) "I've heard from someone that you sell something more than just wine." → "You came for our hidden menu! Yes we have an excellent wine cocktail. Let me whip you up. But you mustn't tell anyone because herbs that go into it don't come in everyday!"
2 of Wands
- young revolutionary man
- Wants: fight
- (1C for being loud: 0H) "I just want a glass of juice and some pancakes."
7 of Disks
- beggar
- Wants: lay low
- (0C) Drops in every evening for untouched leftover food.
Queen of Disks
- Widow of a rich merchant
- Wants: product
- (1C for being famous: 0H) "I'd like to drink some Milk." → "Sure Ma'am which one would you like?" → "I'm feeling very artsy" → "We'll get it ready for you. If you want to use the restroom the 2nd stall to the door is currently out of order." → We checked her identity. She was the widow of a rich merchant. I heard that she was a studious women. A waitress who knows all the someones told me that after her husband death, she has been voraciously reading books from all over the world which she acquired in secret. Strange but interesting old lady.
2nd Night
Prince of Wands
- The Brain of the Revolutionaries
- Want: Wants to hold a regular meeting in Lazy Swords.
- (1C for being watched: 1H) I tell him; "Hell naw. This place is frequented by many people. I don't want to host some sus meetings and surely you folks don't want to squat in the hottest tavern in town?" He grudgingly leaves.
Ace of Wands
- Underground Head of the Revolutionaries
- Want: Meetings as above
- (1C for being wanted: 0H) I am sorry for my man disturbing you. We really just wanted to have a regular meeting place and we really love the hearty food and atmosphere here so we thougtht this place would be perfect." I refused and he humbly took my refusal. Knight of Wands didn't look happy though.
Hierophant
- Prophet, a dangerous occupatuon in this age
- Wants: Threat? Allegiance?
- (1C for being watched: 0H) "I heard that you offer an interesting service. Don't look at ke like that young lady. I am just a curious old man." I asked what he would like to order. "Whiskey on the rock. Thank you."
8 of Disks
- Noble man, disguised as women
- Want: product
- (0C): "Can I have a glass of milk please?" → "Sure. Miss, do you have any allergies?" → "No but I don't like lamb's milk." I checked his identity and realised that he was a man. I looked at him and recognised him. "I know you too girl. I am just here to drink milk."
Death
- Legend walking; a hero who brought multiple victories to our Kingdom
- Want: Curiosity
- (2C for being famous, watched): 1H) "I've been hearing rumours about this tavern." Everyone was looking at the Legend speak. → "I hope only good onrs." → "A good friend of mine, who rode with me in many wars, told me that a special drink helped him cope with many Deaths we saw." I had no clue who he was talking about. "Well our camomile tea is definitely unlike any tea you can find in your local café." I made him a camomile tea mixed with honey and brandy.
3rd Night
8 of Wands
- Noble dude disguised as woman who came last night. He almost looks better than most women.
- Want: product
- (0C) "Hello, isnt't this a lovely day? -flaunts his immaculate manicures- I'd like a cup of some lovely milk. Your drink really comforts me. It helps me forget what I am born as and believe what I am born to be."
The Moon
- Another prophet, but with a sinister vibe
- Want: Curiosity
- (1C for being watched: 1H) "I've seen visions of this tavern. You seem to be standing on quite a lot of people. Tell me what's below your feet?" → "I did have to step on some rival taverns to come this far. And I think this special cocktail I made is what made this place so famous." I made a very strong mix with absinthe and overcharged him so that the creep never returns.
9 of Disks
- Cutpurse, conartist
- Want: A Deal
- (0C)"I saw you what you did there with that hooded old man. No you didn't just overcharged him but you also dodged a question to which I know the answer to. It's been a while I drank that lovely Milk." I asked him if he wanted some. "No, but I would like to suggest a deal. Why don't I work for you as an informant or your street- savvy handy guy and I get some Milk for free three time a week. It's a 'love'ly deal innit?" It's always good to have these kinda folks around.
Devil
- Rival proprieter
- Want: Threat
- (1C for being loud: 0H) "Well well. Who is this making a deal with a pesky thief?" → 9 of Disks pulled a wallet out of her pocket and said "I am sorry but who are you calling a theif when you just slipped this old man's wallet into your pocket?" She denied and left.
Princess of Cups
- My lover, she is conventionally exceptionally beautiful.
- Want: Romance
- (1C for standing out: 0H) "Why didn't you stop by last night? You said you would." I calmed her down at the alley, came back into the tavern, and served her favourite chocolate cake.
4th Night
Ace of Swords
- Chief of soldiers
- Wants: inspection
- (2C for being famous, serving: 0H) He was about to inspect but received an emergency dispatch call for back up for putting down revolutionary riot.
7 of Wands
- A young revolutionary, came after suppression of the riot
- Wants: fight
- (2C for being loud and wanted) Kept causing turmoil by instigating fights. He recognised my pompous brother and dragged him out for a fight.
The Chariot
- My oh so perfect brother
- Wants: threat
- (2C for being loud, serving: 0H) “I heard you cook greasy pancakes and wipe vomits off the floor. Being among the lesses suits you.” 7 of Wands heard him and dragged him out.
Aeon
- Legend, the supernova of revolutionary idea of our time. He preached that enlightenment and God-self can be reached by actively working to achieve one’s will rather than mindless sacrifice. He stood on the court multiple times but the government was never able to succeed in accusation.
- Wants: curiosity
- (1C for being watched: 0H) “I heard you serve special drinks, me and my lovely Ace of Cups are very curious.” Though I wished I could have them taste some of my Milk, I can’t. I just brought out my finest wine.
Ace of Cups
- Aeon’s lover. Some calls him visionary. He advocates the power of love over rituals and conducts.
- Wants: drink
- (1C for being watched: 0H) came with his lover, Aeon, drank wine and left.
5th Night
10 of Cups
- A plump round couple
- Wants: drinks and food
- (0C) Ordered ridiculous amount of food and finished them in one sitting.
7 of Disks
- beggar
- Wants: lay low
- (0C) Sat down watching 10 of Cups gorging down all the food, hoping for a left over. But was disappointed by none left. I gave him some freshly baked key lime pie that I was experimenting to put it in our menu.
8 of Wands
- Witch
- Wants: company
- (1C for being watched: 0H): "The Priest and I aren't so different you know? It's just that I am able to produce faster result. You know how? Because I actively excavate through my life instead of passively hoping that God'll give me the life I want."
2 of Disks
- Refugee
- Wants: Lay low
- (OC) "I came to the Kingdom to change my life. But for now I should lay low until I really settle in." He ordered hefty amount of pancakes.
2 of Swords
- Old master, peaceful but talks way too much
- Wants: Debate
- (OC) He seemed like he wanted some debate on life and lots of other topics which I'd love to listen if he didn't come at the peak hour. I had him sit next to the 8 of Wants. Just as I thought the two got into heated debate.
6th Night
The Fool
- Young Royalty
- Wants: curiosity
- (1C for being famous: 1H) "Hey I heard about the new drug on the street and I could get some here! Is that true? Can I have some?" → "I don't know where you heard that nonsense. But I am remorseful that a young royal, who we look up to, has a despicable desire with our blood and sweat smeared tax." He turned red, embarrassed. "Now why don't I make you a bourbon milkshake that's closest to (air quote) drugs."
Fortune
- Rival Proprietor
- Wants: threat
- (1C for being loud: 0H) "So what is that drug that guy is talking about. Don't lie I've heard that rumour too." I shrugged and went away.
Knight of Wands
- One of circus gangs.
- Wants: company
- (1C for being famous: 0H) talked with some strangers and left
Ace of Swords
- Chief of Soldiers
- Wants: inspection
- (2C: 2H) Came back for inspection. He was committed to get down with this tavern. I guess the rumour has stirred him too. 9 of Disks tried to distract him.
9 of Disks
- Cutpurse, conartist
- Want: a product
- (0C) He came in to drink Milk and provide information about the rumour and its origin. When he saw Ace of Swords approaching the basement, he went to say hello and share a small talk. I pulled the curtain which signaled a girl in the basement. The girl woke up the cats and hurried them out through a backdoor leading to our backyard. Before leaving she set the basement on fire. The fire spread to rest of the tavern, I took the money and the record book and 9 of Disks helped me out.
epilogue
Tarot:
- The Moon
- 2 of Wands
- 4 of Wands
When my two girls, 9 of Coins and I ran away into the forest it was already dark. We set camp in the woods for a while. We talked about what we will do from now on. We had money to start our business all over again. But then again do I want that...? We decided to continue our debate the next day.
I woke up early the next day. The dawn of the woods was cold even during summer. I watched the sunrise over the horizon. I contemplated. I wanted to become something more than a glorified drug dealer. Why keep relying on psychedelics?
A meditation house. Rich and royals have privacy so can easily contemplate and study -to keep their positions and what they have- as much as they want. Ordinary people, however, are stripped of silence. Living in cramped spaces, they sleep in hustles and are woken up by bustles. We will be selling silence. Silence where people can sleep, meditate, study or simply, just think. We will register our business as a café or a tea house -which is true since we are going to sell beverages that helps to either concentrate or calm down. And that I doubt that the Kingdom can take it away from me.
I explained my thoughts to my crew.
"I'm going to open a meditation house. Those who wants run business with me and those who don't can leave, I will pay you your last salary."
And that is how four of us opened the Kingdom's most innovative Café.
Review
With fond memory of "Princess with a Cursed Sword," I proceeded with "Tavern at the End of the World" by the same author, Anna Anthropy.
This time I decided to play it with less meticulosity, as I spent too much time chiseling my story of "Princess with a Cursed Sword". It felt much less demanding for sure. Considering the game required multiple sessions, I needed that low pressure.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 'repeat visitor' mechanism. When cards reappeared, it really felt like returning visitors. And rereading my previous entries to remember their profile, I emerged into my character every evening.
One very minor flaw was that because of too much freedom of storytelling, sometimes I felt like I was cheating the game. I had the same feeling with the previous game. But "Tavern at the End of the World", since it dealt with more real life situation with engagement with multiple characters with various wants, the feeling of cheating felt harder when it came to handling unwanted attention from one head. For instance, when dealing with suspecting visitors I denied or misdirected but I doubt that it'd be that simple in reality. I tried my best to not be like 'I gave him some drink and it seemed to quiet him' and instead imagined what exactly I would say to be persuasive. But this is me nitpicking. I tend to make my life harder just for fun./s
The author seems to have couple more journaling role-playing games using tarots and I am excited to explore more. Magpie by Moonlight seems pretty chill and perfect to play with my Animal Tarot.