For travelers moving through the Black Shroud, the forest can sometimes seem inhospitable. On the road, a sense of comfort, company, or even a good meal might seem reserved for their dreams. Those with the good fortune to find the Blind Boar Inn, a cozy cabin nestled along the trade route south of Quarrymill, will find a pleasant respite, be it for a bell or an entire evening, from the weariness of the road.
The tavern is the fruit of the labor between partners Ahdeh’to and C’rik (“Rik, if you’re daring”), who set out to create a space welcoming to all. The effort is felt immediately as you enter the cabin, greeted by a front room barely able to keep out the verdant growth of the forest outside. The Tavern itself sits in the basement in a space designed to encourage community. Seating consists of closely set stools or plush couches surrounding a roaring hearth. Everything seems to encourage close conversation with friends both brought and made.
Ahdeh’to, a hunter by trade, brings a calming energy and a slow drawl while C’Rik seems an endless fount of excitability and charm. This contrast allows them each to fill a natural role on the night of my visit; Ahdeh’to manages the bar while C’rik chats with guests and plays his harp on a large stage. Clientele is a mixture of travelers and traders, and adventurers come to take advantage of rumors of work, including a bounty board managed by the house.
Visitors enjoy the Blind Boar’s wide selection of beer and spirits, including popular Twelveswood ciders and a rather expansive selection of imported liquors.
I was treated with one of the most popular alcohol-free drinks – a sarsaparilla float, topped with decorative ice cream creations in the shape of the legendary Moogles of the Black Shroud. It’s not overly sweet, which means the frozen cream doesn’t overpower the entire creation, and it would certainly be refreshing after a long day on the road. According to Ahdeh’to, the pair wanted something unique to set them apart from other taverns, and this sweet treat fits the bill.
The bounty of the forest is alive in their menu. Offerings include a meaty selection of ribs, steaks and chops along with a Foraged Feast consisting of locally gathered greens, fruits and nuts. On my visit, I indulged in the Biast Ribs; the meat cooked to perfect tenderness and coated in a sweet yet spicy sauce to compliment the natural, gamey flavor. Also of note is the Perpetual Stew, a simmering concoction that changes as freshly hunted ingredients are added by the owners and visitors alike; a Twelveswood tradition suggests those who join another’s camp to add some of their own catch in lieu of coin as an offering.
This wasn’t the only tradition afforded to those short on gil; when asked about his favorite dish, C’Rik was quick to point out a cart of fresh food stationed near the bar. Adorned with bread, cheeses and even dried meats, the cart is free for all patrons. Too many places turn away those without the gil to pay, they explain to me, so the cart is meant to show that all deserve comfort. After all, the first rule here is “People are people, no matter who or what they are.”
The Blind Boar Tavern is a comfortable and welcoming spot full of good food and wonderful company. Like a flower blooming just off the beaten path; you may have to go out of your way to find it, but once you do, it’s worth taking some time to admire it.
