Study finds local tavernkeeps no longer dominant information source for questgoers
The Tavern—a place that has always been associated with methodical research. But, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll, tavernkeeps are no longer nearly as popular among the adventuring populace. I sat down with local guildmaster, Bjork Sideweih, to find out why:
BS: Back in the 50’s, tavernkeeps were just the only way for the average American to find out about important quests. Oracles were too infrequent, wizard consults were unaffordable—it all came down to the tavern.
RM: So what was the turning point?
BS: There was no one clear turning point, but a slow downfall from a number of factors. For one, you have to remember that younger generations simply aren’t drinking as much as their elders—
RM: Why is that?
BS: The sheer number of corpses littered with healing items have contributed to a sort of potoflation. Your average adventurer no longer has to go to the tavern to stock up. Another thing you have to consider is that younger generations are squares who have no social lives. Meanwhile, the older generations who drink are increasingly retiring and becoming quest-givers themselves, further reducing the need for tavernkeeps.
RM: To those who miss the days when tavernkeeps were ubiquitous, would you tell them to still hold out hope?
BS: Frankly, no. It’s a symbol of a bygone era. I see better chances of the return of Damsels being imprisoned in overly tall towers than tavernkeeps coming back. RM: Do you see any other Quest methods looking to fall out of popularity as well?
BS: I think people are tired of written prophecies, and we’ll see a decline in them as well. The headaches found in their lack of clarity, and angst about the nature of free will that they inevitably cause seems unnecessary in our freedom-focused modern world.